Molecular medicine: DNA vaccines

DNA vaccines eventually may be developed that stimulate immunity against various viruses. DNA vaccines consist of genes that cells take up and express, producing viral proteins. These proteins, or antigens, are transported to the cell membrane where they stimulate an immune response involving T cells. Naked-DNA vaccines may be more effective than DNA vaccines consisting of DNA inserted in a harmless carrier virus. Researchers have created a naked-DNA vaccine for influenza that has been effective in protecting laboratory animals. DNA vaccines have the potential to boost the immune response in someone with a chronic infection with a virus such as HIV. DNA vaccines may be better than standard vaccines, which consist of viruses or pieces of viruses, and may also be safer and better at stimulating a specific immune response. However, DNA vaccines may cause other problems such as genetic mutations or an immune response against the host's own cells.