Pseudotyped lentiviral vectors for tract-targeting and application for the functional control of selective neural circuits

摘要: A lentiviral vector strategy for efficient gene transfer through retrograde axonal transport provides a powerful approach studying the neural circuit mechanisms that mediate higher level functions of central nervous system. Pseudotyping human immunodeficiency virus type-1 with different types fusion glycoproteins (FuGs), which are composed segments rabies glycoprotein (RV-G) and vesicular stomatitis (VSV-G), enhances efficiency in both rodent non-human primate brains. These pseudotyped vectors classified into two groups, highly (HiRet) neuron-specific (NeuRet) vectors, based on their properties transduction. Combinatorial use various molecular tools manipulating (such as cell targeting, synaptic silencing, optogenetic or chemogenetic approaches) enables us to control function specific circuits, thus leading deeper understanding mechanism underlying system functions.