Epidermal growth factor receptor is a co-receptor for adeno-associated virus serotype 6

A key step in gene therapy is the efficient transfer of genes in a cell type- and tissue-specific manner. To better understand the mechanism of adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6) transduction, we used comparative gene analysis (CGA) combined with pathway visualization software to identify a positive correlation between AAV6 transduction and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Subsequent experiments suggested that EGFR is necessary for vector internalization and probably functions as a co-receptor for AAV6.