Calcium phosphate nanoparticles induce mucosal immunity and protection against herpes simplex virus type 2

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2002 Sep;9(5):1021-4. doi: 10.1128/cdli.9.5.1021-1024.2002.

Abstract

Previously we reported that calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CAP) represented a superior alternative to alum adjuvants in mice immunized with viral protein. Additionally, we showed that CAP was safe and elicited no detectable immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. In this study, we demonstrated that following mucosal delivery of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antigen with CAP, CAP adjuvant enhanced protective systemic and mucosal immunity versus live virus. Mice were immunized intravaginally and intranasally with HSV-2 protein plus CAP adjuvant (HSV-2+CAP), CAP alone, phosphate-buffered saline, or HSV-2 alone. HSV-2+CAP induced HSV-specific mucosal IgA and IgG and concurrently enhanced systemic IgG responses. Our results demonstrate the potency of CAP as a mucosal adjuvant. Furthermore, we show that systemic immunity could be induced via the mucosal route following inoculation with CAP-based vaccine. Moreover, neutralizing antibodies were found in the sera of mice immunized intranasally or intravaginally with HSV-2+CAP. Also, the results of our in vivo experiments indicated that mice vaccinated with HSV-2+CAP were protected against live HSV-2 infection. In conclusion, these preclinical data support the hypothesis that CAP may be an effective mucosal adjuvant that protects against viral infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Calcium Phosphates / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / immunology
  • Herpes Genitalis / mortality
  • Herpes Genitalis / prevention & control*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / immunology*
  • Immunization*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nasal Mucosa
  • Particle Size
  • Vagina

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • alpha-tricalcium phosphate
  • tetracalcium phosphate
  • calcium phosphate, monobasic, anhydrous
  • calcium phosphate
  • calcium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous