Applications of polymeric adjuvants in studying autoimmune responses and vaccination against infectious diseases

Abstract

Polymers as an adjuvant are capable of enhancing the vaccine potential against various infectious diseases and also are being used to study the actual autoimmune responses using self-antigen(s) without involving any major immune deviation. Several natural polysaccharides and their derivatives originating from microbes and plants have been tested for their adjuvant potential. Similarly, numerous synthetic polymers including polyelectrolytes, polyesters, polyanhydrides, non-ionic block copolymers and external stimuli responsive polymers have demonstrated adjuvant capacity using different antigens. Adjuvant potential of these polymers mainly depends on their solubility, molecular weight, degree of branching and the conformation of polymeric backbone. These polymers have the ability not only to activate humoral but also cellular immune responses in the host. The depot effect, which involves slow release of antigen over a long duration of time, using different forms (particulate, solution and gel) of polymers, and enhances the co-stimulatory signals for optimal immune activation, is the underlying principle of their adjuvant properties. Possibly, polymers may also interact and activate various toll-like receptors and inflammasomes, thus involving several innate immune system players in the ensuing immune response. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, easy production and purification, and non-toxic properties of most of the polymers make them attractive candidates for substituting conventional adjuvants that have undesirable effects in the host.

An Overview of Recombinant Vaccine Technology, Adjuvants and Vaccine Delivery Methods

“…Biodegradable polymers have the ability to withstand these challenges and are considered promising candidates for next generation platform vaccine development. Additionally, many polymeric vaccine adjuvants (table 2) have been found to deliver the vaccine successfully, target the immune system and effectively elicit the required immune response [43][44][45][46][47]. …”

Efecto inmunomodulador de nanopartículas usadas en nanomedicina

“…Las NP de polianhídrido metil vinil éter comaleico (PVMA NP) utilizadas como adyuvante activan diferencialmente las DC a través de receptores TLR2 y TLR4, de manera dosis dependiente (82)(83)(84). NP basadas en quitosano prometen ser una buena opción como adyuvantes y como sistemas para la entrega de antígenos.…”

Putative Prophylaxes of Aloe Vera for Age-Related Diseases

“…The authors suggested that polymeric adjuvants may interact and activate various toll-like receptors and inframmasomes, thus involving several innate immature players in the ensuring immune responses [83] .…”