Poly(Lactic Acid) and Poly(Lactic- Co -Glycolic Acid) Particles as Versatile Carrier Platforms for Vaccine Delivery

Abstract

The development of safe and effective vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases remains a major goal in public health. Over the last two decades, controlled release of vaccine antigens and immunostimulant molecules has been achieved using nanometer or micron-sized delivery vehicles synthesized using biodegradable polymers. In addition to achieving a depot effect, enhanced vaccine efficacy using such delivery vehicles has been attributed to efficient targeting of antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Biodegradable and biocompatible poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymers belong to one such family of polymers that have been a popular choice of material used in the design of these delivery vehicles. This review summarizes research findings from ourselves and others highlighting the promise of poly(lactic acid)- and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based vaccine carriers in enhancing immune responses.

Co-delivery of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and flagellin by poly(lactic-<em>co</em>-glycolic acid) MPs synergistically enhances immune response elicited by intranasally delivered hepatitis B surface antigen

“…PLGA NPs/MPs can limit antigen degradation by protease, targeting antigens to antigen presenting cells (APCs) and control release rates of antigen. 10,11 On the other hand, mucosal adjuvants, such as toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, can enhance the efficacy of weak antigens and have proved to be key components in mucosal vaccines. 12,13 Synergistic activation of APCs by combination of multiple TLR ligands might play critical roles in eliciting strong immune response and long-term immune memory.…”

“…Thus, encapsulating them into NPs/MPs should be an alternative strategy. 10,15 Until now, although adjuvant effects of pI:C and FLN have been studied in detail, synergistic effects between pI:C and FLN are not sufficiently investigated, and the synergistic effects between pI:C and FLN might be important for the development of mucosal vaccine delivery system.…”

PLGA-microencapsulation protects Salmonella typhi outer membrane proteins from acidic degradation and increases their mucosal immunogenicity

“…Importantly, PLGA is approved as carrier by regulatory authorities, and its safety is well established [21]. In the field of vaccines, diverse formulations have been produced and tested in pre-clinical studies using PLGA micro-and nanoparticles containing viral and bacterial antigens [22][23][24][25]. Besides safety and biocompatibility aspects, the efficacy of PLGA particles in preclinical immunization has elicited increasing interest in the field of vaccines.…”

Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanoparticles Targeting α5β1 Integrin as Vaccine Delivery Vehicle, a Prospective Study

“…Among the carriers developed, biodegradable and biocompatible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles have been used to support and to enhance the potential of antigens. Hence, this Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved biomaterial has been shown to act as a perfect vehicle to carry antigens and to play a safe and non-toxic adjuvant function, either alone or with the loading of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) ligands to increase its potency [2–6]. …”