Non-ionic surfactant vesicles mediated transcutaneous immunization against hepatitis B.

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Immunology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Transcutaneous immunization (TI) presents advantages over parenteral routes.
• Niosomes are explored as non-ionic surfactant vesicles for topical vaccine delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate niosomes for topical delivery of hepatitis B surface protein (HBsAg) with cholera toxin B (CTB) as an adjuvant.
• To assess the efficacy of niosomal transcutaneous immunization compared to traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• Niosomes characterized for size, shape, and antigen entrapment.
• In vitro skin permeation and deposition studies using human cadaver skin.
• In vivo immunogenicity assessed in Balb/c mice, measuring serum IgG titers and immune responses.

Main Results:

• Optimal niosomal formulation entrapped 58.11 ± 0.71% of HBsAg with a vesicle size of 2.83 ± 0.29 μm.
• Topical niosomal immunization elicited significantly higher serum IgG titers than single administration.
• Niosomal TI with CTB adjuvant induced both Th1 and Th2 immune responses, indicated by the IgG1/IgG2a ratio.

Conclusions:

• Niosomes are effective carriers for topical vaccine delivery.
• Cholera toxin B acts as a potential adjuvant for enhancing cutaneous immune responses when co-administered with HBsAg-loaded niosomes.
• Transcutaneous immunization with niosomes shows potential for effective vaccine administration.