Clades of Adeno-Associated Viruses Are Widely Disseminated in Human Tissues

The potential for using Adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector for human gene therapy has stimulated interest in the Dependovirus genus. Serologic data suggest that AAV infections are prevalent in humans, although analyses of viruses and viral sequences from clinical samples are extremely limited. Molecular techniques were used in this study to successfully detect endogenous AAV sequences in 18% of all human tissues screened, with the liver and bone marrow being the most predominant sites. Sequence characterization of rescued AAV DNAs indicated a diverse array of molecular forms which segregate into clades whose members share functional and serologic similarities. One of the most predominant human clades is…

• CF
  Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• G
  GlaxoSmithKline
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• NH
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• NI
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases