Gene Transfer of Nitric Oxide Synthase Via the Use of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a replication-defective dependovirus and is not known to cause disease in humans. AAV vectors have a broad host range and can transduce both dividing and nondividing cells. Five primate AAV serotypes have been characterized in the literature and are designated as AAV types 1–5 (AAV1–5). There is divergence in homology and tropism for various AAV serotypes. AAV vectors can be produced by triple plasmids transfection system (adenovirus-free system) and purified by ultracentrifugation using CsCl gradient. The titer of AAV vectors is determined by dot-blot analysis. We have produced the AAV type 2 vectors encoding endothelial NOS (eNOS) gene and transduced rat aortic segments.