2003/08/01 by Kenneth Lundström · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Alphavirus #Biology #Capsid #Gene #Genetic enhancement #Genetics #Heterologous #Mosquito-borne diseases and control #Oncolytic virus #Plasmid #RNA #Recombinant DNA #Replicon #Retrovirus #Semliki Forest virus #Vectors in gene therapy #Viral Infections and Vectors #Viral vector #Virology #Virus #Virus-based gene therapy research
paper · doi:10.1517/14712598.3.5.771
openalex publication_date 2003/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vectors transduce a broad range of mammalian and non-mammalian cells, generating high levels of transient expression of heterologous proteins. Generally, they induce apoptosis in mammalian host cells, leading to rapid cell death. These features have made SFV attractive for various gene therapy applications. Recombinant particles, naked RNA and plasmid DNA containing SFV replicons, demonstrate a strong immune response against recombinantly expressed proteins, which has shown protection against tumour challenges. Intratumoural injection of SFV particles has resulted in tumour regression. SFV vectors have been used for production of retrovirus-like particles. Recently, encapsulation of SFV particles into liposomes has generated highly efficient targeting to tumours. Novel SFV vectors based on point mutations in the non-structural genes, and avirulent SFV strains, have further widened the application range.