The Potential of Plant-made Vaccines to Fight Picornavirus Review uri icon

abstract

  • Introduction: Several Picornaviruses are pathogens that generate serious problems for human and animal health worldwide. Vaccination is an attractive approach to fight against picornaviruses. In this regard, the development of low-cost vaccines is a priority to ensure coverage; especially in developing and low-income countries. In this context plant-made vaccines are a convenient technology since plant cells are low-cost bioreactors capable of producing complex antigens that preserve their antigenic determinants; moreover they can serve as biocapsules to achieve oral delivery. Areas covered: In the present review the advances in the development of plant-made vaccines against picornaviruses are summarized and placed in perspective. The main diseases that have been targeted using this approach include Poliovirus, Food and mouth disease virus, Hepatitis A virus, and Enterovirus 71. Expert opinion Several vaccine candidates against picornavirus have been characterized at the preclinical level; with many of them capable of inducing humoral and cellular responses that led to neutralization of pathogens when evaluated in vitro and test animal challenge assays. Plant-made vaccines are a promise to fight picornaviruses; especially in the developing world where limited resources hamper vaccination coverage. A critical analysis of the road ahead for this technology is provided. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor %26 Francis Group.

publication date

  • 2020-01-01