Improved biodistribution and enhanced immune response of subunit vaccine using a nanostructure formed by self-assembly of ascorbyl palmitate.

New adjuvant strategies are needed to improve protein-based subunit vaccine immunogenicity. We examined the potential to use nanostructure of 6-O-ascorbyl palmitate to formulate ovalbumin (OVA) protein and an oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) (OCC). In mice immunized with a single dose, OCC elicited an OVA-specific immune response superior to OVA/CpG-ODN solution (OC). Rheological studies demonstrated OCC's self-assembling viscoelastic properties. Biodistribution studies indicated that OCC prolonged OVA and CpG-ODN retention at injection site and lymph nodes, reducing systemic spread. Flow-cytometry assays demonstrated that OCC promoted OVA and CpG-ODN co-uptake by Ly6ChiCD11bhiCD11c+ monocytes. OCC and OC induced early IFN-γ in lymph nodes, but OCC led to higher concentration. Conversely, mice immunized with OC showed higher serum IFN-γ concentration compared to those immunized with OCC. In mice immunized with OCC, NK1.1+ cells were the IFN-γ major producers, and IFN-γ was essential for OVA-specific IgG2c switching. These findings illustrate how this nanostructure improves vaccine's response.

TLR9 activation is required for cytotoxic response elicited by baculovirus capsid display.

Although the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) infects lepidopteran invertebrates as natural hosts, represents an efficient vector for vaccine development. Baculovirus surface display induces strong humoral responses against viruses and parasites. A novel strategy based on capsid display carrying foreign antigens in the AcMNPV particle further improved the immune response by eliciting CD8+ T cell activation. In this study, we analyze the intracellular mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in CD8+ T cell activation by capsid display. Our results show that baculovirus can attach to the cell surface, enter dendritic cells (DCs), transit within endocytic vesicles and escape to the cytosol for further degradation by the proteasome. We found that the availability of viral proteins, endosomal acidification, and proteasome activity are needed for efficient Major Histocompatibility Complex class-I presentation by baculovirus carrying Ovalbumin in the viral capsid. Importantly, we demonstrated with this strategy that the induction of cytotoxic T cells and IL-12 production by DCs are TLR9-dependent and STING-independent. Finally, our study shows differential intracellular processing for capsid and surface baculovirus proteins in DCs and highlights the role of different danger receptors during cytotoxic T cell priming through the capsid display delivery system, which could lead to improved baculovirus-based vaccines development.