title: Optimization of adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene delivery to the hypothalamus.
abstract: To efficiently deliver genes and short hairpin RNAs to the hypothalamus we aimed to optimize the transduction efficiency of adeno-associated virus (AAV) in the rat hypothalamus. We compared the transduction efficiencies of AAV2 vectors pseudotyped with AAV1, AAV8, and mosaic AAV1/2 and AAV2/8 coats with that of an AAV2 coated vector after injection into the lateral hypothalamus of rats. In addition, we determined the transduction areas and the percentage of neurons infected after injection of various titers and volumes of two AAV1-pseudotyped vectors in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVN). Successful gene delivery to the hypothalamus was achieved with AAV1-pseudotyped AAV vectors. The optimal approach to transduce an area, with the size of the PVN, was to inject 1 x 10(9) genomic copies of an AAV1-pseudotyped vector in a volume of 1 microl. At a radius of 0.05 mm from the injection site almost all neurons were transduced. In addition, overexpression of AgRP with the optimal approach resulted in an increase in food intake and body weight when compared with AAV-GFP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marijke W A
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: de Backer
authors.forename: Maike A D
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brans
authors.forename: Mieneke C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Luijendijk
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Garner
authors.forename: Roger A H
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005814:Genes, Viral; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007031:Hypothalamus; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins