EXPRESSION PLASMIDS FOR MULTIEPITOPE NUCLEIC ACID-BASED VACCINES

摘要

Improved plasmids and methods for nucleic acid-based vaccines. The use of epitopes, small immunologically relevant protein sequences that are capable of inducing both cellular and humoral responses that result in a protective or therapeutic immune response against large and complex pathogens for incorporation into nucleic acid-based vaccines. The structures and characteristics of gene expression systems that are capable of expressing multiple epitopes. A method of genetic immunization comprising the step of presenting multiple epitopes to an organism in need of said immunization. A plasmid for expression of multiple epitopes comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding multiple epitopes, wherein each of said epitopes is capable of creating an immune response. A multivalent expression system as shown in Figure 8 and selected from the group consisting of two plasmids, two genes, IRES, and alternative splicing and a method of making a plasmid producing the appropriate nucleic acid sequence.