Features of oral immunization

In this review, we focus on some key areas concerning the unique properties of the mucosal immune system. They are: (1) the fact that the common mucosal immune system consists of different compartments; (2) the advantages of oral vaccination, which can be exploited to antigen-specific sIgA-mediated local immune responses as well as systemic immunity; (3) efficacious oral immunization against respiratory infections; (4) oral tolerance with respect to activation of T cells which, after declining, can be repeatedly reinduced without changes in profile or magnitude, and (5) the use of transgenic plants as a new vaccine source for a new vaccination strategy, i.e. employing edible dietary vaccines.