Scientists at the WIVR recently published a report in which they tested the efficiency and retinal cell type targeted by 7 different serotypes of adeno-associated virus (AAV) in the human retina. This paper is significant as most testing of AAVs is performed in animal models such as mice, rats, pigs and monkeys. In this report, WIVR investigators developed a protocol for culture of human donor retinas that allowed for the assessment of AAVs ex vivo. This study shows how different AAV serotypes behave in the human retina and will provide insight for further investigation of each of these serotypes for gene augmentation-based treatment of inherited retinal degeneration.

The abstract on PubMed can be see here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29160116.