title: HSV-1 vector mediated transfer of BDNF into cerebellar granule cells.
abstract: Cerebellar granule cells offer a useful model system to study the effects of neurotrophins during development. We have used a defective herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vector containing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to express this neurotrophin in aggregate cultures of granule cells. Viral infection led to easily detectable BDNF expression and neurite outgrowth of granule cells, expressing the high affinity receptor TrkB. Neurite elongation mediated by the HSV-1 vector producing BDNF was similar to that found after exposure to purified BDNF. This study demonstrates the efficacy of HSV-1 vectors for delivery and expression of neurotrophins in cerebellar granule cells. The biological responses measured indicate the effectiveness of HSV-1 vectors as potential therapeutic tools.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Departamento de Bioquimica, Biologia Molecular y Fisiologia, Facultad de Medicina, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nuñez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Represa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giraldez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schimmang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D016501:Neurites / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor