AAV capsid vehicles for molecular transfer

Abstract

The invention relates to the production of AAV capsids which may be used to transfer native or heterologous molecules into appropriate host cells. The capsid proteins can be expressed from a recombinant virus, expression vector, or from a cell line that has stably integrated the AAV capsid genes or coding sequences. The invention further provides for the production of AAV capsids in vitro from the AAV capsid proteins and the construction of packaged capsids in vitro. The invention further provides for the production of AAV capsids that have been genetically engineered to express heterologous epitopes of clinically important antigens to elicit an immune response.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle, comprising adeno-associated virus capsid proteins associated with a molecule heterologous to adeno-associated virus.  
     
     
         2 . The adeno-associate virus capsid vehicle of    claim 1    in which the heterologous molecule is encapsidated in the AAV capsid proteins.  
     
     
         3 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 1    or    2    in which the heterologous molecule is a DNA molecule.  
     
     
         4 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 1    or    2    in which the heterologous molecule is an RNA molecule.  
     
     
         5 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 1    or    2    in which the heterologous molecule is a protein.  
     
     
         6 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 1    or    2    in which the heterologous molecule is a peptide.  
     
     
         7 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 1    or    2    in which the heterologous molecule is a small organic molecule.  
     
     
         8 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 2    in which the encapsidated molecule further includes adeno-associated virus genomic DNA.  
     
     
         9 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 2    in which the encapsidated molecule further includes the adeno-associated virus packaging signal.  
     
     
         10 . The adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle of    claim 2    in which the encapsidated molecule includes the adeno-associated virus ITR sequence.  
     
     
         11 . A method for transferring a molecule into a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle in which the molecule, which is heterologous to adeno-associated virus, is associated with adeno-associated virus capsid proteins.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule is a DNA molecule.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule is an RNA molecule.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule is a protein.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule is a peptide.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule is a small organic molecule.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule further includes adeno-associated virus genomic DNA.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule further includes the adeno-associated virus packaging signal.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated molecule includes the adeno-associated virus ITR sequence.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 11    in which the encapsidated adeno-associated virus capsid vehicle is administered to an animal.  
     
     
         21 . The method of    claim 20    in which the animal is a human.