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• Chloroplast transformation in lettuce enables the
expression of dimeric or secretory IgA with
mucosal specificity. These antibodies are stabilized
within the plant matrix and protected through
digestion.
• Seed-based systems in rice can produce antibodies
that remain stable for months, ideal for stockpiling
and low-resource distribution.
• Duckweed systems are being explored for
expressing smaller antibody fragments (e.g. single-
chain variable fragments, or nanobodies) with high
yield and rapid cycle time.

Together, these platforms are unlocking antibodies that can
be grown affordably, stored without refrigeration, and
delivered by mouth—a trifecta never before possible in
this class.

Applications in Mucosal Immunity

Antibod Plant Key
Target Example /
Indication y Format Platfor Findings /
Antigen Reference
/ Source m Rationale
Targeted
delivery to
intestinal Daniell et al.,
Oral anti- tissue PNAS, 2019
Inflammato
ry Bowel TNF-α, α4β7 TNF or Lettuce / reduces (oral anti-
anti-
inflammati TNF lettuce);
Diseases integrin integrin Tobacco on while preclinical
(IBD)
mAbs avoiding models of
systemic colitis
immune
activation
Gliadin Plant- Neutralizes GTP
Celiac peptides, expressed Rice / dietary Biotherapeut
Disease Wheat
Tissue oral IgA antigen ics

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