AAV Helper Free Packaging Systems

The AAV Helper Free System produces recombinant AAV containing your gene of interest without the need to use a helper adenovirus. The adenoviral genes required for proper AAV packaging are provided in the pHelper plasmid (E2A, E4 and VA RNA) or in the 293 packaging cells (E1).

AAV Helper Free Packaging Systems are available for native serotypes 1 through 6, as well as the new AAV-DJ and AAV-DJ/8. The AAV-DJ system provides a hybrid capsid created by DNA shuffling technology combining 8 different native serotypes: AAV-2, AAV-4, AAV-5, AAV-8, AAV-9, avian AAV, bovine AAV, and caprine AAV. The result is a highly infectious vector that can transduce a wide variety of cells and tissues at significantly higher rates than AAV-2¹.

AAV-DJ/8 was created by making a point mutation in the heparin binding domain of AAV-DJ. Recombinant AAV produced from the AAV-DJ/8 system closely resembles AAV-8 and AAV-9 in its ability to infect heart and brain tissues.

1. Grimm, D. et al. (2008). J. Virol. 82: 5887-5911.