Large intestine-targeted nanoparticle-releasing oral vaccine to control genitorectal viral infection

The mucosa of the large intestine mucosa is an effective vaccination site for induction of protective mucosal immunity against rectal or vaginal viral infection but clinically is impractical. Here Qing Zhu et al. have developed an oral delivery system that encapsulates vaccine into pH-dependent poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles coated with Eudragit to protect against the low pH and enzymatic destruction of the stomach. This approach was shown to selectively target the large intestine in mice and induce antigen-specific T and B cell responses similar to that observed with intracolorectal vaccination.