Chapter 25
A Hybrid Biological–Biomaterial Vector for Antigen Delivery
Ruiquan Qi, Andrew Hill, and Blaine A. Pfeifer
Abstract
A hybrid biological–biomaterial vector composed of a biocompatible polymeric biomaterial coating and an
Escherichia coli core was designed and developed for antigen delivery. It provides a unique and efficient
mechanism to transport antigens (protein or genetic) via different mechanisms of vector design that include
antigen cellular localization (cytoplasm, periplasm, cellular surface) and nonnative functionalities that assist
in antigen delivery. Based on a variety of E. coli strain development and polymer chemistry tools, the hybrid
vector can be constructed into a number of formats for the purpose of optimized uptake and processing by
antigen presenting cells, serving as the basis for a potent subsequent immune response. This chapter serves
to outline a protocol for assembling a hybrid biological–biomaterial vector for use as a vaccine delivery
system.
Key words Vaccine delivery, DNA vaccine, Biomaterial, Immunogenicity, Escherichia coli
1 Introduction
Vaccination strategies have proven effective in preventing or therapeutically treating diseases by generating potent and long-lasting
immune reactivity spanning an array of infectious diseases and
cancer [1]. However, there exist at least two major causes reducing
vaccine effectiveness, namely, incomplete targeting of rogue cells
and inadequate antigen delivery. To overcome these problems,
vaccine development requires continual discovery efforts for ideal
antigen candidates and methods that enable efficient antigen delivery to antigen presenting cells (APC) to subsequently activate
immune responses.
With assistance from cationic biocompatible polymers which
are capable of attaching to the surface of gram-negative bacteria via
electrostatic interaction, a novel hybrid vector was designed to
promote antigen production and delivery, aided by the innate
delivery capabilities and engineering potential associated with the
bacterial and biomaterial components of the final hybrid delivery
device [2]. The hybrid vehicle, shown in Fig. 1 [3], features the
Blaine A. Pfeifer and Andrew Hill (eds.), Vaccine Delivery Technology: Methods and Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology,
vol. 2183, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0795-4_25, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
461
A Hybrid Biological–Biomaterial Vector for Antigen Delivery
Ruiquan Qi, Andrew Hill, and Blaine A. Pfeifer
Abstract
A hybrid biological–biomaterial vector composed of a biocompatible polymeric biomaterial coating and an
Escherichia coli core was designed and developed for antigen delivery. It provides a unique and efficient
mechanism to transport antigens (protein or genetic) via different mechanisms of vector design that include
antigen cellular localization (cytoplasm, periplasm, cellular surface) and nonnative functionalities that assist
in antigen delivery. Based on a variety of E. coli strain development and polymer chemistry tools, the hybrid
vector can be constructed into a number of formats for the purpose of optimized uptake and processing by
antigen presenting cells, serving as the basis for a potent subsequent immune response. This chapter serves
to outline a protocol for assembling a hybrid biological–biomaterial vector for use as a vaccine delivery
system.
Key words Vaccine delivery, DNA vaccine, Biomaterial, Immunogenicity, Escherichia coli
1 Introduction
Vaccination strategies have proven effective in preventing or therapeutically treating diseases by generating potent and long-lasting
immune reactivity spanning an array of infectious diseases and
cancer [1]. However, there exist at least two major causes reducing
vaccine effectiveness, namely, incomplete targeting of rogue cells
and inadequate antigen delivery. To overcome these problems,
vaccine development requires continual discovery efforts for ideal
antigen candidates and methods that enable efficient antigen delivery to antigen presenting cells (APC) to subsequently activate
immune responses.
With assistance from cationic biocompatible polymers which
are capable of attaching to the surface of gram-negative bacteria via
electrostatic interaction, a novel hybrid vector was designed to
promote antigen production and delivery, aided by the innate
delivery capabilities and engineering potential associated with the
bacterial and biomaterial components of the final hybrid delivery
device [2]. The hybrid vehicle, shown in Fig. 1 [3], features the
Blaine A. Pfeifer and Andrew Hill (eds.), Vaccine Delivery Technology: Methods and Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology,
vol. 2183, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0795-4_25, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
461