A novel vaccine platform using glucan particles for induction of protective responses againstFrancisella tularensisand other pathogens

Abstract

Vaccines are considered the bedrock of preventive medicine. However, for many pathogens, it has been challenging to develop vaccines that stimulate protective, long-lasting immunity. We have developed a novel approach using β-1,3-D-glucans (BGs), natural polysaccharides abundantly present in fungal cell walls, as a biomaterial platform for vaccine delivery. BGs simultaneously provide for receptor-targeted antigen delivery to specialized antigen-presenting cells together with adjuvant properties to stimulate antigen-specific and trained non-specific immune responses. This review focuses on various approaches of using BG particles (GPs) to develop bacterial and fungal vaccine candidates. A special case history for the development of an effective GP tularaemia vaccine candidate is highlighted.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Sep 12, 2019
Source ID
10.1111/cei.13356

Entities

People

  • A. Abraham
  • G Ostroff
  • Petra Oyston
  • S M Levitz

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • National Institutes of Health
  • University of Massachusetts Medical School

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech
  • Space