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An intranasal cationic liposomal polysaccharide vaccine elicits humoral immune responses against Streptococcus

Peng Wei1, Cecilia Romanò1, Chengxin Li2

  • 1Center for Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark.

Communications Biology
|September 16, 2024
PubMed

Insights

A novel intranasal vaccine using liposomes with pneumococcal polysaccharides and an iNKT agonist shows promise against Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. This cost-effective vaccine induces robust immune responses and protection, addressing limitations of current options.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant child mortality, with rising antibiotic resistance necessitating improved vaccination strategies.
  • Existing vaccines like Pneumovax® 23 offer limited T-independent immunity, while conjugate vaccines face logistical challenges in developing nations.
  • There is a critical need for affordable and effective pneumococcal vaccines, particularly for regions most affected by infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate a novel intranasal vaccine, Lipo+CPS12F&αGC, against Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 12F.
  • To assess the vaccine's immunogenicity, including activation of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and B cell maturation.
  • To determine the vaccine's efficacy in inducing protective immune responses in both respiratory tract and systemic circulation.

Main Methods:

  • Formulation of an intranasal vaccine containing Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides (CPS12F) and α-galactosylceramide (αGC) within cationic liposomes.
  • Administration of the intranasal vaccine to BALB/cJRj mice.
  • Evaluation of iNKT cell activation, B cell maturation, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG production in respiratory and systemic samples; in vitro and in vivo protection assays.

Main Results:

  • The intranasal vaccine effectively activated iNKT cells and promoted B cell maturation in mice.
  • Significant induction of affinity-matured IgA and IgG antibodies was observed in both the respiratory tract and systemic blood.
  • The vaccine demonstrated substantial protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Conclusions:

  • The intranasal liposomal vaccine Lipo+CPS12F&αGC is a promising, cost-effective strategy against pneumococcal infections.
  • The vaccine elicits strong mucosal and systemic immunity, overcoming limitations of current pneumococcal vaccines.
  • This platform technology holds potential for broader application, including covering additional serotypes and pathogens.

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