Engineered chloroplasts as vaccine factories to combat bioterrorism

Trends Biotechnol. 2006 Aug;24(8):339-42. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2006.06.006. Epub 2006 Jul 11.

Abstract

Bacillus anthracis is ideal for making biological weapons, but the licensed anthrax vaccine is unsuitable for widespread public administration. Recombinant subunit-vaccine candidates offer potential alternatives, and plant-based production systems facilitate the inexpensive bulking of target antigens. A recent report demonstrates expression of anthrax protective antigen in tobacco chloroplasts--this material is immunogenic and protective when injected into mice. Provided an economic purification scheme can be developed, this technology holds promise for an improved vaccine.

MeSH terms

  • Anthrax / immunology
  • Anthrax / prevention & control*
  • Anthrax Vaccines / biosynthesis*
  • Anthrax Vaccines / genetics
  • Anthrax Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Antigens, Bacterial / therapeutic use*
  • Bioterrorism / prevention & control*
  • Chloroplasts / genetics*
  • Chloroplasts / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Protein Engineering / methods

Substances

  • Anthrax Vaccines
  • Antigens, Bacterial