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Abstract
Amplicons are defective and non-integrative vectors derived from herpes simplex virus type 1. They carry no virus genes in the vector genome and are, therefore, not toxic to the infected cells or pathogenic for the transduced organisms, making these vectors safe. In addition, the large transgenic capacity of amplicons, which allow delivery of ≤ 150 Kbp of foreign DNA, make these vectors one of the most powerful, interesting and versatile gene delivery platforms. Here, the authors present recent technological developments that have significantly improved and extended the use of amplicons, both in cultured cells and in living organisms. In addition, this review illustrates the many possible applications that are presently being developed with amplicons and discuss the many difficulties still pending to be solved in order to achieve stable and physiologically regulated transgenic expression.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the French societies Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer (ARC), Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), and the Saô;ne et Loire Committee of Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (LNCC, France) for constant support to our laboratory. This work was also supported by grants from the European Commission (THOVLEN project, FP6; HEVAR project, FP6). D Cuchet and C Potel were supported by a grant from European Commission (THOVLEN project, FP6).