Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) as a Tool for Clinical and Experimental Delivery of Target Genes into the Mammalian Retina

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With an increasing number of identified causative genes, the widespread use of gene therapy is quickly becoming feasible. Once a target gene is selected, it is important to have a cell delivery method that is both specific and efficient. Cell type specificity and high efficiency is particularly important for the treatment of retinal degeneration, since viruses are efficient gene delivery vehicles for the nervous system, but often bring with them non-specific infections. In this review, we focus on adeno-associated virus (AAV). Over the last few decades, AAV has become a leading choice for safe gene delivery, in part due to its replication deficiency in cells without a helper virus. Here, we summarize the tropism of recombinant AAV (rAAV) for various types of mammalian retinal neurons in relation to capsid serotype and administration method. We also include our recent findings on an AAV serotype that AAV was specifically infected mouse cone photoreceptors when delivered by subretinal administration.