Cell-type-specific characteristics modulate the transduction efficiency of adeno-associated virus type 2 and restrain infection of endothelial cells.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are promising vectors for various gene therapy applications due to their long-lasting transgene expression and wide spectrum of target cells. Recently, however, it has become apparent that there are considerable differences in the efficiencies of transduction of different cell types by AAVs. Here, we analyzed the efficiencies of transduction and the transport mechanisms of AAV type 2 (AAV-2) in different cell types, emphasizing endothelial cells. Expression analyses in both cultured cells and the rabbit carotid artery assay showed a remarkably low level of endothelial cell transduction in comparison to the highly permissive cell types. The study of the endosomal pathways of AAV-2 with fluorescently labeled virus showed clear targeting of the Golgi area in permissive cell lines, but this phenomenon was absent in the endothelial cell line EAhy-926. On the other hand, the response to the block of endosomal acidification by bafilomycin A1 also showed differences among the permissive cell types. We also analyzed the effect of proteasome inhibitors on endothelial cells, but their impact on the primary cells and in vivo was not significant. On the contrary, analysis of the expression pattern of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), the primary receptors of AAV-2, revealed massive deposits of HSPG in the extracellular matrix of endothelial cells. The matrix-associated receptors may therefore compete for virus binding and reduce transduction in endothelial cells. Accordingly, in endothelial cells detached from their matrix, AAV-2 transduction was significantly increased. Altogether, these results point to a more complex cell-type-specific mode of transduction of AAV-2 than previously appreciated.