| abstract |
The present invention provides an economical, nontraumatic and surprisingly effective method for producing a desired protein (especially a biologically active protein) or an antigen using nucleic acid molecules encoding the protein or antigen delivered to a mucosal surface of the animal or human. Expression of the antigen coding sequence exposes the immune system of the animal or human to the antigen with the result that an immune response results, especially an antigen-specific IgA response at mucosal surfaces. Desirably, the nucleic acid molecules are formulated with a bioadhesive agent in an amount sufficient to improve adherence to cells at the mucosal surfaces, thereby improving uptake of the nucleic acid molecules. |