New strategies for the development and application of biological-based nanostructured delivery systems for the gene vaccine delivery

• Grant number: 22/13379-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: September 01, 2023 - August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Fabiana Testa Moura de Carvalho Vicentini
• Grantee: Fabiana Testa Moura de Carvalho Vicentini
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Maíra Peres Ferreira Duarte ; Mandip Singh Sachdeva ; Osvaldo de Freitas ; Renata Fonseca Vianna Lopez ; Wendy Martin Rios

Abstract

The aim of this project is to obtain a vaccine formulation capable of overcoming challenges in the production process and the main barriers for the administration of DNA vaccines with effectiveness and safety. In this way, it proposes the development of delivery systems based on the glycosylation of ferritin by chitosan for incorporation of vaccine constructions, as a strategy to obtain more suitable systems as carriers in relation to important pharmacotechnical attributes and, consequently, with satisfactory biological results. The influence of the obtained different systems physicochemical properties on their uptake by macrophages and dendritic cells will also be evaluated, as well as on the in vitro immune response profile, with the main objective of exploring the interactions of particulate systems with cells contributing to the development of new technological platforms for the use of nanotechnology in vaccinology. In addition to the pharmacotechnical strategy, transcutaneous immunization will be investigated as an alternative route to intramuscular administration, for this purpose, the influence of the association of different physical methods (microneedles, ultrasound and iontophoresis) on the permeation and retention of the DNA vaccine loaded delivery system will be evaluated. Based on the obtained results, the chosen systems and devices will be investigated for efficacy, which will involve the evaluation of the vaccine formulations in vivo immunogenicity, comparing the intramuscular and topical administration routes, and the evaluation of the efficacy in a melanoma model. (AU)