Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of modulating one or more cellular activities dependent on a POD nuclear structure in a host cell through the action of a molecule of adenoviral origin, wherein said molecule of adenoviral origin is capable of interacting with the cellular function of said POD nuclear structure. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method, a replication-defective adenoviral vector and a composition intended to reduce or inhibit one or more POD-dependent cellular activities by introducing said adenoviral molecule in the host cell. The invention also relates to the use of such replication-defective adenoviral vector or molecule to provide a reduction or an inhibition of the antiviral or apoptosis cellular activities as well as to provide a reduction of the toxicity induced by a replication-defective adenovirus vector or to enhance transgene expression driven from said replication-defective adenovirus vector.

Abstract: Described are adenovirus pIX proteins which are modified by mutating one or more amino acids and/or by the inclusion of a binding moiety. Preferably, said modification is carried out in the N-terminal part or in the C-terminal leucine-repeat of the pIX protein. It is described that viruses or virus-like particles containing such a modified pIX protein show an improved gene delivery efficiency. Furthermore, described are corresponding adenoviral vectors, viruses or virus-like particles, host cells, complementation cell lines and methods for producing such viruses or virus-like particles. In addition, described are pharmaceutical compositions comprising an adenoviral vector, virus or virus-like particle, host cell or complementation cell line as mentioned above and therapeutical applications thereof.