DNA Vaccine Development and Immune Response in Aquatic Species

DNA vaccines have emerged as a promising strategy to protect farmed fish and other aquatic organisms against viral and bacterial pathogens. By introducing plasmid DNA encoding a pathogen-specific antigen into host cells, these vaccines harness the cellular machinery to produce the antigen in situ, eliciting both innate and adaptive immune responses. Following delivery—whether by intramuscular injection, electroporation or immersion with specialised carriers—the expressed antigen is processed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), triggering pro-inflammatory cytokine release and maturation of APCs. This in turn leads to activation of B cells that secrete neutralising antibodies and T cells that facilitate cytotoxic or helper functions. Advances in delivery technologies, including nanocarriers such as carbon nanotubes and biocompatible polymers modified with targeting motifs, have significantly enhanced uptake across mucosal barriers and improved vaccine potency. Research has also highlighted the importance of host factors such as age, water temperature and species-specific immunogenetics in determining outcome. Collectively, these developments hold global relevance for sustainable aquaculture, offering tools to mitigate disease outbreaks, reduce antibiotic usage and secure food supply chains.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

DNA Vaccine Development and Immune Response in Aquatic Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dna vaccine development and immune response in aquatic species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

DNA vaccine: A formulation of plasmid DNA that encodes a pathogen antigen, designed to be taken up by host cells for in situ antigen expression.

Antigen-presenting cell (APC): A specialised immune cell that processes and displays antigens on its surface to activate T cells.

Humoral immune response: The aspect of adaptive immunity mediated by antibodies produced by B lymphocytes.

Cellular immune response: The adaptive immune arm involving T lymphocytes that directly kill infected cells or support other immune cells.

Immersion vaccination: A mass-administration method in which fish are submerged in water containing vaccine formulations.

Nanovaccine delivery system: Use of nanoscale carriers to improve antigen stability, uptake and presentation to the immune system.

References

1. Application of antigen presenting cell-targeted nanovaccine delivery system in rhabdovirus disease prophylactics using fish as a model organism. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2020).
2. Intramuscular DNA Vaccination of Juvenile Carp against Spring Viremia of Carp Virus Induces Full Protection and Establishes a Virus-Specific B and T Cell Response. Frontiers in Immunology (2017).
3. Targeted Delivery of Mannosylated Nanoparticles Improve Prophylactic Efficacy of Immersion Vaccine against Fish Viral Disease. Vaccines (2020).
4. Dual-Targeting Polymer Nanoparticles Efficiently Deliver DNA Vaccine and Induce Robust Prophylactic Immunity against Spring Viremia of Carp Virus Infection. Microbiology Spectrum (2022).