Nanobiotechnological Approaches to Delivery of DNA Vaccine Against Fungal Infection

Vaccines play an essential role in keeping humans healthy. Innovative approaches to their use include the utilization of plasmid DNA encoding sequences to express foreign antigens. DNAhsp65 from Mycobacterium leprae is suitable for this purpose due to its ability to elicit a powerful immune response. Controlled release systems represent a promising approach to delivering vaccines. In this work, we used liposomes or PLGA systems to deliver DNAhsp65 to treat the pulmonary fungal infection Paracoccidioidomycosis. Both formulations modulated a protective immune response and reduced the pulmonary fungal burden even in the groups receiving less than four times the amount of the DNAhps65 entrapped within the nanoparticles. Although both systems had the same effective therapeutic results, the advantage of the liposome formulation was that it was administered intranasally, which may be more easily accepted by patients. These systems are a great alternative to be considered as adjuvant vaccine therapy for systemic mycosis.