Methods for delivering recombinant adeno-associated virus virions to the liver of a mammal

Abstract

Methods for introducing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) virions into the liver of a mammal are provided. In these methods, the liver is partially or completely isolated from its blood supply, a catheter is introduced into the liver via a peripheral blood vessel, and rAAV virions are then infused through the catheter to the liver. The methods described herein may be used, for example, to deliver heterologous genes encoding therapeutic proteins to the hepatocytes of humans. This can be accomplished, for example, by introducing the catheter into a femoral artery, threading the catheter into the hepatic artery, and infusing rAAV virions through the catheter and into the liver. Exemplary examples of heterologous genes include those coding for blood coagulation factors.

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