VACCINES

Recommendations

Info

Researchers have found that when the genes for a microbe’s antigens are introduced into the body, some cells will take up that DNA. The DNA then instructs those cells to make the antigen molecules. The cells secrete the antigens and display them on their surfaces. In other words, the body’s own cells become vaccinemaking factories, creating the antigens necessary to stimulate the immune system. A DNA vaccine against X would evoke a strong antibody response to the freefloating X antigen secreted by cells, and the vaccine also would stimulate a strong cellular response against the X antigens displayed on cell surfaces. The DNA vaccine couldn’t cause the disease because it wouldn’t contain bacterium X, just copies of a few of its genes. In addition, DNA vaccines are relatively easy and inexpensive to design and produce. DNA vaccines use a microbe’s genetic material, in particular, the genes that code for important antigens. The DNA in these vaccines is a circular form known as a plasmid. UNDERSTANDING <strong>VACCINES</strong> 29
30 So-called naked DNA vaccines consist of DNA that is administered directly into the body. These vaccines can be administered with a needle and syringe or with a needle-less device that uses high-pressure gas to shoot microscopic gold particles coated with DNA directly into cells. Sometimes, the DNA is mixed with molecules that facilitate its uptake by the body’s cells. Naked DNA vaccines being tested in humans include those against the viruses that cause influenza and herpes as well as HIV. Recombinant Vector Vaccines Recombinant vector vaccines could be another possible strategy against bacterium X. These experimental vaccines are similar to DNA vaccines, but they use an attenuated virus or bacterium to introduce microbial DNA to cells of the body. Vector refers to the virus or bacterium used as the carrier. Harmless microbial shell Genes from diseasecausing microbe Recombinant vector vaccines use the harmless shell of one microbe to deliver genetic material of a disease-causing microbe. The genetic material contains the code for making vaccine antigen inside some of the body’s cells, using those cells as “factories.”
Page 1 and 2: Understanding nderstanding VACCINES
Page 3 and 4: Contents 1 2 4 6 11 21 36 38 43 47
Page 5 and 6: What Is aVaccine? 2 Chances are you
Page 7 and 8: Vaccine Benefits 4 You and Your Com
Page 9 and 10: Harmful Microbes 6 Vaccines protect
Page 11 and 12: 8 • The toxic bacterium Bordetell
Page 13 and 14: 10 What Do Cows Have to Do with Vac
Page 15 and 16: 12 A mosquito bite transmits the ye
Page 17 and 18: 14 T Cells T cells function either
Page 19 and 20: T cell B cell 16 Virus B cell Antib
Page 21 and 22: 18 fever antibody if needed. Memory
Page 23 and 24: 20 How Viruses Work Viruses such as
Page 25 and 26: 22 Live, Attenuated Vaccines Some s
Page 27 and 28: 24 Inactivated Vaccines An inactiva
Page 29 and 30: 26 They also could manufacture the
Page 31: 28 When making a conjugate vaccine,
Page 35 and 36: 32 An infant’s immune system cont
Page 37 and 38: Some Vaccine Types and Diseases The
Page 39 and 40: Vaccines of the Future 36 Aside fro
Page 41 and 42: Making Safe Vaccines 38 No vaccine
Page 43 and 44: 40 Because Phase III trials are com
Page 45 and 46: Vaccine Concerns, Myths, and Safety
Page 47 and 48: 44 testing sites are based at unive
Page 49 and 50: 46 system’s response to HIV infec
Page 51 and 52: Glossary 48 adjuvant—a substance
Page 53 and 54: 50 DNA vaccine or naked DNA vaccine
Page 55 and 56: 52 lymph node—a small bean-shaped
Page 57 and 58: 54 recombinant subunit vaccine—a
Page 59: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN

VACCINES

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?