There are many advantages in using an adenovirus to introduce genetic
material into host cells.
Recombinant adenovirus:
Represents a homologous system for human genes: adenoviral
vectors use a human virus as vector and human cells as host.
Therefore, human proteins have identical post-translational
modifications as native proteins ()
Has the ability to infect most mammalian cell types (both replicative
and non-replicative)
Allows propagation in suspension thus permitting production
of large volumes
May be grown at high titer (1010 VP/mL, which can
be concentrated up to 1013 VP/mL)
Accommodates reasonably large transgenes (up to 7.5 kb)
Supports simultaneous expression of multiple genes
Allows high expression of the recombinant protein (up to 35%
of total cellular protein)
Is well tolerated, with post-infection viability of the host
cells being almost 100%
Remains epichromosomal, i.e. does not integrate into the host
chromosome so does not inactivate genes or activate oncogenes
Can be generated without any special laboratory equipment
All these advantages, and the extensive knowledge of viral genetics,
have made recombinant adenovirus the vector of choice for functional
genomics research, protein-over-expression, pre-clinical studies
and clinical trials.
