AAV gene therapy vectors in the TMJ.

Area of Science:

• Gene Therapy
• Molecular Biology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect millions globally.
• Current treatments for TMJ disorders have limitations.
• Gene therapy offers a promising avenue for targeted TMJ disorder treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-2 and AAV-6 for gene delivery to the TMJ and its nerves.
• To determine the tissue tropism and infection efficacy of AAV-2 and AAV-6 in the TMJ.
• To assess the potential of these vectors for therapeutic gene delivery in TMJ disorders.

Main Methods:

• Intra-articular inoculation of wild-type C57BL/6 mice with AAV-2 and AAV-6 encoding the reporter gene GFP.
• Assessment of GFP expression in TMJ tissues (articular chondrocytes, meniscal fibroblasts) and trigeminal neurons.
• Characterization of viral vector tissue tropism and infection efficiency.

Main Results:

• AAV-2 and AAV-6 demonstrated distinct tissue tropism within the TMJ.
• AAV-2 infected articular chondrocytes, meniscal fibroblasts, and trigeminal neurons.
• AAV-6 exhibited selective tropism, primarily infecting neurons.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully evaluated AAV-2 and AAV-6 for gene delivery to the TMJ.
• Differential tropism of AAV-2 and AAV-6 allows for targeted gene delivery to specific TMJ tissues.
• This knowledge is clinically significant for developing targeted gene therapies for TMJ disorders.