Novel approach to improve vaccine immunogenicity: Mannosylated chitosan nanoparticles loaded with recombinant hepatitis B antigen as a targeted vaccine delivery system

• Published in: Journal of drug delivery science and technology 2018-04, Vol.44, p.19-26
• Main Authors: Mehrabi, Mohsen, Dounighi, Naser Mohammadpour, Rezayat, Seyed Mahdi, Doroud, Delaram, Amani, Amir, Khoobi, Mehdi, Ajdary, Soheila
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cytotoxicity; Immune system; Mannosylated chitosan nanoparticles; rHBsAg
• ISSN: 1773-2247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2017.11.022

The design of effective vaccine delivery system is opening up new feasibilities for making immunization more safe and efficient. In this study, recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen (rHBsAg) was loaded in mannosylated chitosan (MC) nanoparticles to be used as a targeted vaccine delivery vehicles. The nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method and characterized for physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity and antigenicity. The rHBsAg-loaded MC nanoparticles showed spherical shape with mean particle size of 246 ± 33 nm, zeta potential of 25.6 ± 1.7 mV, loading capacity of 12.2 ± 1.4%, and encapsulation efficiency of 90 ± 1.6%. In vitro release profile of rHBsAg-loaded MC nanoparticles exhibited an initial burst release of about 26% in the first 7 days followed by a slow release of 25% for 49 days, with release kinetic similar to Higuchi model. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed integrity of released rHBsAg and structural stability of the antigen during entrapment process. The rHBsAg-loaded MC nanoparticles indicated time-and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity using MTT assay. It can be concluded that entrapment of rHBsAg in MC nanoparticles appears to be a suitable approach for targeting this antigen into body immune system. [Display omitted]