Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Whole-animal Imaging and Flow Cytometric Techniques for Analysis of Antigen-specific CD8+ T Cell Responses after Nanoparticle Vaccination
Published on: April 29, 2015
Highly versatile immunostimulating nanocapsules for specific immune potentiation
Sara Vicente1, Mercedes Peleteiro, Jose V Gonzalez-Aramundiz
1Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, Spain and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Technology Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, Spain and Current affiliation: Exploratory Unit, Sanofi-Aventis R&D, 31036 Toulouse, France.
Aim:
To develop a new core-shell type (nanocapsules) adjuvant system composed of squalene and polyglucosamine (PG) and to evaluate its immunostimulant capacity.
Results:
The defined PG nanocapsules exhibited the capacity to efficiently associate the selected antigens (recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen and hemagglutinin of influenza virus) onto their polymeric surface (70-75%), and the immunostimulant imiquimod within the oily core. The resulting nanovaccines, with a particle size of 200-250 nm and a positive zeta-potential (∼+60 mV), were able to significantly potentiate and modulate the immune response to the selected antigens upon intramuscular administration to mice. Their efficacy as novel adjuvants was attributed to their enhanced cell internalization and effective intracellular imiquimod/antigen delivery, together with their prolonged residence time at the injection site.
Conclusion:
The nanocapsules described herein have the capacity to enhance, prolong and modulate the immune response of subunit antigens and, therefore, they could be proposed as a platform for the codelivery of different antigens and immunostimulators.
More Related Videos
07:04Immunostimulatory Agent Evaluation: Lymphoid Tissue Extraction and Injection Route-Dependent Dendritic Cell Activation
Published on: September 16, 2018
06:02Author Spotlight: Development and Evaluation of a Cationic Nanoemulsion-Encapsulated Retinoic Acid System for Mucosal Vaccination
Published on: February 23, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Immunological Memory
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...