title: Oral immunization with influenza virus in biodegradable microspheres.
abstract: Polymeric microspheres were evaluated as an oral antigen delivery system for immunization with influenza virus. The immune responses obtained were compared after either oral or systemic immunization of BALB/c mice using purified, formalin-inactivated influenza virus type A/H3N2, either encapsulated in biodegradable and biocompatible microspheres or free in solution. The immunogenicity of formalin-treated influenza vaccine was preserved during the microencapsulation process, and the microencapsulated antigen induced protective immune responses after systemic immunization that were equal to or higher than those induced by conventional vaccine. When administered orally to primed animals, microencapsulated antigen induced levels of anti-influenza antibodies in saliva that were higher than and in serum that were comparable to those obtained by systemic immunization. Furthermore, oral booster immunization provided virtually complete protection of animals challenged with live virus.
authors.affiliation: Secretech, Inc., Controlled Release Division, Birmingham, AL 35205.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Moldoveanu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: W Q
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gilley
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Staas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schafer
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Compans
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mestecky
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008863:Microspheres; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007252:Influenza Vaccines