The Use of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus for Passive Immunization and Protection against Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Infectious diseases remain a serious problem that requires constant improvement of effective methods of therapy and prevention. Traditional vaccination methods provide a durable immune response, but require time to develop antibodies. Passive immunization with the use of antibodies offers immediate protection but is limited by the short period of antibody circulation in the body. The recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) has low immunogenicity and the ability for prolonged gene expression in host cells, which ensures the induction of persistent immune protection and overcomes the limitations of other methods. These properties make it a promising platform for passive immunization and long-term protection against infectious agents. The use of rAAVs, which carry genes for specific neutralizing antibodies to protect against viral diseases such as influenza, coronaviruses, and HIV, demonstrate high efficacy and safety in preclinical and clinical studies. The first phases of clinical trials of rAAV preparations for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection showed their safety and good tolerability. Also, the expression of monoclonal antibodies specific to bacterial exotoxins (enterotoxin A, cytotoxin B, botulinum toxin A, etc.) in rAAVs can be used to treat the corresponding bacterial infections (clostridiosis, botulism, etc.). This review examines current studies on the use of rAAVs as an innovative strategy for the delivery and expression of genes encoding neutralizing antibodies to provide long-term protection against infectious diseases. A review of the above studies highlights the significance and prospects of the use of rAAVs in the fight against infectious diseases, as well as indicating prospects for further research in this area.