New Gene Therapy Vector Targets Mucosal Membranes

Researchers have developed a potential new vector for gene therapy that binds to mucosal membranes and capitalizes on the proven benefits of the adenovirus Ad5 vector through the genetically engineered addition of the mucosal-targeting sigma-1 protein of reovirus type 3 Dearing (T3D).

Investigators at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX, USA) created this hybrid vector by fusing the sigma-1 protein from the reovirus to the N-terminal of Ad5 fiber. Details of the methodology were published April 12, 2004, in the online edition of the Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy of Sciences.

"This mucosal targeting vector may prove quite potent for repelling viruses like HIV-1 and infectious bio-weapons, since the vast majority of pathogens enter the body at mucosal surfaces,” said senior author Dr. Michael Barry, associate professor of cell and gene therapy at the Baylor College of Medicine. "Beyond its potential as a vaccine vehicle, this hybrid vector will also have utility by allowing us to study the specific interactions of this reovirus protein in the host. This has previously been difficult due to the complex genetics of reovirus. Now we can study these complex interactions using the simpler genetic system provided by the adenoviral vector.”





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