Biodegradable Nanoparticles as Vaccine Adjuvants and Delivery Systems: Regulation of Immune Responses by Nanoparticle-Based Vaccine

Polymeric nano- and microparticles have recently been shown to possess significant potential as drug delivery systems. In particular, the use of biodegrad- able polymeric nanoparticles with entrapped antigens such as proteins, peptides, or DNA represents an exciting approach for controlling the release of vaccine antigens and optimizing the desired immune response via selective targeting of the antigen to antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The efficient delivery of antigens to APCs, especially in dendritic cells (DCs), and the activation of APCs are some of the most important issues in the development of effective vaccines. Using nanoparticle- based vaccine delivery systems, it is possible to target delivery to DCs, activate these APCs, and control release of the antigen. Nanoparticles prepared from biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly(amino acid)s, and polysaccharides have been shown to be effective