Nanoparticles built by self-assembly of amphiphilic γ-PGA can deliver antigens to antigen-presenting cells with high efficiency:: A new tumor-vaccine carrier for eliciting effector T cells

Nanotechnology is a fundamental technology for designing and generating innovative carriers for biomacromolecular drugs. Biodegradable poly(- -glutamic acid)-based nanoparticles (gamma-PGA NPs) are excellent vaccine carriers capable of delivering antigenic proteins to antigen -presenting cells (APCs) and eliciting potent immune responses based on antigen -specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In mice, subcutaneous immunization with gamma-PGA NPs entrapping ovalbumin (OVA) more effectively inhibited the growth of OVA-transfected tumors than immunization with OVA emulsified using Freund's complete adjuvant. In addition, gamma-PGA NPs did not induce histopathotogic changes after subcutaneous injection or acute toxicity through intravenous injection. Importantly, gamma-PGA NPs efficiently delivered entrapped antigenic (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.