Use of Human Adenovirus-based Vectors for Antigen Expression in Animals

An infectious recombinant human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) vector, AdG12, which carries the glycoprotein gene of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and expresses that gene in cultured HeLa cells was used to examine the host range of insert expression by human Ad vectors. The VSV glycoprotein was expressed in bovine, canine and murine cells when infected with AdG12 in culture. These cell lines are respectively permissive, non-permissive and semi-permissive for human Ad5 replication. Administration of the AdG12 vector to calves, piglets or dogs by either the subcutaneous or oral route resulted in the production of high titres of neutralizing antibodies to VSV. Mice injected intraperitoneally with the vector produced neutralizing antibodies and were protected against subsequent intravenous challenge with normally lethal doses of VSV. This work demonstrates the utility of human adenoviral vectors for antigen expression in a number of non-human cell lines and for the induction of an immune response to the delivered antigen in a number of species.