Large intestine-targeted, nanoparticle-releasing oral vaccine to control genitorectal viral infection

Zhu et al., Nat. Med. (2012). 18, 1291-1296

Speaker: Tung-Sheng Lin (林東昇)                               Time: 15:00~16:00, Nov. 14, 2012

Commentator: Dr. Ching-Chuan Liu (劉清泉醫師)     Place: Room 601

Abstract

Rectal and vaginal mucosal surfaces are part of mucous membranes. The mucosal surfaces can be protected by the mucosal immune system against colonization and invasion of potentially dangerous microbes¹. Previous studies have indicated that vaccination through large intestine mucosa by direct intracolorectal administration can provide protection for both rectal and vaginal mucosal surfaces in animal models; however, it is impractical for clinical applications. In this study, the authors designed a large intestine-targeted nanoparticle-releasing oral vaccine to circumvent technical limits. They showed that using viral vaccines within nanoparticles coated by microparticles could bypass the low pH and enzymatic destruction in the upper gastrointestinal tract, therefore delivering from oral to large intestine. Furthermore, large intestine-targeted oral vaccine could induce large intestine mucosal immunity and protect from both rectal and vaginal viral challenges. In contrast, the vaccine targeted small intestine only induced small intestine mucosal immunity and had no protection in rectal and vaginal mucosal surfaces, indicating functional compartmentalization within the intestine mucosal immune system. Thus, the choice of different vaccination routes may induce immune responses at different sites¹. In conclusion, the authors not only developed a novel oral vaccination strategy against viral infections in the rectal or vaginal mucosa, they also demonstrated functional immune compartmentalization of the intestinal mucosa.

Reference

1.      Holmgren J & Czerkinsky C. (2005) Mucosal immunity and vaccines. Nat. Rev. Med. 11 (4 Suppl), S45 - S53.