Y. Yonemitsu et al., HVJ (SENDAI-VIRUS) LIPOSOME-MEDIATED GENE-TRANSFER - CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES (REVIEW), International journal of oncology, 12(6), 1998, pp. 1277-1285
Haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus), a member of the
mouse paramyxovirus family, has been combined with liposomes to produc
e a novel gene transfer system, namely HVJ liposomes. This vector syst
em is defined as a 'hybrid vector', constructed with inactivated viral
particles and non-viral (artificial) multi-or unilamellar liposomes c
ontaining gene expression cassettes and has several advantages in comp
arison with other viral or non-viral systems. Many studies have shown
that this vector system can, not only produce efficient gene transfer
using reporter genes, but also with resulting in vivo functional chang
es in several animal models of diseases. Despite these results, it is
likely that the construct will need to be modified to improve gene tra
nsfer and expression efficiency and also to extend the potential disea
se targets. We review the present status of this hybrid vector system
and also discuss possible modifications for future application to eith
er in vivo analysis of specific gene expression or human gene therapy
strategies for congenital or acquired diseases.