Human gene therapy holds great promise for the cure of many genetic diseases. In order to achieve such a cure there are two requirements. First, the affected gene must be cloned, its se quence determined and its regulation adequately characterized. Second, a suitable vector for the delivery of a good copy of the affected gene must be available. For a vector to be of use several attributes are highly desirable: these include ability to carry the intact gene (although this may be either the genomic or the cDNA form) in a stable form, ability to introduce the gene into the desired cell type, ability to express the introduced gene in an appropriately regulated manner for an extended period of time, and a lack of toxicity for the recipient. Also of concern is the frequency of cell transformation and, in some cases, the ability to introduce the gene into nondividing stem cells. Sev eral animal viruses have been tested as potential vectors, but none has proven to have all the desired properties described above. For example, retroviruses are difficult to propagate in sufficient titers, do not integrate into nondividing cells, and are of concern because of their oncogenic properties in some hosts and because they integrate at many sites in the genome and, thus, are potentially insertional mutagens. Additionally, genes introduced by retroviral vectors are frequently expressed for relatively short periods of time. A second virus used as a vector in model systems has been adenovirus (Ad).

Now in four convenient volumes, Field’s Virology remains the most authoritative reference in this fast-changing field, providing definitive coverage of virology, including virus biology as well as replication and medical aspects of specific virus families. This volume of Field’s Virology: Emerging Viruses, 7th Edition covers recent changes in emerging viruses, providing new or extensively revised chapters that reflect these advances in this dynamic field.

This volume discusses protocols, ranging from vector production to delivery methods, used to execute gene therapy applications. Chapters are divided into four parts, and cover topics such as design, construction, and application of transcription activation-like effectors; multi-modal production of adeno-associated virus; construction of oncolytic herpes simplex virus; AAV-mediated gene delivery to the mouse liver; and intrathecal delivery of gene therapeutics by direct lumbar puncture in mice. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and authoritative, Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and students looking to utilize viral vectors in gene therapy experiments.

Muscle disease represents an important health threat to the general population. There is essentially no cure. Gene therapy holds great promise to correct the genetic defects and eventually achieve full recovery in these diseases. Significant progresses have been made in the field of muscle gene therapy over the last few years. The development of novel gene delivery vectors has substantially enhanced specificity and efficiency of muscle gene delivery. The new knowledge on the immune response to viral vectors has added new insight in overcoming the immune obstacles. Most importantly, the field has finally moved from small experimental animal models to human patients. This book will bring together the leaders in the field of muscle gene transfer to provide an updated overview on the progress of muscle gene therapy. It will also highlight important clinical applications of muscle gene therapy.

1. Non-viral gene therapy / Sean M. Sullivan -- 2. Adenoviral vectors / Stuart A. Nicklin and Andrew H. Baker -- 3. Retroviral vectors and integration analysis / Cynthia C. Bartholomae [und weitere] -- 4. Lentiviral vectors / Janka Matrai, Marinee K.L. Chuah and Thierry VandenDriessche -- 5. Herpes simplex virus vectors / William F. Goins [und weitere] -- 6. Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vectors / Nicholas Muzyczka -- 7. Regulatory RNA in gene therapy / Alfred. S. Lewin -- 8. DNA integrating vectors (Transposon, Integrase) / Lauren E. Woodard and Michele P. Calos -- 9. Homologous recombination and targeted gene modification for gene therapy / Matthew Porteus -- 10. Gene switches for pre-clinical studies in gene therapy / Caroline Le Guiner [und weitere] -- 11. Gene therapy for central nervous system disorders / Deborah Young and Patricia A. Lawlor -- 12. Gene therapy of hemoglobinopathies / Angela E. Rivers and Arun Srivastava -- 13. Gene therapy for primary immunodeficiencies / Aisha Sauer, Barbara Cassani and Alessandro Aiuti -- 14. Gene therapy for hemophilia / David Markusic, Babak Moghimi and Roland Herzog -- 15. Gene therapy for obesity and diabetes / Sergei Zolotukhin and Clive H. Wasserfall -- 16. Gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy / Takashi Okada and Shin'ichi Takeda -- 17. Cancer gene therapy / Kirsten A.K. Weigel-Van Aken -- 18. Gene therapy for autoimmune disorders / Daniel F. Gaddy, Melanie A. Ruffner and Paul D. Robbins -- 19. Gene therapy for inherited metabolic storage diseases / Cathryn Mah -- 20. Retinal diseases / Shannon E. Boye, Sanford L. Boye and William W. Hauswirth -- 21. A brief guide to gene therapy treatments for pulmonary diseases / Ashley T. Martino, Christian Mueller and Terence R. Flotte -- 22. Cardiovascular disease / Darin J. Falk, Cathryn S. Mah and Barry J. Byrne

During the past decades, with the introduction of the recombinant DNA, hybridoma and transgenic technologies there has been an exponential evolution in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of a large number of human diseases. The technologies are evident with the development of cytokines and monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic agents and the techniques used in gene therapy. Immunopharmacology is that area of biomedical sciences where immunology, pharmacology and pathology overlap. It concerns the pharmacological approach to the immune response in physiological as well as pathological events. This goals and objectives of this textbook are to emphasize the developments in immunology and pharmacology as they relate to the modulation of immune response. The information includes the pharmacology of cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, mechanism of action of immune-suppressive agents and their relevance in tissue transplantation, therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AIDS and the techniques employed in gene therapy. The book is intended for health care professional students and graduate students in pharmacology and immunology.