TRANSDUCTION OF HUMAN HEMATOPOIETIC PROGENITOR CELLS WITH RETROVIRAL VECTORS BASED ON THE GIBBON APE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS

Gene transfer into human hematopoietic stem cells continues to be comp licated by issues of transfer efficiency. We have examined the capacit y of newly described retroviral vectors based on the gibbon ape leukem ia virus (GaLV) to introduce genes into human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Total nucleated human bone marrow cells were transduced using GaLV vectors packaged with either amphotropic or GaLV envelopes. Trans duction efficiency was assayed by the generation of G418-resistant col ony forming units. We found that GaLV vectors could transduce both BFU -E and CFU-C hematopoietic progenitors, and that their efficiency was at least equivalent to an amphotropically packaged Moloney mouse leuke mia virus (MoMLV)-based vector. Moreover, vectors derived from the GaL V-SEATO strain and bearing amphotropic envelope were best for gene tra nsfer into BFU-E, whereas vectors derived from the GaLV-SF strain and bearing GaLV envelope transduced CFU-C at higher efficiency. Thus, GaL V-based retroviral vectors are promising new tools for gene transfer i nto human hematopoietic cells. (C) 1997 Academic Press.