Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles including a heterologous gene of interest, comprising the following steps: a) transfecting at least one plasmid in appropriate cell lines, wherein said at least one plasmid comprises the gene of interest, the rev. gag and pol genes, and a sequence coding for an ERV syncytin, wherein the rev, gag and pol genes are retroviral genes; b) incubating the transfected cells obtained in a), so that they produce the stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles in the supernatant; and c) harvesting and concentrating the stable lentiviral particles obtained in b). The present invention also relates to a method to transduce immune cells using lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with an ERV syncytin glycoprotein. The method can be performed on non-stimulated blood cells or on cells stimulated briefly with IL7, and the cells can be expanded. The stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles obtained are particularly useful in gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles including a heterologous gene of interest, comprising the following steps: a) transfecting at least one plasmid in appropriate cell lines, wherein said at least one plasmid comprises the gene of interest, the rev, gag and pol genes, and a sequence coding for an ERV syncytin, wherein the rev, gag and pol genes are retroviral genes; b) incubating the transfected cells obtained in a), so that they produce the stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles in the supernatant; and c) harvesting and concentrating the stable lentiviral particles obtained in b). The present invention also relates to a method to transduce immune cells using lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with an ERV syncytin glycoprotein. The method can be performed on non-stimulated blood cells or on cells stimulated briefly with IL7, and the cells can be expanded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for targeting drug delivery including gene delivery to lung tissue, comprising at least a therapeutic drug or gene associated to a syncytin protein, and its use in the prevention and/or treatment of lung diseases, in particular in gene therapy of said diseases using lentiviral vector particles or lentivirus-like particles pseudotyped with syncytin protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for targeting drug delivery including gene delivery to regenerating muscle tissue, comprising at least a therapeutic drug or gene, associated to a syncytin protein, and its use in the prevention and/or treatment of muscle injuries or diseases, in particular in gene therapy of said diseases using lentiviral vector particles or lentivirus-like particles pseudotyped with syncytin protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles including a heterologous gene of interest, comprising the following steps: a) transfecting at least one plasmid in appropriate cell lines, wherein said at least one plasmid comprises the gene of interest, the rev. gag and pol genes, and a sequence coding for an ERV syncytin, wherein the rev, gag and pol genes are retroviral genes; b) incubating the transfected cells obtained in a), so that they produce the stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles in the supernatant; and c) harvesting and concentrating the stable lentiviral particles obtained in b). The present invention also relates to a method to transduce immune cells using lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with an ERV syncytin glycoprotein. The method can be performed on non-stimulated blood cells or on cells stimulated briefly with IL7, and the cells can be expanded. The stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles obtained are particularly useful in gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for silencing gene expression in antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells, in particular for immunomodulatory purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and reliable means for isolating populations of hematopoietic cells enriched for stem cell activity on the basis of possession of high CD34 cell surface antigen density ("CD34hi"). CD34.sup.hi cell preparations are useful, for example, for drug discovery efforts, for reconstituting hematopoiesis in an animal lacking a functioning hematopoietic system, and for gene therapies.