Syn-NES-jRCaMP1a AAV (Serotype 8)

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a non-enveloped parvovirus with a single-stranded DNA genome of approximately 4.7 kb that provides a common backbone for recombinant viral vectors. AAV is non-pathogenic, has relatively low immunogenicity, and AAV vectors can be produced in large quantities with high purity. AAV is able to transduce post-mitotic cells for long periods of time, with gene expression observed for more than 6 years in primates. These factors have led to the widespread use of AAV vectors in the nervous system, where they can transduce targeted brain regions locally by stereotactic injection, diffusely transduce large brain volumes by intraventricular or intravenous administration, or transfer genes into primary cultures of neurons and glial cells. A large number of evolutionarily diverse AAV serotypes have been identified. When compared directly after brain injection, these serotypes exhibit different neuronal cell tropisms, transduction intensities, and gene expression profiles.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are used as transgenesis vectors within the central nervous system because they can readily infect post-mitotic cells. AAV exists in multiple serotypes due to variations in the capsid protein, which also acts as a tropism determinant. Rodent studies have shown that AAV8 is suitable for delivering transgenes into neuronal cells. Studies have shown that AAV8 exhibits a strong tropism for neurons in the brains of marmoset and macaque monkey.