Vaccination, Genetic

Abstract

In genetic or nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) vaccination, antigenic information is delivered by in vivo expression of antigen from inoculated vector DNA (or RNA). Combining different antigen-encoding sequences, modifying their sequence and/or codelivering them with sequences encoding immune-stimulating factors (readily achieved through recombinant DNA technologies) strikingly enhances and modulates the immunogenicity of genetic vaccines and extends the repertoire of epitopes to which different compartments of the adaptive immune system can be specifically primed. Large-scale production of DNA vaccines, their formulation and alternative modes of delivery are currently optimized. Experimental DNA vaccines have demonstrated efficacy in priming antibody and/or cellular immune responses that protect against a variety of pathogens or transplantable tumors in animal models. Genetic vaccination has therefore become an unrivaled tool in preclinical research. Although highly attractive in principle, the practical development of DNA vaccination for clinical applications is at an early and experimental stage, and will have to resolve different issues before entering widespread use.