Strappe Padraig M, Hampton David W, Cachon-Gonzalez Begona, Fawcett James W, Lever Andrew
Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2005 Oct;61(3):126-33. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2005.06.006. Epub 2005 Sep 8.
Lentiviral vectors have been demonstrated as efficient tools for gene delivery to the CNS. We describe a novel approach for vector delivery using the thermoresponsive Gel, Pluronic F127 as a carrier. A HIV-1 lentiviral vector expressing GFP was contained in various concentrations of gel (15, 30 and 40%) and applied to cultures of 293T cells. FACS analysis of cells transduced with 8ng of lentiviral vector revealed a similar transduction efficiency for each Gel concentration compared to vector added to cells without PF127. Primary Rat CNS mixed glial cultures were also transduced with lentiviral vector in 15% Pluronic F127 and results demonstrated a similar transduction efficiency of astrocytes compared to virus without gel and no evidence of cell toxicity or death. Stereotaxic delivery of viral vector in 15% PF127 to the rat brain resulted in transduction of cells, predominantly astrocytes close to the injection site. Pluronic F127 gel delivery of viral vectors to the CNS may provide a platform for localised release particularly in areas of brain or spinal cord injury.
