Abstract: Adenovirus serotypes differ in their natural tropism. The adenovirus serotypes 2, 4, 5 and 7 all have a natural affiliation towards lung epithelia and other respiratory tissues. In contrast, serotypes 40 and 41 have a natural affiliation towards the gastrointestinal tract. The serotypes described, differ in at least capsid proteins (penton-base, hexon), proteins responsible for cell binding (fiber protein), and proteins involved in adenovirus replication. This difference in tropism and capsid protein among serotypes has led to the many research efforts aimed at redirecting the adenovirus tropism by modification of the capsid proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and vector systems for the generation of chimeric recombinant adenoviruses. These hybrid adenoviruses contain a genome that is derived from different adenovirus serotypes. In particular, novel hybrid adenoviruses are disclosed with improved properties for gene therapy purposes. These properties include: a decreased sensitivity towards neutralizing antibodies, a modified host range, a change in the titer to which adenovirus can be grown, the ability to escape trapping in the liver upon in vivo systemic delivery, and absence or decreased infection of antigen presenting cells (APC) of the immune system, such as macrophages or dendritic cells. These chimeric adenoviruses thus represent improved tools for gene therapy and vaccination since they overcome the limitations observed with the currently used serotype subgroup C adenoviruses.

Abstract: Adenovirus serotypes differ in their natural tropism. The adenovirus serotypes 2, 4, 5 and 7 all have a natural affiliation towards lung epithelia and other respiratory tissues. In contrast, serotypes 40 and 41 have a natural affiliation towards the gastrointestinal tract. The serotypes described, differ in at least capsid proteins (penton-base, hexon), proteins responsible for cell binding (fiber protein), and proteins involved in adenovirus replication. This difference in tropism and capsid protein among serotypes has led to the many research efforts aimed at redirecting the adenovirus tropism by modification of the capsid proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene delivery vehicle and a gene of interest comprising at least one Ad35 element or a functional equivalent thereof, responsible for avoiding or diminishing neutralizing activity against adenoviral elements by the host to which the gene is to be delivered. A functional equivalent/homologue of an Ad35 (element) includes an adenovirus (element) which, like adenovirus 35, encounters pre-existing immunity in less than about 10% of the hosts to which it is administered for the first time, or which is capable in more than about 90% of the hosts to which it is administered of avoiding or diminishing the immune response.

Abstract: A packaging cell line capable of complementing recombinant adenoviruses based on serotypes from subgroup B, preferably adenovirus type 35. The cell line is preferably derived from primary diploid human cells transformed by adenovirus E1 sequences either operatively linked on one or two DNA molecules, the sequences operatively linked to regulatory sequences enabling transcription and translation of encoded proteins. Also, a cell line derived from PER.C6 that expresses functional Ad35-E1B sequences. The Ad35-E1B sequences are driven by the E1B promoter and terminated by a heterologous poly-adenylation signal. The new cell lines are useful for producing recombinant adenoviruses. The cell lines can be used to produce human recombinant therapeutic proteins such as human antibodies. In addition, the cell lines are useful for producing human viruses other than adenovirus such as influenza, herpes simplex, rotavirus, and measles.

Abstract: Adenovirus serotypes differ in their natural tropism. The adenovirus serotypes 2, 4, 5 and 7 all have a natural affiliation towards lung epithelia and other respiratory tissues. In contrast, serotypes 40 and 41 have a natural affiliation towards the gastrointestinal tract. The serotypes described, differ in at least capsid proteins (penton-base, hexon), proteins responsible for cell binding (fiber protein), and proteins involved in adenovirus replication. This difference in tropism and capsid protein among serotypes has led to the many research efforts aimed at redirecting the adenovirus tropism by modification of the capsid proteins.

Abstract: In the absence of substantial sequence overlap between a recombinant adenoviral vector and the genome of a packaging cell, helper-dependent E1-containing particles (HDEP) can be formed at low frequency. The invention provides means and methods reducing or preventing the generation of HDEP. To this purpose, novel packaging cells and methods of making these are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing human primary fibroblasts with a nucleic acid of interest with, among others, the purpose to improve the taking of, for example, skin transplants, particularly, methods of transducing fibroblasts with the nucleic acid of interest by means of gene delivery vehicles, in particular chimeric recombinant adenovirus-based (having an improved tropism for human primary fibroblasts) gene delivery vehicles. The present invention is exemplified by an adenovirus serotype 5 genome-based vector with an adenoviral fiber protein of a B-type or a D-type adenovirus, in particular adenovirus type 40 or 16, and wherein the nucleic acid of interest encodes a protein which improves angiogenesis and/or neurovascularization, in particular myogenin or MyoD.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and vector systems for the generation of chimeric recombinant adenoviruses. These hybrid adenoviruses contain a genome that is derived from different adenovirus serotypes. In particular, novel hybrid adenoviruses are disclosed with improved properties for gene therapy purposes. These properties include: a decreased sensitivity towards neutralizing antibodies, a modified host range, a change in the titer to which adenovirus can be grown, the ability to escape trapping in the liver upon in vivo systemic delivery, and absence or decreased infection of antigen presenting cells (APC) of the immune system, such as macrophages or dendritic cells. These chimeric adenoviruses thus represent improved tools for gene therapy and vaccination since they overcome the limitations observed with the currently used serotype subgroup C adenoviruses.

Abstract: A packaging cell line that complements recombinant adenoviruses based on serotypes from subgroup B, preferably adenovirus type 35. The cell line is preferably derived from primary, diploid human cells that are transformed by adenovirus E1 sequences either operatively linked on one DNA molecule or located on two separate DNA molecules, the sequences being operatively linked to regulatory sequences enabling transcription and translation of encoded proteins. Also disclosed is a cell line derived from PER.C6 that expresses functional Ad35 E1B sequences. The Ad35-E1B sequences are driven by the E1B promoter or a heterologous promoter and terminated by a heterologous poly-adenylation signal. The cell lines are useful for producing recombinant adenoviruses designed for gene therapy and vaccination. The cell lines can also be used for producing human recombinant therapeutic proteins such as human growth factors and human antibodies.

Abstract: Adenovirus serotypes differ in their natural tropism. The adenovirus serotypes 2, 4, 5 and 7 all have a natural affiliation towards lung epithelia and other respiratory tissues. In contrast, serotypes 40 and 41 have a natural affiliation towards the gastrointestinal tract. The serotypes described differ in at least capsid proteins (penton-base, hexon), proteins responsible for cell binding (fiber protein), and proteins involved in adenovirus replication. This difference in tropism and capsid protein among serotypes has led to the many research efforts aimed at redirecting the adenovirus tropism by modification of the capsid proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of recombinant viruses and/or recombinant viral proteins using cells that can grow in suspension and in serum-free conditions without the requirement of any animal- or human-derived components. In particular, the invention relates to the production of recombinant alphaviruses that are suitable for use in vaccines and in gene therapy applications. For example, Semliki Forest Virus particles carrying a heterologous gene of interest (e.g., an antigen) are produced on El-transformed non-tumorous human cells, preferably derived from primary retinoblasts, such as PER.C6™ cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and means for influencing the CTL-sensitivity of antigen presenting cells (such as dendritic cells) upon viral infections. The invention provides gene delivery vehicles useful in different therapeutic settings such as vaccination and/or gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides new uses of recombinant adenoviral vectors in vaccination regimens, such as prime/boost set-ups and subsequent vaccinations and applications for gene therapy. Moreover, the invention provides new assays to determine the best regimen for applying the most suitable recombinant viral vector in a vaccination or gene therapy setting.

Abstract: Methods and associated materials for transducing mesenchymal stem cells with a desired nucleic acid. Mesenchymal stem cells are a recently discovered kind of stem cell for which suitable transfer vehicles are still desired. Typical gene delivery vehicles such as the adenoviruses or adeno associated viruses have no particular tropism for mesenchymal stem cells. Also disclosed is gene therapy using adenoviruses provided with tropism for mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: A gene delivery vehicle having been provided with at least a tissue tropism for cells selected from the group of smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and/or liver cells. The tissue tropism is generally provided by a virus capsid, such as one comprising protein fragments from at least two different viruses, such as two different adenoviruses, including adenovirus of subgroup C or subgroup B (for example, adenovirus 16). The protein fragments can comprise a tissue tropism-determining fragment of a fiber protein derived from a subgroup B adenovirus. Also, cells for producing such gene delivery vehicles and pharmaceutical compositions containing these gene delivery vehicles are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and means to increase the stability and/or the packaging capacity of recombinant adenoviruses, by overexpression of pIX in an adenoviral packaging cell, by retaining at least a part of the E1B 55K region in the recombinant adenoviral vector or by regulating pIX with a heterologous promoter. The invention further relates to methods and means for the production of such adenoviruses on complementing cell lines, wherein the early region 4 open reading frame 6 (E4-orf6) encoding nucleic acid is present in the adenovirus and wherein the E4-orf6 gene product is compatible with one or more products of the E1 gene products in the complementing cell, such that the adenoviral vector can be efficiently produced by the complementing cell.

Abstract: Adenovirus serotypes differ in their natural tropism. The adenovirus serotypes 2, 4, 5, and 7 all have a natural affiliation towards lung epithelia and other respiratory tissues. In contrast, serotypes 40 and 41 have a natural affiliation towards the gastrointestinal tract. The serotypes described, differ in at least capsid proteins (penton-base, hexon), proteins responsible for cell binding (fiber protein), and proteins involved in adenovirus replication. This difference in tropism and capsid protein among serotypes has led to the many research efforts aimed at redirecting the adenovirus tropism by modification of the capsid proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene delivery vehicle and a gene of interest comprising at least one Ad35 element or a functional equivalent thereof, responsible for avoiding or diminishing neutralizing activity against adenoviral elements by the host to which the gene is to be delivered. A functional equivalent/homologue of an Ad35 (element) includes an adenovirus (element) which, like adenovirus 35, encounters pre-existing immunity in less than about 10% of the hosts to which it is administered for the first time, or which is capable in more than about 90% of the hosts to which it is administered of avoiding or diminishing the immune response.

Abstract: A packaging cell line capable of complementing recombinant adenoviruses based on serotypes from subgroup B, preferably adenovirus type 35. The cell line is preferably derived from primary, diploid human cells transformed by adenovirus E1 sequences either operatively linked on one or two DNA molecules, the sequences operatively linked to regulatory sequences enabling transcription and translation of encoded proteins. Also, a cell line derived from PER.C6 that expresses functional Ad35 E1B sequences. The Ad35-E1B sequences are driven by the E1B promoter and terminated by a heterologous poly-adenylation signal. The new cell lines are useful for producing recombinant adenoviruses. The cell lines can be used to produce human recombinant therapeutic proteins such as human antibodies. In addition, the cell lines are useful for producing human viruses other than adenovirus such as influenza, herpes simplex, rotavirus, and measles.