Fungal Expression Systems for Vaccine Production

• Published in: Vaccine Development and Manufacturing pp. 51 - 80
• Main Authors: Melber, Karl, Jenzelewski, Volker, Weyhenmeyer, Roland, Janowicz, Zbigniew
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated 2014; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Hansenula polymorpha; hepatitis B vaccine; human papillomavirus vaccine; Pichia pastoris; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; yeast expression system
• ISBN: 0470261943; 9780470261941
• DOI: 10.1002/9781118870914.ch3

Yeasts have proven to be efficient and robust host organisms for the production of recombinant subunit vaccines. Regarding viral antigens, yeasts such as eukaryotic cells are more suitable to express the often complex structures required for a protective immune response than bacterial expression systems. However, yeasts are comparable to bacteria in terms of ease of genetic manipulation and cultivation and productivity. The baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been the pioneering yeast for the production of vaccine antigens. However, other yeast species have been found to be particularly suitable for heterologous gene expression and large‐scale production. The development and manufacturing processes of the currently licensed yeast‐based vaccines against hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus are presented. In addition, promising vaccine candidates produced in yeast are briefly described. On the basis of these distinct examples, this chapter is intended to introduce the key aspects of using yeast for vaccine production.