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Exploring the Potential of Cytomegalovirus-Based Vectors: A Review
Janine Zeng1, Dabbu Kumar Jaijyan1, Shaomin Yang2
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 070101, USA.
Viruses
|October 28, 2023
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) vectors are effective gene therapy tools due to their large capacity and ability to elicit strong immune responses. Further research is ongoing to overcome production challenges for human applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Gene Therapy
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Viral vectors are crucial for gene delivery in gene therapy.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) possesses unique properties making it a promising vector candidate.
- These properties include large packaging capacity, broad host range, and ability to induce CD8+ T cell responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties of cytomegalovirus (CMV) vectors.
- To discuss their current and future applications in gene therapy and vaccinology.
- To highlight the advantages and limitations of CMV-based vectors.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on CMV vector development and applications.
- Analysis of CMV's genetic and biological characteristics relevant to vector design.
- Examination of preclinical studies using murine CMV (MCMV) and rhesus CMV (RhCMV) vectors.
Main Results:
- CMV vectors demonstrate large gene packaging capacity and sustained high-level gene expression.
- CMV vectors induce robust, virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses, beneficial for vaccines.
- Preclinical studies in animal models show efficacy for vaccines against HIV, cancer, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Conclusions:
- CMV vectors are highly effective gene delivery vehicles with broad therapeutic potential.
- Engineered CMV strains and single-cycle replication vectors enhance safety, including for immunocompromised individuals.
- Further development is needed to address production complexities and storage limitations for human translation.
