Abstract: The present invention discloses novel smooth muscle cell specific promoters and uses thereof. The promoters are suited for providing nucleic acid of interest with the capability of expressing specifically in a contractile smooth muscle cell, preferably a vascular contractile smooth muscle cell and/or a visceral contractile smooth muscle cell. One example of such a promoter is a smoothelin gene promoter. For gene therapy purposes said smoothelin gene promoter is preferably derived from a human. A promoter of the invention may be incorporated into nucleic acid delivery vehicle. The nucleic acid delivery vehicle preferably comprises a virus-like particle such as an adenovirus particle, an adeno-associated virus particle or a retrovirus particle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene delivery vehicle comprising a recombinant adenovirus having a tropism for a primary human chondrocyte. By efficiently transducing a nucleic acid of interest into a primary chondrocytes, the gene delivery vehicle is able to at least in part improve the counteraction of cartilage disease. In one embodiment the recombinant adenovirus comprises a deletion in the gene encoding for fiber protein, which is replaced by a nucleic acid sequence encoding at least part of a fiber protein of a B-type adenovirus.