Noncovalent Conjugation of OVA323 to ELP Micelles Increases Immune Response

Biomacromolecules. 2024 Feb 12;25(2):1027-1037. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01091. Epub 2024 Jan 3.

Abstract

Subunit vaccines would benefit from a safe particle-based adjuvant. Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP)-based micelles are interesting candidate adjuvants due to their well-defined size and easy modification with protein-based cargo. Coiled coils can facilitate noncovalent modifications, while potentially enhancing antigen delivery through interaction with cell membranes. ELP micelles comprise ELP diblock copolymers that self-assemble above a critical micelle temperature. In this study, an amphiphilic ELP was conjugated to peptide "K", which forms a heterodimeric coiled-coil complex with peptide "E". Self-assembled "covalent" micelles containing ELP-OVA323 (i.e., model antigen OVA323 conjugated to ELP), "coiled-coil" micelles containing ELP-K/E-OVA323 and "hybrid" micelles containing ELP-K and ELP-OVA323 were shown to be monodisperse and spherical. Dendritic cells (DCs) were exposed to all micelle compositions, and T-cell proliferation was investigated. The presence of ELP-K enhanced micelle uptake and subsequent DC maturation, resulting in enhanced CD4+ T-cell proliferation, which makes ELPs with coiled coil-associated antigens a promising vaccine platform.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens
  • Elastin / chemistry
  • Elastin-Like Polypeptides*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Micelles*
  • Peptides / chemistry

Substances

  • Micelles
  • Elastin-Like Polypeptides
  • Elastin
  • Peptides
  • Antigens