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Vaccination is one of the most powerful therapeutic tools for prevention and management of various infective and non-infective diseases including malignancy. Mass vaccination is a great strategy for eradicating major infectious diseases throughout the world like small pox. Application of nanotechnology for antigen delivery is a unique area of research and development which can change the vaccination strategy and policy in future. Nanocarriers can enhance antigen presentation including modulation of antigen processing pathways according to the specific need. The current review explores the pros and cons of application of different nanomaterials for antigen presentation and vaccine development.

Summary Background Stability is considered the most important parameter before performing any melanocyte transplantation procedure in vitiligo; however, current criteria rely on the history given by the patients. Objective This study was undertaken to determine the clinical, biochemical and immunological factors determining stability of disease in patients with generalized vitiligo to facilitate better patient selection for melanocyte transplantation and to understand immunological mechanisms for disease activity. Methods Thirty-three patients with generalized vitiligo with 3 months but

Oral vaccination is a safe, cost effective and non-invasive method suitable for mass immunization. We fabricated nanoparticle (NP) with 14kd polycaprolactone (PCL) entrapping hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) stabilized with Pluronics® F127 and used it as oral delivery vehicle. We evaluated its efficacy for specific antibody production and compared with parenteral routes of immunization in mice. We found a superior antibody response with a higher titer of anti-HBsAg antibody till 2 months following single oral administration compared to other routes of immunization and conventional alum-based HBsAg vaccine. The NPs with the antigen were found in the macrophages in small intestinal villi, peripheral lymph nodes and other reticulo-endothelial organs 2 months after oral administration. This study suggests the efficacy of the current nanocarrier system for efficient antigen presentation disseminated in peripheral lymphoid tissues following oral administration with a prolonged antibody response, which can minimize the requirement of booster dose.

The preclinical development of peptidyl drugs for cancer treatment is hampered by their poor pharmacologic properties and cell penetrative capabilities in vivo. In this study, we report a nanoparticle-based formulation that overcomes these limitations, illustrating their utility in studies of the anticancer peptide NuBCP-9, which converts BCL-2 from a cell protector to a cell killer. NuBCP-9 was encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles composed of a polyethylene glycol (PEG)–modified polylactic acid (PLA) diblock copolymer (NuBCP-9/PLA-PEG) or PEG-polypropylene glycol-PEG-modified PLA—tetrablock copolymer (NuBCP-9/PLA-PEG-PPG-PEG). We found that peptide encapsulation was enhanced by increasing the PEG chain length in the block copolymers. NuBCP-9 release from the nanoparticles was controlled by both PEG chain length and the PLA molecular weight, permitting time-release over sustained periods. Treatment of human cancer cells with these nanoparticles in vitro triggered apoptosis by NuBCP-9–mediated mechanism, with a potency similar to NuBCP-9 linked to a cell-penetrating poly-Arg peptide. Strikingly, in vivo administration of NuBCP-9/nanoparticles triggered complete regressions in the Ehrlich syngeneic mouse model of solid tumor. Our results illustrate an effective method for sustained delivery of anticancer peptides, highlighting the superior qualities of the novel PLA-PEG-PPG-PEG tetrablock copolymer formulation as a tool to target intracellular proteins. Cancer Res; 74(12); 3271–81. ©2014 AACR.

Purpose The aim of the study was to load a model antigen, tetanus toxoid (TT), in poly-ε-caprolactone nanoparticles (PCL NPs) of two size ranges, ie, mean 61.2 nm (small) and 467.6 nm (large), and study its effect on macrophage polarization as well as antigen presentation in human monocyte-derived macrophages in vitro, along with humoral and cell-mediated immune (CMI) response generated in Swiss albino mice following immunization with the TT-loaded NPs. Materials and methods PCL NPs were synthesized by solvent evaporation. The antigen-loaded PCL NPs were characterized for size, zeta potential, and protein-release kinetics. Swiss albino mice were immunized with the antigen-loaded PCL NPs. Flow cytometry was used to quantify interferon-γ- and interleukin-4-secreting cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify anti-TT antibody levels in the serum of immunized mice. Results Small PCL NPs generated an M1/M2 type polarization of human blood monocyte-derived macrophages and T helper (Th)1/Th2 polarization of autologous CD4+ T cells. Efficient CD8+ T-cell responses were also elicited. Large PCL NPs failed to cause any type of macrophage polarization. They did not elicit efficient CD8+ T-cell responses. Conclusion TT-loaded small PCL NPs were able to generate persistent and strong CMI and humoral responses against TT 2 months after single injection in mice without booster dose. This biodegradable nanoadjuvant system may help to develop single-shot immunization for prolonged immunity without booster doses. The capability of enhanced CMI response may have high translational potential for immunization against intracellular infection., Video abstract

Mohd Samim1, CK Prashant2, AK Dinda2, AN Maitra3, Indu Arora41Department of Chemistry, Hamdard University, Hamdard Nagar; 2Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; 3Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India; 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Shaeed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, Delhi, IndiaBackground: Gold nanorods show a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at the near infra-red (NIR) region which enables them to produce heat on irradiation with a NIR laser. As a result of this, gold nanorods have the potential to be used as thermal therapeutic agents for selective damage to cancer cells, bacterial cells, viruses, and DNA.Methods: Gold nanorods with an aspect ratio of approximately 5 were prepared by exploiting the normal micellar route of a water/dioctyl sulfosuccinate (Aerosol-T)/hexane system. The shape and size of the gold nanorods were characterized by surface plasmon bands at 520 nm and 980 nm, and by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.Results: The length of the gold nanorods was 100 nm and their diameter was 20 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the gold nanorods formed were metallic in nature. The gold nanorods showed good photothermolysis activity.Conclusion: Gold nanorods injected subcutaneously and irradiated with 980 nm laser caused injury to rat tissue, demonstrating that gold nanorods may be used to kill cancerous cells in tumor tissue.Keywords: nanorods, gold, micellar system, photothermolysis

Saba Naqvi1, Mohammad Samim2, MZ Abdin3, Farhan Jalees Ahmed4, AN Maitra5, CK Prashant6, Amit K Dinda61Faculty of Engineering and Interdisciplinary Sciences, 2Department of Chemistry, 3Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, 4Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard University, 5Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, 6Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IndiaAbstract: Iron oxide nanoparticles with unique magnetic properties have a high potential for use in several biomedical, bioengineering and in vivo applications, including tissue repair, magnetic resonance imaging, immunoassay, drug delivery, detoxification of biologic fluids, cell sorting, and hyperthermia. Although various surface modifications are being done for making these nonbiodegradable nanoparticles more biocompatible, their toxic potential is still a major concern. The current in vitro study of the interaction of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles of mean diameter 30 nm coated with Tween 80 and murine macrophage (J774) cells was undertaken to evaluate the dose- and time-dependent toxic potential, as well as investigate the role of oxidative stress in the toxicity. A 15–30 nm size range of spherical nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and zeta sizer. MTT assay showed >95% viability of cells in lower concentrations (25–200 µg/mL) and up to three hours of exposure, whereas at higher concentrations (300–500 µg/mL) and prolonged (six hours) exposure viability reduced to 55%–65%. Necrosis-apoptosis assay by propidium iodide and Hoechst-33342 staining revealed loss of the majority of the cells by apoptosis. H2DCFDDA assay to quantify generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) indicated that exposure to a higher concentration of nanoparticles resulted in enhanced ROS generation, leading to cell injury and death. The cell membrane injury induced by nanoparticles studied using the lactate dehydrogenase assay, showed both concentration- and time-dependent damage. Thus, this study concluded that use of a low optimum concentration of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles is important for avoidance of oxidative stress-induced cell injury and death.Keywords: superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, cytotoxicity, MTT assay, J774 cell line

Each year 10.9 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer and it is the third most common disease in world. Early diagnosis of cancer and cure are major challenges. Recent advances in development of novel biomaterials as well as rapid progress in the area of nano-biotechnology has potentials to change all the current modalities of cancer diagnosis and management. The unique physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials are extremely helpful for detection of biomarkers of the disease, molecular imaging as well as specific targeted therapy sparing the normal organs. Nanoparticle (NP) has large surface area which can be conjugated or coated with different molecular probes for diverse detection system (optical, electrical, magnetic etc.) as well as used as a vehicle to carry different biomolecules and anticancer drugs to tumor cells. Semiconductor quantum dot (QD) with novel optical and electronic properties helped to devise a new class of NP probes for molecular, cellular, and in vivo imaging. A large variety of materials ranging from metal, ceramic, polymer, lipid, protein and nucleic acid are used for developing novel nanoparticles with multiple functions which can detect different aspects of cancer biology and progression. The major issue of concern is biocompatibility and safety of these materials and their fate after in-vivo use. However with collaborative interdisciplinary research it will be possible to develop safer nanomaterials in future

Curcumin is a polyphenol compound extracted from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and has a well established anticancer property. However poor aqueous solubility is a major hindrance for its bioavailability and therapeutic use. Nanoparticle based system can be developed to overcome this problem. Present study has been undertaken with curcumin loaded organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticle (NP) to assess its anticancer property. In comparison to void ORMOSIL NP the curcumin loaded NP has shown marked cytotoxicity on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells as well as reduction of Ehrlich Ascites Tumour (EAT) cell induced experimental solid tumour following intratumoral injection. There is increased apoptosis of cancer cells due to curcumin induced enhanced intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus curcumin loaded ORMOSIL NP may have a potential for use as anticancer therapy replacing or substituting more toxic anti–mitotic drugs and radiation.