Abstract: The invention provides cells and methods of using the cells for the propagation of replication-deficient adenoviral vectors. The cells comprise at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence which upon expression produces at least one non-adenoviral gene product that complements in trans for a deficiency in at least one essential gene function of one or more regions of an adenoviral genome so as to propagate a replication-deficient adenoviral vector comprising an adenoviral genome deficient in the at least one essential gene function of the one or more regions when present in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiply deficient adenoviral vectors and complementing cell lines. Also provided are recombinants of the multiply deficient adenoviral vectors and a therapeutic method, particularly relating to gene therapy, vaccination, and the like, involving the use of such recombinants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dual selection cassette (DSC) comprising first and second DNA segments having homology to a eukaryotic viral vector, positive and negative selection genes, each operably linked to their own promoter, and one or more unique restriction enzyme sites (URES) or sitey-directed homologous recombination sites. The present invention also provides a plasmid, pN/P, comprising an independent positive selection marker gene, an origin of replication, and a dual selection cassette. The dual selection cassette and pN/P plasmid can be used to produce eukaryotic gene transfer vectors without requiring temporally-linked double recombination events or the use of specialized bacterial strains that allow the replication of plasmids comprising defective origins of replication. This method usefully increases the ratio of desired to undesired plasmid and vector constructs. Additionally, this invention provides a method for the creation of eukaryotic viral vector libraries.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a polynucleotide encoding a chimeric protein comprising an endoplasmic reticulum localization signal peptide, a transport moiety, and a moiety of interest, wherein the endoplasmic reticulum localization signal peptide, the transport moiety, and the moiety of interest are operably linked with each other, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a cell comprising such a vector, and a method of expressing a protein comprising the transport moiety and the moiety of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of in vitro propagation of a viral eukaryotic gene transfer vector comprising a deleterious, i.e., a cytostatic, cytotoxic, or apoptotic, gene in a eukaryotic, e.g., a mammalian, host-production cell, comprising a blocking gene. The blocking gene inhibits the adverse effects of the deleterious gene on the eukaryotic host-production cell. Vectors and cells useful in the context of the present inventive method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric adenovirus fiber protein, which differs from the wild-type coat protein by the introduction of a nonnative amino acid sequence in a conformationally-restrained manner. Such a chimeric adenovirus fiber protein according to the invention is able to direct entry into cells of a vector comprising the chimeric fiber protein that is more efficient than entry into cells of a vector that is identical except for comprising a wild-type adenovirus fiber protein rather than the chimeric adenovirus fiber protein. The nonnative amino acid sequences encodes a peptide motif that comprises an epitope for an antibody, or a ligand for a cell surface receptor, that can be employed in cell targeting. The present invention also pertains to vectors comprising such a chimeric adenovirus fiber protein, and to methods of using such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric adenovirus coat protein, which differs from the wild-type coat protein by the introduction of a nonnative amino acid sequence. Such a chimeric adenovirus coat protein according to the invention is able to direct entry into cells of a vector comprising the coat protein that is more efficient than entry into cells of a vector that is identical except for comprising a wild-type adenovirus coat protein rather than the chimeric adenovirus coat protein. The chimeric coat protein preferably is a fiber, hexon, or penton protein. The present invention also provides an adenoviral vector that comprises the chimeric adenovirus coat protein, as well as methods of constructing and using such a vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant cell line, specifically one that produces adenoviral E1 and DEF-A and/or DEF-B gene products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant protein having an amino terminus of an adenoviral fiber protein and having a trimerization domain. A fiber incorporating such a protein exhibits reduced affinity for a native substrate than does a wild-type adenoviral fiber trimer. The present invention further provides an adenovirus incorporating the recombinant protein of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting and/or characterizing the viral vector particle content of a medium. A medium is provided and contacted with an excitation energy such that, if a viral vector particle is in the medium, an electron associated with the intrinsically fluorogenic portion of the viral vector particle will be raised to an excited energy state. The excited electron is permitted to emit radiation having an emission wavelength which is detected. The viral vector particle content of the medium then can be evaluated by comparing the detected emission wavelength with a standard signal. For example, the number of viral vector particles in a medium can be quantified by comparing the detected wavelength and its corresponding intensity to a standard signal. Similar methods for evaluating the adenoviral vector particle content of a medium and the intrinsically fluorogenic adenoviral structural protein content of a medium are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering an adenoviral gene transfer vector comprising an exogenous gene to an animal. One method involves utilizing systemic neutralizing antibodies to neutralize the adenoviral gene transfer vector outside a targeted muscle. Another method involves the repeat administration of an adenoviral gene transfer vector to a skeletal muscle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of making eukaryotic gene transfer vectors comprising homologous recombining lambdid vectors with a second DNA in a bacterium to generate novel recombinant eukaryotic viral gene transfer vectors as well as a novel lambdid vector used in the inventive method and an inventive system comprising the novel lambdid vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiply deficient adenoviral vectors and complementing cell lines. Also provided are recombinants of the multiply deficient adenoviral vectors and a therapeutic method, particularly relating to gene therapy, vaccination, and the like, involving the use of such recombinants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of in vitro propagation of a viral eukaryotic gene transfer vector comprising a deleterious, i.e., a cytostatic, cytotoxic, or apoptotic, gene in a eukaryotic, e.g., a mammalian, host-production cell, comprising a blocking gene. The blocking gene inhibits the adverse effects of the deleterious gene on the eukaryotic host-production cell. Vectors and cells useful in the context of the present inventive method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of enriching a solution of an adenovirus comprising applying a mixed solution comprising an adenovirus and at least one undesired type of biomolecule to an anion exchange chromatography resin containing a binding moiety selected from the group consisting of dimethylaminopropyl, dimethylaminobutyl, dimethylaminoisobutyl, and dimethylaminopentyl and eluting the adenovirus from the chromatography resin. Also provided is a method of purifying an adenovirus from adenovirus-infected cells comprising lysing such cells, applying the lysate to a single chromatography resin, eluting the adenovirus from the chromatography resin, and collecting a fraction containing adenovirus that is substantially as pure as triple CsCl density gradient-purified adenovirus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting and/or characterizing the viral vector particle content of a medium. A medium is provided and contacted with an excitation energy such that, if a viral vector particle is in the medium, an electron associated with the intrinsically fluorogenic portion of the viral vector particle will be raised to an excited energy state. The excited electron is permitted to emit radiation having an emission wavelength which is detected. The viral vector particle content of the medium then can be evaluated by comparing the detected emission wavelength with a standard signal. For example, the number of viral vector particles in a medium can be quantified by comparing the detected wavelength and its corresponding intensity to a standard signal. Similar methods for evaluating the adenoviral vector particle content of a medium and the intrinsically fluorogenic adenoviral structural protein content of a medium are provided.

Abstract: A method of enriching a solution of an adenovirus comprising applying a mixed solution comprising an adenovirus and at least one undesired type of biomolecule to an anion exchange chromatography resin containing a binding moiety selected from the group consisting of dimethylaminopropyl, dimethylaminobutyl, dimethylaminoisobutyl, and dimethylaminopentyl and eluting the adenovirus from the chromatography resin. Also provided is a method of purifying an adenovirus from adenovirus-infected cells comprising lysing such cells, applying the lysate to a single chromatography resin, eluting the adenovirus from the chromatography resin, and collecting a fraction containing adenovirus that is substantially as pure as triple CsCl density gradient-purified adenovirus.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiply deficient adenoviral vectors and complementing cell lines. Also provided are recombinants of the multiply deficient adenoviral vectors and a therapeutic method, particularly relating to gene therapy, vaccination, and the like, involving the use of such recombinants.

Abstract: Provided are methods of modulating the persistence of the expression in a cell of a transgene, such as a transgene in a non-Herpes vector or in at least E4&Dgr; adenoviral vector, and related systems. One method comprises contacting the cell with a non-Herpes vector comprising and expressing a gene encoding HSV ICP0, whereupon expression of HSV ICP0 the persistence of expression of the transgene is modulated. Further provided is a system for modulating the persistence of expression of a transgene, which system comprises a non-Herpes vector comprising (i) a gene encoding HSV ICP0 and (ii) a transgene, wherein the HSV ICP0 modulates the persistence of expression of the transgene and either the non-Herpes vector comprises the transgene or the system further comprises a vector, in which case the vector comprises the transgene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a composition for preserving a virus. The virus is placed in a liquid carrier with a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 80, L-arginine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, trehalose, and combinations thereof. The liquid composition can be maintained at a temperature above 0° C. for a significant period of time while maintaining a satisfactory degree of viral activity.