Protection against mycoplasma infection using expression-library immunization

Michael A. Barry, Wayne C. Lai, Stephen Albert Johnston

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

281 Scopus citations

Abstract

AS is evident from the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic, there is no systematic method for producing a vaccine. Genetic immunization1is a new approach to vaccine production that has many of the advantages of live/attenuated pathogens but no risk of infection. It involves introducing DNA encoding a pathogen protein into host cells and has shown promise in several disease models2-13. Here we describe a new method for vaccine development, expression-library immunization, which makes use of the technique of genetic immunization and the fact that all the antigens of a pathogen are encoded in its DNA. An expression library of pathogen DNA is used to immunize a host thereby producing the effects of antigen presentation of a live vaccine without the risk. We show that even partial expression libraries made from the DNA of Mycoplasma pulmonis, a natural pathogen in rodents, provide protection against challenge from the pathogen. Expression library immunization may prove to be a general method for vaccination against any pathogen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)632-635
Number of pages4
JournalNature
Volume377
Issue number6550
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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