Evaluation of an adjuvanted hydrogel-based pDNA nanoparticulate vaccine for rabies prevention and immunocontraception

In this study, we developed an adjuvanted hydrogel-based pDNA nanoparticulate vaccine for rabies protection and immunocontraception. In vivo, we observed an immune response skewed toward a Th2 type, in contrast to the Th1 type in our previous pDNA study. The observation was verified by the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio (<1), and cytokine expression profile of IL-4 and IFN-ϒ. The humoral immune response is key for rabies protection and a GnRH antibody-based immunocontraception. In mice, anti-GnRH antibody titers were detected 4 weeks after immunization and lasted for 12 weeks, post animal experiment was terminated. The adjuvanted pDNA nanoparticulate vaccine shows promise for future studies evaluating protection from rabies challenge and prevention of animal breeding.Graphical AbstractImmunocontraceptive vaccination is preferred over other means of controlling rabies infected animal population. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a growth hormone responsible for reproduction is secreted from the hypothalamus. Targeting GnRH and preventing its binding to GnRH receptors can be used as a means of achieving immunocontraception. A single dose anti-GnRH pDNA nanoparticulate vaccine in poloxamer 407 gel was prepared and evaluated in-vivo in mice, administered intramuscularly. Sera was collected every week post-vaccination and anti-GnRH antibodies were determined using ELISA. Generation of anti-GnRH antibodies were correlated to the immunocontraceptive efficacy of pDNA nanopar...
Source: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine - Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research