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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Production of Replication-Defective Retrovirus by Transient Transfection of 293T cells
Published on: December 4, 2007
[Preliminary study on human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293 after porcine endogenous retrovirus infection]
1Lab of Transplantation Engineering and Immunology, Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To assess the infectivity of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) via in vitro infection of human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293.
Methods:
PERV particles were detected by immunoelectron microscopy. PERV DNA and mRNA were studied in HEK-293 24 hours after the infection using polymerase chain reaction and reverse transcriptase-PCR respectively. The PERV types were also analyzed. PERV-gag protein was observed by confocal microscopy.
Results:
Retroviral particles were round under electron microscope. PERV-gag pol gene and gag protein were detected and expressed in the infected HEK-293 cells. The types of PERV were PERV-A and PERV-B. PERV-gag protein was also identified in the cytoplasm of infected cells by confocal microscopy.
Conclusions:
PERV is able to infect HEK-293 cell line in vitro; types of PERV-gag protein is also expressed as a result. Further studies are thus necessary in order to evaluate the possibility of xenozoonoses in pig-to-human xenotransplantation.
Insights
Porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) can infect human embryonic kidney cells in vitro, with PERV-A and PERV-B types detected. This finding is crucial for assessing xenotransplantation risks.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are retroviruses naturally present in the swine genome.
- PERVs pose a potential risk for xenozoonoses in xenotransplantation.
- Understanding PERV infectivity in human cells is critical for xenotransplantation safety.
Purpose:
- To investigate the infectivity of PERV in a human cell line.
- To detect and characterize PERV presence and expression in infected human cells.
- To analyze PERV types and protein expression in vitro.
Summary:
- Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) were infected with PERV.
- PERV DNA, mRNA, and gag protein expression were confirmed in infected HEK-293 cells using PCR, RT-PCR, and confocal microscopy.
- PERV types A and B were identified, and retroviral particles were visualized via immunoelectron microscopy.
Impact:
- Demonstrates PERV infectivity in human cells, highlighting potential risks.
- Provides foundational data for evaluating the safety of pig-to-human xenotransplantation.
- Underscores the need for further research into PERV transmission and control.
