Can lentiviral vectors be used in direct transfections as opposed to making virus?
Lentiviral transfer vectors can be used in transient transfections to achieve expression of the transgene. Indeed, transgene expression from the lentiviral vector after transfection during the packaging process sometimes has detrimental effects on viral titre. Lentiviral transfer vectors are not designed specifically for transient transfections, therefore there may be consequences on transgene expression due to the lentiviral LTRs. It is not explicitly recommended that you can use lentiviral transfer vectors for simple transfections, but it is possible.
