Cloning of mouse interleukin-18 cDNA and its retroviral vector construction

Objective To clone the cDNA of mouse interleukin-18 (mIL-18) and subclone the cDNA into retroviral vector pLNCX for the purpose of evolving gene therapy for cancers. Methods The mIL-18 cDNA was obtained from mouse hepatic cells by RT-PCR. The cDNA was first cloned into pBluscript to facilitate the sequencing and then subcloned into the retroviral vector pLNCX. Result An 840 bp DNA fragment was obtained by RT-PCR and the insertion of the mIL-18 cDNA into pLNCX was confirmed by double digestion with HindIII and ClaI. Conclusion The sequence of the Kunming mouse IL-18 cDNA was consistent with that of other strains of mouse, and the mIL-18 cDNA of different strains may have the same cDNA sequence. The present experiment demonstrates a successful cloning of mIL-18 cDNA into the retroviral vector pLNCX.