Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is part of the β-herpesvirus subfamily that includes roseoloviruses. CMV coevolved with an assortment of mammalian hosts, including human CMV (HCMV), murine CMV (MCMV) and rhesus CMV (RhCMV). CMVs are characterized by large DNA genomes and typically asymptomatic infection in healthy hosts.
The first investigation into cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a gene therapy vector was published in 2000. CMV's tropism for hematopoietic progenitor cells and its large genome (230 kbp) initially attracted researchers. CMV-based vaccine vectors have since been used to induce T Cell response. More recently, CMV containing telomerase and follistatin was intravenously and intranasally delivered in mouse studies with the intention of extending healthspan.