Adeno-associated virus 2/9 delivery of Cre recombinase in mouse primary afferents

Sci Rep. 2018 May 9;8(1):7321. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25626-y.

Abstract

Genetically-modified animal models have significantly increased our understanding of the complex central nervous system circuits. Among these models, inducible transgenic mice whose specific gene expression can be modulated through a Cre recombinase/LoxP system are useful to study the role of specific peptides and proteins in a given population of cells. In the present study, we describe an efficient approach to selectively deliver a Cre-GFP to dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. First, mice of different ages were injected in both hindpaws with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV2/9-CBA-Cre-GFP). Using this route of injection in mice at 5 days of age, we report that approximately 20% of all DRG neurons express GFP, 6 to 8 weeks after the infection. The level of infection was reduced by 50% when the virus was administered at 2 weeks of age. Additionally, the virus-mediated delivery of the Cre-GFP was also investigated via the intrathecal route. When injected intrathecally, the rAAV2/9-CBA-Cre-GFP virus infected a much higher proportion of DRG neurons than the intraplantar injection, with up to 51.6% of infected lumbar DRG neurons. Noteworthy, both routes of injection predominantly transduced DRG neurons over spinal and brain neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Recombinant / genetics
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Dependovirus / physiology*
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology*
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Integrases / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Transduction, Genetic / methods*

Substances

  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases