AAV1 Virus-Like Particles (Empty Capsids)

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising gene therapy vector because it is non-pathogenic and can infect both dividing and non-dividing cells. AAV1 is one of the serotypes of this virus that has a unique tissue tropism and transduction efficiency that makes it particularly suitable for a variety of therapeutic applications. AAV1 virus-like particles are empty capsids of AAV serotype 1. These empty capsids are essentially the protein shell of the virus without the genetic material inside the capsid, so they are not infectious and cannot deliver genes.

AAV1 virus-like particles (VLPs) are produced in much the same way as fully functional AAV1 vectors, typically by a triple transfection approach in producer cell lines. The essential components of these VLPs are the capsid proteins, which are primarily composed of three viral proteins: VP1, VP2, and VP3. These proteins self-assemble into a 60-subunit icosahedral structure that closely resembles the native form of the virus. Since these particles lack genomic material, they are classified as "empty," but they still retain the ability to elicit an immune response similar to that of full AAV vectors.