Lytic polyplex vaccines enhance antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell response through induction of local cell death.

ABSTRACT: Endosomolytic vaccine nanocarriers can potentiate cellular immune responses by enhancing cross-presentation. We recently developed a cationic polymer-lytic peptide conjugate (VIPER) that greatly improves endosomal escape and intracellular activity of nucleic acid cargoes; furthermore, we hypothesize that VIPER's unique mechanism of endosomal disruption can increase cytoplasmic delivery of other biomacromolecules (e.g., peptides). Herein, we formulate VIPER as a polyplex subunit vaccine composed of conjugated peptide antigens and electrostatically complexed poly(I:C) nucleic acid adjuvant and evaluate whether the presence of the lytic peptide melittin conjugated to the pH-responsive micelle core improves vaccination outcomes. Although VIPER delivers peptide antigens intracellularly, disrupt

SUBMITTER: Peeler DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12360274 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature