Why is electroporation used in DNA vaccines?
Development of DNA vaccines represents the other therapeutic possibility of gene electrotransfer, where electroporation acts as an effective tool for transfecting plasmids encoding antigens against specific epitopes and thus enhancing an immune response.
What is electroporation delivery?
Electroporation is a delivery method that is used to introduce macromolecules such as proteins into cells, either in vivo or in vitro, via the application of brief electric pulses which induce momentary and reversible permeabilization of the cell membrane. This allows these macromolecules to move into the cells.
How are DNA vaccines administered?
When an intramuscular (IM) injection of a DNA vaccine is administered, the pDNA will target myocytes. DNA vaccines can also be administered through a subcutaneous or intradermal injection, both of which will target keratinocytes.
What are the advantages of electroporation?
The main advantage of electroporation is its applicability for transient and stable transfection of all cell types. Furthermore, because electroporation is easy and rapid, it is able to transfect a large number of cells in a short time once optimum electroporation conditions are determined.
What is a weakness of DNA based vaccines?
Disadvantages of DNA vaccines
| Disadvantages of DNA vaccines | References |
|---|---|
| Inducing antibody production against DNA | 25 |
| May induce immunologic tolerance by antigens expressed inside host body | 25 |
| DNA vaccines may have a relatively poor immunogenicity | 31 |
| Atypical processing of bacterial and parasite proteins | 28 |
When is electroporation used?
In molecular biology, the electroporation process is commonly used for cell transfection/transformation, the non-viral DNA transfer, of bacteria, yeast, and plant protoplasts. Electroporation is also highly effective for the introduction of foreign genes in tissue culture cells, especially mammalian cells.
What are the uses of electroporation method?
Electroporation is also highly efficient for the introduction of foreign genes into tissue culture cells, especially mammalian cells. For example, it is used in the process of producing knockout mice, as well as in tumor treatment, gene therapy, and cell-based therapy.
What is electroporation in gene therapy?
Electroporation or electropermeabilization (EP) is a physical method of introducing polar molecules such as DNA into eukaryotic cells through the cell membrane by exposing cells to electric pulses. The technique was first described by Neumann et al.
What is advantage and disadvantage of DNA vaccine?
Pros: DNA vaccines have low production cost when compared to protein vaccines and enhanced stability for transportation and storage and can be administered to immunocompromised patients. Cons: low immunogenicity and may require multiple booster doses.
Is electroporation commonly used?
What are the disadvantages of DNA vaccines?
Other disadvantages to DNA vaccines include:
- Limited to protein immunogens.
- Risk of affecting genes controlling cell growth.
- Possibility of inducing antibody production against DNA.
- Possibility of tolerance to the antigen (protein) produced.
- Potential for atypical processing of bacterial and parasite proteins.
What vaccines use DNA technology?
At present, human trials are under way with several DNA vaccines, including those for malaria, AIDS, influenza, Ebola and herpesvirus.
What are some examples of DNA vaccines?
DNA vaccines against different antigens
| Name of DNA vaccine | Antigen against which the DNA vaccine was directed | References |
|---|---|---|
| PCE6 | Eta6 | 40 |
| PCE18 | FliC | 40 |
| S iniae DNA vaccine in the form of plasmid pSia10 | Sia10 | 83 |
| pcDNA3-LTDNA vaccine | MCPyVlarge T antigen (LT) (aa1-258) | 82 |
What is the advantage of DNA based vaccine?
The main advantage of DNA vaccines is their ability to stimulate both the humoral and cellular arms of the adaptive immune system. In regards to humoral immunity, the generation of antibodies by B lymphocytes against invading pathogens is one of the most effective defenses mounted by the immune system.