1
|
Ball JB, Frank MG, Green-Fulgham SM, Watkins LR. Use of adeno-associated viruses for transgenic modulation of microglia structure and function: A review of technical considerations and challenges. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:368-379. [PMID: 38471576 PMCID: PMC11103248 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia play a central role in the etiology of many neuropathologies. Transgenic tools are a powerful experiment approach to gain reliable and specific control over microglia function. Adeno-associated virus (AAVs) vectors are already an indispensable tool in neuroscience research. Despite ubiquitous use of AAVs and substantial interest in the role of microglia in the study of central nervous system (CNS) function and disease, transduction of microglia using AAVs is seldom reported. This review explores the challenges and advancements made in using AAVs for expressing transgenes in microglia. First, we will examine the functional anatomy of the AAV capsid, which will serve as a basis for subsequent discussions of studies exploring the relationship between capsid mutations and microglia transduction efficacy. After outlining the functional anatomy of AAVs, we will consider the experimental evidence demonstrating AAV-mediated transduction of microglia and microglia-like cell lines followed by an examination of the most promising experimental approaches identified in the literature. Finally, technical limitations will be considered in future applications of AAV experimental approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jayson B Ball
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Matthew G Frank
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Suzanne M Green-Fulgham
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Linda R Watkins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Serrano C, Cananzi S, Shen T, Wang LL, Zhang CL. Simple and Highly Specific Targeting of Resident Microglia with Adeno-Associated Virus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.12.571321. [PMID: 38168285 PMCID: PMC10760038 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.12.571321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Microglia, as the immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), play dynamic roles in both health and diseased conditions. The ability to genetically target microglia using viruses is crucial for understanding their functions and advancing microglia-based treatments. We here show that resident microglia can be simply and specifically targeted using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors containing a 466-bp DNA fragment from the human IBA1 (hIBA1) promoter. This targeting approach is applicable to both resting and reactive microglia. When combining the short hIBA1 promoter with the target sequence of miR124, up to 95% of transduced cells are identified as microglia. Such a simple and highly specific microglia-targeting strategy may be further optimized for research and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Serrano
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Sergio Cananzi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tianjin Shen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lei-Lei Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| |
Collapse
|