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Cationic Niosomes for Enhanced Skin Immunization of Plasmid DNA-Encoding Ovalbumin via Hollow Microneedles

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of cationic niosomes composed of Span20:cholesterol:cationic lipid (N 1,N 1-dimyristeroyloxyethyl-spermine) at the molar ratio of 2.5:2.5:0.5 mM combined with hollow microneedle (MN) devices for in vivo skin immunization of plasmid DNA-encoding ovalbumin (pOVA). The results revealed that using hollow MNs with cationic niosomes for pOVA penetration successfully induced both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses including immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses, interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) cytokine secretion. When using hollow MNs with cationic niosome/pOVA complexes, the immune response was superior to naked pOVA, which testifies the increased amount of IgG antibody responses and cytokine secretion. In comparison with conventional subcutaneous (SC) injections, using hollow MNs with cationic niosome/pOVA complexes induced a higher level of both IgG immune response and cytokine release. Moreover, a group of mice immunized with hollow MNs did not show infection or bleeding on the skin. Consequently, targeted delivery of pOVA using cationic niosomes combined with hollow MNs might prove a promising vaccination method for skin vaccination.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the Thailand Research Fund and the Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program (grant number PHD/0232/2558), the National Vaccine Institute, and Silpakorn University Research and Development Institute for their financial support. The authors are very grateful to Professor Kenji Sugibayashi from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University for providing the MNs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Development of Green Innovations Group (PDGIG), Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, 73000, Thailand

    Boonnada Pamornpathomkul, Theerasak Rojanarata, Tanasait Ngawhirunpat & Praneet Opanasopit

  2. Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Nattisa Niyomtham & Boon-Ek Yingyongnarongkul

  3. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

    Chutinun Prasitpuriprecha

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  1. Boonnada Pamornpathomkul
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Correspondence to Praneet Opanasopit.

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Pamornpathomkul, B., Niyomtham, N., Yingyongnarongkul, BE. et al. Cationic Niosomes for Enhanced Skin Immunization of Plasmid DNA-Encoding Ovalbumin via Hollow Microneedles. AAPS PharmSciTech 19, 481–488 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-017-0855-5

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