An inducible human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vector which effectively suppresses HIV-1 replication

J Virol. 1999 Sep;73(9):7671-7. doi: 10.1128/JVI.73.9.7671-7677.1999.

Abstract

Recently, gene therapy vectors based upon the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome have been developed. Here, we create an HIV-1 vector which is defective for all HIV-1 genes, but which maintains cis-acting elements required for efficient packaging, infection, and expression. In T cells transduced by this vector, vector expression is low but efficiently induced following HIV-1 infection. Remarkably, although the HIV-1 vector does not contain specific anti-HIV-1 therapeutic genes, the presence of the vector alone is sufficient to inhibit the spread of HIV-1 infection. The mechanism of inhibition is likely to be at the level of competition for limiting substrates required for either efficient packaging or reverse transcription, thereby selecting against propagation of wild-type HIV-1. These results provide proof of a concept for potential application of a novel HIV-1 vector in HIV-1 disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Genetic Vectors* / genetics
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Virus Assembly
  • Virus Replication*