Packaging Cell Line Retrovirus
BioInnovatise Viral Vector Team
Updated November 11, 2024
Molecular Cloning & Mutagenesis Projects Completed
Viral Vector Packaging Solutions Delivered
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Which Cell Lines Are Used for Retrovirus Packaging?
Retroviruses are highly adaptable but differ from lentiviruses in that they primarily infect dividing cells. The choice of cell line for retroviral transduction depends on the specific experimental objectives, the characteristics of the target cells or tissues, and the compatibility with retroviral vector properties. In research and therapeutic settings, selecting the right cell type is crucial to achieving effective transduction, as retroviruses require active cell division for successful integration into the host genome.
Although lentivirus is a derivative of retrovirus, the lentivirus packaging cell line options are different. Read more about lentivirus packaging cell line.
The above diagram illustrates the lentivirus retrovirus process at BioInnovatise, where our team uses HEK293T cells for retrovirus packaging. Determining which cell line to use is important in the co-transfection step, but has downstream impacts, including titering. To learn more, read about our retrovirus packaging protocol.
Here are some commonly used cell lines for lentivirus production and transduction:
HEK293T (Human Embryonic Kidney 293): Often used for producing retroviral vectors and lentiviral vectors, HEK293T cells can be transiently transfected with plasmids encoding viral proteins and the retroviral vector genome. They allow for flexibility in vector production and are widely used due to their ease of transfection.
Phoenix: Derived from HEK293 cells, Phoenix packaging lines are commonly used for ecotropic or amphotropic retrovirus production. Phoenix cells express necessary viral proteins such as gag, pol, env for retroviral packaging, allowing efficient production of high-titer virus.
PG13: A packaging line derived from NIH 3T3 cells, PG13 cells produce high-titer retroviral vectors with gibbon ape leukemia virus envelope proteins, broadening the range of mammalian cells that can be targeted.
AM12: Derived from NIH 3T3 cells and often used for amphotropic retrovirus production, AM12 cells stably express viral proteins and allow for efficient retrovirus packaging.
PA317: This NIH 3T3-derived packaging line produces amphotropic retroviral vectors. PA317 cells provide reliable, stable retrovirus production and are commonly used for stable transgene expression studies.
Why Are There More Options For Lentivirus Packaging Than Retrovirus Packaging?
Great question! There are more cell line options for lentiviral production than for retroviral production due to several important factors:
- Lentiviruses can infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, as they are able to enter the nucleus independently of cell division. This adaptability makes lentiviral vectors useful across a wider range of applications.
- To minimize the risk of creating replication-competent lentivirus, packaging systems separate essential viral genes — such as gag, pol, and env — across multiple plasmids. This strategy is less common in retroviral packaging, where simpler systems are often sufficient, making lentiviral packaging cell lines more complex and varied.
Most importantly, lentiviruses are in greater demand for research and early stage therapeutic development, especially in fields like gene therapy and regenerative medicine. This demand has led to more innovation in creating specialized packaging cell lines for lentivirus production compared to retrovirus.
What Are the Best Cell Lines for Packaging Retrovirus?
Figuring out what the best cell line for packaging retrovirus is depends on the research application. The HEK293T cell line is a very common cell line for packaging retrovirus because of its transfection and transduction efficiency. However, the above cell lines are all available for retrovirus based research.
If you’re unsure which retrovirus packaging cell line is right for you, contact our team. Learn more about AAV packaging cell line and adenovirus packaging cell line options.
Learn about our quick turnaround retrovirus packaging service and lentivirus packaging service.
Want to learn more about the latest in retroviral based research? Our colleagues at ScienceDirect and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News are always collecting and publishing the latest information on retrovirus based research.
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