Synthetic adenoviruses having chimeric fiber proteins and liver detargeting mutations are described. The synthetic adenovirus vectors are capable of specifically infecting cells at wound sites or in regions of damaged tissue. The synthetic adenovirus vectors also are capable of expressing transgenes, such as wound healing factors, at sites of wounded or damaged tissue. Accordingly, the described vectors can be used to detect wounded or damaged tissue, and/or to promote wound healing and regeneration of damaged tissue, such as by expression of heterologous wound healing or tissue regeneration factors.
