| abstract |
The current methods of gene therapy do not allow for the efficient transduction of nerve cells, thereby limiting treatment of diseases or disorders involving the nervous system. The present invention is a method of treating a disease or disorder wherein an avian retrovirus (spleen necrosis virus, SNV) is engineered to express a rabies virus glycoprotein that allows for the specific targeting of nerve cells. Since SNV is not infectious to human cells the retrovirus of the present invention is safe. Further, incorporation of a glycoprotein gene, specifically the N2C gene, and a therapeutic gene(s) of interest into the retroviral vector allows for the specific and efficient transduction of nerve cells with the gene(s) of interest, thereby treating a disease or disorder involving nerve cells. |