Abstract: This invention relates to agents capable of reducing the activity, amount or density of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) on target cells. The invention also provides methods of identification of such agents, methods of making, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, compounds, and methods relating to recombinant adenoviral-based polypeptides for treating disorders associated with epithelial tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, compounds, and methods relating to recombinant adenoviral-based polypeptides for treating disorders associated with epithelial tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating disorders associated with epithelial tissues.

Abstract: This invention relates to agents capable of reducing the activity, amount or density of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) on target cells. The invention also provides methods of identification of such agents, methods of making, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Adenovirus fiber mutated in the regions involved in the recognition and the binding of blood factor proteins, and adenoviruses comprising such fibers are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel chimeric Ad-vectors carrying transgene, or portions of transgenes for stable and efficient gene transfer into diverse cell types or tissues in a CAR- and/or ???3/5-independent manner. Also provided are methods for producing such vectors and the use thereof for gene therapy to target a specific cell type or tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods and kits comprising viral vectors that may be used for performing immunotherapy. In particular, the present invention provides viral vectors having subgroup B adenoviral capsid fibers that are configured to express a transgene sequence in antigen presenting cells (e.g. dendritic cells) with a high transduction efficiency. Preferably, the transgene sequence is a retrogen cassette and the adenoviral capsid fibers are Ad11 fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides modified recombinant Ad vectors (e.g., AdE1− vectors) undergoing defined homologous recombination in order to create predictably rearranged genomic derivatives in a host cell. Genomic rearrangements can be achieved, for example, by incorporating two IR sequences within one vector genome and enabling genomic rearrangement by coinfection with two parental vectors of one type (also referred to herein as a one vector system) or by homologous recombination of overlapping regions in two distinct types of parental vectors (with or without IR sequences) and enabling genomic rearrangement only upon coinfection of the host cell with the two distinct parental vectors (also referred to herein as two vector system).

Abstract: This invention provides modified recombinant Ad vectors (e.g., AdE1− vectors) undergoing defined homologous recombination in order to create predictably rearranged genomic derivatives in a host cell. Genomic rearrangements can be achieved, for example, by incorporating two IR sequences within one vector genome and enabling genomic rearrangement by coinfection with two parental vectors of one type (also referred to herein as a one vector system) or by homologous recombination of overlapping regions in two distinct types of parental vectors (with or without IR sequences) and enabling genomic rearrangement only upon coinfection of the host cell with the two distinct parental vectors (also referred to herein as two vector system).

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of a non-adenoviral vector containing a polynucleotide sequence encoding adenoviral pTP operationally linked domain. The invention also provides compositions of an adenoviral pTP binding domain. The invention also provides methods for increasing the expression of a polynucleotide by expressing the polynucleotide in a non-adenoviral vector containing an adenoviral pTP binding domain in the presence of adenoviral pTP. The invention additionally provides methods to increase expression of a heterologous polynucleotide in an individual by obtaining cells from the individual, genetically altering the cells to express a non-adenoviral vector containing an adenoviral pTP binding domain and a gene encoding pTP and readministering the genetically altered cells to the individual.

Abstract: A ribozyme library which comprises a collection of ribozyme genes encoding a hammerhead structure and flanking sequences of random nucleotides cloned at least once into an expression cassette for ribozyme expression.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting hepatitis C virus RNA replication or expression is provided. The method consists of introducing two or more ribozymes specific for hepatitis C virus RNA into a cell infected with hepatitis C virus. The ribozymes specific for hepatitis C virus RNA can specifically cleave hepatitis C RNA in a HCV 5' non-coding sequence, the capsid sequence, the NS-5 sequence or any other conserved region of the hepatitis C RNA. The ribozymes can also be selected so as to be specific for opposite strands of the virus genome. A method of inhibiting hepatitis C virus RNA replication or expression is also provided which consists of introducing into a cell infected with hepatitis C virus at least one ribozyme specific for hepatitis C virus which is selected from the group consisting of GGGAGGTCTCGTAGA [SEQ ID NO: 1], GCACCATGAGCACGA [SEQ ID NO: 2], CCCACAGGACGTCAA [SEQ ID NO: 3], CAACCGTCGCCCACA [SEQ ID NO: 4], TAAACCTCAAAGAAA [SEQ ID NO: 5] GTAAGGTCATCGATA [SEQ ID NO: 6].

Abstract: Adenoviral vectors are used for high efficiency transduction of ribozymes specific for hepatitis C virus RNA. Hepatocytes are transduced with a recombinant adenovirus vector that expresses a ribozyme capable of specifically cleaving HCV RNA. The compositions and methods thus provide new means for treating HCV, and further provide transgenic non-human animals having human hepatocytes which are useful in models of HCV disease for developing therapeutic and preventative agents.

Abstract: A combination of retroviral and adenoviral vectors are used for high efficiency gene transfer into hepatocytes, resulting in long term gene expression. Hepatocytes are transduced in vivo with a recombinant adenovirus vector that expresses a molecule capable of inducing hepatocyte regeneration, such as urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), resulting in a high rate of liver regeneration. During the regenerative phase, ex vivo or in vivo retroviral-mediated gene transfer into hepatocytes results in greater transduction efficiencies. The compositions and methods thus provide new means for gene therapy, and transgenic non-human animals useful in developing new therapeutic and preventative agents.

Abstract: Agents for stimulating the dividing activity of mammalian cells are presented, which have as an active substance a nucleotide sequence with a complimentary sequence (anti-sense) to a domain of the mRNA of tumor suppressor retinoblastoma or p16 genes acting on cell dividing activity. For Rb, the agents are nucleotide sequences5'-GGTTTTGGGCGGCATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1) and5'-CTCAGTAAAAGTGAACGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2); a nucleotide sequence comprising 49 base pairs, wherein the domain of the mRNA comprises nucleotides 124 to 152; and a 360 base pair nucleotide wherein the domain of the mRNA comprises an Hpa I restriction endonuclease site, an ASP718 endonuclease site, a portion of the 5' untranslated domain of the Rb gene, and a first exon of the Rb gene. For p16, the agent comprises GATCCATGCT GCTCC (SEQ ID NO: 3).

Abstract: The invention is an expression cassette for the antisense expression of ribozyme, having a strong promotor, suitably a T7 promotor, an adenoviral va-RNA gene, a stable loop region, and an insertion site for the antisense/ribozyme sequence in the loop region.

Abstract: The invention is an expression cassette for the antisense expression of ribozyme, having a strong promotor, suitably a T7 promotor, an adenoviral va-RNA gene, a stable loop region, and an insertion site for the antisense/ribozyme sequence in the loop region.