Chitosan microparticles and nanoparticles as biocompatible delivery vehicles for peptide and protein-based immunocontraceptive vaccines

Abstract

It has become increasingly recognized that polymer particle size can have a profound effect on the interactions of particle-based vaccines with antigen presenting cells (APCs) thereby influencing and modulating ensuing immune responses. With the aim of developing chitosan particle-based immunocontraceptive vaccines, we have compared the use of chitosan-based nanoparticles and chitosan-based microparticles as vaccine delivery vehicles for vaccine candidates based on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Particles, functionalized with chloroacetyl groups, which allows the covalent attachment of thiol-containing antigens, were able to adsorb ∼60-70% of their weight of peptide-based anti..