Microalgae‐made human vaccines and therapeutics: A decade of advances

• Published in: Biotechnology journal 2024-05, Vol.19 (5), p.e2400091-n/a
• Main Authors: Trujillo, Edgar, Monreal‐Escalante, Elizabeth, Angulo, Carlos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal models; Animals; eukaryotic vaccine platform; health; Humans; Infection Control; Infections - immunology; infectious diseases; Microalgae - genetics; vaccination; Vaccines, Synthetic - genetics; Vaccines, Synthetic - immunology
• ISSN: 1860-6768; 1860-7314
• DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400091

Microalgal emergence is a promising platform with two‐decade historical background for producing vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. During that period, microalgal‐based vaccines have reported successful production for various diseases. Thus, species selection is important for genetic transformation and delivery methods that have been developed. Although many vaccine prototypes have been produced for infectious and non‐infectious diseases, fewer studies have reached immunological and immunoprotective evaluations. Microalgae‐made vaccines for Staphylococcus aureus, malaria, influenza, human papilloma, and Zika viruses have been explored in their capacity to induce humoral or cellular immune responses and protective efficacies against experimental challenges. Therefore, specific pathogen antigens and immune system role are important and addressed in controlling these infections. Regarding non‐communicable diseases, these vaccines have been investigated for breast cancer; microalgal‐produced therapeutic molecules and microalgal‐made interferon‐α have been explored for hypertension and potential applications in treating viral infections and cancer, respectively. Thus, conducting immunological trials is emphasized, discussing the promising results observed in terms of immunogenicity, desired immune response for controlling affections, and challenges for achieving the desired protection levels. The potential advantages and hurdles associated with this innovative approach are highlighted, underlining the relevance of assessing immune responses in preclinical and clinical trials to validate the efficacy of these biopharmaceuticals. The promising future of this healthcare technology is also envisaged. Graphical and Lay Summary The knowledge of immune responses against infectious and non‐communicable diseases is the basis for the rational design of recombinant vaccines and therapeutic proteins. Microalgae is a recombinant platform for the production, and sometimes delivery, of vaccines and therapeutic proteins. The cumulative evidence of pre‐clinical and clinical studies has demonstrated the protective efficacy of recombinant vaccines and therapeutics to combat infectious and non‐communicable diseases.