Encapsulation of conjugate vaccines with bordetella pertussis fimbriae as novel carrier proteins

摘要

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide (polyribosylribitol phosphate, PRP) is the active components of conjugate vaccines against bacterial meningitis. PRP is a thymic-independent antigen and therefore is a weak immunogen, which is not capable of inducing immunological memory. conjugation of PRP to a protein carrier converts it to thymic dependency. In this study, novel vaccines with Bordetella pertussis fimbriae (fimbriae 2+3) as carrier proteins have been assessed. The induction of immune responses at mucosal surfaces would be expected to limit or even prevent initial colonisation by encapsulated pathogens. Indeed, injectable use of the current Hib conjugate vaccines has been shown to reduce carriage of Hib in infants. However, immunisation with these vaccines via the oral route may be a practical alternative to conventional intra-muscular injection in order to optimise the mucosal response, but will necessitate radical changes in formulation. This can be achieved by microencapsulation, for example in poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLG) microparticles.