A novel chimeric influenza virosome containing Vesicular stomatitis G protein as a more efficient gene delivery system.

Objectives: To enhance the efficiency of influenza virosome-mediated gene delivery by engineering this virosome.

Results: A novel chimeric influenza virosome was constructed containing the glycoprotein of Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G), along with its own hemagglutinin protein. To optimize the transfection efficiency of both chimeric and influenza cationic virosomes, HEK cells were transfected with plasmid DNA and virosomes and the transfection efficiency was assessed by FACS analysis. The chimeric virosome was significantly more efficient in mediating transfection for all amounts of DNA and virosomes compared to the influenza virosome.

Conclusions: Chimeric influenza virosome, including VSV-G, is superior to the conventional influenza virosome for gene delivery.