[Genetic immunization: new ways for protective and therapeutic vaccines against allergic diseases].
Gene vaccines have proven to be a powerful tool to induce anti-allergic immune responses. Their underlying functional principle is based on the recruitment of allergen-specific Th1 cells and the establishment of a Th1 cytokine milieu, which protects against the development of a Th2-biased response and balances an already ongoing Th2-type response. Genetic immunization also offers novel approaches to the major problems associated with protein immunization, such as crosslinking of preexisting IgE on mast cells/basophils or induction of de novo synthesis of IgE by the protein immunization itself. In addition to the description of the principles of gene vaccination, this review gives a short overview of recently developed anti-allergic gene vaccines with an optimized efficacy and safety profile.
Scheiblhofer
Sandra
S
Christian-Doppler-Labor für Allergiediagnostik und Therapie, Fachbereich Molekulare Biologie, Universität Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
Weiss
Richard
R
Thalhamer
Josef
J
D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008222:Lymphokines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA