Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
06:02
Author Spotlight: Development and Evaluation of a Cationic Nanoemulsion-Encapsulated Retinoic Acid System for Mucosal Vaccination
Published on: February 23, 2024
1.3K
Design and Development of Nanoemulsion Systems Containing Interferon Gamma
Elton B Ribeiro, Adenilda C Honorio-França, Eduardo L França
1Instituto de Fisica, Universidade de Brasília Brasília-DF, 70910-900, Brazil. soler@unb.br.
Protein and Peptide Letters
|May 4, 2016
Summary
Stable nanoemulsions carrying interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were developed to enhance its immunomodulatory effects. These formulations improved mononuclear cell responses against E. coli, indicating potential for immune system modulation.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Immunology
Background:
- Developing effective drug delivery systems is crucial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a key cytokine with immunomodulatory properties, but its clinical application is limited by stability and delivery challenges.
- Nanoemulsions offer a promising platform for encapsulating and delivering bioactive molecules like IFN-γ.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and develop stable nanoemulsion formulations for interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).
- To evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of IFN-γ loaded nanoemulsions.
- To assess the impact of the nanoemulsion formulation on mononuclear cell functions.
Main Methods:
- Nanoemulsions were prepared using ultra-homogenization with specific ratios of distilled water, triglycerides, sorbitan oleate (SP), polysorbate 80 (TW), and propylene glycol (PG).
- Formulations were characterized for droplet size, polydispersity, surface charge, physical stability (preliminary and accelerated), and rheological properties.
- The effect of IFN-γ loaded nanoemulsions on mononuclear cell (MN cell) functions, including superoxide release, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, and intracellular calcium release, was analyzed.
Main Results:
- A stable oil-in-water nanoemulsion was optimized, exhibiting excellent stability over 90 days under extreme conditions.
- The optimized formulation had a hydrodynamic radius of 205 nm, zeta potential of -40 mV, and maintained its rheological profile and biocompatible pH.
- IFN-γ loaded nanoemulsions did not affect MN cell viability but significantly enhanced superoxide release, phagocytosis index, and intracellular calcium release.
Conclusions:
- Stable nanoemulsion formulations capable of encapsulating IFN-γ were successfully developed.
- The developed nanoemulsions improved the immunomodulatory activity of IFN-γ by enhancing mononuclear cell functions.
- These findings suggest the potential of IFN-γ loaded nanoemulsions as effective agents for immune system modulation.
