Development and biological evaluation of pNIPAM-based nanogels as vaccine carriers

Nanogel-Mediated antigen delivery: Biocompatibility, immunogenicity, and potential for tailored vaccine design across species

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing the efficacy of vaccine delivery systems. This study investigates the utilization of nanogels as carriers for the model antigen ovalbumin, with a focus on in vivo assessments in equine and murine models. Nanogels, owing to their biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties, offer a versatile platform for efficient antigen encapsulation and controlled release. The encapsulation efficiency and physicochemical characteristics of ovalbumin-loaded nanogels were comprehensively characterized. In vitro biocompatibility was evaluated, finding excellent properties of these nanogels. In vivo evaluations were conducted on both equine and murine subjects, assessing immunogenicity through antibody and splenic cell response. Furthermore, the study propose the potential use of nanogels in tailoring immune responses through the modulation of antigen release kinetics. The results obtained in the in vitro assays showed an increase in the uptake of nanogels by APCs compared to free antigen (OVA). In mice, an absence of inflammatory response in the inoculation site was observed, without systemic damage in the evaluated organs. In addition, non-significant humoral response was found nor cellular proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine production, compared with a traditional adjuvant as aluminum hydroxide, in both animal models. These findings allow further insights into nanogel-based delivery systems and offer valuable insights into their application in various animal models. In conclusion, this research establishes the utility of nanogels as effective carriers for antigens-based vaccines, with interesting biocompatibility properties and highly taken affinity by antigen-presenting cells, without inducing inflammation at the injection site. The study underscores the potential of nanogel technology in revolutionizing vaccine design and highlights the importance of tailored approaches for diverse target species.

Harnessing Nanovaccines for Effective Immunization─A Special Concern on COVID-19: Facts, Fidelity, and Future Prospective

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative pathway in vaccine research and delivery. Nanovaccines, encompassing lipid and nonlipid formulations, exhibit considerable advantages over traditional vaccine techniques, including enhanced antigen stability, heightened immunogenicity, targeted distribution, and the potential for codelivery with adjuvants or immune modulators. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements and applications of lipid and non-lipid-based nanovaccines in current vaccination strategies for immunization. The review commences by outlining the fundamental concepts underlying lipid and nonlipid nanovaccine design before delving into the diverse components and production processes employed in their development. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of various nanocarriers is presented, elucidating their distinct physicochemical characteristics and impact on the immune response, along with preclinical and clinical studies. The discussion also highlights how nanotechnology enables the possibility of personalized and combined vaccination techniques, facilitating the creation of tailored nanovaccines to meet the individual patient needs. The ethical aspects concerning the use of nanovaccines, as well as potential safety concerns and public perception, are also addressed. The study underscores the gaps and challenges that must be overcome before adopting nanovaccines in clinical practice. This comprehensive analysis offers vital new insights into lipid and nonlipid nanovaccine status. It emphasizes the significance of continuous research, collaboration among interdisciplinary experts, and regulatory measures to fully unlock the potential of nanotechnology in enhancing immunization and ensuring a healthier, more resilient society.

Metronomic Photodynamic Therapy with Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles in Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment

Alternative therapies such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) that combine light, oxygen and photosensitizers (PSs) have been proposed for glioblastoma (GBM) management to overcome conventional treatment issues. An important disadvantage of PDT using a high light irradiance (fluence rate) (cPDT) is the abrupt oxygen consumption that leads to resistance to the treatment. PDT metronomic regimens (mPDT) involving administering light at a low irradiation intensity over a relatively long period of time could be an alternative to circumvent the limitations of conventional PDT protocols. The main objective of the present work was to compare the effectiveness of PDT with an advanced PS based on conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPN) developed by our group in two irradiation modalities: cPDT and mPDT. The in vitro evaluation was carried out based on cell viability, the impact on the macrophage population of the tumor microenvironment in co-culture conditions and the modulation of HIF-1α as an indirect indicator of oxygen consumption. mPDT regimens with CPNs resulted in more effective cell death, a lower activation of molecular pathways of therapeutic resistance and macrophage polarization towards an antitumoral phenotype. Additionally, mPDT was tested in a GBM heterotopic mouse model, confirming its good performance with promising tumor growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death induction.

Different Applications of Temperature responsive nanogels as a new drug delivery system mini review

Temperature-sensitive drug delivery systems (TSDDS) are one of the systems that have received more attention in medical science these days due to their advantages. As these systems are sensitive to temperature, drug delivery to the target becomes more specific. Temperature-sensitive nanogels have many applications, including microbial infections, cancer therapy, transdermal use and tissue repair. These systems are characterized by minimal toxicity, improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced exposure to normal cells. This mini-review is prepared with different types of temperature-sensitive nanogel formation, release mechanisms, and their different applications. Various systems reported under these categories for targeted and controlled delivery of different classes of drugs, such as anti-cancer and antibiotic drugs with special emphasis on anti-cancer drugs and tissue healing, are discussed in this mini-review.

Advances in Nanogels for Topical Drug Delivery in Ocular Diseases

Nanotechnology has accelerated the development of the pharmaceutical and medical technology fields, and nanogels for ocular applications have proven to be a promising therapeutic strategy. Traditional ocular preparations are restricted by the anatomical and physiological barriers of the eye, resulting in a short retention time and low drug bioavailability, which is a significant challenge for physicians, patients, and pharmacists. Nanogels, however, have the ability to encapsulate drugs within three-dimensional crosslinked polymeric networks and, through specific structural designs and distinct methods of preparation, achieve the controlled and sustained delivery of loaded drugs, increasing patient compliance and therapeutic efficiency. In addition, nanogels have higher drug-loading capacity and biocompatibility than other nanocarriers. In this review, the main focus is on the applications of nanogels for ocular diseases, whose preparations and stimuli-responsive behaviors are briefly described. The current comprehension of topical drug delivery will be improved by focusing on the advances of nanogels in typical ocular diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye syndrome, and bacterial keratitis, as well as related drug-loaded contact lenses and natural active substances.