A Comparative Analysis of RNAi Trigger Uptake and Distribution in Mosquito Vectors of Disease.

In mosquitoes, the utilization of RNAi for functional genetics is widespread, usually mediated through introduced double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) with sequence identity to a gene of interest. However, RNAi in mosquitoes is often hampered by inconsistencies in target gene knockdown between experimental setups. While the core RNAi pathway is known to function in most mosquito strains, the uptake and biodistribution of dsRNAs across different mosquito species and life stages have yet to be extensively explored as a source of variation in RNAi experiments. To better understand mosquito-RNAi dynamics, the biodistribution of a dsRNA to a heterologous gene, LacZ (iLacZ), was tracked following various routes of exposure in the larval and adult stages of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex pipiens. iLacZ was largely limited to the gut lumen when exposed per os, or to the cuticle when topically applied, but spread through the hemocoel when injected. Uptake of dsRNA was noted in a subset of cells including: hemocytes, pericardial cells of the dorsal vessel, ovarian follicles, and ganglia of the ventral nerve cord. These cell types are all known to undergo phagocytosis, pinocytosis, or both, and as such may actively take up RNAi triggers. In Ae. aegypti, iLacZ was detected for up to one week post exposure by Northern blotting, but uptake and degradation drastically differed across tissues. The results presented here reveal that the uptake of RNAi triggers is distinct and specific to the cell type in vivo.

Protective RNA nanovaccines against Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis.

The induction of an effective immune response is critical for the success of mRNA-based therapeutics. Here, we developed a nanoadjuvant system compromised of Quil-A and DOTAP (dioleoyl 3 trimethylammonium propane), hence named QTAP, for the efficient delivery of mRNA vaccine constructs into cells. Electron microscopy indicated that the complexation of mRNA with QTAP forms nanoparticles with an average size of 75 nm and which have ~90% encapsulation efficiency. The incorporation of pseudouridine-modified mRNA resulted in higher transfection efficiency and protein translation with low cytotoxicity than unmodified mRNA. When QTAP-mRNA or QTAP alone transfected macrophages, pro-inflammatory pathways (e.g., NLRP3, NF-kb, and MyD88) were upregulated, an indication of macrophage activation. In C57Bl/6 mice, QTAP nanovaccines encoding Ag85B and Hsp70 transcripts (QTAP-85B+H70) were able to elicit robust IgG antibody and IFN- É£, TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-17 cytokines responses. Following aerosol challenge with a clinical isolate of M. avium ss. hominissuis (M.ah), a significant reduction of mycobacterial counts was observed in lungs and spleens of only immunized animals at both 4- and 8-weeks post-challenge. As expected, reduced levels of M. ah were associated with diminished histological lesions and robust cell-mediated immunity. Interestingly, polyfunctional T-cells expressing IFN- É£, IL-2, and TNF- α were detected at 8 but not 4 weeks post-challenge. Overall, our analysis indicated that QTAP is a highly efficient transfection agent and could improve the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines against pulmonary M. ah, an infection of significant public health importance, especially to the elderly and to those who are immune compromised.

A DNA Prime and MVA Boost Strategy Provides a Robust Immunity against Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Chickens.

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is an acute respiratory disease of chickens caused by the avian coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV). Modified Live Virus (MLV) vaccines used commercially can revert to virulence in the field, recombine with circulating serotypes, and cause tissue damage in vaccinated birds. Previously, we showed that a mucosal adjuvant system, QuilA-loaded Chitosan (QAC) nanoparticles encapsulating plasmid vaccine encoding for IBV nucleocapsid (N), is protective against IBV. Herein, we report a heterologous vaccination strategy against IBV, where QAC-encapsulated plasmid immunization is followed by Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) immunization, both expressing the same IBV-N antigen. This strategy led to the initiation of robust T-cell responses. Birds immunized with the heterologous vaccine strategy had reduced clinical severity and >two-fold reduction in viral burden in lachrymal fluid and tracheal swabs post-challenge compared to priming and boosting with the MVA-vectored vaccine alone. The outcomes of this study indicate that the heterologous vaccine platform is more immunogenic and protective than a homologous MVA prime/boost vaccination strategy.

Systemic Neutralizing Antibodies and Local Immune Responses Are Critical for the Control of SARS-CoV-2.

Antibody measurements are primarily used to evaluate experimental and approved COVID-19 vaccines, which is unilateral considering our immune responses' complex nature. Previously, we showed that nanoparticle plasmid DNA adjuvant system, QAC, and MVA based vaccines were immunogenic against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report on the protective efficacy of systemic humoral and mucosal cell-mediated immune responses in transgenic mice models against SARS-CoV-2 following nanoparticle immunization. Parenteral, intramuscular administration of QAC-based plasmid DNA vaccine-encoding SARS-CoV-2 S and N led to the induction of significant serum neutralizing humoral responses, which reduced viral burden in the lungs and prevented viral dissemination to the brain. In contrast, the mucosal, intranasal administration of a heterologous vaccine elicited significant mucosal cell-mediated immune responses in the lungs that limited lung viral replication. The presented results demonstrate that serum neutralizing humoral and local lung T-cell immune responses are critical for the control of SARS-CoV-2 replication.

Characterization of early immune responses elicited by live and inactivated vaccines against Johne's disease in goats.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) is the causative agent of Johne's disease, a chronic debilitating condition affecting ruminants causing significant economic losses to the dairy industry. Available inactivated vaccines are not effective in controlling the disease and vaccinated animals can continue to infect newly born calves. Recently, we have shown that a live-attenuated vaccine candidate (pgsN) is protective in goats and calves following challenge with virulent strains of M. paratuberculosis. To decipher the dynamics of the immune responses elicited by both live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines, we analyzed key immunological parameters of goats immunized through different routes when a marker-less pgsN vaccine was used. Within a few weeks, the inactivated vaccine triggered the formation of granulomas both at the site of inoculation and in regional lymph nodes, that increased in size over time and persisted until the end of the experiment. In contrast, granulomas induced by the pgsN vaccine were small and subsided during the study. Interestingly, in this vaccine group, histology demonstrated an initial abundance of intra-histiocytic mycobacterial bacilli at the site of inoculation, with recruitment of very minimal T lymphocytes to poorly organized granulomas. Over time, granulomas became more organized, with recruitment of greater numbers of T and B lymphocytes, which coincided with a lack of mycobacteria. For the inactivated vaccine group, mycobacterial bacilli were identified extracellularly within the center of caseating granulomas, with relatively equal proportions of B- and T-lymphocytes maintained across both early and late times. Despite the differences in granuloma-specific lymphocyte recruitment, markers for cell-mediated immunity (e.g., IFN-γ release) were robust in both injected pgsN and inactivated vaccine groups. In contrast, the intranasal live-attenuated vaccine did not elicit any reaction at site of inoculation, nor cell-mediated immune responses. Finally, 80% of animals in the inactivated vaccine group significantly reacted to purified protein derivatives from M. bovis, while reactivity was detected in only 20% of animals receiving pgsN vaccine, suggesting a higher level of cross reactivity for bovine tuberculosis when inactivated vaccine is used. Overall, these results depict the cellular recruitment strategies driving immune responses elicited by both live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines that target Johne's disease.

RNA Nanovaccine Protects against White Spot Syndrome Virus in Shrimp.

In the last 15 years, crustacean fisheries have experienced billions of dollars in economic losses, primarily due to viral diseases caused by such pathogens as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and Asian tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. To date, no effective measures are available to prevent or control disease outbreaks in these animals, despite their economic importance. Recently, double-stranded RNA-based vaccines have been shown to provide specific and robust protection against WSSV infection in cultured shrimp. However, the limited stability of double-stranded RNA is the most significant hurdle for the field application of these vaccines with respect to delivery within an aquatic system. Polyanhydride nanoparticles have been successfully used for the encapsulation and release of vaccine antigens. We have developed a double-stranded RNA-based nanovaccine for use in shrimp disease control with emphasis on the Pacific white shrimp L. vannamei. Nanoparticles based on copolymers of sebacic acid, 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane, and 1,8-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane exhibited excellent safety profiles, as measured by shrimp survival and histological evaluation. Furthermore, the nanoparticles localized to tissue target replication sites for WSSV and persisted through 28 days postadministration. Finally, the nanovaccine provided ~80% protection in a lethal WSSV challenge model. This study demonstrates the exciting potential of a safe, effective, and field-applicable RNA nanovaccine that can be rationally designed against infectious diseases affecting aquaculture.

Mannose-functionalized "pathogen-like" polyanhydride nanoparticles target C-type lectin receptors on dendritic cells.

Targeting pathogen recognition receptors on dendritic cells (DCs) offers the advantage of triggering specific signaling pathways to induce a tailored and robust immune response. In this work, we describe a novel approach to targeted antigen delivery by decorating the surface of polyanhydride nanoparticles with specific carbohydrates to provide "pathogen-like" properties that ensure nanoparticles engage C-type lectin receptors on DCs. The surface of polyanhydride nanoparticles was functionalized by covalent linkage of dimannose and lactose residues using an amine-carboxylic acid coupling reaction. Coculture of functionalized nanoparticles with bone marrow-derived DCs significantly increased cell surface expression of MHC II, the T cell costimulatory molecules CD86 and CD40, the C-type lectin receptor CIRE and the mannose receptor CD206 over the nonfunctionalized nanoparticles. Both nonfunctionalized and functionalized nanoparticles were efficiently internalized by DCs, indicating that internalization of functionalized nanoparticles was necessary but not sufficient to activate DCs. Blocking the mannose and CIRE receptors prior to the addition of functionalized nanoparticles to the culture inhibited the increased surface expression of MHC II, CD40 and CD86. Together, these data indicate that engagement of CIRE and the mannose receptor is a key mechanism by which functionalized nanoparticles activate DCs. These studies provide valuable insights into the rational design of targeted nanovaccine platforms to induce robust immune responses and improve vaccine efficacy.

Localized and Systemic Immune Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Following Mucosal Immunization.

The rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the USA and worldwide necessitates the development of multiple vaccines to combat the COVID-19 global pandemic. Previously, we showed that a particulate adjuvant system, quil-A-loaded chitosan (QAC) nanoparticles, can elicit robust immunity combined with plasmid vaccines when used against avian coronavirus. Here, we report on the immune responses elicited by mucosal homologous plasmid and a heterologous immunization strategy using a plasmid vaccine and a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens. Only the heterologous intranasal immunization strategy elicited neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage of mice, suggesting a protective vaccine. The same prime/boost strategy led to the induction of type 1 and type 17 T-cell responses and polyfunctional T-cells expressing multiple type 1 cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-2) in the lungs and spleens of vaccinated mice. In contrast, the plasmid homologous vaccine strategy led to the induction of local mono and polyfunctional T-cells secreting IFN-γ. Outcomes of this study support the potential of QAC-nano vaccines to elicit significant mucosal immune responses against respiratory coronaviruses.

Biodistribution of degradable polyanhydride particles in Aedes aegypti tissues.

Insecticide resistance poses a significant threat to the control of arthropods that transmit disease agents. Nanoparticle carriers offer exciting opportunities to expand the armamentarium of insecticides available for public health and other pests. Most chemical insecticides are delivered by contact or feeding, and from there must penetrate various biological membranes to reach target organs and kill the pest organism. Nanoparticles have been shown to improve bioactive compound navigation of such barriers in vertebrates, but have not been well-explored in arthropods. In this study, we explored the potential of polyanhydride micro- and nanoparticles (250 nm- 3 µm), labeled with rhodamine B to associate with and/or transit across insect biological barriers, including the cuticle, epithelium, midgut and ovaries, in female Ae. aeygpti mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were exposed using conditions to mimic surface contact with a residual spray or paint, topical exposure to mimic contact with aerosolized insecticide, or per os in a sugar meal. In surface contact experiments, microparticles were sometimes observed in association with the exterior of the insect cuticle. Nanoparticles were more uniformly distributed across exterior tissues and present at higher concentrations. Furthermore, by surface contact, topical exposure, or per os, particles were detected in internal organs. In every experiment, amphiphilic polyanhydride nanoparticles associated with internal tissues to a higher degree than hydrophobic nanoparticles. In vitro, nanoparticles associated with Aedes aegypti Aag2 cells within two hours of exposure, and particles were evident in the cytoplasm. Further studies demonstrated that particle uptake is dependent on caveolae-mediated endocytosis. The propensity of these nanoparticles to cross biological barriers including the cuticle, to localize in target tissue sites of interest, and to reach the cytoplasm of cells, provides great promise for targeted delivery of insecticidal candidates that cannot otherwise reach these cellular and subcellular locations.

A Protective Vaccine against Johne's Disease in Cattle.

Johne's disease (JD) caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) is a chronic infection characterized by the development of granulomatous enteritis in wild and domesticated ruminants. It is one of the most significant livestock diseases not only in the USA but also globally, accounting for USD 200-500 million losses annually for the USA alone with potential link to cases of Crohn's disease in humans. Developing safe and protective vaccines is of a paramount importance for JD control in dairy cows. The current study evaluated the safety, immunity and protective efficacy of a novel live attenuated vaccine (LAV) candidate with and without an adjuvant in comparison to an inactivated vaccine. Results indicated that the LAV, irrespective of the adjuvant presence, induced robust T cell immune responses indicated by proinflammatory cytokine production such as IFN-γ, IFN-α, TNF-α and IL-17 as well as strong response to intradermal skin test against M. paratuberculosis antigens. Furthermore, the LAV was safe with minimal tissue pathology. Finally, calves vaccinated with adjuvanted LAV did not shed M. paratuberculosis post-challenge, a much-desired characteristic of an effective vaccine against JD. Together, this data suggests a strong potential of testing LAV in field trials to curb JD in dairy herds.

A single dose polyanhydride-based nanovaccine against paratuberculosis infection.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) causes Johne's disease in ruminants and is characterized by chronic gastroenteritis leading to heavy economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. The currently available vaccine (inactivated bacterin in oil base) is not effective in preventing pathogen shedding and is rarely used to control Johne's disease in dairy herds. To develop a better vaccine that can prevent the spread of Johne's disease, we utilized polyanhydride nanoparticles (PAN) to encapsulate mycobacterial antigens composed of whole cell lysate (PAN-Lysate) and culture filtrate (PAN-Cf) of M. paratuberculosis. These nanoparticle-based vaccines (i.e., nanovaccines) were well tolerated in mice causing no inflammatory lesions at the site of injection. Immunological assays demonstrated a substantial increase in the levels of antigen-specific T cell responses post-vaccination in the PAN-Cf vaccinated group as indicated by high percentages of triple cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α) producing CD8+ T cells. Following challenge, animals vaccinated with PAN-Cf continued to produce significant levels of double (IFN-γ, TNF-α) and single cytokine (IFN-γ) secreting CD8+ T cells compared with animals vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine. A significant reduction in bacterial load was observed in multiple organs of animals vaccinated with PAN-Cf, which is a clear indication of protection. Overall, the use of polyanhydride nanovaccines resulted in development of protective and sustained immunity against Johne's disease, an approach that could be applied to counter other intracellular pathogens.

Effective mosaic-based nanovaccines against avian influenza in poultry.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is an extraordinarily diverse pathogen that causes significant morbidity in domesticated poultry populations and threatens human life with looming pandemic potential. Controlling avian influenza in susceptible populations requires highly effective, economical and broadly reactive vaccines. Several AIV vaccines have proven insufficient despite their wide use, and better technologies are needed to improve their immunogenicity and broaden effectiveness. Previously, we developed a "mosaic" H5 subtype hemagglutinin (HA) AIV vaccine and demonstrated its broad protection against diverse highly pathogenic H5N1 and seasonal H1N1 virus strains in mouse and non-human primate models. There is a significant interest in developing effective and safe vaccines against AIV that cannot contribute to the emergence of new strains of the virus once circulating in poultry. Here, we report on the development of an H5 mosaic (H5M) vaccine antigen formulated with polyanhydride nanoparticles (PAN) that provide sustained release of encapsulated antigens. H5M vaccine constructs were immunogenic whether delivered by the modified virus Ankara (MVA) strain or encapsulated within PAN. Both humoral and cellular immune responses were generated in both specific-pathogen free (SPF) and commercial chicks. Importantly, chicks vaccinated by H5M constructs were protected in terms of viral shedding from divergent challenge with a low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) strain at 8 weeks post-vaccination. In addition, protective levels of humoral immunity were generated against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the similar H5N1 and genetically dissimilar H5N2 viruses. Overall, the developed platform technologies (MVA vector and PAN encapsulation) were safe and provided high levels of sustained protection against AIV in chickens. Such approaches could be used to design more efficacious vaccines against other important poultry infections.

Functionalization promotes pathogen-mimicking characteristics of polyanhydride nanoparticle adjuvants.

Rational design of adjuvants and delivery systems will promote development of next-generation vaccines to control emerging and re-emerging diseases. To accomplish this, understanding the immune-enhancing properties of new adjuvants relative to those induced by natural infections can help with the development of pathogen-mimicking materials that will effectively initiate innate immune signaling cascades. In this work, the surfaces of polyanhydride nanoparticles composed of sebacic acid (SA) and 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) hexane were decorated with an ethylene diamine spacer partially modified with either a glycolic acid linker or an α-1,2-linked di-mannopyranoside (di-mannose) to confer "pathogen-like" properties and enhance adjuvanticity. Co-incubation of linker-modified nanoparticles with dendritic cells (DCs) elicited significant increases in surface expression of MHC I, MHC II, CD86, and CD40, and enhanced secretion of IL-6, IL-12p40, and TNF-α. An 800% increase in uptake of ethylene-diamine-spaced, linker and di-mannose functionalized polyanhydride nanoparticles was also observed. Together, our data showed that linker-functionalized polyanhydride nanoparticles demonstrate similar patterns of uptake, intracellular trafficking, particle persistence, and innate activation as did DCs exposed to Yersinia pestis or Escherichia coli. These results set the stage for rational selection of adjuvant chemistries to induce pathogen-mimicking immune responses. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2762-2771, 2017.

Cellular Internalization Mechanisms of Polyanhydride Particles: Implications for Rational Design of Drug Delivery Vehicles.

Polyanhydride nanoparticles have emerged as a versatile delivery platform, due to their ability to encapsulate diverse drugs, immunogens, antibodies, and proteins. However, mechanistic studies on the effects of particle chemistry interactions with immune cells have yet to be described. Understanding the mechanism by which these particles are internalized by immune cells will enable rational selection of delivery vehicles for specific applications. In the present study, the internalization, mechanism(s) of uptake by monocytes, and intracellular fate of polyanhydride nanoparticles were evaluated using copolymers based on 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH), sebacic acid (SA), and 1,8-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)3,6-dioxaoctane (CPTEG). The results showed that 20:80 CPH:SA and 20:80 CPTEG:CPH nanoparticles were internalized to a greater extent by monocytes as compared to the 50:50 CPH:SA and 50:50 CPTEH:CPH nanoparticles. Further, cytochalasin-D treatment of cells inhibited uptake of all the particles, regardless of chemistry, indicating that actinmediated uptake is the primary mechanism of cellular entry for these particles. The insights gained from these studies were used to identify lead nanoparticle formulations to enhance treatment of intracellular bacterial infections. The use of doxycycline-loaded nanoparticles exhibited enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared to soluble drug in treating monocyte monolayers infected with the virulent intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus. Altogether, these studies demonstrate how rational design and selection of nanoscale delivery platforms can be used for a wide spectrum of biomedical applications.

Nano-enabled delivery of diverse payloads across complex biological barriers.

Complex biological barriers are major obstacles for preventing and treating disease. Nanocarriers are designed to overcome such obstacles by enhancing drug delivery through physiochemical barriers and improving therapeutic indices. This review critically examines both biological barriers and nanocarrier payloads for a variety of drug delivery applications. A spectrum of nanocarriers is discussed that have been successfully developed for improving tissue penetration for preventing or treating a range of infectious, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases.

Biodistribution and Toxicity Studies of PRINT Hydrogel Nanoparticles in Mosquito Larvae and Cells.

Mosquito-borne diseases continue to remain major threats to human and animal health and impediments to socioeconomic development. Increasing mosquito resistance to chemical insecticides is a great public health concern, and new strategies/technologies are necessary to develop the next-generation of vector control tools. We propose to develop a novel method for mosquito control that employs nanoparticles (NPs) as a platform for delivery of mosquitocidal dsRNA molecules to silence mosquito genes and cause vector lethality. Identifying optimal NP chemistry and morphology is imperative for efficient mosquitocide delivery. Toward this end, fluorescently labeled polyethylene glycol NPs of specific sizes, shapes (80 nm x 320 nm, 80 nm x 5000 nm, 200 nm x 200 nm, and 1000 nm x 1000 nm) and charges (negative and positive) were fabricated by Particle Replication in Non-Wetting Templates (PRINT) technology. Biodistribution, persistence, and toxicity of PRINT NPs were evaluated in vitro in mosquito cell culture and in vivo in Anopheles gambiae larvae following parenteral and oral challenge. Following parenteral challenge, the biodistribution of the positively and negatively charged NPs of each size and shape was similar; intense fluorescence was observed in thoracic and abdominal regions of the larval body. Positively charged NPs were more associated with the gastric caeca in the gastrointestinal tract. Negatively charged NPs persisted through metamorphosis and were observed in head, body and ovaries of adults. Following oral challenge, NPs were detected in the larval mid- and hindgut. Positively charged NPs were more efficiently internalized in vitro than negatively charged NPs. Positively charged NPs trafficked to the cytosol, but negatively charged NPs co-localized with lysosomes. Following in vitro and in vivo challenge, none of the NPs tested induced any cytotoxic effects.

Biodistribution and trafficking of hydrogel nanoparticles in adult mosquitoes.

BACKGROUND: Nanotechnology offers great potential for molecular genetic investigations and potential control of medically important arthropods. Major advances have been made in mammalian systems to define nanoparticle (NP) characteristics that condition trafficking and biodistribution of NPs in the host. Such information is critical for effective delivery of therapeutics and molecules to cells and organs, but little is known about biodistribution of NPs in mosquitoes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: PRINT technology was used to construct a library of fluorescently labeled hydrogel NPs of defined size, shape, and surface charge. The biodistribution (organ, tissue, and cell tropisms and trafficking kinetics) of positively and negatively charged 200 nm x 200 nm, 80 nm x 320 nm, and 80 nm x 5000 nm NPs was determined in adult Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes as a function of the route of challenge (ingestion, injection or contact) using whole body imaging and fluorescence microscopy. Mosquitoes readily ingested NPs in sugar solution. Whole body fluorescence imaging revealed substantial NP accumulation (load) in the alimentary tracts of the adult mosquitoes, with the greatest loads in the diverticula, cardia and foregut. Positively and negatively charged NPs differed in their biodistribution and trafficking. Following oral challenge, negatively charged NPs transited the alimentary tract more rapidly than positively charged NPs. Following contact challenge, negatively charged NPs trafficked more efficiently in alimentary tract tissues. Following parenteral challenge, positively and negatively charged NPs differed in tissue tropisms and trafficking in the hemocoel. Injected NPs were also detected in cardia/foregut, suggesting trafficking of NPs from the hemocoel into the alimentary tract. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Herein we have developed a tool box of NPs with the biodistribution and tissue tropism characteristics for gene structure/function studies and for delivery of vector lethal cargoes for mosquito control.

An in vitro model of antibody-enhanced killing of the intracellular parasite Leishmania amazonensis.

Footpad infection of C3HeB/FeJ mice with Leishmania amazonensis leads to chronic lesions accompanied by large parasite loads. Co-infecting these animals with L. major leads to induction of an effective Th1 immune response that can resolve these lesions. This cross-protection can be recapitulated in vitro by using immune cells from L. major-infected animals to effectively activate L. amazonensis-infected macrophages to kill the parasite. We have shown previously that the B cell population and their IgG2a antibodies are required for effective cross-protection. Here we demonstrate that, in contrast to L. major, killing L. amazonensis parasites is dependent upon FcRγ common-chain and NADPH oxidase-generated superoxide from infected macrophages. Superoxide production coincided with killing of L. amazonensis at five days post-activation, suggesting that opsonization of the parasites was not a likely mechanism of the antibody response. Therefore we tested the hypothesis that non-specific immune complexes could provide a mechanism of FcRγ common-chain/NADPH oxidase dependent parasite killing. Macrophage activation in response to soluble IgG2a immune complexes, IFN-γ and parasite antigen was effective in significantly reducing the percentage of macrophages infected with L. amazonensis. These results define a host protection mechanism effective during Leishmania infection and demonstrate for the first time a novel means by which IgG antibodies can enhance killing of an intracellular pathogen.

A systems approach to designing next generation vaccines: combining α-galactose modified antigens with nanoparticle platforms.

Innovative vaccine platforms are needed to develop effective countermeasures against emerging and re-emerging diseases. These platforms should direct antigen internalization by antigen presenting cells and promote immunogenic responses. This work describes an innovative systems approach combining two novel platforms, αGalactose (αGal)-modification of antigens and amphiphilic polyanhydride nanoparticles as vaccine delivery vehicles, to rationally design vaccine formulations. Regimens comprising soluble αGal-modified antigen and nanoparticle-encapsulated unmodified antigen induced a high titer, high avidity antibody response with broader epitope recognition of antigenic peptides than other regimen. Proliferation of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells was also enhanced compared to a traditional adjuvant. Combining the technology platforms and augmenting immune response studies with peptide arrays and informatics analysis provides a new paradigm for rational, systems-based design of next generation vaccine platforms against emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Functionalization of polyanhydride microparticles with di-mannose influences uptake by and intracellular fate within dendritic cells.

Innovative vaccine delivery platforms can facilitate the development of effective single-dose treatment regimens to control emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Polyanhydride microparticles are promising vaccine delivery vehicles due to their ability to stably maintain antigens, provide tailored release kinetics and function as adjuvants. A major obstacle for the use of microparticle-based vaccines, however, is their limited uptake by dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we functionalized the microparticle surface with di-mannose in order to target C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) on DCs. Polyanhydride particles based on sebacic acid (SA), 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) and 1,8-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (CPTEG) were evaluated. Co-incubation of di-mannose-functionalized microparticles up-regulated the expression of CLRs on DCs. More importantly, di-mannose functionalization increased the uptake, as measured by the percentage of cells internalizing particles. The uptake of CPH:SA microparticles increased ∼20-fold, from 0.82% (non-functionalized) to 20.2%, and internalization of CPTEG:CPH microparticles increased ∼7-fold from 1.35% (non-functionalized) to 9.3% upon di-mannose functionalization. Both di-mannose-functionalized and non-functionalized particles trafficked to lysosomes. Together, these studies demonstrate that employing rational vaccine design principles, such as the targeting of CLRs on antigen-presenting cells, can enhance delivery of encapsulated antigens and potentially induce a more robust adaptive immune response.