JVL MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
MSDS FOR REPLICATION-DEFECTIVE
LENTIVIRAL VECTORS (Biosafety Level 2)
Cultures of replication defective lentiviral vectors are non-infectious and are not
hazardous materials as defined by OSHA 1919.1200. However, these materials are
produced in cells where there is the possibility of recombination to form wild type
virus. As such, they should be handled as potentially infectious material.
Description:
Lentiviral vectors consist of recombinant transgene sequences (e.g., marker or human genes), and viral
packaging and regulatory sequences which are then flanked by lentiviral long terminal repeats (LTRs). The
removal of the viral structural genes renders the vector replication defective and dependent upon a helper
vector(s) or packaging cell line. Lentiviruses are enveloped viruses and upon leaving the producer cell line,
the viral capsid becomes enclosed in a lipid by layer derived from the host cell. The vectors鈥? LTRs are self-
inactivating (SIN), thus restricting mRNA production from integrating vectors to the internal promoter,
severely reducing full-length vector transcripts. By default, the lentiviral vectors are pseudotyped with the
VSV-G Indiana envelope serotype; however the envelope protein can be customized as desired.
Lentiviral cultures are provided as either low concentration (>1x106 infectious units/ml) virus in tissue
culture media, or as high concentration, purified (>1x109 infectious units/ml) virus in phosphate buffered
saline. Trace components present in the purified virus include, but are not limited to, inorganic salts,
vitamins and other nutrients, and human cellular proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats. The
material is normally shipped and stored frozen. Further vector application and handling is described in the
following publication:
Kafri, Tal. (2004). Gene delivery by lentivirus vectors an overview. Methods Mol Biol. 2004; 246:367-90.
Review.
SECTION I
Hazardous Ingredients
None
SECTION II
Physical Data
Liquid or frozen particle suspensions
University of North Carolina 7017 Neurosciences Hospital
Gene Therapy Center Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7592
Joint Vector Laboratories Phone: 919-962-1221
JVL MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
SECTION III
Health Hazards
Replication-defective lentiviral vectors are not known to cause any diseases in humans or animals.
However, lentiviruses can integrate into the host cell genome and thus pose some risk of insertional
mutagenesis.
SECTION IV
Fire and Explosion
None
SECTION V
Reactivity
Not chemically reactive. Will enter permissive mammalian cells and interact or react with cellular
components.
SECTION VI
Method of Disposal
Spill: Contain spill and decontaminate the area using a disinfectant such as chlorine bleach (10%
f.c.), Wescodyne, or detergent-based disinfectant.
Waste Disposal: Dispose of viral stocks by autoclaving at 121oC for 30-45 minutes
Dispose of infected liquid cultures by decontamination with chlorine bleach (10%
f.c.) for 10 minutes and then dispose of in sink.
Dispose of infected animal carcasses or tissues by incineration
Follow all Federal, State, and Local regulations.
SECTION VII
Special Protective Information
Handle as biohazardous material under Biosafety Level 2 containment
University of North Carolina 7017 Neurosciences Hospital
Gene Therapy Center Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7592
Joint Vector Laboratories Phone: 919-962-1221
JVL MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
SECTION VIII
Special Precautions or Comments
The Gene Therapy Center recommends that all Lentiviral vectors and cultures be handled by
qualified microbiologists using appropriate safety procedures and precautions. Upon accidental
exposure to Lentiviral vectors, seroconversion towards HIV-1 viral proteins could result and health
provider should be contacted. Detailed discussions of laboratory safety procedures are provided in
Laboratory Safety: Principles and Practice (Fleming et al., ASM Press, Washington D.C., 1995),
and in the U.S. Government Publication, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories (CDC, 1999). This and other publications are available at the Centers for Disease
Control Office of Health and Safety鈥檚 website at
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmb14/bmb14toc.htm
Information on the classification of human etiologic agents on the basis of hazard can be found as
Appendix B in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DAN Molecules at
http://www.grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/recombinentdnaguidelines.htm
The above information is accurate to the best of our knowledge. All materials and mixtures may
present unknown hazards and should be used with caution. The user should exercise independent
judgment as to the hazards based on all sources of information available. The Gene Therapy Center
shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from the handling or use of the above product.
University of North Carolina 7017 Neurosciences Hospital
Gene Therapy Center Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7592
Joint Vector Laboratories Phone: 919-962-1221
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