Filovirus
Pseudotyped lentiviral vectors (LVs) have the ability to transduce specific cell types, so they are important for targeted therapies. Currently, filoviral envelope glycoproteins (GPs) have received attention as candidates for pseudotyping LVs to target lung cells and myocytes. Creative Biolabs has established an advanced LVs optimization platform with GPs for targeting different types of cells. With years of experience in this field, we provide high-quality pseudotyping services of LVs by using filovirus GPs.
Introduction of Filovirus
Filovirus belongs to the family Filoviridae that causes hemorrhagic fever and has a single-stranded RNA as its genetic material. Filoviridae includes two genera, Marburg virus and Ebola Zaire (EboZ), which are confined primarily to regions of central, eastern, and western Africa. They have enveloped virions appearing as variably elongated filaments that are about 80 nm in diameter and generally between 650 and 1,400 nm in length. The lipoprotein envelope of virions contains a single type of GP, which protrudes from the surface of the virion and acts as an antigen that binds to receptors on the host cell, thereby promoting the process of viral infection.
Pseudotyping of LVs with Filovirus
Several features of LVs make them useful tools for basic science and preclinical research applications, including their large packaging capacity, efficient gene transfer capabilities, and persistent transgene expression. LVs also integrate into both dividing and nondividing cells, expanding the range of cells that can be targeted. The host range of LVs can be expanded or altered by a process known as pseudotyping. Pseudotyping is the act of replacing the native envelope protein with GPs from other enveloped viruses who possess the tropism to different cell types. The first and still the most widely used GPs for pseudotyping LVs derive from the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G), but this pseudotype has a low transduction efficiency in lung cells and myocytes. Notably, exploiting the natural tropism of filovirus (tropism for respiratory epithelium) to design the LVs targeting lung cells and myocytes has been promising by pseudotyping with Marburg and EboZ virus-derived GPs.
Compared to vectors pseudotyped with VSV-G, LVs pseudotyped with the EboZ and Marburg GPs are more efficient in transducing myocytes and airway epithelial cells. In addition, several mutant EboZ GPs, such as deletion of a heavily O-glycosylated extracellular domain of the EboZ GP, has been developed to pseudotype LVs. LVs pseudotyped with these mutant GPs result in higher titers and increased transduction in airway cells and myocytes compared to LVs pseudotyped with wild-type EboZ GP.
Application of LVs Pseudotyped with Filovirus
Delivery of genes to lung cells and myocytes by pseudotyped LVs provides an attractive strategy for basic research, such as studying cardiac muscle physiology, and treatment of chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is caused by the functional absence of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The application of gene delivery strategies as a treatment for CF is limited by the lack of a suitable vector that achieves good transduction of airway epithelia. LVs pseudotyped with the EboZ GPs allow for efficient and nontoxic transduction of airway epithelia in vitro and in vivo and may hold promise for the treatment of airway diseases such as CF.
Creative Biolabs provides unparalleled service and supports for LVs glycoprotein optimization. Our experienced scientists with a broad background in different life sciences disciplines can help you with any question about LVs optimization in your research. If you have any question about our LVs services, please feel free to contact us.
