Novel DNA-Based Vaccine Methodology for AIDS

摘要

The possibility of inducing an immune response to a protein expressed in vivodirectly from an introduced gene, the use of DNA as an immunogen, represents an attractive alternative to classic vaccination (1). Nucleic acid immunization technology entails the direct, in vivo administration of plasmid based DNA vectors that encode the production of defined microbial protein antigens. The de novo production of these antigens mimics expression of antigens after viral infection and improves processing and presentation to the immune system, providing the advantages of live attenuated vaccines without the safety and stability concerns associated with the parenteral administration of infectious agents. Because of these advantages, considerable research efforts have focused on refining in vivo delivery systems for plasmid DNA that result in maximal antigen production and resultant immune responses.