Vector-mediated antibody gene transfer for infectious diseases

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015:848:149-67. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2432-5_8.

Abstract

This chapter discusses the emerging field of vector-mediated antibody gene transfer as an alternative vaccine for infectious disease, with a specific focus on HIV. However, this methodology need not be confined to HIV-1; the general strategy of vector-mediated antibody gene transfer can be applied to other difficult vaccine targets like hepatitis C virus, malaria, respiratory syncytial virus, and tuberculosis. This approach is an improvement over classical passive immunization strategies that administer antibody proteins to the host to provide protection from infection. With vector-mediated gene transfer, the antibody gene is delivered to the host, via a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector; this in turn results in long-term endogenous antibody expression from the injected muscle that confers protective immunity. Vector-mediated antibody gene transfer can rapidly move existing, potent broadly cross-neutralizing HIV-1-specific antibodies into the clinic. The gene transfer products demonstrate a potency and breadth identical to the original product. This strategy eliminates the need for immunogen design and interaction with the adaptive immune system to generate protection, a strategy that so far has shown limited promise.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / genetics*
  • Communicable Diseases / therapy*
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genes, Immunoglobulin*
  • Genetic Vectors* / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors* / therapeutic use
  • HIV Antibodies / administration & dosage
  • HIV Antibodies / genetics
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive / methods
  • Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • HIV Antibodies
  • Vaccines, DNA