Inducible system for highly efficient production of recombinant adeno-associated virus (raav) vectors

Abstract

Production of clinical grade gene therapy vectors for human trials remains a major hurdle in advancing cures for a number of otherwise incurable diseases. Disclosed herein are systems based on a stably trans formed insect cell lines harboring helper genes required for vector production. Specifically exemplified are system embodiments that take advantage of DNA regulatory elements from two unrelated viruses—AcMNPV and AA V2. System embodiments utilize rep and/or cap genes either stably transfected in cell lines or which are introduced into cells as an expression cassette in a vector. Rep and cap genes that are designed to remain silent until the cell is infected with a viral vector. Infection with viral initiates rescue/amplification of integrated AAV helper genes resulting in dramatic induction of the expression and assembly of rAAV. The arrangement of this specific embodiment provides high levels of Rep and Cap proteins in every cell thus improving rAAV yields by 10-fold. The described vectors are modular in design and may be utilized for the production of other multiprotein complexes.