Presenting Author: Nicholas J Bockenstedt
, Graduate Research Assistant at Iowa State Col. of Vet. Med.
Abstract:
The development of vaccines against highly mutable pathogens using conventional methods is challenging due to issues like antigen degradation. In contrast, it has been shown that extended release vaccines can overcome these challenges and promote continued germinal center activity, thereby extending somatic hypermutation and broadening B-cell clonality. The Vaccine Platform for Extended Antigen Release (VPEAR) is an implantable device with a polyanhydride depot for sustained release of the model antigen, ovalbumin, and CpG adjuvant that takes advantage of this concept. The VPEAR includes a collagen diffusion barrier and a PVDF membrane cap. This study shows that the VPEAR maintains more antibody secreting cells than bolus vaccinated mice in both the lymph nodes and bone marrow. B220+ GL7+ B-cells also persist on the membrane, indicating sustained germinal center activity and the potential presence of a tertiary lymphoid structure. Preliminary data using VPEARs containing a pan-coronavirus peptide also showed reactive IgG that bound to stabilized spike protein, while bolus vaccination failed to elicit such a response. Preliminary data also indicates that VPEARs induce higher antibody avidity than bolus vaccination. These results suggest this platform has the potential to not only enhance germinal center activity, but that it may also improve immune responses to peptide vaccination.
Elucidating the immune response of the Vaccine Platform for Extended Antigen Release (VPEAR) in mice
Category
Poster and Podium (Block Symposium)
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Date: May 6 Presentation Time: 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM Room: Exhibit Hall F1