Harnessing Nanoparticles for Immunomodulation and Vaccines

Abstract

The first successful use of nanoparticles (NPs) for vaccination was reported almost 40 years ago with a virus-like particle-based vaccine against Hepatitis B. Since then, the term NP has been expanded to accommodate a large number of novel nano-sized particles engineered from a range of materials. The great interest in NPs is likely not only a result of the two successful vaccines against hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) that use this technology, but also due to the versatility of those small-sized particles, as indicated by the wide range of applications reported so far, ranging from medicinal and cosmetics to purely technical applications. In this review, we will focus on the use of NPs, especially virus-like particles (VLPs), in the field of vaccines and will discuss their employment as vaccines, antigen display platforms, adjuvants and drug delivery systems.

Nanoparticle-Based Vaccines Against Respiratory Viruses

“…Thus, in addition of being safe and immunogenic on its own, a nanovaccine should have a size similar to viruses while incorporating relevant antigens (54).…”

Immunomodulatory Nanosystems

“…[56,126,[132][133][134] In this section, we overview the recent developments in the use of engineered nanoparticles to enhance cancer immunotherapy. [166][167][168] In this process, nanomaterials show advantageous function in coencapsulation and simultaneous release of antigens and adjuvants, which is fundamental for APC-mediated T cell response. Nanoparticle-based immunomodulatory systems for cancer immunotherapy were listed in Table 2.…”

Virus‐like particles for vaccination against cancer

“…VLPs mimic the structure and symmetry of authentic viruses. They are noninfectious as they lack the proteins and genetic material for replication (replicases and nucleic acids) Bachmann and Jennings (2010); Pumpens et al (2009) ;Roldao, Mellado, Castilho, Carrondo, and Alves (2010); Sander and Lollini (2018) Size VLPs range from 20 to 200 nm, a favorable size allowing their free draining into lymph nodes Cubas et al (2009); Gomes, Mohsen, and Bachmann (2017) Manolova et al (2008) Expression and production VLPs can be produced in a variety of systems including bacteria, insect or mammalian cell lines, plants or yeast Arevalo, Wong, and Ross (2016); Santi, Huang, and Mason (2006) Surface geometry VLPs have highly organized and repetitive structures that are recognized as potent geometric pathogen-associated structural patterns (PASP). This does not only lead to efficient cross-linking of B cell receptors but also recruits members of the innate humoral immune system such as natural antibodies and complements, further enhancing innate and adaptive immune responses Bachmann and Jennings (2010); Manolova et al (2008); Rynda-Apple, Patterson, and Douglas (2014) Modifying exterior or interior surface…”