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Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Purification of High Yield Extracellular Vesicle Preparations Away from Virus
Published on: September 12, 2019
Abstract:
The filtration of two species of enteroviruses through membranes of porosity ranging from 50 to 220 mmu was studied. It was shown that extensive or total losses of virus may attend filtration at these porosities, apparently owing to adsorption of the virus to the membrane matrix. This could be minimized by the incorporation of serum into the virus suspension at the time of filtration, or by pretreating the membrane with serum or with a gelatin solution. It was also found that the first few drops of filtrate, even under optimal conditions, were likely to be virus-free, so that the filtration of too small a volume of virus suspension would result in a relatively great loss of titer. The degree to which these factors were critical was found to decrease with increasing pore diameter.
Insights
Filtration of enteroviruses (a type of virus) through membranes can lead to significant virus loss due to adsorption. Pretreatment with serum or gelatin minimizes these losses, especially with larger pore sizes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Membrane Filtration Technology
Background:
- Enteroviruses are common human pathogens.
- Membrane filtration is a crucial technique in virology for virus concentration and purification.
- Understanding virus-membrane interactions is vital for optimizing filtration processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the filtration efficiency of enteroviruses using membranes with varying porosities.
- To identify factors influencing virus loss during membrane filtration.
- To develop strategies for minimizing virus loss during enterovirus filtration.
Main Methods:
- Studied the filtration of two enterovirus species through membranes with pore sizes from 50 to 220 mmu.
- Assessed virus loss attributed to membrane adsorption.
- Evaluated the effect of serum incorporation and membrane pretreatment (serum, gelatin) on filtration efficiency.
- Examined the impact of filtrate volume on overall virus recovery.
Main Results:
- Significant to total loss of enteroviruses was observed during filtration through membranes (50-220 mmu porosity).
- Virus adsorption to the membrane matrix was identified as the primary cause of loss.
- Incorporating serum or pretreating membranes with serum/gelatin minimized virus loss.
- Initial filtrate drops were often virus-free, leading to greater titer loss with smaller sample volumes.
- The critical nature of these factors decreased as membrane pore diameter increased.
Conclusions:
- Membrane porosity and sample volume critically impact enterovirus recovery during filtration.
- Serum or gelatin pretreatment effectively mitigates virus adsorption to membranes.
- Optimized filtration protocols are necessary to ensure accurate enterovirus quantification and recovery.
