DNA vaccines: capacity to induce auto-immunity and tolerance.

Abstract

DNA technology has facilitated the development of plasmid-based vaccines designed to prevent viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. The rapid transition of these novel vaccines from the laboratory to the clinic raises important safety concerns. Our review examines whether DNA vaccines (i) are likely to induce systemic or organ-specific auto-immune disease and (ii) have the potential to induce tolerance rather than immunity.