Practical Applications of Immunology

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Practical Applications of Immunology

• Vaccines
• Ways to detect antibodies

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Objectives

• Know the different types of vaccines
• When might they be used?
• What are some advantages and disadvantages of
  each?
• What makes a good vaccine?
• What are some benefits of using plants as a
  source for vaccines?

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Vaccine History

• Variolation
• 18th century
• Inoculation of a small dose of smallpox into the
  skin resulted in protection from smallpox
• Edward Jenner
• Vaccination
• Inoculation with cowpox material provides humans
  with immunity to smallpox

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Types of Vaccines

• Six basic types
• Attenuated whole-agent vaccines
• Inactivated whole-agent vaccines
• Toxoid
• Subunit vaccines
• Conjugated vaccines
• Nucleic acid vaccines

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Types of Vaccines

• Attenuated whole-agent vaccines
• Live, but weak microbes
• Advantage
• Doesnt usually require boosters
• Disadvantage
• Weak microbes ? mutations
• Mutant reversal back to a virulent form could
  cause danger
• Not for immunocompromised individuals
• Ex. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

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Types of Vaccines

• Inactivated whole-agent vaccines
• Dead microbes
• Inactivation of the pathogen by heat or by
  chemical means so that it is no longer capable of
  replication in the host
• Advantage
• Safer
• Disadvantage
• Requires booster
• Ex. Rabies, polio, influenza

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Types of Vaccines

• Toxoid
• Use whole inactivated toxins toxoids
• Used fro diseases where toxin is responsible for
  the disease
• Tetanus, Diptheria
• Require boosters ever 10 years

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Types of Vaccines

• Subunit
• Use only antigenic fragments of a microorganism
  that stimulate an immune response
• Recombinant vaccine
• Hepatitis B
• A portion of the viral protein is produced by a
  genetically modified yeast
• Safe

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Types of Vaccines

• Conjugated vaccines
• Combine antigens with a protein that boosts the
  immune response
• For children under two with poor response to
  capsular polysaccharides
• Ex. Haemophilus influenzae

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Types of Vaccines

• Nucleic acid vaccines
• DNA vaccines
• Take DNA encoding an antigen from a pathogen and
  put it into a vector (plasmid)
• Experimental development

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What makes a good vaccine?

• Method of delivery
• How long should it last?
• How should the vaccine be stored?
• Cost?

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Plants as a source for vaccines

• Genetically modified plants
• Produce antigen in large amounts and then
  antibodies in the host
• Thick cell wall of plants protects against
  destruction of antigens
• Release of antigens into the digestive tract
  where many diseases occur
• Edible plant vaccines