VaxiPatch (TM), a novel vaccination system comprised of subunit antigens, adjuvants and microneedle skin delivery: An application to influenza B/Colorado/06/2017
VACCINE
Authors: Ellison, Thomas J.; Talbott, George C.; Henderson, Daniel R.
Abstract
This work introduces VaxiPatch, a novel vaccination system comprised of subunit glycoprotein vaccine antigens, adjuvants and dermal delivery. For this study, rHA of influenza virus B/Colorado/06/2017 was incorporated into synthetic virosomes, and adjuvant liposomes were formed with QS-21 from Saponaria quillaja, with or without the synthetic TLR4 agonist 3D - (6-acyl) PHAD. These components were concentrated and co-formulated into trehalose with dye. Dermal delivery was achieved using an economical 37-point stainless steel microneedle array, designed for automated fill/finish by microfluidic dispensers used for mass production of immunodiagnostics. Vaccine and adjuvant are deposited to form a sugar glass in a pocket on the side of each of the tips, allowing skin penetration to be performed directly by the rigid steel structure. In this study, Sprague Dawley rats (n = 6 per group) were vaccinated by VaxiPatches containing 0.3 mu g of rHA, 0.5 mu g QS-21 and 0.2 mu g 3D - (6-acyl) PHAD and dye, resulting in antigen-specific IgG titers 100-fold higher than 4.5 mu g of FluBlok (p = 0.001) delivered intramuscularly. Similarly, hemagglutination inhibition titers in these animals were 14-fold higher than FluBlok controls (p = 0.01). Non-adjuvanted VaxiPatches were also compared with rHA virosomes injected intramuscularly. Accelerated shelf life studies further suggest that formulated virosomal antigens retain activity for at least two months at 60 degrees C. Further, co-formulation of a dye could provide a visible verification of delivery based on the temporary pattern on the skin. A room-temperature-stable vaccination kit such as VaxiPatch has the potential to increase vaccine use and compliance globally. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Astilbin prevents osteoarthritis development through the TLR4/MD-2 pathway
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
Authors: Sun, Shuaibo; Yan, Zijian; Shui, Xiaolong; Qi, Weihui; Chen, Yanlin; Xu, Xinxian; Hu, Yuezheng; Guo, Weijun; Shang, Ping
Abstract
Osteoarthritis has become one of the main diseases affecting the life of many elderly people with high incidence of disability, and local chronic inflammation in the joint cavity is the most crucial pathological feature of osteoarthritis. Astilbin is the main active component in a variety of natural plants such as Hypericum perforatum and Sarcandra glabra, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. At present, there is no study about the protective effect of Astilbin for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Astilbin in human OA chondrocytes and mouse OA model, which was established by surgery-mediated destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). In vitro, we found that Astilbin pre-treatment inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced overproduction of inflammation-correlated cytokines such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and suppressed overexpression of inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Astilbin, on the other hand, prevented the LPS-induced degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) by down-regulating MMP13 (matrix metalloproteinases 13) and ADAMTS5 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5). Moreover, by inhibiting the formation of the TLR4/MD-2/LPS complex, Astilbin blocked LPS-induced activation of TLR4/NF-kappa B signalling cascade. In vivo, Astilbin showed the chondro-protective effect in the surgical-induced OA mouse models. In conclusion, our findings provided evidence that develops Astilbin as a potential therapeutic drug for OA patients.