A novel nanomicelle composed from PEGylated TB di-peptide could be successfully used as a BCG booster.

OBJECTIVES

Tuberculosis affects one-third of the world's population and leads to a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Bacillus Chalmette-Guerin (BCG) as the only approved vaccine for the () does not show enough protection in the vaccinated population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main aim of this study was to prepare a self-assembled nanomicelle composed from a di-block polymer in which, a di-fusion peptide was the hydrophobic block and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was the hydrophilic block. The micelles were characterized and as an antigen delivery system/adjuvant both with and without a prime BCG.

RESULTS

The micellar nanovaccine was able to elicit good dendritic cell maturation. Nanomicelles could efficiently induce systemic cytokines as well as nasal secretory predominant antibody titers (sIgA). The expression pattern of cytokines indicated the superiority of cellular immunity. Nasal administration of two doses of nanomicelles after a prime subcutaneous administration of BCG induced the highest mucosal and systemic immune responses.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results PEG-HspX/EsxS self-assembled nanomicelle is highly immunogenic and can be considered a potential vaccine candidate against to boost BCG efficiency.