Update on Antiviral DNA Vaccine Research (1998–2000)

Abstract

DNA vaccines can induce protective cellular and humoral immune responses and have therefore been used during the last decade to develop vaccines against a variety of different pathogens. Because current antiviral vaccines predominantly generate humoral immunity, DNA immunization may be especially useful to provide long-term protection against viral diseases that also require cellular immunity (e.g. HIV). A significant number of articles published in the field of DNA vaccines are dealing with viral diseases, reflecting the need for better and alternative vaccination strategies against viruses. The success of DNA immunization depends on a variety of parameters (e.g. type of antigen, method of application and usage of adjuvants). Therefore, different strategies have been explored to modulate the induced immune response with respect to the requirements necessary to protect against a specific pathogen (e.g. induction of mucosal or cell-mediated immunity). The following article provides an update on different aspects of antiviral DNA vaccine research that have previously been reviewed by others.

Dengue Virus: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Emerging Role of DNA Vaccines

“…One of the study conducted on mice with intra-cerebral inoculation of DENV2 showed protection owing to chimeric DNA vaccine. Similar results of chimeric DNA vaccines were observed in rhesus macaques [69]. Chimeric DNA vaccine with booster dose regimen has been tested against several deadly pathogens including DENV.…”

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

“…However, an effective vaccine is not available and will remain unattainable for the next decade on account of the heterogeneity of the virus groups and subtypes. A DNA vaccine has likewise so far failed to make any headway in humans in terms of generating post-vaccination immunity to prevent the transmission of HIV infection [46,47]. The only options for limiting the spread of HIV for the time being are therefore promotion of awareness of routes of transmission and use of appropriate preventive measures.…”

Humanes Immunschw�chevirus (HIV)

“…Ein wirksamer Impfstoff steht nicht zur Verfügung und wird wegen der Heterogenität der Virus-Gruppen und Subtypen auch innerhalb der nächsten Dekade nicht hergestellt werden können. Auch eine DNA-Vakzine hat bisher im Menschen keinen Durchbruch zur Generierung einer postvakzinalen Immunität zur Verhinderung der HIV-Infektionsübertragung gebracht [46,47]. Daher sind Aufklärung über die Übertragungs-wege und Anwendung geeigneter Prä-ventionsmaßnahmen momentan die einzige Interventionsmöglichkeit.…”