| abstract |
This invention is related to adenoviral (Ad) vectors and their applications in the field of genetic medicine, including, but not limited to, gene vaccination, gene transfer, gene therapy, and the like. More specifically, this invention is related to the AD vectors that carry the minimal cis-element of the Ad genome (minimal Ad vector) and are capable of delivering about 36 kb to about 38 kb of heterologous DNA. The generation of propagation of the minimal Ad vectors require trans-complementation of a packaging-attenuated and replication-defective helper Ad (helper) in an Ad helper cell line. This invention further comprises minimal adenoviral vectors for use in the treatment or prevention of disease or other medical conditions, methodologies for generating such vectors and animal test systems in vivo evaluation such Ad vectors. More specifically, this invention describes HIV and/or HPV Ad vectors that contain minimal cis-elements of the AD genome and comprise HIV and/or HPV nucleic acid sequence with other supporting and/or complementing nucleic acid elements up to about 36 kb to bout 38 kb. The HIV and/or HPV minimal Ad may be generated and preferentially amplified through the assistance of a packaging-attenuated helper Ad and a helper cell line. This invention also discloses designs and methods for testing such minimal AD vectors in vivo. |