Cell Line Development For High-Titer Lentivirus Vector Production

By Hairui Yang, Han Gao, Houliang Wei, Qinrui You, Guodong Jia, and Weiran Shen, OBiO Tech

Lentiviral (LV) vectors hold immense promise for gene therapy due to their ability to deliver genes into a wide range of cells. However, producing sufficient quantities of LV vectors for clinical applications remains a hurdle. This study presents a groundbreaking method to significantly enhance LV vector yield using engineered HEK293T cells, the workhorse for LV vector production.

The traditional approach relies on co-transfecting numerous plasmids into HEK293T cells, resulting in inconsistent yields due to variations in cell populations. We propose a novel solution: creating high-performing, monoclonal HEK293T cell lines. Our approach involves meticulously isolating individual cells with exceptional transfection efficiency and cultivating them into entirely new, productive lines.

This innovative method yielded a remarkable 2-4 fold increase in LV vector production compared to conventional methods. Notably, this technique is adaptable for producing LV vectors carrying various genetic materials, making it a versatile strategy for diverse gene therapy applications. This study paves the way for more efficient and large-scale production of LV vectors, accelerating advancements in gene therapy research and development.