More complex type retroviruses having mixed type LTR, and uses thereof

摘要

Chimeric retroviral vectors were constructed containing the long terminal repeats (LTRs) from a simple retrovirus (e.g. spleen necrosis virus (SNV); murine leukemia virus (MLV)) devoid of the integration site (att) and more complex retroviral (e.g. bovine leukemia virus (BLV); human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)) cis-acting regulatory sequences (e.g. att; primer binding site (PBS); encapsidation site (E), and polypurine tract (ppt)) and coding regions. Cells transfected with these constructs produce replication competent retrovirus particles. These retroviral particles provide a source of viral antigens that can be employed in both diagnostic assays and as immunogens for the production of high-titer specific antisera.