Experimental DNA-Launched Live-Attenuated Vaccines Against Yellow Fever

Abstract

Background DNA-launched vaccine is “manufactured” in vaccinated individuals and does not require traditional vaccine manufacturing facility and technology. Goals. Using yellow fever 17D vaccine, we have provided proof-of-concept evidence that these vaccine can be launched from DNA and induce specific immune responses against pathogenic virus causing yellow fever. The infectious DNA vaccine technology is based on the transcription of the full-length genomic RNA of the live-attenuated virus from plasmid DNA in vitro and in vivo. A few ng of infectious DNA encoding the fulllength genomic RNA are required to initiate the replication of the vaccine virus in vitro. The in vivo-generated viral RNA initiates limited replication of the vaccine virus, which in turn leads to efficient immunization. Electroporation in vivo has induced specific immune responses against pathogenic virus and protected mice against fatal disease. Here we describe a novel infectious DNA vaccine technology which combines advantages of naked DNA vaccination and live-attenuated vaccine efficacy. Conclusions If successful in further testing, this technology can dramatically change the way we make vaccines as well as vaccination practice.

Keywords

• yellow fever
• virus
• vaccine
• dna
• infectious dna
• immunization
• electroporation