GFP Adeno-Associated Virus ( rAAV2-ESGHGYF )

The lungs are part of the lower respiratory system and are responsible for the exchange of gases in the body. The lung parenchyma is composed of a large number of alveoli, which are composed of multiple types of cells, including alveolar epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and pericytes. Among them, alveolar epithelial cells are the most important cell type for maintaining the alveolar capillary barrier function. The alveolar epithelium is composed of alveolar type I (AT1) cells and alveolar type II (AT2) cells. AT1 cells are squamous cells that cover 95% of the alveolar surface and provide surface area for gas exchange. In contrast, AT2 cells are cuboidal cells that secrete surfactants required to reduce surface tension to prevent alveolar collapse. Many efforts have been made to try to deliver AAV-mediated genes to the lung parenchyma. Tail vein injection of AAV2-ESGHGYF (serotype 2, containing a modified ESGHGYF peptide in the capsid protein) has been shown to specifically target lung tissue. This innovative virus possesses a modified capsid derived from AAV serotype 2 (AAV2), known for its high transduction efficiency and broad tissue tropism. This modification involves the insertion of a specific peptide sequence, ESGHGYF, at residue I588 of the capsid protein. This strategic insertion not only retains the inherent advantages of AAV2, but also significantly enhances the virus' affinity for lung endothelial cells.