Expression of a retrovirus encoding human HPRT in mice.

Transmissible retroviruses encoding human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) were used to infect mouse bone marrow cells in vitro, and the infected cells were transplanted into mice. Both active human HPRT-protein and chronic HPRT-virus production were detected in hematopoietic tissue of the mice, showing transfer of the gene. These results indicate the possible use of retroviruses for somatic cell therapy.