Baculovirus-mediated genetic modification of human embryonic stem cells

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to explore and engineer baculoviral vectors for the genetic modification of human embryonic stem cells. First, we engineered the baculovirus vectors by choosing various promoters and viral modulators to achieve desirable levels of transient transgene expression in human embryonic stem cells. Second, two elements from adeno-associate virus, ITR sequence and the rep gene were inserted into the baculovirus vectors together with transgene expression cassette. We achieved stable transgene expression in human embryonic stem cells for up to 5 months. Finally, the effects of the baculoviral transduction of the human embryonic stem cells were investigated. The transduction of human embryonic stem cells by baculovirus vectors had no effects on the cell growth and pluripotency. In summary, baculovirus vectors can be engineered to mediate both transient and stable expression in human embryonic stem cells for the purpose of genetic modification.