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Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microencapsulation of vaccine antigens
D H Jones1, B W McBride, G H Farrar
1Microbial Antigens Department, Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Salisbury, Wilts, UK.
Abstract:
Fimbriae from Bordetella pertussis have been encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres of a size appropriate for oral administration. The binding of antibodies which react with conformational or linear fimbrial epitopes, to fimbriae released from microspheres, suggested that the process of was not detrimental to the native integrity of the protein. Mice were immunised by oral gavage with a single dose of microencapsulated fimbriae, or with fimbriae adsorbed onto alhydrogel and administered by intraperitoneal injection. The resulting immune responses in serum were comparable but only oral administration of microencapsulated fimbriae elicited specific immune responses in external secretions. Six weeks after immunisation, both groups of immunised animals were protected against challenge with live B. pertussis.
Insights
Oral administration of Bordetella pertussis fimbriae encapsulated in microspheres effectively stimulated immune responses and protected mice against infection. This novel oral delivery method shows promise for future vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bordetella pertussis fimbriae are key virulence factors.
- Developing effective delivery systems for vaccines is crucial.
- Oral vaccine administration offers advantages over parenteral routes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of microencapsulated Bordetella pertussis fimbriae administered orally.
- To assess if the encapsulation process preserves the integrity of fimbrial antigens.
Main Methods:
- Fimbriae were encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres.
- Mice were immunized orally with microencapsulated fimbriae or intraperitoneally with fimbriae adsorbed onto alhydrogel.
- Immune responses in serum and external secretions were analyzed.
- Protection against live B. pertussis challenge was assessed.
Main Results:
- Encapsulation did not compromise the native integrity of fimbrial proteins.
- Oral administration of microencapsulated fimbriae elicited comparable serum immune responses to intraperitoneal injection.
- Only oral microencapsulated fimbriae induced specific immune responses in external secretions.
- Both immunization routes conferred protection against B. pertussis challenge.
Conclusions:
- Oral delivery of microencapsulated B. pertussis fimbriae is a viable strategy for inducing systemic and mucosal immunity.
- This approach provides protection against B. pertussis infection.
- Microencapsulation technology offers a promising platform for developing oral vaccines.