Functional Nanoparticles for Vaccine Delivery Systems

Abstract

AbstractOne of the most important current issues in vaccinology is the need for vaccine delivery systems and adjuvants as an immune stimulator (immunostimulant). Polymeric nanoparticles with entrapped vaccine antigens, such as proteins, peptides, and DNA, have recently been shown to possess significant potential as vaccine delivery systems and immunostimulants. Novel nanoparticle-based vaccines are being evaluated in a variety of vaccine therapy including infectious diseases, cancers, or autoimmune diseases. Biodegradable nanoparticles that can control physicochemical properties, such as particle size, surface charge, and polymer composition, are promising candidate adjuvant systems to enhance vaccine efficacy. In this review, polymeric nanoparticles as vaccine delivery systems and immunostimulants are addressed with focus on (1) targeting of antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs), (2) control of the intracellular trafficking and biodistribution of nanoparticles, and (3) activation of APCs by particles for the development of effective vaccines. Understanding the strategies and mechanisms of immune induction by nanoparticle-based vaccines will help in the design guide of nanoparticle for the development of novel adjuvants. The development of safe and efficacious novel adjuvants is strongly desired. Vaccine delivery systems mainly function to target antigens to APCs, and immunostimulants directly activate these cells through specific receptors. The targeting antigen specifically to dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsequent activation with nanoparticles has demonstrated exciting potential for developing new vaccine technology. Uptake of nanoparticles by DCs can be controlled by altering properties of the nanoparticles, including size and surface characteristics. Moreover, novel chemical strategies can be employed to modulate DC maturation and immune presentation of antigens. This approach will enable both preventative and therapeutic vaccination for immune diseases requiring cellular immunity.KeywordsDendritic cellsDrug delivery systemNanoparticlesVaccine adjuvant