Topical review on nano-vaccinology: Biochemical promises and key challenges

Process Biochem. 2021 Jan:100:237-244. doi: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.09.028. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

Abstract

Nanomaterials have wide-ranging biomedical applications in prevention, treatment and control of diseases. Nanoparticle based vaccines have proven prodigious prophylaxis of various infectious and non-infectious diseases of human and animal concern. Nano-vaccines outnumber the conventional vaccines by virtue of plasticity in physio-chemical properties and ease of administration. The efficacy of nano-based vaccines may be attributed to the improved antigen stability, minimum immuno-toxicity, sustained release, enhanced immunogenicity and the flexibility of physical features of nanoparticles. Based on these, the nano-based vaccines have potential to evoke both cellular and humoral immune responses. Targeted and highly specific immunological pathways required for solid and long lasting immunity may be achieved with specially engineered nano-vaccines. This review presents an insight into the prevention of infectious diseases (of bacterial, viral and parasitic origin) and non-infectious diseases (cancer, auto-immune diseases) using nano-vaccinology. Additionally, key challenges to the effective utilization of nano-vaccines from bench to clinical settings have been highlighted as research domains for future.

Keywords: CAPN, calcium-phosphate nanoparticles; CNT, carbon nanotube; COVID-19, Corona virus disease-2019; Chi-Alg, chitosan alginate; HIV, human immune deficiency virus; HPV, human papilloma virus; ISCOMS, immune stimulating complexes; IgA, immunoglobulin A; Immunity; MERS, Middle-East respiratory syndrome; MRSA, methcillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; NMVs, nano multilamellar lipid vesicles; Nanoparticles; PLGA, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); PSNP, polystyrene nanoparticles; Pathogens; Prevention; SAPN, Self-Assembling Protein Nanoparticle; SARS-CoV-1, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-1; VLP, virus like particles; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Review