Some embodiments of the invention include pseudotyped particles (e.g., pseudo typed exosomes, pseudotyped VSV, and pseudo typed lentiviruses) and modified cells. Other embodiments of the invention include compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) of pseudotyped particles (e.g., pseudotyped exosomes, pseudotyped VSV, and pseudotyped lentiviruses) and modified cells. Certain embodiments of the invention include methods of making pseudotyped particles (e.g., pseudotyped exosomes, pseudotyped VSV, and pseudotyped lentiviruses) and modified cells. Other embodiments of the invention include methods of administering pseudotyped particles (e.g., pseudotyped exosomes, pseudotyped VSV, and pseudotyped lentiviruses). Further embodiments of the invention include methods of administering pseudotyped particles (e.g., pseudotyped exosomes, pseudotyped VSV, and pseudotyped lentiviruses) to treat diseases (e.g., muscular dystrophy). Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

The present invention provides a retroviral or lentiviral vector having a viral envelope which comprises: (i) a mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises a mitogenic domain and a transmembrane domain; and/or (ii) a cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises a cytokine domain and a transmembrane domain, wherein the mitogenic or cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein is not part of a viral envelope glycoprotein. When cells such as T-cells of Natural Killer cells are transduced by such a viral vector, they are simultaneously activated by the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein and/or the cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein.

The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for gene therapy and immunotherapy that activate gamma delta T-cells, and in particular, can be used in the treatment of various cancers and infectious diseases.

Methods of using viruses labeled with alkyne-modified biomolecules, such as fatty acids, carbohydrates and lipids, to treat a plant, an insect or an animal infected with a virus or to increase the infectivity of a virus, such as the human immunodeficiency virus, are provided. Also provided are methods of labeling a virus, such as human immunodeficiency virus, with an alkyne-modified biomolecule, such as a fatty acid, a carbohydrate, or an isoprenoid lipid. The viruses labeled with alkyne-modified biomolecules may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to produce a pharmaceutical composition, optionally containing another anti-viral agent and/or a delivery agent, such as a liposome.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for the expression of small RNA molecules within a cell using a retroviral vector (FIG. 1A). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be expressed using the methods of the invention within a cell. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for producing siRNA encoding lentivirus where the siRNA activity may interfere with the lentiviral life cycle. In yet a further aspect, the invention provides methods for expression of a small RNA molecule within a cell, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, wherein expression of the small RNA molecule is relatively non-cytotoxic to the cell. The invention also includes small RNA molecules, such as an siRNA capable of downregulating CCR5, that are relatively non-cytotoxic to cells.

The present invention discloses an in-vitro method for transferring biological material into activated NK cells with a pseudotyped retroviral vector particle or a virus-like particle thereof, comprising the steps a) activation of NK cells, and b) addition of said pseudotyped retroviral vector particle or virus-like particle thereof to said activated NK cells, wherein said pseudotyped retroviral vector particle or virus-like particle thereof comprises a modified baboon endogenous retrovirus (BaEV) envelope glycoprotein that is able of binding to and fusing with a hematopoietic cell membrane, thereby transferring biological material into said activated NK cells. Preferentially, the activating of NK cells is performed by the addition of a IL-1 family cytokine to the NK cells.

Disclosed herein are compositions of retroviruses and methods of using the same for gene delivery, wherein the retroviruses comprise a viral envelope protein comprising at least one mutation that diminishes its native function, a non-viral membrane-bound protein comprising a membrane-bound domain and an extracellular targeting domain.

The present technology relates to gene delivery vehicles comprising a retroviral vector coated with a polymer or a mixture of polymers to form a nanoparticle. The retroviral vectors comprise a transgene and in certain embodiments lack envelope protein. The technology includes a method of making the gene delivery vehicles and a method of treating a disease by administering the gene delivery vehicles.

Novel forward primer, reverse primer and poly-linker suitable for replication of nucleic acids in e.g., 293 cells.

Methods of using viruses labeled with alkyne-modified biomolecules, such as fatty acids, carbohydrates and lipids, to treat a plant, an insect or an animal infected with a virus or to increase the infectivity of a virus, such as the human immunodeficiency virus, are provided. Also provided are methods of labeling a virus, such as human immunodeficiency virus, with an alkyne-modified biomolecule, such as a fatty acid, a carbohydrate, or an isoprenoid lipid. The viruses labeled with alkyne-modified biomolecules may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to produce a pharmaceutical composition, optionally containing another anti-viral agent and/or a delivery agent, such as a liposome.