Preferential transduction of neurons by canine adenovirus vectors and their efficient retrograde transport in vivo

SPECIFIC AIMSThe initial goal of our study was to characterize the in vivo and ex vivo efficacy of a novel viral vector derived from canine adenovirus serotype 2 (CAV-2). After identifying the preferential transduction of neurons, we propose a molecular basis for the targeting in the tissues tested.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. CAV-2 preferentially transduce neurons in vitro, in vivo in rodents, and ex vivo in human brain biopsiesWe previously described the transduction of mouse distal airway epithelial cells via deep nasal installation using a CAV-2 vector expressing GFP (CAVGFP). While continuing the characterization of CAV-2 vectors, we moved up the respiratory tract and assayed transduction in the rat olfactory neuroepithelium. In the nasal cavity, the ethmoid labyrinth is teeming with columnar epithelial cells that sandwich olfactory neurons. We found no difference between GFP expression of the axon bundles in the olfactory bulb using CAVGFP or a human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector expressing eGFP (AdGFP...