Vaccines have successfully eradicated a large number of diseases. However, some infectious diseases (such as HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis or Bacillus anthracis) keep spreading since there is no vaccine to prevent them. One way to overcome this issue is the development of new adjuvant formulations which are able to induce the appropriate immune response without sacrificing safety. Lymph nodes are the site of lymphocyte priming by antigen-presenting cells and subsequent adaptive immune response, and are a promising target for vaccine formulations. In this review, we describe the properties of different polymer-based (e.g., poly lactic-co-glycolic acid, poly lactic acid …) particulate adjuvants as innovative systems, capable of co-delivering immunopotentiators and antigens. We point out how these nanoparticles enhance the delivery of antigens, and how their physicochemical properties modify their uptake by antigen-presenting cells and their migration into lymph nodes. We describe why polymeric nanoparticles increase the persistence into lymph nodes and promote a mature immune response. We also emphasize how nanodelivery directs the response to a specific antigen and allows the induction of a cytotoxic immune response, essential for the fight against intracellular pathogens or cancer. Finally, we highlight the interest of the association between polymer-based vaccines and immunopotentiators, which can potentiate the effect of the molecule by directing it to the appropriate compartment and reducing its toxicity.

Endotoxins are toxic lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), extending from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and notorious for their toxicity and deleterious effects. The comparison of different LPSs, isolated from various Gram-negative bacteria, shows a global similar architecture corresponding to a glycolipid lipid A moiety, a core oligosaccharide, and outermost long O-chain polysaccharides with molecular weights from 2 to 20 kDa. LPSs display high diversity and specificity among genera and species, and each bacterium contains a unique set of LPS structures, constituting its protective external barrier. Some LPSs are not toxic due to their particular structures. Different, well-characterized, and highly purified LPSs were used in this work to determine endotoxin detection rules and identify their impact on the host. Endotoxin detection is a major task to ensure the safety of human health, especially in the pharma and food sectors. Here, we describe the impact of different LPS structures obtained under different bacterial growth conditions on selective LPS detection methods such as LAL, HEK-blue TLR-4, LC-MS², and MALDI-MS. In these various assays, LPSs were shown to respond differently, mainly attributable to their lipid A structures, their fatty acid numbers and chain lengths, the presence of phosphate groups, and their possible substitutions.

Vaccine technology is still facing challenges regarding some infectious diseases, which can be addressed by innovative drug delivery systems. In particular, nanoparticle-based vaccines combined with new types of adjuvants are actively explored as a platform for improving the efficacy and durability of immune protection. Here, biodegradable nanoparticles carrying an antigenic model of HIV were formulated with two combinations of poloxamers, 188/407, presenting or not presenting gelling properties, respectively. The study aimed to determine the influence of poloxamers (as a thermosensitive hydrogel or a liquid solution) on the adaptive immune response in mice. The results showed that poloxamer-based formulations were physically stable and did not induce any toxicity using a mouse dendritic cell line. Then, whole-body biodistribution studies using a fluorescent formulation highlighted that the presence of poloxamers influenced positively the dissemination profile by dragging nanoparticles through the lymphatic system until the draining and distant lymph nodes. The strong induction of specific IgG and germinal centers in distant lymph nodes in presence of poloxamers suggested that such adjuvants are promising components in vaccine development.

Les connaissances actuelles indiquent la nécessité d’induire une réponse immunitaire à large spectre et notamment des anticorps multifonctionnels pour protéger de l’infection par le VIH. Les approches vaccinales traditionnelles n’étant pas capables d’induire d’anticorps neutralisants à large spectre (bNAbs) suffisamment puissants contre le VIH-1, des stratégies alternatives sont étudiées afin d’induire ces bnAbs. Les avancées majeures concernent le développement de (i) glycoprotéines d’enveloppe optimisées comme immunogène, (ii) vecteurs transportant et présentant l’immunogène de manière efficace et (iii) la forme galénique permettant d’augmenter la durabilité de la réponse protectrice. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce doctorat est d’évaluer les réponses immunitaires induites par des nanoparticules biodégradables fonctionnalisées avec des glycoprotéines d’enveloppe du VIH et d’optimiser la libération prolongée in vivo de l’immunogène. Dans un premier temps, nous avons comparé plusieurs glycoprotéines et sélectionné une glycoprotéine d’isolat primaire optimisée (SOSIP BG505) pour ses capacités à s’adsorber de manière stable à la surface des nanoparticules biodégradables, tout en exposant les épitopes de neutralisation, et capable d’induire in vivo une réponse immunitaire systémique. Nous avons ensuite conçu un hydrogel thermosensible à base de poloxamers capable d’incorporer ces nanoparticules tout en gardant leur stabilité colloïdale et analysé leur biodistribution par imagerie corps entier chez la souris. L’injection par voie sous cutanée de cet hydrogel permet d’induire une réponse immunitaire humorale forte, stable et des IgGs de forte affinité. Cette nouvelle formulation, innovante et simple à mettre en place, apparait comme une nouvelle stratégie de vaccination applicable à de nombreuses pathologies virales nécessitant l’induction d’anticorps neutralisant de forte affinité et à large spectre