MICROSPHERES AND ADJUVANTS FOR DNA VACCINE DELIVERY

摘要

A nucleic acid delivery system that offers, in one system, a combination of high encapsulation efficiency, rapid release kinetics and preservation of DN A in supercoiled form is provided. The nucleic delivery system comprises nucle ic acid molecules, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), encapsulated in biodegradable microspheres, and is particularly suited for delivery DNA vaccines. The ivnention futher provides a method for encapsulating nucleic acid molecules in microspheres. The invention additionally provides a composition comprising nucleic acid molecules encapsulated in microspheres produced by a method of the invention, and a method for delivering a nucleic acid molecule to a subject. The invention futher provides an adjuvant for modulating the immunostimulatory efficacy of microspheres encapsulating nucleic acid molecules comprising an aminoalkyl glucosaminide 4-phosphate (AGP). The invention also provides a method for modulating the immunostimulatory efficacy of microspheres encapsulating nucleic acid molecules.