Adjuvant properties of polymer based on acrylic acid

Comparison of adjuvant properties of chitosan during oral and subcutaneous immunization of mice with BSA

Vaccination is the best method to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, its disadvantages are side effects. Potentially safe DNA, RNA or protein molecules possess antigenic properties, but are low-immunogenic and therefore require conjugation with an adjuvant. The aim of the research was to evaluate Chitosan (CS) potency as an adjuvant and compare its effectiveness depending on the route of drug administration. The experiments were carried out on 3 groups of BALB/c mice. Mice of the first group were injected subcutaneously with 20 µl of a mixture of CS (3.3 mg/kg) and BSA (1.7 mg/kg). The mixture of CS and BSA at the same doses and volume was administered orally to mice of the second experimental group. The third group – control – unvaccinated mice. Anti-BSA antibody levels were measured by ELISA. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase activity and cholesterol, creatinine and urea levels were determined in the serum. It was found that both subcutaneous and mucosal immunizations provided a 2-fold increase in anti-BSA antibody titers against the background of maintaining all biochemical blood parameters at the level of the physiological norm. However, AST activity in the serum of oral-immunized mice was elevated as compared to subcutaneous-immunized mice. Serum cholesterol level in the group of subcutaneously immunized mice and creatinine and urea levels in both experimental groups were reduced compared to the control. It is concluded that oral immunization with CS is the optimal route for antigen-specific IgG antibody response induction.

Anionic Polyelectrolyte Hydrogel as an Adjuvant for Vaccine Development

Vaccination is one of the main methods for the specific prevention of infectious diseases. The disadvantage of vaccination is the use of pathogens (live or attenuated viruses and bacteria) that can lead to the development of a disease. Recombinant technologies are capable of producing specific DNA or protein molecules that possess antigenic properties and do not cause disease. However, individual antigen molecules are low-immunogenic, and therefore, require conjugation with a compound possessing stronger immunogenic properties. In this study, we examined the immunogenic properties of the new anionic copolymer consisting of glycidyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and acrylic acid, in mice. The experimental polymer induced a stronger immunogenic response than aluminum hydroxide. The histological studies have established that immunization both with aluminum hydroxide and the polymer studied does not cause damage to the liver, kidneys, or the spleen. No negative side effects were observed. It has been concluded that the new synthetic anionic polyelectrolyte hydrogel (PHG) has a potential as an adjuvant for vaccine development.