AAVεT1

AAVεT1 is a computationally designed, divergent adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid belonging to the AAVε clade. It was developed as a 'virtual ancestor' of 10 DNA-shuffled artificial capsids by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and Washington University in St. Louis. The capsid is specifically engineered to target podocytes, the primary cell type affected in many chronic kidney diseases (CKDs), including Alport syndrome. AAVεT1 distinguishes itself by its ability to effectively transduce podocytes in healthy kidneys or during the early stages of disease, overcoming the barrier presented by an intact glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) that typically limits the efficacy of other vectors like AAV9, which require a compromised GFB to reach podocytes.