Figure 1.

Methods to alter adenovirus tropism. (A) Wild-type adenovirus enters target cells after binding the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR), an entity present on a wide number of cell types. Ablation of CAR binding and re-directing adenovirus-derived vectors towards the cells of choice by means of specific peptides can be achieved by: (B) genetically integrating the peptide into the fiber knob; (C) chemically coating the vector particle with bi-specific polyethylene glycol (PEG); or (D) through bridging by means of a bifunctional adapter molecule.