Retroviral gene therapy: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
== | ==Introduction to retroviruses== | ||
Retroviral therapy is the use of retroviral vectors to provide remedy to disease via the genetic modification of a patient’s own cells. Retroviral vectors are themselves derived from natural retroviruses such as HIV. The name retrovirus refers to the unique ability of these viruses to convert viral RNA into DNA. A critical part of the viral life cycle is the integration of this viral DNA into the host cell’s genome, conferring a permanent genetic change to the cell. Therefore, retroviruses may be used as a vector for gene therapy, a method of treatment dealing specifically with the alteration of genes to achieve a therapeutic effect. Gene therapy techniques are divided into three main categories; viral(including retroviral gene therapy), nonviral, and physical. The use of retroviruses bears a significant advantage over these other forms of gene therapy. Nonviral and physical techniques are less efficient in transfection and, in the case of nonviral vectors, have a more limited expression. Viral techniques, however, are more efficient in transfection and better integrate viral genes into the target genome. <ref name=aa>[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016777999901416X?via%3Dihub=Mountain, Andrew. "Gene therapy: the first decade." Trends in biotechnology 18, no. 3 (2000): 119-128.]</ref> | Retroviral therapy is the use of retroviral vectors to provide remedy to disease via the genetic modification of a patient’s own cells. Retroviral vectors are themselves derived from natural retroviruses such as HIV. The name retrovirus refers to the unique ability of these viruses to convert viral RNA into DNA. A critical part of the viral life cycle is the integration of this viral DNA into the host cell’s genome, conferring a permanent genetic change to the cell. Therefore, retroviruses may be used as a vector for gene therapy, a method of treatment dealing specifically with the alteration of genes to achieve a therapeutic effect. Gene therapy techniques are divided into three main categories; viral(including retroviral gene therapy), nonviral, and physical. The use of retroviruses bears a significant advantage over these other forms of gene therapy. Nonviral and physical techniques are less efficient in transfection and, in the case of nonviral vectors, have a more limited expression. Viral techniques, however, are more efficient in transfection and better integrate viral genes into the target genome. <ref name=aa>[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016777999901416X?via%3Dihub=Mountain, Andrew. "Gene therapy: the first decade." Trends in biotechnology 18, no. 3 (2000): 119-128.]</ref> | ||
==Section 2== | |||
Retroviruses belong to the family retroviridae and may be separated into three main subfamilies; oncoviruses, lentiviruses, and spuma viruses(candle). While many retroviruses are benign, some are dangerously pathogenic. HIV for example, causes significant damage to the human immune system and is extremely deadly when left untreated. Retroviridae are some of the oldest viruses, emerging between 460 and 550 million years ago(timemaster). One of the most important features of retroviruses is the permanent integration of viral genes into the DNA of their host. These genes are then inheritable by the offspring of the host. As a result, a significant portion of the vertebrae genome is derived from retroviral gene transfer. In fact, around 8% of the human genome consists of sequences incorporated by retroviral particles. (genie) | |||
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
Revision as of 02:04, 19 April 2022
Introduction to retroviruses
Retroviral therapy is the use of retroviral vectors to provide remedy to disease via the genetic modification of a patient’s own cells. Retroviral vectors are themselves derived from natural retroviruses such as HIV. The name retrovirus refers to the unique ability of these viruses to convert viral RNA into DNA. A critical part of the viral life cycle is the integration of this viral DNA into the host cell’s genome, conferring a permanent genetic change to the cell. Therefore, retroviruses may be used as a vector for gene therapy, a method of treatment dealing specifically with the alteration of genes to achieve a therapeutic effect. Gene therapy techniques are divided into three main categories; viral(including retroviral gene therapy), nonviral, and physical. The use of retroviruses bears a significant advantage over these other forms of gene therapy. Nonviral and physical techniques are less efficient in transfection and, in the case of nonviral vectors, have a more limited expression. Viral techniques, however, are more efficient in transfection and better integrate viral genes into the target genome. [1]
Section 2
Retroviruses belong to the family retroviridae and may be separated into three main subfamilies; oncoviruses, lentiviruses, and spuma viruses(candle). While many retroviruses are benign, some are dangerously pathogenic. HIV for example, causes significant damage to the human immune system and is extremely deadly when left untreated. Retroviridae are some of the oldest viruses, emerging between 460 and 550 million years ago(timemaster). One of the most important features of retroviruses is the permanent integration of viral genes into the DNA of their host. These genes are then inheritable by the offspring of the host. As a result, a significant portion of the vertebrae genome is derived from retroviral gene transfer. In fact, around 8% of the human genome consists of sequences incorporated by retroviral particles. (genie)
