Abstract

LACTIC ACID BACTERIA AS DELIVERY VECTOR FOR MUCOSAL VACCINATION

Richard P. Selvam and Nirmala Purushothaman*

Abstract

The development of efficient mucosal vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer is one of the major concerns in modern vaccinology. Mucosal immunization is considered as safe, inexpensive and easy. Food-grade Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) such as lactococci and lactobacilli are excellent candidates as delivery vectors for mucosal immunization. Many recombinant LAB vaccines have been tested successfully for their prophylactic and therapeutic effects in animal models. Herein, this review summarizes the use of LAB-based mucosal vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases. These findings indicate the potential value of using LAB to develop novel mucosal vaccines.

Keywords: Lactic Acid Bacteria, vaccine, mucosal immunization, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus.