Potential of Polyethyleneimine as an Adjuvant To Prepare Long-Term and Potent Antifungal Nanovaccine

Abstract

BackgroundCandida albicans infections are particularly prevalent in immunocompromised patients. Even with appropriate treatment with current antifungal drugs, the mortality rate of invasive candidiasis remains high. Many positive results have been achieved in the current vaccine development. There are also issues such as the vaccine’s protective effect is not persistent. Considering the functionality and cost of the vaccine, it is important to develop safe and efficient new vaccines with long-term effects. In this paper, an antifungal nanovaccine with Polyethyleneimine (PEI) as adjuvant was constructed, which could elicit more effective and long-term immunity via stimulating B cells to differentiate into long-lived plasma cells.Materials and MethodsHsp90-CTD is an important target for protective antibodies during disseminated candidiasis. Hsp90-CTD was used as the antigen, then introduced SDS to “charge” the protein and added PEI to form the nanovaccine. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope were conducted to identify the size distribution, zeta potential, and morphology of nanovaccine. The antibody titers in mice immunized with the nanovaccine were measured by ELISA. The activation and maturation of long-lived plasma cells in bone marrow by nanovaccine were also investigated via flow cytometry. Finally, the kidney of mice infected with Candida albicans was stained with H&E and PAS to evaluate the protective effect of antibody in serum produced by immunized mice.ResultsNanoparticles (NP) formed by Hsp90-CTD and PEI are small, uniform, and stable. NP had an average size of 116.2 nm with a PDI of 0.13. After immunizing mice with the nanovaccine, it was found that the nano-group produced antibodies faster and for a longer time. After 12 months of immunization, mice still had high and low levels of antibodies in their bodies. Results showed that the nanovaccine could promote the differentiation of B cells into long-lived plasma cells and maintain the long-term existence of antibodies in vivo. After immunization, the antibodies in mice could protect the mice infected by C. albicans.ConclusionAs an adjuvant, PEI can promote the differentiation of B cells into long-lived plasma cells to maintain long-term antibodies in vivo. This strategy can be adapted for the future design of vaccines.

Nanovaccines for Advancing Long-Lasting Immunity against Infectious Diseases

“…MBCs reside throughout the body in preparation for differentiation into plasmablasts, which can rapidly generate a recall response after a secondary exposure, , as the second line of defense on infection. There is evidence that polyethylenimine (PEI) has an adjuvant effect for encouraging B cells to differentiate into LLPCs, maintaining long-lasting antibody production in vivo (Figure g) . We speculate that NPs created using PEI could generate LLPCs and maintain long-term antibodies that can be used for next-generation vaccine development.…”

“…There is evidence that polyethylenimine (PEI) has an adjuvant effect for encouraging B cells to differentiate into LLPCs, maintaining long-lasting antibody production in vivo (Figure 5g). 255 We speculate that NPs created using PEI could generate LLPCs and maintain long-term antibodies that can be used for next-generation vaccine development.…”

“…Flow cytometry detected levels of LLPCs in mice immunized with pure protein and Hsp90-CTD+PEI; CD44/MHC II gating signifies LLPCs. Reprinted with permission under a Creative Commons CC-BY license from ref . Copyright 2022 the Authors.…”

Polymer Chemistry Defines Adjuvant Properties and Determines the Immune Response against the Antigen or Vaccine

“…These nano complexes can be easily internalized by APCs for delivery of NAs. The immune response generated in NA-based studies is superior to that of the NA alone [ 29 , 30 ].…”