Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles for Transcutaneous Vaccine Delivery

The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential of calcium phosphate (CAP) nanoparticles for transcutaneous vaccine delivery. CAP nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method followed by sequential adsorption of sugars and ovalbumin. Nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering, XRD, ATR-FTIR, and microscopy methods. In-vitro release of ovalbumin from nanoparticles was studied in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). In-vivo immunization studies were carried out in Balb/C mice. The size and zeta potential of ovalbumin-sugar adsorbed CAP nanoparticles was 350 ± 22.5 nm and –12.93 ± 1.02 mV respectively. Around 60% ovalbumin was released from nanoparticles within 24 hrs. To test the feasibility for transcutaneous vaccine delivery, the nanoparticles were applied in mice after removing the stratum corneum by tape-stripping. In the positive control group, the nanoparticles were administered by intradermal injection. Ovalbumin-sugar coated CAP nanoparticles showed significantly higher antibody titers (Total IgG and IgG1) compared to ovalbumin alone. IgG2a antibodies were only seen with intradermal injection. Both topical and intradermal treatment groups showed splenocyte proliferation when re-stimulated with ovalbumin. The results from this study demonstrate the potential of using CAP nanoparticles for transcutaneous vaccine delivery.