Immunological basis for enhanced immunity of nanoparticle vaccines

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Immunization has been a remarkably successful public health intervention; however, new approaches to vaccine design are essential to counter existing and emerging infectious diseases which have defied traditional vaccination efforts to date. Nanoparticles (ordered structures with dimensions in the range of 1–1000 nm) have great potential to supplement traditional vaccines based upon pathogen subunits, or killed or attenuated microorganisms, as exemplified by the successful licensure of virus-like particle vaccines for human papillomavirus and hepatitis B. However, the immunological mechanisms that underpin the potent immunity of nanoparticle vaccines are poorly defined.

Areas covered: Here, we review the immunity of nanoparticle immunization. The display of antigen in a repetitive, ordered array mimics the surface of a pathogen, as does their nanoscale size. These properties facilitate enhanced innate immune activation, improved drainage and retention in lymph nodes, stronger engagement with B cell receptors, and augmented T cell help in driving B cell activation.

Expert opinion: In the near future, increasingly complex nanoparticle vaccines displaying multiple antigens and/or co-delivered adjuvants will reach clinical trials. An improved mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle vaccination will ultimately facilitate the rational design of improved vaccines for human health.

KEYWORDS:

• Vaccine
• nanoparticle
• nano vaccine
• immunization
• nanotechnology

Article Highlight

• New vaccine technologies are needed for important global pathogens.

• Small (<1000 nm) particle-based vaccine technologies – either virus-like particles or synthetic nanoparticles – offer great potential for improved vaccination strategies.

• Components of the immune system – including complement and IgM – bind to repetitive surfaces that can be mimicked by the presentation of vaccine antigens on nanoparticles.

• Nanoparticle vaccines can be finely tuned to express adjuvants and targeting motifs.

• Trafficking of small nanoparticles to regional lymph nodes can be achieved to facilitate enhanced immunogenicity.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no 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. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Australian Research Council.