DNA-mediated immunization and the energetic immune response to hepatitis B surface antigen

A new and unusual approach for evoking an immune response has recently been introduced--that of DNA-based immunization. Purified plasmid DNA, containing protein coding sequences and the necessary regulatory elements to express them, can be introduced into tissues of the organism by means of a parenteral injection or by particle bombardment. The number of cells transfected and the amount of protein produced is sufficient to produce a remarkably strong and broad-based immune response to a wide variety of foreign proteins. The absence of an exogenous infectious agent or immunogen results in the abrupt appearance of a foreign protein within the normal cells of an immunologically mature and healthy animal and provokes an energetic and efficient reaction to this form of antigen presentation. This review summarizes the results obtained with the various experimental models that have been described to date and considers in greater depth the immune response to the surface antigen of the human hepatitis B virus that has been achieved using DNA-based immunization. Several issues are addressed in a prospective manner in order to anticipate some future developments and to point out topics likely to be pertinent to this field. DNA-mediated induction of immune responses may soon be applied as a form of therapeutic treatment. Although this method may constitute a revolution for vaccination, many issues must first be dealt with, especially concerning the safety of using DNA as an immunizing molecule.