A broadly applicable protein-polymer adjuvant system for antiviral vaccines.

Although protein subunit vaccines generally have acceptable safety profiles with precise antigenic content, limited immunogenicity can lead to unsatisfactory humoral and cellular immunity and the need for vaccine adjuvants and delivery system. Herein, we assess a vaccine adjuvant system comprising Quillaja Saponaria-21(QS-21) and cobalt porphyrin polymeric micelles that enabling the display of His-tagged antigen on its surface. The nanoscale micelles promote antigen uptake and dendritic cell activation to induce robust cytotoxic T lymphocyte response and germinal center formation. Using the recombinant protein antigens from influenza A and rabies virus, the micelle adjuvant system elicited robust antiviral responses and protected mice from lethal challenge. In addition, this system could be combined with other antigens to induce high titers of neutralizing antibodies in models of three highly pathogenic viral pathogens: Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and Nipah virus. Collectively, our results demonstrate this polymeric micelle adjuvant system can be used as a potent nanoplatform for developing antiviral vaccine countermeasures that promote humoral and cellular immunity. Synopsis: To address the limited immunogenicity of current protein subunit vaccines and improve the surface display of antigens, a universal nanoplatform based on cobalt porphyrin (PLA-Pyro-Co²⁺) and Quillaja Saponaria-21(QS-21) was developed for antiviral vaccines. Polymeric micelles (PPCD) were designed to deliver adjuvants and display antigens. This co-delivery system significantly improved the immune effect of protein vaccines. HA@PPCDQ nanovaccine rapidly accumulated in the lymph nodes, activating DCs and promoting antigen presentation and inducing a strong antigen‐specific T cell response. HA@PPCDQ micelles promoted germinal center formation, inducing high-titer antibody production and protecting mice from lethal IAV challenge. PPCDQ nanocarrier provided a universal vaccine platform for multiple pathogenic pathogens including IAV, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Nipah virus, and rabies virus. To address the limited immunogenicity of current protein subunit vaccines and improve the surface display of antigens, a universal nanoplatform based on cobalt porphyrin (PLA-Pyro-Co²⁺) and Quillaja Saponaria-21(QS-21) was developed for antiviral vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]