Is there a role for plant-made vaccines in the prevention of HIV/AIDS?
Although educational programs have had some impact, immunization against HIV will be necessary to control the AIDS pandemic. To be effective, vaccination will need to be accessible and affordable, directed against multiple antigens, and delivered in multiple doses. Plant-based vaccines that are heat-stable and easy to produce and administer are suited to this type of strategy. Pilot studies by a number of groups have demonstrated that plant viral expression systems can produce HIV antigens in quantities that are appropriate for use in vaccines. In addition, these plant-made HIV antigens have been shown to be immunogenic. However, given the need for potent cross-clade humoral and T-cell immunity for protection against HIV, and the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of protein subunit vaccines, it is most likely that plant-made HIV vaccines will find their niche as booster immunizations in prime-boost vaccination schedules.
Webster
Diane E
DE
Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. diane@burnet.edu.au
Thomas
Merlin C
MC
Pickering
Raelene
R
Whyte
Andrew
A
Dry
Ian B
IB
Gorry
Paul R
PR
Wesselingh
Steve L
SL
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D022462:Vaccines, Edible / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D022462:Vaccines, Edible; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines