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Nonviral DNA vectors for immunization and therapy: design and methods for their obtention

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Abstract

The use of plasmid DNA for vaccination and therapy is a relatively novel technology, with advantages and limitations as with other gene transfer techniques. The technology is based on DNA vectors designed for administering genes coding for relevant proteins into a given organism, fulfilling requirements of the regulatory agencies that once properly formulated and delivered the desired vaccine/therapeutic effect can be achieved. Starting from conventional plasmid DNA vectors currently tested in clinical trials, improvement resulted in bacterial element-less vectors, increasing the complexity of the developmental process. The present review focuses on systems described for generating these nonviral DNA vectors for immunization and therapy from bacterial hosts (conventional and conditionally replicating plasmids, nonreplicating minicircles, and linear dumbbell-shaped expression cassettes) in vivo or in vitro. Additionally, nontherapeutic genetic sequences with a negative or positive effect according to the specific application are described, bringing a better comprehension of the technology’s state of the art.

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Abbreviations

COR :

Conditional origin of replication

ISS :

Immunostimulatory sequences

MIDGE :

Minimalistic immunogenic defined gene expression

PCR :

Polymerase chain reaction

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Acknowledgements

The assertions expressed here are those of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the author’s affiliation, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana. I also thank Dr. Carlos Duarte Cano and Prof. José Luis Fernández for critical reading of the manuscript and useful comments.

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  1. Vaccine Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba

    Ernesto G. Rodríguez

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Rodríguez, E.G. Nonviral DNA vectors for immunization and therapy: design and methods for their obtention. J Mol Med 82, 500–509 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-004-0548-x

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