Development of plant-based mucosal vaccines against widespread infectious diseases

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2010 Aug;9(8):937-46. doi: 10.1586/erv.10.81.

Abstract

Mucosal vaccination is a perspective for the control of infectious diseases, since it is capable of inducing humoral and cell-mediated responses. In addition, the delivery of vaccines to mucosal surfaces makes immunization practice safe and acceptable, and eliminates needle-associated risks. Transgenic plants can be used as bioreactors for the production of mucosally delivered protective antigens. This technology shows great promise to simplify and decrease the cost of vaccine delivery. Herein, we review the development of mucosally administered vaccines expressed in transgenic plants. In particular, we evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using plants for the production of mucosal vaccines against widespread infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and TB.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / biosynthesis
  • AIDS Vaccines / genetics
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Communicable Diseases / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / biosynthesis
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal*
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics
  • Solanum lycopersicum / metabolism
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods*
  • Tuberculosis Vaccines / biosynthesis
  • Tuberculosis Vaccines / genetics
  • Vaccination / methods*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / biosynthesis*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Tuberculosis Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Synthetic