Murine and HIV-based retroviral vectors for in vitro and in vivo gene transfer

The success of experimental gene therapy is dependent on the ability to safely and efficiently introduce transgenes into the target cell or tissue. Retroviral-based vectors, notably those derived from Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) and lentiviral vectors derived from HIV, have proven to be valuable gene transfer vehicles as a result of their ease of production and their ability to mediate long-term transgene expression. One of the most widely used methods for viral vector production is based on the transient transfection of viral vector plasmid DNA into a producer cell line. Here, we describe protocols to produce and standardize high quality MLV-based retroviral and HIV-based lentiviral vectors for ex vivo and in vivo gene delivery.