METHODS FOR THE PREPARATION OF RETROVIRAL PARTICLES AND CELL LINES DEFICIENT IN THE ALPHA-GALACTOSYL EPITOPE

摘要

Methods and compositions are provided for facilitating gene therapy procedures involving the transduction of target cells with retroviral vector particles in the presence of complement containing body fluids. The reduction of levels of galactose alpha (1, 3) galactosyl epitopes on the retroviral vector particles and/or the blockade of antibody binding to such epitopes have been found to render the particles less sensitive to inactivation by complement mediated mechanisms, and to thus allow transduction in the presence of complement containing body fluids. Means are provided for obtaining such reductions.