*2.4. Expression of Recombinant Molecules in the Rat Brain after Intrathecal Adenoviral-Mediated Delivery of Transgenes*

The expression of the reporter *gfp* and therapeutic *vegf165*, *gdnf* and *ncam1* genes was studied in the stroke area of rat brains, 25 days after an intrathecal injection of Ad5-GFP or Ad5-VEGF-GDNF-NCAM. Green fluorescent protein was detected in brain cells by laser microscopy (Figure 10A). Immunofluorescent analysis using specific antibodies to VEGF, GDNF, and NCAM also revealed target molecules in the brain cells (Figure 10B–D). In the peri-infarct zone, we observed an approximately equal distribution of the cells producing reporter GFP or recombinant VEGF, GDNF, and NCAM molecules.

**Figure 10.** Expression of recombinant molecules in rat brain on 25th day after intrathecal injection of Ad5-GFP and Ad5-VEGF-GDNF-NCAM. (**A**)—Specific green glow of GFP in the transduced brain cells. (**B**)—Immune reaction with antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in brain cells (red glow). (**C**)—Immune reaction with antibody to glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) (red glow). (**D**)—Immune reaction with antibody to neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) (red glow). Arrows point to the transduced brain cells. Arrowheads indicate cell nuclei visualized using DAPI (blue glow). Scale bar in (**A**–**D**) = 50 μm; scale bar in the inserts = 20 μm.
