Gene transfer to human cells using retrovirus vectors produced by a new polytropic packaging cell line

Abstract

We report here the construction of a new packaging cell line, called MPAC, that packages defective retroviral vectors in viral particles with envelope proteins derived from a Moloney mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) polytropic virus. We characterized the tropism of MPAC-packaged retroviral vectors and show that some human cell lines can be infected with these vectors while others cannot. In addition, we show that some human cells fully support MCF virus replication while others either partially or fully restrict MCF virus replication.