Non-Integrative Lentivirus Drives High-Frequency cre-Mediated Cassette Exchange in Human Cells
2011

High-Frequency Gene Modification in Human Cells Using Non-Integrative Lentivirus

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Raul García Torres, Aida Payá, Monica Ramirez, Juan C. Rossi

Primary Institution: Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain

Hypothesis

Can a non-integrative lentivirus effectively drive high-frequency recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) in human cells?

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that a novel strategy using integrase-deficient lentivirus can achieve high-frequency gene modification in human cells through RMCE.

Supporting Evidence

  • The method achieved RMCE frequencies ranging from 3.5×10−4 to 1.5×10−5.
  • All recovered clones were selected as a result of RMCE.
  • Frequencies of RMCE were reported to be 1,000-fold to 100,000-fold higher than previous methods.

Takeaway

Scientists found a new way to change genes in human cells safely and easily using a special virus that doesn't stick to the DNA.

Methodology

The study used integrase-deficient lentiviral vectors to promote RMCE in human embryonic kidney cells, measuring the frequency of successful gene modifications.

Limitations

The study primarily tested the method in specific cell lines, which may limit its applicability to other cell types.

Participant Demographics

Human embryonic kidney cell lines (HEK293A and HEK293T) were used.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0019794

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