RNA Replicons - A New Approach for Influenza Virus Immunoprophylaxis

doi:10.3390/v2020413

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Viruses 2010, 2(2), 413-434; doi:10.3390/v2020413

Review

RNA Replicons - A New Approach for Influenza Virus Immunoprophylaxis

Gert Zimmer

Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis (IVI), Sensemattstrasse 293, CH-3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland

Received: 31 August 2009; in revised form: 25 January 2010 / Accepted: 27 January 2010 / Published: 29 January 2010

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influenza: Pandemics and Vaccinations)

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Abstract: RNA replicons are derived from either positive- or negative-strand RNA viruses. They represent disabled virus vectors that are not only avirulent, but also unable to revert to virulence. Due to autonomous RNA replication, RNA replicons are able to drive high level, cytosolic expression of recombinant antigens stimulating both the humoral and the cellular branch of the immune system. This review provides an update on the available literature covering influenza virus vaccines based on RNA replicons. The pros and cons of these vaccine strategies will be discussed and future perspectives disclosed.

Keywords: RNA replicon; vaccine; biosafety; cellular immunity; mucosal immunity; heterosubtypic immunity; alphavirus; vesicular stomatitis virus

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zimmer, G. RNA Replicons - A New Approach for Influenza Virus Immunoprophylaxis. Viruses 2010, 2, 413-434.

AMA Style

Zimmer G. RNA Replicons - A New Approach for Influenza Virus Immunoprophylaxis. Viruses. 2010; 2(2):413-434.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zimmer, Gert. 2010. "RNA Replicons - A New Approach for Influenza Virus Immunoprophylaxis." Viruses 2, no. 2: 413-434.

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