We have engineered a non-replicative AdV vector that produces HMGB1 Box A, an antagonist of HMGB1-induced inflammation, under the control of an endogenous complement component C3 (C3) promoter sequence, that is inducible by LPS and influenza in vitro and ex vivo in macrophages (Mφ) and protects mice and cotton rats therapeutically against infection with mouse-adapted and human non-adapted influenza strains, respectively, in vivo. The gene discussed is HMGB1; the disease is influenza.