Enhanced Antigen Delivery Systems Using Biodegradable PLGA Microspheres for Single Step Immunization

To demonstrate their possibilities as an enhanced vaccine delivery system, protein-loaded Poly lactide glycolide copolymer (PLGA) microspheres were prepared with different physical characteristics. Ethyl acetate (EA) solvent extraction process was employed to prepare microspheres and the effects of process parameters on drug release properties were evaluated. The biodeuadability of microspheres was also evaluated by the pH change and GPC (Gel permeation chromatography). Primary IgG antibody responses in BALB/c mice were compared with protein saline solutions as negative controls and adsorbed alum suspensions as positive controls after single subcutaneous injection for in vivo studies. The microspheres showed a erosion with a highly porous structure and did not keep their spherical shape at 45 days and this result could be confirmed by GPC. In vitro release of proteinous drug showed initial burst effect in all batches of microspheres, followed by gradual release over the next 4 weeks. PLGA microspheres were degraded until 45 days and the secondary structure of OVA was not affected by the preparation method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays demonstrated that the single subcutaneous administrations of OVA-loaded PLGA microspheres induced enhanced serum IgG antibody response in comparison to negative and positive controls. These results demonstrated that microspheres providing the controlled release of antigens might be useful in advanced vaccine formulations for the parenteral carrier system.