Baroreceptor reflex stimulation does not induce cytomegalovirus promoter-driven transgene expression in the ventrolateral medulla in vivo

Abstract

Adenoviruses are being employed to induce transgene expression in the central nervous system in vivo. In these studies, the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter is commonly employed to drive expression of the transgene because of its strong, constitutive activity in a wide range of cell types. However, using this promoter, expression in neurons is variable, with strongest expression being observed in non-neuronal cells. Indeed, even in vitro, CMV driven expression in neurons is variable. In cultured sympathetic ganglion cells it has been demonstrated that CMV-driven expression requires activation of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and that this can be induced by depolarization. In thi..