Design and Synthesis of Protein-Based Nanocapsule Vaccines

Abstract

Increasing emergence of infectious diseases is driving demand for new vaccine technologies capable of improving antigen delivery and protective efficacy. Nanoparticle technology is a modern approach to antigen delivery, capable of stabilizing and increasing the amount of antigen delivered to immune cells. Protein-based nanoparticles are a biodegradable alternative to existing nanomaterials, offering a versatile and biocompatible approach to nanoparticle vaccine delivery. In this chapter, the methods for the synthesis and characterization of protein-based nanocapsule vaccines are discussed. Initially, the requirements for a suitable nanoparticle vaccine are outlined, and finally, methods for the design and synthesis of protein-based nanocapsule vaccines are explained.

An Evaluation of Urease A Subunit Nanocapsules as a Vaccine in a Mouse Model of Helicobacter pylori Infection

“…Fabrication of the solid core/mesoporous shell (SC/MS) and mesoporous shell (MS) silica templates was undertaken based on the method reported by Büchel and colleagues [25] and elaborated in our previous publications [23,24]. Two different templates were prepared.…”

“…The SC/MS nanoparticles were prepared based on the method reported by Büchel and colleagues [25], which involves particle synthesis by sol-gel coating of a mesoporous shell (MS) on a pre-formed solid silica particle, as detailed by Skakic et al [24]. To a solution containing SC particles, a mixture of 2.35 mL TEOS and 0.5 mL 91.6% TMS (Sigma-Aldrich, Darmstadt, Germany) was added slowly over a 20 min period while stirring.…”

“…Furthermore, in a previous study [23], we identified that monodispersed silica nanoparticles have unique properties which make them suitable for synthesising antigen-based nanocapsules. We demonstrated that nanocapsules with diameters of 40 and 550 nm could be readily taken up by dendritic cells (DCs) and presented by the cross-presentation pathway [23,24]. Such particles are derived by infusing protein into a porous silica "template", cross-linking the protein and subsequently removing the template.…”

Nanocapsules Comprised of Purified Protein: Construction and Applications in Vaccine Research

“…The silica templates into which the target proteins were infused were constructed as reported in our recent publications [12][13][14]. The majority of the particles constructed were solid core (SC)/mesoporous shell (MS) particles of approximate diameter of 500 nm.…”

“…The templates were calcinated by heating at 550 • C for 6 h. The calcined templates were then stored dry until use. Readers are directed to Skakic et al (2022) for the full protocol of template production [14].…”