title: Gammaretroviral vectors: biology, technology and application.
abstract: Retroviruses are evolutionary optimized gene carriers that have naturally adapted to their hosts to efficiently deliver their nucleic acids into the target cell chromatin, thereby overcoming natural cellular barriers. Here we will review-starting with a deeper look into retroviral biology-how Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV), a simple gammaretrovirus, can be converted into an efficient vehicle of genetic therapeutics. Furthermore, we will describe how more rational vector backbones can be designed and how these so-called self-inactivating vectors can be pseudotyped and produced. Finally, we will provide an overview on existing clinical trials and how biosafety can be improved.
authors: Department of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, OE6960-HBZ, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany. maetzig.tobias@mh-hannover.de
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Maetzig
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Galla
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Baum
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Schambach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009052:Leukemia Virus, Murine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology