Optimization of human papillomavirus-based pseudovirus techniques for efficient gene transfer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 and L2 capsid proteins self-assemble into virions capable of efficiently packaging either its 8 kilobase genome or non-viral DNA. The ability of HPV capsids to package non-viral DNA makes these a useful tool for delivering plasmids to study proteins of interest in a variety of cell types. We describe optimization of current methods and present new protocols for using HPV capsids to deliver non-viral DNA thereby providing an alternative to DNA transfection. Using keratinocyte generated extracellular matrices can enhance infection efficiency in keratinocytes, hepatocytes and neuronal cells. Furthermore, we describe a suspension-based efficient technique for infecting different cell types.