TRANSFECTION OF NEONATAL RAT COCHLEAR CELLS IN-VITRO WITH AN ADENOVIRUS VECTOR

A recombinant adenovirus vector containing a beta-galactosidase report er gene was used to transfect neonatal rat organ of Corti or spiral ga nglion explants in vitro. infection at appropriate titers (10(6)-10(7) pfu/ml) transduced virtually all cells in the cultures after 72 hr. H owever, spiral ganglion neurons and cells in the inner hair cell regio ns of the organ of Corti showed the highest levels of expression. Vira l titers that produced high levels of beta-galactosidase expression di d not appear to damage the cultures, and did not inhibit neurite outgr owth from spiral ganglion cells. However, higher titers (10(8)-10(9) p fu/ml) clearly diminished explant viability and inhibited neurite exte nsion. The results demonstrate that cochlear cells car be transfected successfully with an adenovirus vector, at viral titers which do not i nduce obvious signs of cellular damage or dysfunction. (C) 1997 ISDN.