Gene delivery vectors provided with a tissue tropism for smooth muscle cells, and/or endothelial cells

摘要

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. Further, a method is disclosed for delivering nucleic acid to cells such as smooth muscle cells and/or endothelial cells which involves administering to the cells an adenovirus capsid having proteins from at least two different adenoviruses and wherein at least a tissue tropism-determining fragment of a fiber protein is derived from a subgroup B adenovirus. Particular constructs are also disclosed.