ISCOMs/MPLA ‐Adjuvanted SDAD Protein Nanoparticles Induce Improved Mucosal Immune Responses and Cross‐Protection in Mice

In this study, novel protein nanoparticles are generated by conjugating the influenza M2e-NA fusion protein onto influenza nucleoprotein nanoparticle cores using a hetero-bifunctional crosslinker SDAD (NHS-SS-Diazirine).   The resulting protein nanoparticles, when formulated with ISCOMs/monophosphoryl lipid A adjuvants, exhibit significantly improved immune responses in both systemic and local mucosal compartments. These outcomes position this formulation as a promising mucosal vaccine candidate. AbstractThe epidemics caused by the influenza virus are a serious threat to public health and the economy. Adding appropriate adjuvants to improve immunogenicity and finding effective mucosal vaccines to combat respiratory infection at the portal of virus entry are important strategies to boost protection. In this study, a novel type of core/shell protein nanoparticle consisting of influenza nucleoprotein (NP) as the core and NA1-M2e or NA2-M2e fusion proteins as the coating antigens by SDAD hetero-bifunctional crosslinking is exploited. Immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs)/monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) adjuvants further boost the NP/NA-M2e SDAD protein nanoparticle-induced immune responses when administered intramuscularly. The ISCOMs/MPLA-adjuvanted protein nanoparticles are delivered through the intranasal route to validate the application as mucosal vaccines. ISCOMs/MPLA-adjuvanted nanoparticles induce significantly strengthened antigen-specific antibody responses, cytokine-sec...
Source: Small - Category: Nanotechnology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research