壳聚糖纳米粒作为基因载体的研究:粒径对转染效率的影响

研究粒径对壳聚糖(chitosan，CS)纳米粒介导的转染效率的影响。通过调整CS溶液加入质粒基因(plasmid DNA，pDNA)溶液的速度和涡旋时间制备250，580和1 300 nm粒径pDNA/CS纳米粒，研究粒径对CS介导的细胞转染效率的影响。为深入探讨粒径对转染效率的影响，考察了3种粒径pDNA/CS纳米粒的药剂学性质，对抗核酸酶作用和细胞对纳米粒的吸附和摄取行为。结果表明：本文制备的3种粒径纳米粒的药剂学性质和凝聚pDNA的能力等特性基本无差别，均能有效保护pDNA免受核酸酶降解；在HEK293细胞中的转染效率无显著差异；与细胞共孵育4 h，流式细胞仪测定的三者细胞摄取率与摄取量相似；荧光显微图像显示3种粒径纳米粒均以小聚集体形式吸附于细胞表面，激光扫描共聚焦显微图像显示直径约为2 μm小聚集体较易被细胞内吞入胞。因此粒径在250～1 300 nm中对壳聚糖纳米粒介导的细胞转染率基本无影响。     

小分子靶向肽修饰壳聚糖作为基因载体的研究

目的:将小分子靶向肽RGD(Arg-Gly-Asp)偶联到壳聚糖(CS)上,并包载质粒DNA(pDNA),制成一种具有靶向性的壳聚糖载基因纳米粒。方法:将RGD肽上的羧基和CS上的氨基通过酰化反应发生偶联,运用红外(FT-IR)和元素分析对RGD偶联壳聚糖(CS-RGD)的化学结构进行确证;采用复凝聚法制备CS-RGD/pDNA纳米粒(CS-RGD/pDNA);应用凝胶阻滞实验和DNA酶(DNase I)降解实验考察CS-RGD对pDNA的复合和保护能力;通过激光粒度仪和原子力显微镜对纳米粒的粒径分布和形态进行考察。结果:CS和RGD肽通过酰胺键偶联;CS-RGD/pDNA在N/P≥2时完全复合,在N/P≥4时具有抗DNase I酶降解能力,N/P=2～30的CS-RGD/pDNA复合物粒径在90～260 nm之间,Zeta电位在4～39 mV之间,原子力显微镜结果证明复合物为类球形且分布良好。具有良好的稳定性和易于进入细胞的性质。结论:CS-RGD是一种制备工艺简单,具有应用前景的非病毒基因载体。     

壳聚糖纳米粒用作基因递送载体的初步研究

目的初步研究基因壳聚糖纳米粒的性质和转染活性。方法用复凝聚法制备纳米粒;用透射电镜观察形态;用纳米粒度分析仪测定粒径、多分散度和zeta电位;用荧光分光光度法测定基因包封率;用凝胶阻滞分析和荧光扫描测定基因在纳米粒中的位置;用体外基因转染实验定性评价纳米粒的转染活性。结果纳米粒形态多呈球形,平均粒径为218.9 nm,多分散度为0.276,zeta电位为+21.2 mV;基因包封率为99.6%;凝胶阻滞分析和荧光扫描表明基因几乎全部被包裹在纳米粒内部,表面吸附很少;体外基因转染实验表明基因壳聚糖纳米粒能够转染人胚胎肾细胞(HEK293)和肝癌细胞(HepG2),基因能够在这两种细胞中表达。结论壳聚糖纳米粒能将基因递送到细胞内并且基因能够表达,因此可以用作基因药物载体。     

Chitosan nanoparticles for plasmid DNA delivery: effect of chitosan molecular structure on formulation and release characteristics

Chitosan can be useful as a nonviral vector for gene delivery. Although there are several reports to form chitosan-pDNA particles, the optimization and effect on transfection remain insufficient. The chitosan-pDNA nanoparticles were formulated using complex coacervation and solvent evaporation techniques. The important parameters for the encapsulation efficiency were investigated, including molecular weight and deacetylation degree of chitosan. We found that encapsulation efficiency of pDNA is directly proportional with deacetylation degree, but there is an inverse proportion with molecular weight of chitosan. DNA-nanoparticles in the size range of 450-820 nm depend on the formulation process. The surface charge of the nanoparticles prepared with complex coacervation method was slightly positive with a zeta potential of +9 to +18 mV; nevertheless, nanoparticles prepared with solvent evaporation method had a zeta potential approximately +30 mV. The pDNA-chitosan nanoparticles prepared by using high deacetylation degree chitosan having 92.7%, 98.0%, and 90.4% encapsulation efficiency protect the encapsulated pDNA from nuclease degradation as shown by electrophoretic mobility analysis. The release of pDNA from the formulation prepared by complex coacervation was completed in 24 hr whereas the formulation prepared by evaporation technique released pDNA in 96 hr, but these release profiles are not statistically significant compared with formulations with similar structure (p > .05). According to the results, we suggest nanoparticles have the potential to be used as a transfer vector in further studies.     

Chitosan Nanoparticles for Plasmid DNA Delivery: Effect of Chitosan Molecular Structure on Formulation and Release Characteristics

Chitosan can be useful as a nonviral vector for gene delivery. Although there are several reports to form chitosan-pDNA particles, the optimization and effect on transfection remain insufficient. The chitosan-pDNA nanoparticles were formulated using complex coacervation and solvent evaporation techniques. The important parameters for the encapsulation efficiency were investigated, including molecular weight and deacetylation degree of chitosan. We found that encapsulation efficiency of pDNA is directly proportional with deacetylation degree, but there is an inverse proportion with molecular weight of chitosan. DNA-nanoparticles in the size range of 450–820 nm depend on the formulation process. The surface charge of the nanoparticles prepared with complex coacervation method was slightly positive with a zeta potential of +9 to +18 mV; nevertheless, nanoparticles prepared with solvent evaporation method had a zeta potential ～ +30 mV. The pDNA-chitosan nanoparticles prepared by using high deacetylation degree chitosan having 92.7%, 98.0%, and 90.4% encapsulation efficiency protect the encapsulated pDNA from nuclease degradation as shown by electrophoretic mobility analysis. The release of pDNA from the formulation prepared by complex coacervation was completed in 24 hr whereas the formulation prepared by evaporation tecnique released pDNA in 96 hr, but these release profiles are not statistically significant compared with formulations with similar structure p >. 05). According to the results, we suggest nanoparticles have the potential to be used as a transfer vector in further studies.     

Co-encapsulation of Nigella sativa oil and plasmid DNA for enhanced gene therapy of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer disease involves genetic and non-genetic factors and hence it is rational to be treated with genetic and non-genetic therapeutic agents. Nigella sativa has multiple therapeutic properties including neuroregeneration. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) was encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles and pDNA was loaded either by adsorption on chitosan-modified particles or encapsulation within PLGA nanoparticles. The particle size and zeta potential of NSO-pDNA-chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles were highly dependent on the medium and exhibited high burst release. Meanwhile, NSO-pDNA-PLGA nanoparticles were more consistent with lower burst release. The fabricated nanoparticles revealed the expected outcomes of both pDNA and NSO. The pDNA transfected N2a cell while the encapsulated NSO promoted neurite outgrowth that is crucial for neuroregeneration. Results from this study suggest that NSO could be added to the gene delivery carrier to enhance treatment benefits for Alzheimer disease.     

Lipoplexes versus nanoparticles: pDNA/siRNA delivery

Abstract

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been widely used as potential therapeutic for treatment of various genetic disorders. However, rapid degradation, poor cellular uptake and limited stability in blood limit the effectiveness of the systemic delivery of siRNA. Therefore, an efficient delivery system is required to enhance its transfection and duration of therapeutics. In the present study, plasmid DNA (pEGFPN3) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used as a reporter gene. Chitosan nanoparticles/polyplexes and cationic liposomes/lipoplexes were developed and compared for their transfectivity and therapeutic activity in mammalian cell line (HEK 293). The nanoparticulates were first characterized by assessing the surface charge (zeta potential), size (dynamic light scattering) and morphology (transmission electron microscope) followed by evaluation for their DNA retardation ability, transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity on HEK 293 cell line. The chitosan nanoparticles/plasmid DNA (pDNA) complex and liposomes/pDNA complex were co-transfected with GFP-specific siRNA into HEK 293 cells and it was found that both are efficient delivery vehicles for siRNA transfection, resulting in ～57% and ～70% suppression of the targeted gene (GFP), respectively, as compared with the mock control (cells transfected with nanocarrier/pDNA complexes alone). This strong inhibition of GFP expression indicated that cationic liposomes are better than chitosan nanoparticles and can be used as an effective carrier of siRNA in mammalian cells.     

Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles: effect on DNA integrity, bacterial transformation and transfection efficiency

While somatic gene therapy has the potential to treat many genetic disorders, recent clinical trials suggest that an efficient and safe delivery vehicle for successful gene therapy is lacking. The current study examines the influence of two different preparation (the solvent evaporation method and the complex coacervation method) methods on the encapsulation of a model plasmid with chitosan. The ability of different molecular weights of chitosan to form nanoparticles with a plasmid, and particulated polymers to stabilize a plasmid in a supercoiled form, were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Protection of encapsulated pDNA offered by these nanoparticles from nuclease attack was confirmed by assessing degradation in the presence of DNase I, and the transformation of the plasmids with incubated nanoparticles were examined by beta-galactosidase assay. Model pDNA existed as a mixture of both supercoiled (84.2%) and open circular (15.8%) forms. Our results demonstrated that supercoiled forms decreased while open circular forms and fragmented linear forms increased during the preparation of formulations. F1 formulation prepared by the complex coacervation method protected the supercoiled form of pDNA effectively. There weren't any significant changes in nanoparticle size and zeta potential values at pH 5.5 for a period of 3 months, but differences in particle sizes were observed after lyophilization with a cryoprotective agent. The efficiency of nanoparticles mediated transformation to Escherichia coli cells was significantly higher than naked DNA or poly-L-lysine (PLL)-DNA polycation complexes. The transfection studies were performed in COS-7 cells. A 3-fold increase in gene expression was produced by nanoparticles as compared to the same amount of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA). These observations suggest that formulations with high molecular weight (HMW) chitosan can be an effective non-viral method of gene vector in animal studies.     

Chitosan–DNA Nanoparticles: Effect on DNA Integrity,Bacterial Transformation and Transfection Efficiency

While somatic gene therapy has the potential to treat many genetic disorders, recent clinical trials suggest that an efficient and safe delivery vehicle for successful gene therapy is lacking. The current study examines the influence of two different preparation (the solvent evaporation method and the complex coacervation method) methods on the encapsulation of a model plasmid with chitosan. The ability of different molecular weights of chitosan to form nanoparticles with a plasmid, and particulated polymers to stabilize a plasmid in a supercoiled form, were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Protection of encapsulated pDNA offered by these nanoparticles from nuclease attack was confirmed by assessing degradation in the presence of DNase I, and the transformation of the plasmids with incubated nanoparticles were examined by β-galactosidase assay. Model pDNA existed as a mixture of both supercoiled (84.2%) and open circular (15.8%) forms. Our results demonstrated that supercoiled forms decreased while open circular forms and fragmented linear forms increased during the preparation of formulations. F1 formulation prepared by the complex coacervation method protected the supercoiled form of pDNA effectively. There weren't any significant changes in nanoparticle size and zeta potential values at pH 5.5 for a period of 3 months, but differences in particle sizes were observed after lyophilization with a cryoprotective agent. The efficiency of nanoparticles mediated transformation to Escherichia coli cells was significantly higher than naked DNA or poly-_l-lysine (PLL)–DNA polycation complexes. The transfection studies were performed in COS-7 cells. A 3-fold increase in gene expression was produced by nanoparticles as compared to the same amount of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA). These observations suggest that formulations with high molecular weight (HMW) chitosan can be an effective non-viral method of gene vector in animal studies.     

Dendritic cell targeted chitosan nanoparticles for nasal DNA immunization against SARS CoV nucleocapsid protein

This work investigates the formulation and in vivo efficacy of dendritic cell (DC) targeted plasmid DNA loaded biotinylated chitosan nanoparticles for nasal immunization against nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) as antigen. The induction of antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immune response at the site of virus entry is a major challenge for vaccine design. Here, we designed a strategy for noninvasive receptor mediated gene delivery to nasal resident DCs. The pDNA loaded biotinylated chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using a complex coacervation process and characterized for size, shape, surface charge, plasmid DNA loading and protection against nuclease digestion. The pDNA loaded biotinylated chitosan nanoparticles were targeted with bifunctional fusion protein (bfFp) vector for achieving DC selective targeting. The bfFp is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of truncated core-streptavidin fused with anti-DEC-205 single chain antibody (scFv). The core-streptavidin arm of fusion protein binds with biotinylated nanoparticles, while anti-DEC-205 scFv imparts targeting specificity to DC DEC-205 receptor. We demonstrate that intranasal administration of bfFp targeted formulations along with anti-CD40 DC maturation stimuli enhanced magnitude of mucosal IgA as well as systemic IgG against N protein. The strategy led to the detection of augmented levels of N protein specific systemic IgG and nasal IgA antibodies. However, following intranasal delivery of naked pDNA no mucosal and systemic immune responses were detected. A parallel comparison of targeted formulations using intramuscular and intranasal routes showed that the intramuscular route is superior for induction of systemic IgG responses compared with the intranasal route. Our results suggest that targeted pDNA delivery through a noninvasive intranasal route can be a strategy for designing low-dose vaccines.     

In vitro cytotoxicity testing of non-thiolated and thiolated chitosan nanoparticles for oral gene delivery

A comparative cytotoxicity study with various chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles was performed in order to evaluate the influence of thiolation, surface charge and size. In particular, the impact of pH changes as encountered along gastrointestinal tract on zeta potential and subsequently toxicity was investigated. For this purpose chitosan and chitosan-N-acetylcysteine nanoparticles of different polymer:pDNA ratios were prepared and characterised by their physicochemical properties. As endpoints to assess cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells LDH and MTT assay were utilized. The reduction of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) induced by nanoparticle treatment was measured and toxic effects on erythrocytes were evaluated to complete the toxicity profile. Size of particles and amount of bound thiol groups slightly affected toxicity. In contrast a high impact and correlation was found for zeta potential and cytotoxicity. While anionic and neutral nanoparticles causeda minor membrane damage and slightly altered mitochondrial activity, cationic nanoparticles caused severe cytotoxic effects. TEER monitoring indicated sub lethal toxicity for neutral nanoparticles by a reversible resistance reduction of up to a third from initial value depending on the concentration of nanoparticles. Cationic particles evinced also drawbacks in erythrocytes assays by causing agglutination. In conclusion, our results showed evidence that zeta potential is the key feature that contributes most to the toxicity of (thiolated) chitosan/DNA nanoparticles.     

Generation of Toxoplasma gondii GRA1 protein and DNA vaccine loaded chitosan particles: preparation, characterization, and preliminary in vivo studies

Chitosan microparticles as carriers for GRA-1 protein vaccine were prepared and characterized with respect to loading efficiency and GRA-1 stability after short-term storage. Chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for GRA-1 pDNA vaccine were prepared and characterized with respect to size, zeta potential, and protection of the pDNA vaccine against degradation by DNase I. Both protein and pDNA vaccine preparations were tested with regard to their potential to elicit GRA-1-specific immune response after intragastric administration using different prime/boost regimen. The immune response was measured by determination of IgG2a and IgG1 antibody titers. It was shown that priming with GRA1 protein vaccine loaded chitosan particles and boosting with GRA1 pDNA vaccine resulted in high anti-GRA1 antibodies, characterized by a mixed IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. These results showed that oral delivery of vaccines using chitosan as a carrier material appears to be beneficial for inducing an immune response against Toxoplasma gondii. The type of immune response, however, will largely depend on the prime/boost regimen and the type of vaccine used.     

Novel hyaluronic acid-chitosan nanoparticles as non-viral gene delivery vectors targeting osteoarthritis

Gene therapy is a promising new treatment strategy for common joint-disorders such as osteoarthritis. The development of safe, effective, targeted non-viral gene carriers is important for the clinical success of gene therapy. The present work describes the use of hybrid hyaluronic acid (HA)/chitosan (CS) nanoparticles as novel non-viral gene delivery vectors capable of transferring exogenous genes into primary chondrocytes for the treatment of joint diseases. HA/CS plasmid-DNA nanoparticles were synthesized through the complex coacervation of the cationic polymers with pEGFP. Particle size and zeta potential were related to the weight ratio of CS to HA, where increases in nanoparticle size and decreases in surface charge were observed as HA content increased. The particle size and the zeta potential varied according to pH. Transfection of primary chondrocytes was performed under different conditions to examine variations in the pH of the transfection medium, different N/P ratios, different plasmid concentrations, and different molecular weights of chitosan. Transfection efficiency was maximized for a medium pH of approximately 6.8, an N/P ratio of 5, plasmid concentration of 4 μg/ml, and a chitosan molecular weight of 50 kDa. The transfection efficiency of HA/CS-plasmid nanoparticles was significantly higher than that of CS-plasmid nanoparticles under the same conditions. The average viability of cells transfected with HA/CS-plasmid nanoparticles was over 90%. These results suggest that HA/CS-plasmid nanoparticles could be an effective non-viral vector suitable for gene delivery to chondrocytes.     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯纳米颗粒的制备及其体外抗白血病效应研究

目的：制备表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG）-壳聚糖（CS）纳米颗粒，并比较EGCG纳米颗粒与原料药对人急性淋巴细胞白血病细胞系Jurkat细胞的抑制作用。方法：选取壳聚糖（CS）为包封材料，采用注入-超声法将EGCG装载到CS形成的纳米粒中，制备出EGCG纳米颗粒。使用激光粒度仪对纳米EGCG的粒径和Zeta电位进行测定，采用场发射扫描电子显微镜观察其形态结构。采用CCK-8实验检测EGCG纳米颗粒抑制Jurkat细胞增殖的作用，采用流式细胞术检测其对Jurkat细胞凋亡的影响，比较EGCG纳米颗粒与原料药的体外抗白血病效应。结果：最优条件下制备的EGCG纳米颗粒包封率为（76±4）%，平均粒径为（116±25）nm，平均Zeta电位为（61.2±1.8）mV，具有球形微观结构。EGCG纳米颗粒抑制Jurkat细胞增殖作用及促Jurkat细胞凋亡作用显著高于EGCG原料药。结论：EGCG纳米颗粒在体外抗白血病效应明显优于原料药，为进一步探索其体内抗白血病效应提供了依据。     

In vitro characterization and transfection of IL-2 gene complexes

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-2 used in the treatment of malignant tumors has an anti-tumor efficacy. In this study, we have studied in vitro characterization and transfection efficiency of a plasmid encoding hIL-2, pCXWN-hIL-2, complexed to chitosan, polyethylenimine or DOTAP with varying ratios. METHODS: Plasmid DNA was amplified in Escherichia coli DH5alpha and isolated by alkali lysis method. The pDNA/chitosan, pDNA/PEI or pDNA/DOTAP complexes were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis for complex formation and by ESEM image analysis system for the morphology and DNA/medium relationship of complexes. DNase stability, the particle size and zeta potential values of complexes were determined. Transfection efficiencies of resulting complexes in two different cell lines were assayed by ELISA method. RESULTS: Conclusively, a transfection activity was observed in both cell lines (HeLa and Swiss3T3) with the order of pDNA/DOTAP>pDNA/PEI>pDNA/chitosan complexes. We have observed that the transfection efficiency was higher in HeLa cell line compared to Swiss3T3 cell line. CONCLUSION: The physicochemical studies like stability, particle size and zeta potential, showed a relationship between the properties of a complex and its transfection efficiency.     

Nebulized anionic guanidinylated O-carboxymethyl chitosan/N-2-hydroxypropyltimehyl ammonium chloride chitosan nanoparticles for siRNA pulmonary delivery: preparation,characterization and in vitro evaluation

This study developed a pH-sensitive anionic system composed of guanidinylated O-carboxymethyl chitosan (GOCMCS) and N-2-hydroxypropyltimehyl ammonium chloride chitosan (N-2-HACC) for efficient siRNA delivery to the lungs following nebulization. About 16.8% of guanidine groups were incorporated into O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMCS) with the aid of O-methylisourea. Gel electrophoresis images demonstrated that siRNA was successfully encapsulated in nanoparticles ranging from 150 to 180?nm with zeta potential of about ?17?mV. The nanoparticles containing GOCMCS existed superior transfection performance compared with their amino-based analogs. The evaluation in vitro revealed that nanoparticles were internalized into A549 cells by energy-dependent endocytosis, then achieved endosomal escape by direct transmembrane penetration of guanidine moieties as well as swelling behavior of nanoparticles due to the pH sensitivity of GOCMCS. The mRNA level of survivin gene was down-regulated to 6.9% using GOCMCS/N-2-HACC/siSurvivin NPs. The survivin siRNA mediated by nanoparticles caused 30% of cell growth inhibition and induced 19.45% of cell apoptosis, which was comparable to Lipofectamin2000. After nebulization of siRNA-loaded nanoparticles, the stability of siRNA was maintained and fine particle fractions were detected by two-stage impinger that accounted for more than 60%. These results suggested that GOCMCS/N-2-HACC nanoparticles possessed potential as safe and efficient carrier for siRNA pulmonary delivery.     

Lipid coated chitosan-DNA nanoparticles for enhanced gene delivery

Chitosan as a polycationic non-viral vector for gene delivery has the advantage of being a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. However, without laborious chemical modifications to its structure, it is of limited use as a gene delivery vehicle due to its low ability to efficiently transfect under physiological conditions. To address this problem, we developed novel liposome encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles; lipochitoplexes (LCPs). Chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) were obtained using the ionic gelation technique. For this purpose, an ultrapure low molecular weight chitosan with a high degree of deacetylation was cross-linked using polyanionic tripolyphosphate resulting in efficient entrapment of plasmid DNA (pDNA) inside the nanoparticles. LCPs were prepared by incubating chitosan nanoparticles together with anionic liposomes (DPPC/Cholesterol). The LCPs offered better pDNA protection, reduced cytotoxicity and at least twofold increase in the transfection efficiency under physiological conditions. The efficiency of our delivery vehicle was also proved in vivo in the chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM). LCPs were able to transfect the CAM without traumatising the surrounding blood vessels. This new biocompatible composite system devoid of chemical modifications, organic solvents and harsh production conditions makes it an optimal gene delivery vehicle for in vivo applications offering new insights into the field of non-viral gene therapy.     

In vitro evaluation of chitosan-EDTA conjugate polyplexes as a nanoparticulate gene delivery system

It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the potential of different molecular-weight chitosan-EDTA conjugates as a carrier matrix for nanoparticulate gene delivery systems. Covalent binding of EDTA to more than one chitosan chain provides a cross-linked polymer that is anticipated to produce stabilized particles. pDNA/chitosan-EDTA particles, generated via coazervation, were characterized in size and zeta potential by electrophoretic light scattering and electron microscopy. Stability was investigated at different pH values by enzymatic degradation and subsequent gel retardation assay. Lactate dehydrogenase assay was performed to determine toxicity. Furthermore, transfection efficiency into Caco-2 cells was assessed using a beta-galactosidase reporter gene. Chitosan-EDTA produced from low-viscous chitosan with 68% amino groups being modified by the covalent attachment of EDTA showed the highest complexing efficacy resulting in nanoparticles of 43 nm mean size and exhibiting a zeta potential of +6.3 mV. These particles were more stable at pH 8 than chitosan control particles. The cytotoxicity of chitosan-EDTA particles was below 1% over a time period of 4 hours. These new nanoplexes showed 35% improved in vitro transfection efficiency compared with unmodified chitosan nanoparticles. According to these results, the chitosan-EDTA conjugate may be a promising polymer for gene transfer.     

Mucoadhesive glycol chitosan nanoparticles for intranasal delivery of hepatitis B vaccine: enhancement of mucosal and systemic immune response

In this study, for the first time, glycol chitosan (GC) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and evaluated to obtain systemic and mucosal immune responses against nasally administered hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Size, zeta potential and morphology of the NPs were investigated as a function of preparation method. NPs with high loading efficacy (?>?95%) and positively charged surface were obtained with an average particle size of approximately 200?nm. The structural integrity of HBsAg in NPs was evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and further confirmed by measuring the in vitro antigenicity using an enzyme immunoassay. During in vivo studies, GC NPs showed the lowest nasal clearance rate and better mucosal uptake when compared with chitosan (CS) NPs. The immunogenicity of NPs-based delivery system(s) was assessed by measuring anti-HBsAg antibody titer in mice serum and secretions after intranasal administration. The alum-based HBsAg vaccine injected subcutaneously was used as positive control. Results indicated that alum-based HBsAg induced strong humoral but negligible mucosal immunity. However, GC NPs induced stronger immune response at both of the fronts as compared to generated by CS NPs. This study demonstrates that this newly developed system has potential for mucosal administration of vaccines.     

负载pVAX1-wapA的壳聚糖及季铵化壳聚糖纳米粒的制备研究

目的 制备负载抗龋DNA疫苗pVAX1-wapA质粒的壳聚糖和季铵化壳聚糖纳米粒,优化其制备工艺,测定其细胞转染效率。 方法 以包封率和粒径为主要指标,单因素法考察载体浓度、pH值、N/P、TPP浓度等因素的影响,Realtime-PCR检测细胞对质粒编码蛋白的转录表达水平以评价载质粒纳米粒的促转染作用。 结果 制得的载DNA疫苗纳米粒粒径均一,形态圆整。壳聚糖(CS)纳米粒粒径为(219.2±18.2) nm,Zeta电位为(24.7±3.5) mV,包封率为91.24%。季铵化壳聚糖(CSTM)纳米粒粒径为(222.5±15.6) nm,Zeta电位为(19.6±1.2) mV,包封率为87.66%。纳米粒可以促进pVAX1-wapA进入细胞,并成功被转录。 结论 制备的包载pVAX1-wapA的季铵化壳聚糖纳米粒可用于重组基因疫苗的运送。