Outer membrane vesicle: a macromolecule with multifunctional activity

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2012 Jul;8(7):953-5. doi: 10.4161/hv.20166. Epub 2012 Jun 15.

Abstract

Nowadays adjuvants are extensively used as immuno-stimulatory and immuno-modulatory compounds as components of subunit and combination vaccine formulations. The adjuvants of microbial origin are more frequently used among currently used licensed or experimental adjuvants. The outer membrane vesicle (OMV) of Neisseria meningitidis is among the newly studied components of microbial origin, which could be applied as an adjuvant. Although the potency of OMV as a carrier (conjugated to a hapten) is now proven, the adjuvant properties of OMV have particular significance as a potential target for protective immunity. Since it has immune-stimulatory activity, OMV has been utilized in vaccine development. This commentary reviews the different applications of OMV as potential adjuvant in the field of vaccine development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage*
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neisseria meningitidis / metabolism*
  • Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Drug Carriers
  • Vaccines