Memory antibody response from antigen loaded polymer particles and the effect of antigen release kinetics

Memory antibody response is the hallmark of long lasting immunity. In this study, we report the generation of memory antibody response while immunizing with single dose of polymer particle entrapped antigens. Immunization with admixture of alum and polylactide (PLA) polymer particles (2-8 microm) entrapping antigens not only elicited long lasting primary antibody response but also very high levels of memory antibody titer upon re-exposure to very small amount of soluble antigen. In the case of tetanus toxoid (TT), the memory antibody titers from PLA particle based immunization were almost four times higher than that achieved from two doses of alum adsorbed antigen and sustained at a higher level for a longer period of time. Memory antibody response was detected even after challenging the animals after 18 months of primary immunization. Similar enhanced memory antibody response was also observed in the case of immunization with PLA particle entrapping diphtheria toxoid (DT). Memory antibody response generated from polymeric formulations was highly antigen specific. Polymer particles with different release profile of antigen were used as a model system to evaluate the role of antigen on immunological memory. The results suggest that slow and continuous release of antigen from polymer particles plays a critical role in eliciting improved memory antibody response from single point immunization.