Plant-based vaccines: unique advantages.

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that viral epitopes and subunits of bacterial toxins can be expressed and correctly processed in transgenic plants. The recombinant proteins induce immune responses and have several benefits over current vaccine technologies, including increased safety, economy, stability, versatility and efficacy. Antigens expressed in corn are particularly advantageous since the seed can be produced in vast quantities and shipped over long distances at ambient temperature, potentially allowing global vaccination. We have expressed the B-subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin and the spike protein of swine transmissible gastroenteritis virus at high levels in corn, and demonstrate that these antigens delivered in the seed elicit protective immune responses.

• Authors: S J Streatfield, J M Jilka, E E Hood, D D Turner, M R Bailey, J M Mayor, S L Woodard, K K Beifuss, M E Horn, D E Delaney, I R Tizard, J A Howard
• Journal: Vaccine (Vaccine) Vol. 19 Issue 17-19 Pg. 2742-8 (Mar 21 2001) ISSN: 0264-410X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 11257418 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Bacterial Toxins
• Enterotoxins
• Escherichia coli Proteins
• Vaccines, Synthetic
• Viral Proteins
• spike protein S, Transmissible gastroenteritis virus
• heat-labile enterotoxin, E coli

Topics

• Animals
• Bacterial Toxins (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Biotechnology
• Enterotoxins (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Escherichia coli Proteins
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Plants, Genetically Modified (genetics, immunology)
• Plasmids (genetics)
• Rhizobium (genetics)
• Transformation, Genetic
• Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (genetics, immunology)
• Vaccines, Synthetic (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Viral Proteins (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Zea mays (genetics)