Gene transfer with adenoviruses having modified fiber proteins

A method of transferring at least one DNA sequence into cells, comprising:

• transducing said cells with a modified adenovirus including said at least one DNA sequence, wherein said adenovirus, prior to modification, is of the Adenovirus 5 serotype, and wherein, in the modified adenovirus, the head portion of the fiber of Adenovirus 5 is removed and replaced with the head portion of the fiber of Adenovirus 3, and wherein said cells include a receptor which binds to the head portion of the fiber of Adenovirus 3, and whereby transfer of said at least one DNA sequence into said cells is effected through binding of said modified adenovirus to said cells.

A modified adenovirus including at least one DNA sequence to be transferred into cells, wherein said adenovirus, prior to modification, is of the Adenovirus 5 serotype, and wherein, in the modified adenovirus, the head portion of the fiber of Adenovirus 5 is removed and replaced with the head portion of the fiber of Adenovirus 3.

A method of transferring at least one polynucleotide into cells, comprising:

• contacting said cells with a gene transfer vehicle other than an adenovirus, said gene transfer vehicle including said at least one polynucleotide, and wherein said gene transfer vehicle includes at least a portion of the fiber of an adenovirus of a desired serotype, and wherein said cells include a receptor which binds to said at least a portion of the fiber of said adenovirus of a desired serotype, and thereby transfer of said at least one polynucleotide into said cells is effected through binding of said gene transfer vehicle to said cells.

A gene transfer vehicle other than an adenovirus which includes at least a portion of the fiber of an adenovirus of a desired serotype.

An adenovirus of the Adenovirus 3 serotype including at least one heterologous DNA sequence.

A method of transferring at least one polynucleotide into cells, comprising:

• contacting said cells with a gene transfer vehicle including said at least one polynucleotide, wherein said gene transfer vehicle includes at least a portion of the fiber of Adenovirus 3, and wherein said cells include a receptor which binds to at least a portion of the fiber of Adenovirus 3, and whereby transfer of said at least one polynucleotide into cells is effected through binding of said gene transfer vehicle to said cells.