Subunit vaccines

Definition

Subunit vaccines are a type of vaccine that includes only the essential antigens, rather than whole pathogens, to stimulate an immune response. These vaccines focus on specific parts of the pathogen, such as proteins or polysaccharides.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subunit vaccines contain only the most immunogenic parts of a pathogen, reducing the risk of adverse reactions.
2. They can be produced using recombinant DNA technology to express antigens in other organisms like bacteria or yeast.
3. Examples include the Hepatitis B vaccine and HPV vaccine.
4. Subunit vaccines often require adjuvants to enhance their effectiveness since they don't contain whole-cell components.
5. These vaccines can target bacterial toxins or viral surface proteins to elicit immunity.

Review Questions

• What components are included in subunit vaccines?
• How are subunit vaccines typically produced using genetic engineering techniques?
• Name two diseases for which subunit vaccines are commonly used.

Related terms

Recombinant Vaccine: A type of vaccine created by inserting the DNA encoding an antigen into a vector.

Adjuvant: A substance added to a vaccine to enhance the body's immune response to an antigen.

Toxoid Vaccine: A vaccine made from inactivated toxic compounds that cause illness rather than the pathogen itself.