Viral Vector: Retrovirus

Gamma-Retroviruses (gRVs), like LVs are a member of the retrovirus (RV) family and share many characteristics with LVs. One major difference is that gRVs infect predominantly proliferating cells while LVs can infect both dividing and non-dividing cells. However, engineered RVs are used as viral vectors to deliver genes of interest to host cells and gRVs were historically the method of choice as early as the 1980s. Clinical disease targets include lymphoma, leukemia, HIV, melanoma, neurological disorders, and graft versus host disease.

The Approach

RVs enable genomic incorporation of new DNA into host cells, making permanent genetic changes. Genomic changes made by RVs are often more robust, and stable compared to other vectors. RVs have become the most widely used tool for ex vivo introduction of genes into cells for therapeutic use.

The Challenge

Several different manufacturing methods have been used for gRV expression, purification, and formulation. RVs have been manufactured from adherent HEK293, Sf9 and HeLa cells. Each expression system has unique challenges with scalability, infectivity, and quality. Traditionally RVs have been less desirable to grow in large scale as long-term stability is suboptimal. Moreover, gRVs have been shown to integrate near oncogenic regions of the genome creating a higher risk profile than LVs.

Theragent offers services to help scale up your adherent retrovirus cell culture to a cost-effective suspension cell culture process.

Theragent offers services to help scale up your adherent retrovirus cell culture to a cost-effective suspension cell culture process. The Theragent viral vector core has already developed a proprietary retroviral packaging system in HEK293-T/HEK293 suspension cell lines, and stands ready to produce an optimized retroviral vector that meets your cell and gene therapy needs