Preventing transmission: plant-derived microbicides and mucosal vaccines for reproductive health.
Exclusion of infectious agents from mucosal surfaces of the reproductive tract is a key objective of microbicides and mucosal vaccines. With mucosal antibodies as a common mechanism of exclusion, parallel development of passive and active immunization strategies is an opportunity to determine and achieve protective antibody concentrations in the female reproductive tract. Recognizing that access to sexual and reproductive health products will require low-cost and high-capacity production technologies, the emerging tools of plant biotechnology for complex biopharmaceutical production are crucial. Unfortunately, few preclinical or clinical studies have been completed to date with plant-derived agents intended for reproductive health.
Whaley
Kevin J
KJ
Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc., 6160 Lusk Blvd., Suite C105, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. kwhaley@mapp-biopharmaceutical.com
Zeitlin
Larry
L
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001709:Biotechnology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology*; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D014612:Vaccines