Combined polyanhydride nanoparticles and pentablock copolymer micelles provide protection against homologous challenge in aged mice.

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex and multifaceted including genetic predisposition, environmental components, microbial dysbiosis, and inappropriate immune activation to microbial components. Pathogenic bacterial provocateurs like adherent and invasive E. coli have been reported to increase susceptibility to Crohn’s disease. Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate (SBI) is comprised primarily of immunoglobulins (Igs) that bind to conserved microbial components and neutralize exotoxins.AimTo demonstrate that oral administration of SBI may modulate mucosal inflammation following colonization with E. coli, LF82, and exposure to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS).MethodsDefined microbiota mice harboring the altered Schaedler flora (ASF) were administered SBI or hydrolyzed collagen twice daily starting 7 days prior to challenge with E. coli LF82 and continuing for the remainder of the experiment. Mice were treated with DSS for 7 days and then evaluated for evidence of local and peripheral inflammation.ResultsIgs within SBI bound multiple antigens from all eight members of the ASF and E. coli LF82 by western blot analysis. Multiple parameters of LF82/DSS-induced colitis were reduced following administration of SBI, including histological lesion scores, secretion of cytokines and chemokines from cecal biopsies, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and serum amyloid A from plasma.ConclusionsOral administration of SBI attenuated clinical signs of LF82/DSS-induced colitis in mice. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that SBI immunoglobulin binding of bacterial antigens in the intestinal lumen may inhibit the inflammatory cascades that contribute to IBD, thus attenuating DSS-induced colitis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10620-015-3726-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Polyanhydride nanoparticle-based vaccines (or nanovaccines) stabilize protein antigens, provide sustained antigen release leading to prolonged antigen presence, enhance activation of antigen presenting cells, and elicit protective immunity against respiratory infections upon challenge. However, induction of cell-mediated immunity when mice are immunized with polyanhydride nanovaccines has not been evaluated. Using a transgenic ovalbumin-specific T cell adoptive transfer model, we report the induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells expressing an effector memory phenotype by seven days after immunization with nanovaccine formulations. Furthermore, mice immunized with polyanhydride nanovaccines demonstrated enhanced recall responses after antigen re-exposure 35 days post-immunization indicating the activation and recruitment of antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cells to the site of antigen deposition.

No abstract

As the focus has shifted from traditional killed or live, attenuated vaccines towards subunit vaccines, improvements in vaccine safety have been confronted with low immunogenicity of protein antigens. This issue has been addressed by synthesizing and designing a wide variety of antigen carriers and adjuvants, such as Toll-like receptor agonists (e.g., MPLA, CpG). Studies have focused on optimizing adjuvants for improved cellular trafficking, cytosolic availability, and improved antigen presentation. In this work, we describe the design of novel amphiphilic pentablock copolymer (PBC) adjuvants that exhibit high biocompatibility and reversible pH-and temperature-sensitive micelle formation. We demonstrate improved humoral immunity in mice in response to single dose immunization with PBC micelle adjuvants compared to soluble antigen alone. With the motive of exploring the mechanism of action of these PBC micelles, we studied intracellular trafficking of these PBC micelles with a model antigen and demonstrated that the PBC micelles associate with the antigen and enhance its cytosolic delivery to antigen presenting cells. We posit that these PBC micelles operate via immune-enhancing mechanisms that are different from that of traditional Toll-like receptor activating adjuvants. The metabolic profile of antigen presenting cells stimulated with traditional adjuvants and the PBC micelles also suggests distinct mechanisms of action. A key finding from this study is the low production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species by antigen presenting cells when stimulated by PBC micelle adjuvants in sharp contrast to TLR adjuvants. Together, these studies provide a basis for rationally developing novel vaccine adjuvants that are safe, that induce low inflammation, and that can efficiently deliver antigen to the cytosol.