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Encapsulated Cell Technology for the Delivery of Biologics to the Mouse Eye
Published on: March 30, 2020
Microencapsulation: the future of oral immunotherapy?
A Litwin1, M Flanagan, J G Michael
1Department of Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinatti, Cincinatti, Ohio 45267, USA.
Summary
Encapsulating allergens protects them from digestion, enabling effective oral immunotherapy. This novel approach stimulates immune responses and reduces allergy symptoms without systemic reactions.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is established for atopic diseases but causes systemic allergic reactions.
- Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has shown limited efficacy due to allergen degradation and low potency.
- Existing OIT requires high doses, often proving ineffective and poorly tolerated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel allergen encapsulation system for improved oral immunotherapy.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of encapsulated allergens in preclinical and clinical models.
Main Methods:
- Development of an encapsulation technique protecting allergens from gastric acid and pepsin.
- Administration of encapsulated allergens orally to mice to assess immune responses.
- Clinical trials involving encapsulated short ragweed pollen extracts (eSRW) in allergic humans.
Main Results:
- Encapsulated allergens induced robust systemic immune responses in mice, favoring CD4+ T helper type 2 lymphocytes.
- Human trials showed eSRW induced high IgG, suppressed IgE and IgA responses, and reduced nasal sensitivity.
- Significant symptom reduction was observed in patients tolerating eSRW, without systemic reactions.
Conclusions:
- Allergen encapsulation is a promising strategy to overcome OIT limitations.
- Encapsulated allergens demonstrate potential for safe and effective immunotherapy against allergic diseases.
- This novel system may offer a viable alternative to SCIT with improved safety profiles.
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