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Adeno-associated Virus-mediated Transgene Expression in Genetically Defined Neurons of the Spinal Cord
Published on: May 12, 2018
Efficient and stable gene expression in rabbit intervertebral disc cells transduced with a recombinant baculovirus
Xiaoyun Liu1, Kanghua Li, Jianhua Song
1State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China.
Spine
|April 4, 2006
Summary
Baculovirus effectively delivers genes to rabbit intervertebral disc cells, showing high efficiency and safety in vitro and in vivo. This suggests baculoviruses are promising for gene therapy in degenerative disc diseases.
Area of Science:
- Gene therapy
- Cell biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Degenerative disc disease research explores gene therapy for treatment.
- Mammalian viruses like adenovirus are common gene delivery vectors.
- Baculovirus vectors show potential for mammalian cell gene transfer, but haven't been tested in intervertebral disc cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate baculovirus-mediated gene transfer efficiency in rabbit intervertebral disc cells.
- To assess transgene expression in vitro and in vivo.
- To determine the safety and efficacy of baculovirus vectors for intervertebral disc gene therapy.
Main Methods:
- Recombinant baculovirus vector (Ac-CMV-GFP) used for gene transfer.
- In vitro studies involved culturing rabbit intervertebral disc cells and treating them with varying doses of Ac-CMV-GFP.
- In vivo studies involved direct injection of Ac-CMV-GFP into rabbit intervertebral discs, followed by fluorescence microscopy analysis.
Main Results:
- A multiplicity of infection of 200 Ac-CMV-GFP yielded the highest transduction ratio (approx. 87%) with no observed toxicity.
- In vivo, Ac-CMV-GFP mediated gene expression in rabbit intervertebral disc cells without adverse effects.
- Gene expression peaked at 7 days post-transduction, remaining detectable at 21 and 28 days.
Conclusions:
- Baculovirus efficiently and safely transfers exogenous genes into rabbit nucleus pulposus cells.
- Baculovirus vectors demonstrate potential as therapeutic tools for intervertebral disc diseases.
- Further research into baculovirus-mediated gene therapy for disc disorders is warranted.
