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SSV-Seq 2.0, a more accurate PCR-free method for high-throughput sequencing of adeno-associated viral vector genomes
  • +5
  • Emilie Lecomte,
  • Sylvie Saleun,
  • Mathieu Bolteau,
  • Aurélien Guy-Duché,
  • Oumeya Adjali,
  • Véronique Blouin,
  • Magalie Penaud-Budloo,
  • Eduard Ayuso
Emilie Lecomte
INSERM UMR 1089

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Sylvie Saleun
INSERM UMR 1089
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Mathieu Bolteau
INSERM UMR 1089
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Aurélien Guy-Duché
INSERM UMR 1089
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Oumeya Adjali
INSERM UMR 1089
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Véronique Blouin
INSERM UMR 1089
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Magalie Penaud-Budloo
INSERM UMR 1089
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Eduard Ayuso
INSERM UMR 1089
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Abstract

Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) are one of the most efficient engineered tools for delivering genetic material into host cells. The commercialization of AAV-based drugs goes hand in hand with the need to increase manufacturing capacities and to develop appropriate quality controls. In particular, accurate methods to assess the level of residual DNA in AAV vector stocks are needed, considering the potential risk of co-transferring oncogenic or immunogenic sequences with the therapeutic vectors. Our laboratory has developed an assay based on high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to exhaustively identify and quantify DNA species in recombinant AAV batches. Compiled with a computational analysis of the single nucleotide variants (SNV), Single-Stranded Virus Sequencing (SSV-Seq) also provides information regarding rAAV genome identity. In this study, we show that the PCR amplification of regions with high GC content and including mononucleotide stretches can be biased during the DNA library preparation, leading to drops in the sequencing coverage along the AAV vector genome. To circumvent this problem, we have developed a PCR-free protocol, named SSV-Seq 2.0, that is optimized for the sequencing of rAAV genomes that contain sequences with a high percentage of GC and homopolymers, such as the CAG promoter. HTS-based assays are indispensable to provide accurate data to the regulatory agencies regarding nucleic acids content in AAV vector batches and to improve the safety and efficacy of these viral vectors.
14 May 2020Submitted to Biotechnology Journal
18 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 May 2020Assigned to Editor
20 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
13 Aug 20201st Revision Received
15 Aug 2020Assigned to Editor
15 Aug 2020Submission Checks Completed
15 Aug 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Sep 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
29 Sep 20202nd Revision Received
29 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
29 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
29 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Accept