Cell specific promoter mediated transgene expression for gene therapy purposes in the CNS

The aim of this project is specific gene-expression in neurons or glial cells mediated by cell type specific promoters in HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus type-1) amplicon vectors. Because of the overall goal of gene therapy in the central nervous system, the fusion gene tg17 consisting of the cell culture marker gene gfp and the PET marker gene HSV-1-tk (thymidine kinase) served as reporter. TK can be used for non-invasive in vivo imaging with PET and as therapeutic gene. Methods: The glial specific glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein-promoter (GFAP), the neuron specific tyrosine-hydroxylase- (TH) and the platelet-deriv…