Review
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2005; 11(42): 6571-6576
Published online Nov 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i42.6571
Table 2 Commonest viruses used as gene therapy vectors
RetrovirusesAdenovirusesAdeno-associated virus (AAV)Herpes virus
8kb, RNA enveloped35 kb, DNA, non-enveloped5 kb, single stranded DNA, non-enveloped61 kb, double-stranded DNA
Activate proto-oncogene by insertional mutagenesisEpisomal, transientStable integration, high infectivityInfect mainly neurons
Cause lymphomaHighly immunogenic, causing inflammation and anaphylactic shockNon-pathogenic; requires helper viruses such as Adenoviruses for replication and packaging in mammalian cells.Cause cold sores or blisters in the genital areas
Inactivation of transgene in vivoOne case of deathLong-term expression in vivoCutaneous skin lesions