مقالات پذیرفته شده در نهمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
Nanoparticle Vaccines and Their Role in Eliciting Robust Immune Responses
Nanoparticle Vaccines and Their Role in Eliciting Robust Immune Responses
Asal Naghipour-Kordlar,1Maryam Radmanfard,2,*
1. Faculty of Nursing, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran 2. Department of Basic Sciences, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
Introduction: Traditional vaccines, though effective, are limited by poor immunogenicity, instability, and safety concerns. Nanoparticle vaccines (nano vaccines) overcome these barriers through antigen encapsulation, targeted delivery to antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and controlled release. Intranasal formulations further elicit mucosal and systemic immunity (Bai et al., 2024). However, challenges in nanoparticle stability, scale-up production, and balancing safety with immunogenicity remain barriers to clinical translation.
Methods: This review systematically examined literature (2015–2025) from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords including nanoparticle vaccines, antigen delivery, immune response, cancer immunotherapy. Articles were selected based on direct relevance to nanoparticle design, antigen delivery mechanisms, immune activation pathways, and preclinical/clinical applications. Extracted data included nanoparticle type, size, material, modification strategies, immunogenicity outcomes, and in vivo efficacy
Results: 1. Nanoparticle Design for Antigen Delivery
Material selection (PLGA, LNPs), particle size (20–200 nm), and surface functionalization determine biodistribution, uptake, and immune activation. LNPs show efficient mRNA delivery with reduced toxicity in vivo (Kawai et al., 2025). pH- and enzyme-responsive systems enhance antigen release and T-cell priming (Yao et al., 2024).
2. Immune Responses
Nanoparticle vaccines act as both delivery vehicles and immune adjuvants. In vivo studies show RBD-based nanoparticles significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in hACE2 mice, inducing neutralizing antibodies and CD4+/CD8+ T-cell responses (Addetia et al., 2023; Ren et al., 2024). Controlled antigen release prolongs exposure and strengthens immune memory (Ren et al., 2024).
3. Cancer Applications
Nanoparticles effectively deliver tumor-associated antigens, activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes and modulating tumor microenvironments. Precision nano vaccines induced strong antitumor immunity and tumor regression in vivo (Liu et al., 2024). Sequential immunization with mRNA LNPs and protein nanoparticles enhanced antitumor effects in mouse models (Dong et al., 2024).
4. Emerging Platforms
Self-assembling nanoparticles improve stability and multivalent presentation, eliciting broad neutralizing responses (Yang et al., 2024). In vivo studies confirm dendritic cell–targeted systems induce strong antitumor immunity with minimal toxicity (Zheng et al., 2025).
Table: Key Aspects of Nanoparticle Vaccines
Aspect Description Key Findings
Materials PLGA, LNPs LNPs enable efficient mRNA delivery with minimal toxicity (Kawai et al., 2025)
Size/Surface 20–200 nm; ligand functionalization Enhances APC and tumor targeting (Yao et al., 2024)
Stimuli-Responsive pH, enzymatic, temperature sensitivity Controlled antigen release boosts T-cell priming (Kawai et al., 2025; Yao et al., 2024)
Immune Response Antibody + T-cell activation Strong CD4+/CD8+ responses and neutralizing antibodies in vivo (Addetia et al., 2023; Ren et al., 2024)
Cancer Therapy Tumor antigen delivery CTL activation, tumor regression, TME reprogramming (Dong et al., 2024; Liu et al., 2024)
Challenges Scale-up, safety, immune clearance Batch variability, off-target toxicity (Shi et al., 2017)
Future Directions AI, modular design, combination therapy Broad protection and personalized immunization (Yang et al., 2024; Zheng et al., 2025)
Discussion
Nanoparticle vaccines demonstrate clear superiority over conventional platforms by enhancing antigen stability, targeted delivery, and immune activation. In vivo studies confirm their ability to induce durable humoral and cellular responses against infectious diseases (Addetia et al., 2023; Ren et al., 2024) and potent antitumor immunity (Dong et al., 2024; Liu et al., 2024).
The modular design of nanoparticles enables stimuli-responsive control and multivalent presentation, enhancing efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity (Kawai et al., 2025; Yao et al., 2024). Despite these advances, challenges in scalable manufacturing, biological clearance, and long-term safety hinder clinical translation (Shi et al., 2017).
Future progress depends on AI-assisted design, self-assembling systems, and synergistic use with checkpoint inhibitors or gene therapy. These strategies may accelerate the adoption of nanoparticle vaccines as universal platforms for infectious disease prevention and cancer immunotherapy.
Conclusion: Nanoparticle vaccines are positioned as next-generation immunization tools, integrating nanotechnology with immunology to deliver robust, durable, and targeted immune responses. Their adaptability for both prophylactic and therapeutic use highlights their potential in shaping future vaccine strategies. Overcoming current challenges through precision design, scalable production, and combination therapies will be essential to realizing their full clinical impact.