Influenza Vaccines toward Universality through Nanoplatforms and Given by Microneedle Patches

Abstract

Influenza is one of the top threats to public health. The best strategy to prevent influenza is vaccination. Because of the antigenic changes in the major surface antigens of influenza viruses, current seasonal influenza vaccines need to be updated every year to match the circulating strains and are suboptimal for protection. Furthermore, seasonal vaccines do not protect against potential influenza pandemics. A universal influenza vaccine will eliminate the threat of both influenza epidemics and pandemics. Due to the massive challenge in realizing influenza vaccine universality, a single vaccine strategy cannot meet the need. A comprehensive approach that integrates advances in immunogen designs, vaccine and adjuvant nanoplatforms, and vaccine delivery and controlled release has the potential to achieve an effective universal influenza vaccine. This review will summarize the advances in the research and development of an affordable universal influenza vaccine.

Chemical and biological conjugation strategies for the development of multivalent protein vaccine nanoparticles

“…[ 65 ] 3,3 0dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl propionate) (DTSSP) is one of the commonly utilized crosslinkers for direct conjugation of antigens to fabricate protein nanoparticles, especially for the development of influenza vaccines. [66][67][68][69][70][71][72] DTSSP contains two NHS-ester reactive groups, which react with terminal and lysine amines, with a disulfide bond between an 8-carbon spacer arm. For the synthesis of influenza vaccine nanoparticles, DTSSP crosslinkers were used to stabilize nanoparticles formed by adding desolvating agents to proteins such as M2e or nucleoprotein (NP) as shown in Figure 6.…”

“…This platform has been used with various conserved antigenic protein domains related to influenza and SARS-CoV-2, which have led to broad protection against several different strains of the corresponding viruses. [66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73] This method allows for the combination of antigens to be easily added to both nanoparticle cores and surfaces through the use of crosslinkers. However, addition of desolvant to antigens to form nanoparticles can damage antigen structure, as reported by Park et al [ 74 ] using molecular dynamics and circular dichroism.…”

Potential of Microneedle Systems for COVID-19 Vaccination: Current Trends and Challenges

“…Due to the continual presence of the vaccine antigen inside the body, immediate-release versions may cause the formation of immunological tolerance against the vaccination, whereas sustained-release variants may induce the development of immune tolerance against the vaccine [ 206 , 207 ]. A transdermal microneedle device with programmable delayed burst release across prolonged time periods is required to replicate the traditional immunization process’s numerous bolus injections [ 208 , 209 , 210 ] This limitation is primarily due to a lack of a manufacturing technology capable of producing microneedles with core–shell or reservoir-based microstructures, which are required to provide pulsatile or delayed burst release with various desired lag times to mimic the drug-release pattern of multiple injections [ 10 , 211 , 212 ]. Recent advances in lithography-based methods and 3D printing have made it possible to construct drug-delivery devices with unique drug-release kinetics.…”