Advances of Nanotechnology Toward Vaccine Development Against Animal Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Vaccines are the most effective means of controlling infectious diseases. Increasingly epidemics have driven the development of vaccines for human use. However, insufficient attention has been paid to preventing animal epidemics. The spread of animal epidemics directly affects food and nutritional safety, the economy, and outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, which can eventually threaten human health. Reducing safety risks, saving production costs, adapting to mass vaccination, and improving immunogenicity are important that must be considered in animal vaccines. Nanotechnology in vaccine development provides unique advantages in meeting these challenges, both at in vitro preparation and in vivo immune response levels. In terms of in vitro vaccine formulation, nanoparticles offer the possibility to provide multiple antigen display sites, maintain antigen conformation, and improve vaccine stability, which facilitates the development of vaccines with enhanced immunogenicity and thermal stability. In terms of in vivo vaccine‐induced immunity, nanoparticles show superior immunostimulatory activity which facilitates multiple immune response processes, including antigen delivery, cellular uptake, antigen presentation, and lymphocyte activation, thus markedly augmenting vaccine‐mediated immune responses. Herein, the application of nanotechnology to vaccine development and the characteristics of animal vaccines are reviewed, aiming to provide general guidelines for the design of future vaccines against animal infectious diseases and promote harmonious coexistence of humans and animals.