DNA Vaccine and its Importance in Veterinary
Mansour Ebrahimi*
Department of Pathobiology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran
Submission: April 12, 2019; Published: May 09, 2019
*Corresponding author: Mansour Ebrahimi, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
How to cite this article: Mansour Ebrahimi. DNA Vaccine and its Importance in Veterinary. Dairy and Vet Sci J. 2019; 11(4): 555819. DOI: 10.19080/JDVS.2019.11.555819
Abstract
This mini review briefly dealt with importance of DNA vaccine in veterinary and presented some information about this kind of vaccine. Since there are problems with traditional vaccines, it is necessary to use new technologies to design high-efficient DNA vaccines against animal diseases.
Keywords: DNA vaccine; Veterinary field; Immune response
Introduction
A DNA vaccine is described as an antigen encoding plasmid that, when introduced into the body, results in in vivo expression of the antigen, with a subsequent antigen-specific immune response [1]. DNA vaccine consists of a recombinant foreign gene cloned into a double-stranded, closed-circular bacterial plasmid vector. The plasmid generally contains an origin of replication (for amplification in bacteria), a bacterial antibiotic resistance gene (to allow for selection), the gene(s) of interest under the transcriptional control of a (viral) promoter and enhancer sequences (to obtain strong expression in mammalian cells) followed by an mRNA polyadenylation sequence [2]. DNA vaccines are cost-effective; they can be designed, manufactured and stored with relative ease [3]. They are non-infectious and do not promote inflammation at the site of immunization; important factors in vaccinations for food animals. DNA vaccines can be used as marker vaccines to differentiate vaccinated and infection-exposed animals in eradication programs. DNA vaccines stimulate both humoral and cellular immunity, and thus promote development of a balanced immune response [4].
Nowadays, there have been immense advances in the field of DNA vaccines. This has been a result of new and better vectors, different types of delivery methods and devices, addition of immunologic adjuvants, and harnessing (or decreasing the activation of) the innate system, which is activated by the plasmid DNA itself, and can be further activated by encoded proteins [5]. The application of DNA immunization as a new generation vaccine has been well studied since its invention, and a variety of such vaccines have undergone clinical trials, in veterinary practice [6]. Regarding veterinary practice, numerous trials of DNA vaccines have been carried out against various animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD) and herpes virus infection in cattle, Aujeszky’s disease and classical swine fever in swine, rabies and canine distemper in canines, and avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, infectious bursal disease and coccidiosis in birds [7-11].
Discussion
Vaccines for livestock are essential for herd health, economic survival of farmers, and the maintenance of trade of meat and other animal products between countries [12]. Vaccination with DNA is one of the most promising novel immunization techniques against pathogens, for which conventional vaccination regimens have been less effective. Given the relative inefficacy of commercial vaccines and the contraindications of some of these, there is much room for improvement DNA vaccine studies [13]. Given the promising results of DNA vaccines against pathogens, it should be developed for diseases where traditional vaccination is not very effective or only treats clinical signs and does not prevent disease (such as FMD) [14]. Also, DNA vaccine should also be looked into as an option if there is concern about tradi¬tional vaccination causing an outbreak in a herd or causing adverse effects on the animal [12].
Conclusion
Ultimately, the factors that will make a DNA vaccine attrac¬tive for a certain disease will include its reduced cost, its ease of transport and administration, its ability to act in the face of maternal antibodies, the ability to differentiate diseased animals from vaccinated animals, and the reduced likelihood of the vac¬cine to cause an outbreak. Not all DNA vaccines induce a high enough degree of protection in larger animals and humans. The improvement of DNA vaccine immune potency must be achieved, through prom¬ising technologies as improved formulations or simple electropo¬ration, or alternate vaccination strategies should be considered, such as prime-boost approaches, cytokine gene adjuvants or other adjuvant formulations.
Conflict of Interest
The author declares that there is no conflict of interests.