DNA vaccines for targeting bacterial infections

Abstract

DNA vaccination has been of great interest since its discovery in the 1990s due to its ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses. DNA vaccines consist of a DNA plasmid containing a transgene that encodes the sequence of a target protein from a pathogen under the control of a eukaryotic promoter. This revolutionary technology has proven to be effective in animal models and four DNA vaccine products have recently been approved for veterinary use. Although few DNA vaccines against bacterial infections have been tested, the results are encouraging. Because of their versatility, safety and simplicity a wider range of organisms can be targeted by these vaccines, which shows their potential advantages to public health. This article describes the mechanism of action of DNA vaccines and their potential use for targeting bacterial infections. In addition, it provides an updated summary of the methods used to enhance immunogenicity from codon optimization and adjuvants to delivery techniques including electroporation and use of nanoparticles.

Keywords::

• bacterial vaccine
• cellular and humoral immune responses
• DNA vaccine
• molecular adjuvants

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors declare possible commercial conflicts, which may include advising, consulting and collaboration, with Wyeth, Inovio, BMS, Virxsys, Ichor, Merck, Althea, Johnson & Johnson and Aldeveron. This work was supported by grants from the NIH (5U19AI036610-04) to David B Weiner. 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.