Potentiating pneumococcal glycoconjugate vaccine PCV13 with saponin adjuvant VSA-1

Front Immunol. 2022 Dec 12:13:1079047. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1079047. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

VSA-1 is a semisynthetic saponin adjuvant prepared from naturally occurring Momordica saponin and capable of stimulating antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Its immunostimulating activity in enhancing the immune responses induced by the clinical glycoconjugate pneumococcal vaccine PCV13 is compared with QS-21 in female BALB/c mice. Both VSA-1 and QS-21 boosted IgG and opsonic antibodies titers against seven selected serotypes, including serotypes 3, 14, and 19A that are involved in most PCV13 breakthroughs. Since VSA-1 is much more accessible and of lower toxicity than QS-21, it can be a practical saponin immunostimulant to be included in a new glycoconjugate pneumococcal vaccine formulation.

Keywords: Momordica saponin; VSA-1; adjuvant; immunostimulant; pneumococcal vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Mice
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines*
  • Saponins* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Pneumococcal Vaccines
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Saponins