DNA vaccines: a rational design against parasitic diseases

Abstract

Parasitic diseases are one of the most devastating causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although immunization against these infections would be an ideal solution, the development of effective vaccines has been hampered by specific challenges posed by parasitic pathogens. Plasmid-based DNA vaccines may prove to be promising immunization tools in this area because vectors can be designed to integrate several antigens from different stages of the parasite life cycle or different subspecies; vaccines, formulations and immunization protocols can be tuned to match the immune response that offers protective immunity; and DNA vaccination is an affordable platform for developing countries. Partial and full protective immunity have been reported following DNA vaccination against the most significant parasitic diseases in the world.

Keywords::

• African trypanosomiasis
• amoebiasis
• Chagas disease
• DNA vaccine
• filariasis
• leishmania
• malaria
• parasitic disease
• schistosomiasis
• toxoplasmosis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Funding from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), is acknowledged (projects POCI/CVT/61090/2004 and PTDC/CVT/72624/2006 and grant SFRH/BD/21423/2005 given to Joana A Carvalho). The University of Glasgow group are currently funded by research grants from the MRC (G01601059) and the Wellcome Trust (082786). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.