Dodecahedral adenoviral protein complex, composition containing same and uses thereof

Abstract

A native or recombinant adenoviral protein complex, a pharmaceutical composition containing said protein complex, and the uses thereof for treating and preventing human and animal diseases, are disclosed. Said adenoviral protein complex consists of either 12 pentons each including at least one fiber and a penton base, but no other element from an adenovirus genome, said fiber(s) and said penton base being derived from one or more adenoviruses, said pentons being bound by the penton bases and forming a proteolytic enzyme-stable dodecahedral structure, said complex having a molecular weight between 4.8.times.10.sup.6 and 6.6.times.10.sup.6, and such complexes being known as dodecahedron-penton complexes; or 12 penton bases but no other element from an adenovirus genome, said penton bases being derived from one or more adenoviruses and forming a proteolytic enzyme-stable dodecahedral structure, said complex having a molecular weight between 3.2.times.10.sup.6 and 4.times.10.sup.6, and such complexes being known as dodecahedron-base complexes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.