DNA-launched live-attenuated vaccines for biodefense applications. (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pushko, Peter; Lukashevich, Igor S.; Weaver, Scott C.; Tretyakova, Irina
• Is Part Of: Expert review of vaccines. Volume 15:Number 9(2016)
• Page Start: 1223
• Page End: 1234
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: DNA vaccine -- alphavirus -- flavivirus -- live-attenuated vaccine -- Venezuelan equine encephalitis -- chikungunya -- yellow fever; Vaccines -- Periodicals; Vaccination -- Periodicals; 615.37205
• DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2016.1175943
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-0584

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A novel vaccine platform uses DNA immunization to launch live-attenuated virus vaccines in vivo . This technology has been applied for vaccine development against positive-strand RNA viruses with global public health impact including alphaviruses and flaviviruses. The DNA-launched vaccine represents the recombinant plasmid that encodes the full-length genomic RNA of live-attenuated virus downstream from a eukaryotic promoter. When administered in vivo, the genomic RNA of live-attenuated virus is transcribed. The RNA initiates limited replication of a genetically defined, live-attenuated vaccine virus in the tissues of the vaccine recipient, thereby inducing a protective immune response. This platform combines the strengths of reverse genetics, DNA immunization and the advantages of live-attenuated vaccines, resulting in a reduced chance of genetic reversions, increased safety, and improved immunization. With this vaccine technology, the field of DNA vaccines is expanded from those that express subunit antigens to include a novel type of DNA vaccines that launch live-attenuated viruses.