Name: Author Spotlight: Efficient Adeno-Associated Virus Isolation for Pre-Clinical Applications
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The composition of the solutions and buffers used in this protocol are provided in Table 1.
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Solution</td>
			<td colspan="2">Composition</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td rowspan="4">AAV lysis buffer</td>
			<td colspan="2">1.2 mL of 5 M NaCl solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2">2 mL of 1 M Tris-HCl pH 8.5 solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2">80 uL of ...

AAV Isolation by Double Iodixanol Density Gradient Centrifugation

<ol>
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A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiyear+factor+VIII+expression+after+AAV+gene+transfer+for+hemophilia+A.">Multiyear factor VIII expression after AAV gene transfer for hemophilia A.</a> N Engl J Med. 385 (21), 1961-1973 (2021).</li><li>Naso, M. F., Tomkowicz, B., Perry, W. L., Strohl, W. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adeno-Associated+Virus+(AAV)+as+a+vector+for+gene+therapy.">Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) as a vector for gene therapy.</a> Biodrugs. 31 (4), 317-334 (2017).</li><li>Atchison, R. W., Casto, B. C., Hammon, W. M. c. 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M., Dib, P., Smith, J. K., Zolotukhin, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Helper-free+production+of+laboratory+grade+AAV+and+purification+by+iodixanol+density+gradient+centrifugation.">Helper-free production of laboratory grade AAV and purification by iodixanol density gradient centrifugation.</a> Mol Ther - Methods Clin Dev. 10, 1-7 (2018).</li><li>Chan, C., Harris, K. K., Zolotukhin, S., Keeler, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rational+design+of+AAV-rh74,+AAV3B,+and+AAV8+with+limited+liver+targeting.">Rational design of AAV-rh74, AAV3B, and AAV8 with limited liver targeting.</a> Viruses. 15 (11), 2168 (2023).</li><li>Schmidt, O. W., Cooney, M. K., Foy, H. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adeno-associated+virus+in+adenovirus+type+3+conjunctivitis.">Adeno-associated virus in adenovirus type 3 conjunctivitis.</a> Infect Immun. 11 (6), 1362-1370 (1975).</li><li>Grimm, D., Kern, A., Rittner, K., Kleinschmidt, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+tools+for+production+and+purification+of+recombinant+adenoassociated+virus+vectors.">Novel tools for production and purification of recombinant adenoassociated virus vectors.</a> Hum Gene Ther. 9 (18), 2745-2760 (1998).</li><li>Zolotukhin, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recombinant+adeno-associated+virus+purification+using+novel+methods+improves+infectious+titer+and+yield.">Recombinant adeno-associated virus purification using novel methods improves infectious titer and yield.</a> Gene Ther. 6 (6), 973-985 (1999).</li><li>Clark, K. R., Liu, X., Mcgrath, J. P., Johnson, P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Highly+purified+recombinant+adeno-associated+virus+vectors+are+biologically+active+and+free+of+detectable+helper+and+wild-type+viruses.">Highly purified recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors are biologically active and free of detectable helper and wild-type viruses.</a> Hum Gene Ther. 10 (6), 1031-1039 (1999).</li><li>Debelak, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cation-exchange+high-performance+liquid+chromatography+of+recombinant+adeno-associated+virus+type+2.">Cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography of recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2.</a> J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci App. 740 (2), 195-202 (2000).</li><li>Burova, E., Ioffe, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chromatographic+purification+of+recombinant+adenoviral+and+adeno-associated+viral+vectors:+methods+and+implications.">Chromatographic purification of recombinant adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors: methods and implications.</a> Gene Ther. 12 (1), S5-S17 (2005).</li><li>Adams, B., Bak, H., Tustian, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Moving+from+the+bench+towards+a+large+scale,+industrial+platform+process+for+adeno-associated+viral+vector+purification.">Moving from the bench towards a large scale, industrial platform process for adeno-associated viral vector purification.</a> Biotechnol Bioeng. 117 (10), 3199-3211 (2020).</li><li>Grieger, J. C., Choi, V. W., Samulski, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Production+and+characterization+of+adeno-associated+viral+vectors.">Production and characterization of adeno-associated viral vectors.</a> Nat Protoc. 1 (3), 1412-1428 (2006).</li><li>Florea, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-efficiency+purification+of+divergent+AAV+serotypes+using+AAVX+affinity+chromatography.">High-efficiency purification of divergent AAV serotypes using AAVX affinity chromatography.</a> Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev. 28, 146-159 (2022).</li><li>Chamberlain, K., Riyad, J. M., Weber, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expressing+transgenes+that+exceed+the+packaging+capacity+of+adeno-associated+virus+capsids.">Expressing transgenes that exceed the packaging capacity of adeno-associated virus capsids.</a> Hum Gene Ther Methods. 27 (1), 1-12 (2016).</li><li>Green, E. A., Hamaker, N. K., Lee, K. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+vector+elements+and+process+conditions+in+transient+and+stable+suspension+HEK293+platforms+using+SARS-CoV-2+receptor+binding+domain+as+a+model+protein.">Comparison of vector elements and process conditions in transient and stable suspension HEK293 platforms using SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain as a model protein.</a> BMC Biotechnol. 23 (1), 7 (2023).</li><li>Erbacher, P., Zou, S., Bettinger, T., Steffan, A. M., Remy, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chitosan-based+vector/DNA+complexes+for+gene+delivery:+Biophysical+characteristics+and+transfection+ability.">Chitosan-based vector/DNA complexes for gene delivery: Biophysical characteristics and transfection ability.</a> Pharm Res. 15 (9), 1332-1339 (1998).</li><li>Vandenberghe, L. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+serotype-dependent+release+of+functional+vector+into+the+culture+medium+during+adeno-associated+virus+manufacturing.">Efficient serotype-dependent release of functional vector into the culture medium during adeno-associated virus manufacturing.</a> Hum Gene Ther. 21 (10), 1251-1257 (2010).</li><li>Summerford, C., Samulski, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Membrane-associated+heparan+sulfate+proteoglycan+is+a+receptor+for+adeno-associated+virus+type+2+virions.">Membrane-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycan is a receptor for adeno-associated virus type 2 virions.</a> J Virol. 72 (2), 1438-1445 (1998).</li><li>Wright, J. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+factors+that+contribute+to+recombinant+AAV2+particle+aggregation+and+methods+to+prevent+its+occurrence+during+vector+purification+and+formulation.">Identification of factors that contribute to recombinant AAV2 particle aggregation and methods to prevent its occurrence during vector purification and formulation.</a> Mol Ther. 12 (1), 171-178 (2005).</li><li>Gruntman, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stability+and+compatibility+of+recombinant+adeno-associated+virus+under+conditions+commonly+encountered+in+human+gene+therapy+trials.">Stability and compatibility of recombinant adeno-associated virus under conditions commonly encountered in human gene therapy trials.</a> Hum Gene Ther Methods. 26 (2), 71-76 (2015).</li><li>Srivastava, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rationale+and+strategies+for+the+development+of+safe+and+effective+optimized+AAV+vectors+for+human+gene+therapy.">Rationale and strategies for the development of safe and effective optimized AAV vectors for human gene therapy.</a> Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 32, 949-959 (2023).</li><li>Mullard, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=FDA+approves+first+gene+therapy+for+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy,+despite+internal+objections.">FDA approves first gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, despite internal objections.</a> Nat Rev Drug Discov. 22 (8), 610-610 (2023).</li><li>Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Approved+Cellular+and+Gene+Therapy+Products.">Approved Cellular and Gene Therapy Products.</a> US Food Drug Adm. , (2023).</li><li>Kang, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=AAV+vectors+applied+to+the+treatment+of+CNS+disorders:+Clinical+status+and+challenges.">AAV vectors applied to the treatment of CNS disorders: Clinical status and challenges.</a> J Control Release Off J Control Release Soc. 355, 458-473 (2023).</li><li>De Wolf, D., Singh, K., Chuah, M. K., VandenDriessche, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemophilia+gene+therapy:+The+end+of+the+beginning.">Hemophilia gene therapy: The end of the beginning.</a> Hum Gene Ther. 34 (17-18), 782-792 (2023).</li><li>Simons, E. J., Trapani, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+opportunities+and+challenges+of+gene+therapy+for+treatment+of+inherited+forms+of+vision+and+hearing+loss.">The opportunities and challenges of gene therapy for treatment of inherited forms of vision and hearing loss.</a> Hum Gene Ther. 34 (17-18), 808-820 (2023).</li></ol>

The double iodixanol density gradient purification protocol is the universal method because it is applicable to any AAV mutant variants, regardless of their receptor specificity. Early methods of AAV purification relied on particle density and included isopycnic centrifugation in CsCl and continuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation19. Later, serotype-specific approaches were developed, which made use of monoclonal antibodies bound to Sepharose columns20. A novel dens...

Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors are widely used tools for the treatment of genetic diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy, retinal dystrophy, and hemophilia A1,2,3. rAAV vectors are engineered to lack viral genes present in wild-type AAV4, a small, non-envelope icosahedral virus with a linear single-stranded 4.7 kb DNA genome. AAV was first discovered in the 1960s as a contaminant of adenovirus preparations5. Despite its small capsid size, which limits the size of the transgene that can be packaged to a maximum of 4.9 kb excluding ITRs6, AAV is useful for transgene delivery because it is non-pathogenic in humans, allows expression of transgene in many dividing and nondividing cell types, and has limited immunogenic effects7.
As members of the genus dependoparvovirus, the production of rAAVs relies on the expression of helper genes present in adenovirus or herpes simplex virus8. Several strategies to produce rAAV have been developed, but production in HEK293 cells transformed with the adenoviral E1A/E1B helper genes is the most established method used today9. The general approach of rAAV production begins with the transfection of HEK293 cells with three plasmids containing the transgene within inverted terminal repeats (ITRs), AAV rep and cap genes, and additional adenoviral helper genes, respectively. Seventy-two hours after transfection, cells are harvested and processed to purify rAAV containing the transgene.
In the development of new rAAV vectors for therapeutic purposes, a major goal is producing vectors with increased transduction efficiency. An increase in the transduction efficiency of target cells would mean a decrease in the necessary clinical dose of rAAV, thus decreasing the likelihood of adverse immunogenic effects ranging from antibody-mediated neutralization to acute toxicities10,11. To improve the transduction efficacy of rAAV vectors, alterations can be made to the packaged genome or to the capsid. Viable methods to tune transduction efficacy via packaged genome design include the incorporation of strong and tissue-specific promoters, thoughtful selection of mRNA processing elements, and coding sequence optimization to improve translation efficiency12. Alterations to the capsid are made with the goal of increasing tropism for target human cell types. Efforts towards developing new rAAV transgene delivery vector capsids are generally characterized by a focus on either rational design of AAV capsids with specific mutations targeting specific cell receptors or directed evolution to identify capsids with tropism for specific cell types from high-complexity combinatorial capsid libraries without targeting one specific receptor (although some groups combine these approaches)13,14,15. In the directed evolution approach, combinatorial capsid libraries are constructed using a particular serotype backbone with mutated variable regions on the capsid exterior16. Combinatorial capsid libraries are often constructed from AAV serotypes not originating in humans, decreasing the risk of preexisting immunity during clinical use10. Therefore, purification methods that can be applied to any serotype are ideal to eliminate the need for serotype-specific optimization for the less commonly used serotypes serving as backbones for these libraries.
Iodixanol density gradient centrifugation is utilized to purify high titers of rAAV with high infectivity17. In this protocol, rAAV is produced in suspension cell culture to decrease the amount of labor needed to produce large titers of AAV. A centrifugation step is also included to clear cell lysate to reduce the presence of contaminating proteins and decrease the risk of virus precipitation. This protocol is a cost-effective method to produce preparations of high-purity rAAV suitable for pre-clinical use.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>5810 R benchtop centrifuge</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>22625501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>8-channel peristaltic pump&#160;</td>
			<td>Watson-Marlow</td>
			<td>020.3708.00A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Automated cell counter&#160;</td>
			<td>NanoEntek</td>
			<td>EVE-MC</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Avanti J-E high-speed centrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>369001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Benzonase</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>88701</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biological safety cabinet</td>
			<td>Labconco</td>
			<td>322491101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CO2 incubator with shaker&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Set at 8% CO2 and 37 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Conical centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>339652</td>
			<td>50 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Conical centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>339650</td>
			<td>15 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable micro-pipets</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>21-164-2G</td>
			<td>Capillaries</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s phosphate buffered saline without CaCl2 and MgCl2&#160; (DPBS) (10x)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D1408</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ECLIPSE Ts2R-FL inverted microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Expi293 Expression Medium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>A1435101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Expi293F cells</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>A14527</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter tips</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>1126-7810</td>
			<td>1000 &#181;L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter tips</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>1120-8810</td>
			<td>200 &#181;L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter tips</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>1120-1810</td>
			<td>20 &#181;L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter tips</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>1121-3810</td>
			<td>10 &#181;L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hypodermic needles</td>
			<td>Tyco Healthcare</td>
			<td>820112</td>
			<td>20 GA x 1-1/2 A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ice bucket with lid</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>10146-184</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>JS-5.3 rotor</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>368690</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnesium chloride solution (1 M)</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>M1028-100ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Metal stand and clamp&#160;</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>05-769-6Q</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microcentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>22600028</td>
			<td>1.5 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Needle nose pliers</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Optima XE-90 ultracentrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>A94471</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Opti-MEM I Reduced-Serum Medium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>31985062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OptiPrep density gradient media (iodixanol)</td>
			<td>Serumwerk</td>
			<td>AXS-1114542</td>
			<td>60% iodixanol solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P1000 Pipet</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td>F144059M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P2 Pipet</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td>F144054M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P20 Pipet</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td>F144056M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P200 Pipet</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td>F144058M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phenol red&#160;solution</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P0290</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P4474</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipet-Aid XP pipette controller</td>
			<td>Drummond Scientific</td>
			<td>4-000-101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasmid pCapsid</td>
			<td>De novo or Addgene, etc.&#160;</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>We used pACGrh74.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasmid pHelper</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>112867</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasmid pTransgene</td>
			<td>De novo or Addgene, etc.&#160;</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>We used pdsAAV-GFP.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pluronic F-68 polyol solution (10%)</td>
			<td>Mp Biomedicals</td>
			<td>92750049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polyethylene glycol 8000</td>
			<td>Research Products International</td>
			<td>P48080-500.0</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polyethylenimine HCl Max (PEI-Max)</td>
			<td>Polysciences</td>
			<td>NC1038561</td>
			<td>Dilute in water to 40 &#956;M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polypropylene centrifuge tubes, sterile</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>431123</td>
			<td>500 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polypropylene centrifuge tubes, sterile</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430776</td>
			<td>250 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polypropylene Optiseal tubes</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>361625</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Serological pipettes</td>
			<td>Alkali Scientific</td>
			<td>SP250-B</td>
			<td>50 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Serological pipettes</td>
			<td>Alkali Scientific</td>
			<td>SP225-B</td>
			<td>25 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Serological pipettes</td>
			<td>Alkali Scientific</td>
			<td>SP210-B</td>
			<td>10 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Serological pipettes</td>
			<td>Alkali Scientific</td>
			<td>SP205-B</td>
			<td>5 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Shaker flasks</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>PBV1000</td>
			<td>1 L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Shaker flasks</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>PBV50-0</td>
			<td>500 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Shaker flasks</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>PBV250</td>
			<td>250 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Shaker flasks</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>PBV12-5</td>
			<td>125 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride solution (5 M)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>NC1752640</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile syringes</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>14-955-458</td>
			<td>5 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe filter</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>SLGV013SL</td>
			<td>0.22 micron</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris-HCl pH 8.5 (1 M)</td>
			<td>Kd Medical</td>
			<td>RGE3363</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypan blue solution</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15250061</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tube rack assembly</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>361646</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tube spacers (x4)</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>361669</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tubing for peristaltic pump</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14190516</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Type 70 Ti fixed-angle titanium rotor</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>337922</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultra low temperature freezer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Set at -70 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vivaspin 20 centrifugal concentrator</td>
			<td>Sartorius</td>
			<td>VS2041</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water bath&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Set at 37 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

suspension culture production and purification of adeno-associated virus by iodixanol density gradient centrifugation for in vivo applications

This protocol describes recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) production and purification by iodixanol density gradient centrifugation, a serotype-agnostic method of purifying AAV first described in 1999. rAAV vectors are widely used in gene therapy applications to deliver transgenes to various human cell types. In this work, the recombinant virus is produced by transfection of Expi293 cells in suspension culture with plasmids encoding the transgene, vector capsid, and adenoviral helper genes. Iodixanol density gradient centrifugation purifies full AAV particles based on particle density. Additionally, three steps are included in this now-ubiquitous methodology in order to increase total virus yield, decrease the risk of precipitation due to contaminating proteins, and further concentrate the final virus product, respectively: precipitation of viral particles from cell media using a solution of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium chloride, the introduction of a second round of iodixanol density gradient centrifugation, and buffer exchange via a centrifugal filter. Using this method, it is possible to consistently achieve titers in the range of 1012 viral particles/mL of exceptional purity for in vivo use.

Author Spotlight: Efficient Adeno-Associated Virus Isolation for Pre-Clinical Applications

Suspension Culture Production and Purification of Adeno-Associated Virus by Iodixanol Density Gradient Centrifugation for In Vivo Applications

We use a directed evolution approach to identify adeno-associated viral capits with higher tropism for target human cell types. Through this research, we aim to produce recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors with improved target cell transduction and clinical relevance within the field of gene therapy. Our group recently de-targeted several AAV serotypes from the liver by incorporating capsid residues original to an AAV serotype that naturally possesses decreased liver tropism.If successfully expanded to additional serotypes, this provides the groundwork to decrease necessary RAAV clinical dose by peripheral injection and reduce adverse patient outcomes. The IODIXanol purification method while being cost effective is difficult to scale up. Additionally, in downstream applications, the directed evolution approach is performed with animal models or in vitro.So capsid isolated by directed evolution may not transduce in vivo targets in humans to the same extent as in preclinical models. This protocol is affordable and accessible for smaller labs. Additionally, this method yields high purity, recombinant adeno-associated virus that can be used for downstream preclinical in vivo applications.

This method can be used to obtain titers of at least 1012 viral particles per mL. A titer can be obtained (Figure 3) by qPCR using the ITR primers provided in Supplementary Table 1, by ddPCR, or by any other titering method. Suboptimal titers could result from using a cap gene encoding a capsid with poor packaging efficiency.
Another possible source of suboptimal results is the poor transduction efficiency of Expi293 cells. It ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Author Spotlight: Efficient Adeno-Associated Virus Isolation for Pre-Clinical Applications at JoVE.com

Adeno-associated virus is produced in suspension cell culture and purified by double iodixanol density gradient centrifugation. Steps are included to increase total virus yield, decrease the risk of virus precipitation, and further concentrate the final virus product. Expected final titers reach 1012 viral particles/mL and are suitable for pre-clinical in vivo use.