Application of attenuated coxsackievirus B3 as a viral vector system for vaccines and gene therapy.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) contains a single-stranded plus-strand RNA genome and belongs to the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae. For decades, many studies have shown that enteroviruses are potential viral vectors. Of these viruses, polioviruses and coxsackieviruses have predominantly been investigated. Therefore, the molecular biology of these two viruses and the cellular receptors involved in their infection are relatively well known, and infectious cDNAs and proper animal models of their infection are available. CVB3, in particular, will become increasingly important in the development of an enteroviral vector because poliovirus is currently subject to the global poliovirus eradication program. This review highlights the potential use of CVB3 as a viral vector for vaccines and therapeutic gene delivery.