title: Ricin vaccine development.
abstract: In this chapter we discuss vaccines to protect against the highly toxic plant-derived toxin, ricin. Due to its prevalence, ease of use, and stability it has been used in sporadic incidents of espionage. There is also concern that it will be used as an agent of bioterrorism. As a result there has been a great deal of interest in developing a safe vaccine or antidote to protect humans, and in particular soldiers and first responders. Although multiple types of vaccines have been tested, at this time two recombinant vaccines are the leading candidates for the national vaccine stockpile. In terms of passive post-exposure protection, monoclonal neutralizing antibodies that passively protect animals are also under development. These vaccines and antibodies are discussed in the context of the toxicity and structure of ricin.
authors.affiliation: The Cancer Immunobiology Center, Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
authors.forename: Joan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Smallshaw
authors.forename: Ellen S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Vitetta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000992:Antitoxins; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D012276:Ricin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D014612:Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000992:Antitoxins; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D014612:Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D012276:Ricin