Update on antiviral DNA vaccine research (1998-2000)

DNA vaccines can induce protective cellular and humoral immune responses an d have therefore been used during the last decade to develop vaccines again st a variety of different pathogens. Because current antiviral vaccines pre dominantly generate humoral immunity, DNA immunization may be especially us eful to provide long-term protection against viral diseases that also requi re cellular immunity (e.g. HIV). A significant number of articles published in the field of DNA vaccines are dealing with viral diseases, reflecting t he need for better and alternative vaccination strategies against viruses. The success of DNA immunization depends on a variety of parameters (e.g. ty pe of antigen, method of application and usage of adjuvants). Therefore, di fferent strategies have been explored to modulate the induced immune respon se with respect to the requirements necessary to protect against a specific pathogen (e.g, induction of mucosal or cell-mediated immunity). The follow ing article provides an update on different aspects of antiviral DNA vaccin e research that have previously been reviewed by others. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.