Nanoparticle Vaccines Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory disease in infants, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Despite the global burden, there is no licensed vaccine for RSV. Recent advances in the use of nanoparticle technology have provided new opportunities to address some of the limitations of conventional vaccines. Precise control over particle size and surface properties enhance antigen stability and prolong antigen release. Particle size can also be modified to target specific antigen-presenting cells in order to induce specific types of effector T-cell responses. Numerous nanoparticle-based vaccines are currently being evaluated for RSV including inorganic, polymeric and virus-like particle-based formulations. Here, we review the potential advantages of using different nanoparticle formulations in a vaccine for RSV, and discuss many examples of safe, and effective vaccines currently in both preclinical and clinical stages of testing.

Keywords:

• adjuvant
• lung
• nanoparticle
• respiratory syncytial virus
• RSV
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by funds by the Iowa State University Nanovaccine Institute (to SM Varga) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers T32AI007485 (to LM Stephens) and R01AI124093 (to SM Varga). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.