Development and characterization of novel empty adenovirus capsids and their impact on cellular gene expression.

ABSTRACT: Adenovirus (Ad) has been extensively studied as a eukaryotic viral vector. As these vectors have evolved from first-generation vectors to vectors that contain either very few or no viral genes ("gutless" Ad), significant reductions in the host innate immune response upon infection have been observed. Regardless of these vector improvements an unknown amount of toxicity has been associated with the virion structural proteins. Here we demonstrate the ability to generate high particle numbers (10(11) to 10(12)) of Ad empty virions based on a modification of Cre/lox gutless Ad vectors. Using a battery of analyses (electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, confocal images, and competition assays) we characterized this reagent and determined that it (i) makes intact virion particles, (ii) co

SUBMITTER: Stilwell JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC262574 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature