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Title: STUDY OF IMMUNOGENIC PROPERTIES OF A CANDIDATE EDIBLE VACCINE AGAINST HEPATITIS B VIRUS AND HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS BASED ON TRANSGENIC TOMATOES. SHCHELKUNOV, ET. AL. 2005.

Author
item SHCHELKUNOV, SERGEI - KOLTSOVO RUSSIA
item SALYAEV, RURIK - IRKUTSK RUSSIA
item POZDNYAKOV, SERGEI - KOLTSOVO RUSSIA
item REKOSLAVSKAYA, NATALIA - IRKUTSK RUSSIA
item NESTEROV, ANDREI - KOLTSOVO RUSSIA
item RYZHOVA, TATIANA - NOVOSIBIRSK RUSSIA
item SUMTSOVA, VALENTINA - IRKUTSK RUSSIA
item PAKOVA, NATALIA - IRKUTSK RUSSIA
item MISHUTINA, ULIANA - IRKUTSK RUSSIA
item KOPYTINA, TATIANA - IRKUTSK RUSSIA
item Hammond, Rosemarie

Submitted to: Russian Academy of Sciences Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2005
Publication Date: 3/3/2005
Citation: Shchelkunov, S.N., Salyaev, R.K., Pozdnyakov, S.G., Rekoslavskaya, N.I., Nesterov, A.E., Ryzhova, T.S., Sumtsova, V.M., Pakova, N.V., Mishutina, U.O., Kopytina, T.V., Hammond, R. 2005. Study of immunogenic properties of a candidate edible vaccine against hepatitis b virus and human immunodeficiency virus based on transgenic tomatoes. Russian Academy of Sciences Proceedings. 40:167-169.

Interpretive Summary: A critical need exists for the development of safe and effective vaccines for protection against Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). There are proteins which have been identified as potential candidates for HIV and HBV vaccines. We inserted the genes for these proteins into tomato, and the resulting tomato fruit then contained the protein. When the dried tomato fruit containing this protein was fed to mice, they developed antibodies against the protein, resulting in an immune response. Therefore, the possibility exists that this protein might stimulate a similar immune response in humans that could protect them against HIV and HBV. The report will be of interest to an international audience of researchers, clinicians, and representatives of industry, academia, and government organizations with an interest in plant-based systems for production of recombinant medicines for human and animal health.

Technical Abstract: Immunogenicity of a candidate vaccine was evaluated by oral administration for one week of dried tomato fruit tissue expressing the synthetic chimeric protein, TBI-HBS, to experimental mice. This protein is composed of the immunogenic ENV and GAG epitopes of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 (immunogens of T- and B-lymphocytes) and the surface protein (HBsAg) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). On the 14th and 28th days post-feeding, high levels of antibodies specific to the antigenic proteins of HIV and HBV were found in the serum of the test animals. HIV- and HBV-specific antibodies were also found in their feces. There were no HIV- or HBV-specific antibodies in the control group of mice. Intraperitoneal injection of a DNA vaccine directing synthesis of the same TBI-HBsAg protein boosted the antibody response to HIV in the blood serum, however, had it no effect on the high level of antibodies produced to HBV. In summary it was found that the level of antigens HBsAg (HBV) and TBI (HIV-1) synthesized in fruits of transgenic tomato was able to induce the formation of an immunogenic response in mice after oral delivery of the vaccine.