double iodixanol centrifugation to purify adeno-associated virus for in vivo studies

AAV Isolation by Double Iodixanol Density Gradient Centrifugation

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.

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.

Double Iodixanol Centrifugation to Purify Adeno-Associated Virus for In Vivo Studies