This disclosure provides compositions and methods for altering or changing the tissue tropism, e.g., liver tropism, of adeno-associated viruses (AAV).

Disclosed herein are recombinant AAV variant (e.g., variant serotype 3B (AAV3B)) capsid proteins and variant capsid protein-containing viral particles with enhanced ability to transduce hepatic cells. Viral particles containing these capsid variants are capable of evading neutralization by the host humoral immune response. The recombinant AAV3B variant proteins and viral particles disclosed herein were identified from a variant AAV3B capsid library that was engineered by making substitutions in only the variable regions of the capsid. Some embodiments of the AAV3B capsid variants disclosed herein comprise the AAV3B-G3 variant and the AAV3B-E12 variant. Compositions of these variant AAV particles are provided that are useful for transducing and delivering therapeutic transgenes to cells, such as liver cells, and thus treat diseases and disorders pertaining to these cells.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of restoring or enhancing visual function in an individual by administering to the individual a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector having a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a medium wavelength cone opsin (MW-opsin). The MW-opsin is expressed in a retinal cell in the individual, thereby restoring or enhancing visual function.

Disclosed herein include adeno-associated virus (AAV) acoustic targeting peptides. An AAV comprising the AAV acoustic targeting peptide can exhibit increased transduction at site(s) of focused ultrasound blood-brain barrier opening (FUS-BBBO), increased neuronal tropism, and diminished transduction of peripheral organs. Disclosed herein include recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) comprising an AAV acoustic targeting peptide disclosed herein. Also provided herein include methods of delivering an agent to one or more target brain region(s) of a subject.

The disclosure in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associated viruses. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same.

A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) comprising an AAVhu68 capsid and a vector genome comprising a lysosomal beta-galactosidase gene (for example, galactosidase beta 1 gene, GBL1) is provided (i.e., rAAVhu68.GBL1). Also provided a composition containing an effective amount of rAAVhu68.GBL1 to ameliorate symptoms of GM1 gangliosidosis, including, e.g., increased average life span, decreased need for feeding tube, reduction in seizure incidence and frequency, reduction in progression towards neurocognitive decline and/or improvement in neurocognitive development.

The present invention provides AAV capsid proteins comprising a modification in the amino acid sequence and virus capsids and virus vectors comprising the modified AAV capsid protein. The invention also provides methods of administering the virus vectors and virus capsids of the invention to a cell or to a subject in vivo.

Compositions and methods are provided for treating Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in a subject. In one aspect, a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding Lebercilin. In another aspect, Lebercilin has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In yet another aspect, the nucleic acid molecule has a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or a variant thereof. In desired embodiments, the subject is human, cat, dog, sheep, or non-human primate.

Compositions and methods are provided for treating Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in a subject. In one aspect, a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding Lebercilin. In another aspect, Lebercilin has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In yet another aspect, the nucleic acid molecule has a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or a variant thereof. In desired embodiments, the subject is human, cat, dog, sheep, or non-human primate.

Nucleic acid regulatory elements that are able to enhance muscle-specific expression of genes, in particular expression in muscle cells and/or tissues such as in diaphragm, smooth muscle, heart and/or skeletal muscle, including at least two diaphragm-specific regulatory elements and a heart- and skeletal muscle-specific regulatory element. Expression cassettes and vectors containing these nucleic acid regulatory elements, as well as uses thereof such as applications using gene therapy of muscle-related disorders, more particularly diaphragm, heart and/or skeletal muscle-directed gene therapy, and for vaccination purposes.