Influence of the particle size on the adjuvant effect of particulate polymeric adjuvants

The influence of the particle size of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene particles on the adjuvant effect of model vaccines was investigated in mice using bovine serum albumin as the antigen. The particle sizes of the adjuvants were between 62 and 306 nm. Smaller particles yielded a much better adjuvant effect than bigger particles. The adjuvant effect of the small polymer particles was better than that of 0.2% Al(OH)3. All adjuvants yielded a higher antibody response than the fluid antigen preparation.