Group D adenoviruses infect primary central nervous system cells more efficiently than those from group C

Group C adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to central nervous system cells i s inefficient. We found that wild-type group D viruses, or recombinant aden ovirus type 2 (Ad2) (group C) modified to contain Ad17 (group D) fiber, wer e more efficient in infecting primary cultures of neurons. Together with st udies on primary vascular endothelial cells and tissue culture cell lines, our results indicate that there is not a universally applicable adenovirus serotype for use as a gene transfer vector.