HVJ (Sendai virus) liposome-mediated gene transfer: Current status and future perspectives

Haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus), a member of the mouse paramyxovirus family, has been combined with liposomes to produce a novel gene transfer system, namely HVJ liposomes. This vector system is defined as a 'hybrid vector', constructed with inactivated viral particles and non-viral (artificial) multi- or unilamellar liposomes containing gene expression cassettes and has several advantages in comparison with other viral or non-viral systems. Many studies have shown that this vector system can, not only produce efficient gene transfer using reporter genes, but also with resulting in vivo functional changes in several animal models of diseases. Despite these results, it is likely that the construct will need to be modified to improve gene transfer and expression efficiency and also to extend the potential disease targets. We review the present status of this hybrid vector system and also discuss possible modifications for future application to either in vivo analysis of specific gene expression or human gene therapy strategies for congenital or acquired diseases.