Factors affecting choice of transgenic plants for vaccines
While using transgenic plants for vaccines, several factors need to be taken into consideration: (i) it should stimulate a mucosal immune response and therefore diarrheal diseases were the first target for oral vaccine through transgenic plants; (ii) antigen should assemble into ordered structures such as virus-like particles(VLP), which are resistant to digestion and reach the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), being perceived there are foreign antigen for production of antibodies; (ii) plant system should be such that it may be used as food/feed, so that although tobacco was initially used, but it is not suitable. Potato and banana were subsequently used/suggested, with an expression system, where antigen is produced or stored in the tuber in potato and in the fruit of banana. Alfalfa, coarse grain crops and beans can also be used for animal vaccines.