Ligand-directed targeting vectors

Abstract

Described is a targeting construct encoding a modified Sindbis virus envelope protein, comprising mutations in the E1, E2 and/or E3 proteins, fused with a monomeric biotin-binding molecule. Lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with the novel envelope proteins, such as E2 71 eMA and E2 71 mSAH, can be conjugated with biotinylated targeting ligands The conjugated ligands mediate specific binding and transduction of the target cell types. This lentiviral transduction system can be used to selectively deliver transgenes into specific cell types in vivo, which increases the numbers of vectors reaching the targeted cells and tissues and decreases adverse effects in non-targeted cells and tissues. The vectors transduce B cells without conjugation of targeting ligands. The B cell type most efficiently transduced in this manner is long-lived plasma cells, and thus can be used for long-term transgene expression.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.