Genetic immunization is a simple method for eliciting an immune response

To produce an immune reaction against a foreign protein usually requires purification of that protein, which is then injected into an animal. The isolation of enough pure protein is time-consuming and sometimes difficult. Here we report that such a response can also be elicited by introducing the ge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1992-03, Vol.356 (6365), p.152-154
Main Authors: Tang, De-chu, DeVit, Michael, Johnston, Stephen A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity
Animals
Antibodies - blood
Antibody Formation
Antibody production
Antigens - genetics
Antigens - immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA, Recombinant
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
genetic engineering
Genetics
Gold
Growth Hormone - genetics
Growth Hormone - immunology
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Immune response
Immunity (Disease)
Immunization
Immunization - methods
Immunobiology
letter
Luciferases - genetics
Male
Medical research
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Inbred ICR
microinjection
multidisciplinary
Plasmids
Proteins
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Skin
Transfection
Vaccines
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Description
Summary:To produce an immune reaction against a foreign protein usually requires purification of that protein, which is then injected into an animal. The isolation of enough pure protein is time-consuming and sometimes difficult. Here we report that such a response can also be elicited by introducing the gene encoding a protein directly into the skin of mice. This is achieved using a hand-held form of the biolistic system 1–4 which can propel DNA-coated gold micro-projectiles directly into cells in the living animal 3,5,6 . Genetic immunization may be time- and labour-saving in producing antibodies and may offer a unique method for vaccination.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/356152a0