Nanoparticles in allergen immunotherapy

Abstract

Purpose of reviewAllergen immunotherapy is the only recognized causal treatment for allergic disease that modulates the immune system toward a tolerogenic or desensitized state. Allergens or their derivative preparations are formulated with adjuvants of different origin and having diverse immunological functions, such as prolonged tissue release and specific immunomodulatory properties. In the last 2 decades, thanks to developments in the field of nanotechnology, more biosafe nanoscale materials have become available for use as pharmaceutical adjuvants in medical research.Recent findingsNanomaterials possess unique and versatile properties which can be employed to develop drug carriers with safer profiles, better stability in physiological conditions and immunomodulatory properties. Nanoparticles can have an adjuvant effect per se or also when they are packed in structures whose physical–chemical properties can be handled in a way that also influences its release dynamics. In particular, it has been suggested that nanoparticle preparations can be put in complexes or loaded with allergens or allergenic extracts, opening the way to innovative paradigms.SummaryIn this review, we analyze allergen/nanoparticle properties in terms of cytotoxicity, stability and immunogenic reaction in in-vitro and animal systems.

Nanomaterial-Driven Precision Immunomodulation: A New Paradigm in Therapeutic Interventions

“…They control the release of therapeutic agents and allow for the precise modulation of immune responses. Using external or internal signals, these triggered release systems have been used in a new era of precision medicine, reshaping the future of therapeutic interventions [ 122 , 123 , 124 ].…”

“…Allergen-loaded NPs facilitate the transition from hypersensitivity to tolerance in allergy immunotherapy. For autoimmune diseases, NPs deliver disease-specific antigens or immunomodulatory agents, restoring immune balance [ 122 ]. In gene therapy, polymeric carriers deliver nucleic acids that influence the immune response at a genetic level.…”

Hot topics in allergen immunotherapy, 2023: Current status and future perspective

“…Notably, HDM‐SCIT packaged into VLP with CpG was deemed safe 198 . Nanoparticles, both biocompatible and biodegradable, can act as adjuvants and might carry allergens in their complexes, and shield allergens from enzymatic digestion 199,200 …”