Gene transfer in the liver using recombinant adeno-associated virus

Liver-directed gene transfer and gene therapy are rapidly gaining attention primarily because the liver is centrally involved in a variety of metabolic functions that are affected in various inherited disorders. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a popular gene delivery vehicle for gene therapy, and intravenous delivery of some rAAV serotypes results in very efficient transduction in the liver. rAAV-mediated gene transfer to the liver can be used to create somatic transgenic animals or disease models for studying the function of various genes and miRNAs. The liver is the target tissue for gene therapy of many inborn metabolic diseases and may also be exploited as a "biofactory" for production of coagulation factors, insulin, growth hormones, and other non-hepatic proteins. Hence, efficient delivery of transgenes and small RNAs to the liver by rAAV vectors has been of long-standing interest to research scientists and clinicians alike. This unit describes methods for delivery of rAAV vectors by several injection routes, followed by a range of analytical methods for assessing the expression, activity, and effects of the transgene and its product.