Delivery of a lentiviral vector in a Pluronic F127 gel to cells of the central nervous system

Lentiviral vectors have been demonstrated as efficient tools for gene delivery to the CNS. We describe a novel approach for vector delivery using the thermoresponsive Gel, Pluronic F127 as a carrier. A HIV-1 lentiviral vector expressing GFP was contained in various concentrations of gel (15, 30 and 40%) and applied to cultures of 293T cells. FACS analysis of cells transduced with 8 ng of lentiviral vector revealed a similar transduction efficiency for each Gel concentration compared to vector added to cells without PF127. Primary Rat CNS mixed glial cultures were also transduced with lentiviral vector in 15% Pluronic F127 and results demonstrated a similar transduction efficiency of astrocytes compared to virus without gel and no evidence of cell toxicity or death. Stereotaxic delivery of viral vector in 15% PF127 to the rat brain resulted in transduction of cells, predominantly astrocytes close to the injection site. Pluronic F127 gel delivery of viral vectors to the CNS may provide a platform for localised release particularly in areas of brain or spinal cord injury.