ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the development of some of the most powerful mammalian vector systems currently available derived from three virus families: the adenoviruses, alphaviruses and poxviruses. The three groups of viruses are unrelated but their associated vectors share a capacity to provide for high-level expression in vitro and particular emphasis will also be given to their application to vaccination and immunotherapy. Since smallpox eradication vaccinia virus and other poxvirus-based vectors have actively developed to generate a popular range of vectors with enhanced safety and efficacy. For vaccination, there are many examples where a single immunization with a recombinant virus can elicit effective, long-lived protection. Though the authors will concentrate on aspects and applications of recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV), due to conservation of the expression machinery within the poxvirus family, many of the principles of rVV can be applied to other poxviruses.
