Status of Plant Derived Vaccines -

Thus far, over a dozen antigens of phathogen origin have been expressed with a view to use them in vaccines. Examples of such antigens are rabies virus glycoprotein, CT-B toxin, human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B, norwalk virus antigen, foot and mouth disease antigen, etc.

Three antigens, viz., LT-B, HbsAg and NVCP (norwalk virus capsid protein) have been successfully expressed in transgenic potato and are currently undergoing human clinical trails. The results of the first human clinical trial suggest that LT-B can induce mucosal and systemic immune responses.