Figure 2.

Gene delivery to the cervix is possible using viral vectors. (A) Adenovirus-associated virus-8 (AAV-8), Recombinant adenovirus 5 (rAd5), VSVg lentiviral vectors can deliver luciferase to the cervix resulting in transient luciferase expression. (B,C) 72 h following AAV8-CMV-f.luc administration, luciferase expression is limited to the cervix and upper vagina, n = 3. ^****P < 0.0001, data were analyzed by a 1-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni test. Gene transfer to the cervix using AAV 8 viral vector is improved when delivered with the pluronic gel, AK12, and results in transient protein expression in the epithelial cell layers. (D) Cervical GFP expression is increased when AAV8 GFP is delivered in combination with AK12, compared with AAV8 GFP delivery alone, n = 3. ^*P < 0.05, data were analyzed by a unpaired T-test. (E) GFP expression is detected in the epithelial layers of the cervix, confirmed by protein co-localization with cytokeratin expression. Scale bar 20 μm. (F) Following delivery of AAV8-CMV-f.luc in combination with AK12 gel, luciferase expression in the cervix lasted for up to 14 days, with peak expression occurring between 3 and day 5, n = 3.