HIGH-EFFICIENCY GENE-TRANSFER TO PRIMARY MONKEY AIRWAY EPITHELIAL-CELLS WITH RETROVIRUS VECTORS USING THE GIBBON APE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS RECEPTOR

The efficiency of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer to primary airway epithelial cells from rhesus monkeys was evaluated. We compared the us e of murine amphotropic retrovirus vectors to the use of murine retrov irus vectors containing the envelope (Env) glycoproteins from gibbon a pe leukemia virus (GALV). These vectors use distinct receptors to gain entry into host cells. We found that vectors with the GALV Env glycop roteins are up to 10-fold more efficient at transducing genes into pri mary monkey airway epithelial cells than vectors with the amphotropic Env glycoproteins. Under optimal conditions, up to about 80% of primar y monkey airway epithelial cells could be transduced with the vector c ontaining the GALV Env glycoproteins. In addition, we found that deliv ery of retrovirus vectors to the apical side of polarized airway epith elial cultures was significantly more efficient than delivery to the b asal side. These results suggest the feasibility of luminal delivery o f retrovirus vectors to the lung.