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Protection of MLV vector particles from human complement

S Breun1, B Salmons, W H Günzburg

  • 1Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria.

Insights

Murine leukemia virus (MLV) vectors are vulnerable to human complement. Expressing CD59 on packaging cells protected them and improved MLV vector resistance to complement-mediated inactivation.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Murine cell-derived Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) vector particles are typically susceptible to lysis mediated by the human complement system.
  • The human complement system poses a significant challenge for the in vivo application of MLV vectors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effect of expressing the human complement inhibitor CD59 on murine packaging cells.
  • To determine if CD59 incorporation into MLV vector particles enhances their resistance to human complement.

Main Methods:

  • Murine packaging cells were engineered to express human CD59.
  • The susceptibility of CD59-expressing cells and the resulting MLV vector particles to human complement-mediated lysis was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Expression of CD59 on murine packaging cells conferred partial protection against human complement-mediated lysis.
  • CD59 was successfully incorporated into MLV vector particles produced by these cells.
  • The resulting CD59-containing MLV vector particles exhibited enhanced resistance to inactivation by human complement.

Conclusions:

  • Engineering murine packaging cells to express CD59 can partially protect the cells from complement lysis.
  • Incorporation of CD59 into MLV vectors improves their resistance to human complement-mediated inactivation, potentially enhancing their therapeutic applicability.

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