POSSIBILITIES OF GENE THERAPY WITH RECOMBINANT ADENOVIRUS IN THE CORTEX AND HIPPOCAMPUS

Background and purpose - Neurodegenerative diseases eg. ischemic stroke causes lifelong disabilities in cognitive functions and movement, furthermore high frequency of death. Antiapoptotic, or growth factor gene targeting to cortical structures could be a useful tool for neuroprotection in ischemic brain diseases. In present study we examined the feasibility of the gene therapy of the cortex and hippocampus via transfecting brain with recombinant adenovirus containing LacZ reporter gene in normal and postischemic condition. Since translation of proteins can be inhibited following ischemia by the phosphorylation of ribosomal subunit elF2 alpha, phosphor-elF2 alpha immunohystochemistry were performed. Methods - Our adenovirus vector was introduced via the cisterna magna into control and postischemic gerbil brain. After 48 hours of transfection the brains were examined for X-gal staining. LacZ expressing cells showed blue colour. Five min. transient global ischemia was induced by clipping the vertebral and carotid arteries of gerbil. Phosphor-elF2 alpha immunohystochemistry were performed following 48 hours of ischemia. Results - Administration of adenoviral vector resulted in transfection of hippocampal CA1, CA2, CA3 cell layers while gyrus dentatus remained untransfected. Cortical pyramidal cell layers were also transfected. In postischemic brain the lack of LacZ gene expression were detected in the CA1 and CA2 layer of hippocampus. Ischemia caused elF2 alpha phosphorylation in hippocampal CA1, CA2, CA3 and most neuronal layers in the cortex. Conclusion - Introducing adenovirus vector via the cisterna magna may results in effective gene therapy of cortex and hippocampus. To develop effective gene therapy in postischemic hippocampal CA1 and CA2 cell layers needs further investigation. elF2 alpha phosphorylation probably doesn't interfere with transgene expression.