The ULBP2 Lentiviruses are replication incompetent, HIV-based, VSV-G pseudotyped lentiviral particles ready to transduce nearly all types of mammalian cells, including primary and non-dividing cells. These viruses transduce cells with Macaca fascicularis (also known as crab-eating macaque or cynomolgus monkey) ULBP2 (XP_005552169.1) driven by an EF1A promoter. The lentiviruses also transduce a puromycin selection gene.
The lentivirus particles were produced in HEK293T cells in medium containing 90% DMEM + 10% FBS. Virus particles can be packaged in custom formulations by special request, for an additional fee.
ULBP2 (UL16 binding protein) is a glycoprotein related to MHC class I molecules, that belongs to the family of unique length 16 (UL16) binding proteins. It is a stress-induced ligand for the activating NKG2D receptor in NK cells. It contains the MHC class-I-like α1-α2 domains but lacks the α3 region present in MICA/B proteins and uses GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol) as anchor to the plasma membrane. Stress-ligands respond to viral-infections, heat-shock or other cellular stress triggers, and are also crucial in immune surveillance. ULBP2 is expressed at low levels in normal tissues but overexpressed in several types of cancer (such as liver, breast, cervical and skin), with its levels linking to the severity of the prognosis. Targeting ULBP2, for example with miR-6071, was shown to reduce tumorigenicity in glioblastoma (GM). The use of ligands, small molecules, or other, to target the levels or action of ULBP2 can prove beneficial for NK-based cancer therapy.
Biosafety
The lentiviruses are produced with a SIN (self-inactivation) lentivector which ensures self-inactivation of the lentiviral construct after transduction and after integration into the genomic DNA of the target cells. None of the HIV genes (gag, pol, rev) will be expressed in the transduced cells, as they are expressed from packaging plasmids lacking the packing signal and are not present in the lentivirus particle. Although the pseudotyped lentiviruses are replication-incompetent, they require the use of a Biosafety Level 2 facility. BPS Bioscience recommends following all local federal, state, and institutional regulations and using all appropriate safety precautions.
Lentiviruses are shipped with dry ice. For long-term storage, it is recommended to store the lentiviruses at -80°C for up to 12 months from date of receipt. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Titers can drop significantly with each freeze/thaw cycle.
Shipping
-80°C
Expression of ULBP2 in HEK293 cells transduced with cynomolgus ULBP2 lentiviruses.
Reviews of ULBP2 Lentivirus (Macaca fascicularis/Cynomolgus)