RESUMO
Covalently modified albumin (BSA) microparticles were developed for potential use as an adjuvant in mucosal vaccines against hepatitis B. To synthesize consistent protein particles, a covalent approach was proposed to modify BSA. Our strategy was to bond maleic anhydride (MA) molecules to BSA structure by nucleophilic reaction for further radical cross-linking/polymerization reaction with N',N'-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm). The presence of poly(N',N'-dimethylacrylamide) in the protein network enables the microparticles to show well-defined, homogeneous forms. Cytotoxicity tests showed that the cytotoxic concentration for 50% of VERO cells (CC50) was 216.25 ± 5.30 µg mL(-1) in 72 h of incubation. The obtained CC50 value is relatively low for an incubation time of 72 h, suggesting an acceptable biocompatibility. Assay of total protein showed that the encapsulation efficiency of the microparticles with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 77.7 ± 0.2%. For the reference sample, which was incubated without HBsAg, the quantity of protein was below the limit of detection.
Assuntos
Hepatite B/prevenção & controle , Soroalbumina Bovina/química , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/química , Amidas/química , Animais , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Chlorocebus aethiops , Reagentes de Ligações Cruzadas/química , Composição de Medicamentos , Emulsões , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/química , Humanos , Dose Letal Mediana , Limite de Detecção , Anidridos Maleicos/química , Tamanho da Partícula , Células Vero , Vacinas contra Hepatite Viral/síntese química , Vacinas contra Hepatite Viral/toxicidade , Difração de Raios XRESUMO
CIGB-230, a mixture of a DNA plasmid expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural antigens and a HCV recombinant capsid protein, has demonstrated to elicit strong immune responses in animals. The present study evaluated the plasmid biodistribution after the administration of CIGB-230 in mice, as well as toxicity of this vaccine candidate in rats. In the biodistribution study, mice received single or repeated intramuscular injections of CIGB-230, 50 microg of plasmid DNA mixed with 5 microg of Co.120 protein. Plasmid presence was assessed in ovaries, kidney, liver, pancreas, mesenteric ganglion, blood, and muscle of the injection site by a qualitative polymerase chain reaction. The toxicology evaluation included treatment groups receiving doses 5, 15, or 50 times higher, according to the body weight, than the expected therapeutic clinical dose. During the first hour after repeated inoculation, a promiscuous distribution was observed. However, 3 months later, plasmid could not be detected in any tissue. There was an absence of detectable adverse effects on key toxicology parameters and no damage evidenced in inspected organs and tissues. These results indicate that CIGB-230 is nontoxic at local and systemic levels and no concerns about persistence are observed, which support clinical testing of this vaccine candidate against HCV.