Immunogenicity of a novel, bivalent, plant-based oral vaccine against hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency viruses

A synthetic chimeric gene, TBI-HBS, encoding the immunogenic ENV and GAG epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and the surface protein antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), was expressed in tomato plants. Tomato fruits containing the TBI-HBS antigen were fed to experimental mice and, on days 14 and 28 post-feeding, high levels of HIV- and HBV-specific antibodies were present in the serum and feces of the test animals. Intraperitoneal injection of a DNA vaccine directing synthesis of the same TBI-HBsAg antigen boosted the antibody response to HIV in the blood serum; however, it had no effect on the high level of antibodies produced to HBV.Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.     

Physiological Effects of Rapeseed Transformation with the <Emphasis Type="Italic">acb</Emphasis> Gene as Affected by the Genetic Vector Structure

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) plants transformed with the acb gene encoding acyl-CoA-binding protein from Arabidopsis thaliana were used to demonstrate the physiological effects of transformation as related to the genetic vector structure. The opportunities and limitations of the genetic engineering technologies in the studies of particular proteins are under discussion.