Polymeric lamellar substrate particles as carrier adjuvant for recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine

Blank polymeric lamellar substrate particles (PLSP) of poly (l-lactide) were prepared and recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg) was adsorbed onto these particles. The physical characteristics of blank PLSPs or PLSP-rHBsAg in vitro and its immunological responses in Balb/c mice were investigated. The average size of the particles was less than 10microm. Antigen adsorption efficiency was found to be 62.66+/-1.26%. Immunization with PLSP-rHBsAg resulted in upregulation of specific cellular (lymphoproliferation, IFN-gamma and NO release) as well as IgG response in animals. These responses were higher than those produced by two-dose schedule of alum-adsorbed antigen (alum-rHBsAg). Thus in conclusion, in terms of convenience and efficacy PLSP-rHBsAg is superior to alum-rHBsAg.