A novel vaccine platform using glucan particles for induction of protective responses against Francisella tularensis and other pathogens
Abraham, Ambily ; Ostroff, Gary R ; Levitz, Stuart M ; Oyston, P. C. F.
Citations
Student Authors
Faculty Advisor
Academic Program
UMass Chan Affiliations
Document Type
Publication Date
Subject Area
Embargo Expiration Date
Link to Full Text
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 beta-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.
Source
Clin Exp Immunol. 2019 Nov;198(2):143-152. doi: 10.1111/cei.13356. Epub 2019 Sep 12. Link to article on publisher's site