Plants as Edible Vaccine

Abstract

Over the years, research has provided evidence that plant cells are robust and efficient bioreactors for the production of biopharmaceuticals. Although conventional vaccines have gone through generations of extensive study and clinical analysis, their high production cost, safety issues, and the need for specialized transport and storage have stirred the necessity to explore a better alternative. Taking such constraints into consideration, a relatively newer branch of plant biotechnology comes into play plant-based edible vaccines. The “edible” element of the term refers to the ability of the plant-based or animal-based component of the vaccine to trigger a systemic and mucosal immune response in the body. Through metabolic engineering, edible vaccines that are effective in treating various diseases have been produced successfully in plants such as potato; rice; banana; tomato; lettuce; maize; tobacco; carrot; alfalfa; and soybean, as well as legumes. In this chapter, the topics discussed included an introduction of the concept of edible vaccines, their mechanisms of action, and the selection criteria for obtaining the desired gene from a plant. The chapter also delved into the processes of plant transformation through direct and indirect gene delivery methods and provided a breakdown on the background and clinical evidence of each plant candidate. Lastly, the regulatory affairs and challenges faced by the commercialization of plant-based edible vaccines are also discussed.