CAG-GFP Adeno-associated virus(AAV Serotype 5)

Here, researchers describe the transduction of the non-human primate brain and spinal cord with AAV5 viral vectors following parenchymal delivery. AAV5-CAG-GFP was injected bilaterally into the putamen, thalamus, or a combination of the left putamen and right thalamus. Strong expression of GFP was observed at the injection site as well as in other distal nuclei. Interestingly, thalamic AAV5 infusion resulted in transduction of the entire corticospinal axis, indicating that AAV5 is transported over long distances. AAV5 transduced neurons and astrocytes equally regardless of injection site. These data suggest that AAV5 is a very powerful central nervous system vector with the potential to treat a variety of neurological pathologies involving the cortex, subcortex, and/or spinal cord.

GFP staining analysis showed widespread cortical and subcortical expression of the GFP transgene in the anterior-posterior axis of both hemispheres, regardless of the infusion site (Figure 1a). 3D analysis of MRI contrast revealed that Vd was also threefold larger than Vi in the putamen and thalamus (Figure 1b and c), consistent with previous infusions. No reflux occurred in the needle tract during delivery.

Figure 1. GFP expression after delivery of AAV5-CAG-GFP to the left putamen and right thalamus. After injection of the AAV5-CAG-GFP vector into the brain, the transgene was widely expressed in the target structures in all animals. DAB immunostaining (brown) shows GFP expression to cortical and subcortical structures in the prefrontal and occipital regions of the brain. Histological analysis of anatomical targets shows extensive transduction following injection of both the thalamus (b) and putamen (c). (Samaranch L, et al., 2017)