Immunological aspects of using plant cells as delivery vehicles for oral vaccines.
Genetically engineered plants can be used for the biomanufacture and delivery of oral vaccines. Although a myriad of antigens have been produced using this approach, improving our knowledge of their oral immunogenic properties is a priority as this aspect has not been well researched. Some studies have provided evidence of a higher immunogenic activity for antigens that were orally administered in the form of plant-based vaccines in comparison with conventional pure antigens. The characteristics of the plant-derived vaccines that may influence oral immunogenicity are identified and discussed in this review. Among the hypotheses explaining these immunogenic properties are the following: bioencapsulation favors antigen uptake and displays a resistance to degradation; plant metabolites exert adjuvant activity; plant compounds, such as polysaccharides, exert mucoadhesive properties; differential glycosylation conferred by the plant cell machinery enhances immunogenicity. Perspectives on how these hypotheses may be assessed are examined.
Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP, 78210, México.
Sergio
S
Rosales-Mendoza
Jorge A
JA
Salazar-González
D000284:Administration, Oral; D006801:Humans; D059828:Plant Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D022462:Vaccines, Edible / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D022462:Vaccines, Edible
adjuvant; bioencapsulation; glycosylation; low cost vaccine; oral immunogenicity; secondary metabolites