The vectors for gene delivery are usually classified as viral and nonviral vectors. While the viral vectors are very efficient in transducing cells, safety concerns regarding their use in humans make nonviral vectors an attractive alternative. Among the nonviral vectors, the lipoplexes (complexes of cationic liposome/pDNA) are the most studied and represent the most promising approaches for human clinical trials. However, an inflammatory response is invariably associated with administration of the lipoplexes, which must be avoided in the clinical application. Here, we have successfully developed a nonimmunostimulatory vector for gene therapy. The vector possesses dual functions of: 1) efficiently delivering a gene to target cells and 2) codelivering DNA and inflammatory suppressors into the immune cells where the released suppressor can inhibit cytokine production. The inflammatory suppressors successfully delivered by the vector included glucocorticoids, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), an NF‐κB inhibitor, and a natural compound from an herbal medicine. Intravenous injection of the vector dramatically suppressed the cytokine production induced by CpG motif pDNA, including TNF‐α, IL‐12 and IFN‐γ. This new gene vector has a great potential in clinical gene therapy. Another potential use of the vector is codelivery of an enhancer candidate, acting at the transcriptional and translational levels to improve the efficiency of gene transfer by the nonviral vector. Moreover, the unique feature of this vector is that it can be used as an easy and powerful tool for in vivo screening of anti‐inflammatory drugs.

The population of Brazil is currently characterised by many individuals harbouring low-intensity Schistosoma mansoni infections. The Kato-Katz technique is the diagnostic method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess these infections, but this method is not sensitive enough in the context of low egg excretion. In this regard, potential alternatives are being employed to overcome the limits of the Kato-Katz technique. In the present review, we evaluated the performance of parasitological and immunological approaches adopted in Brazilian areas. Currently, the diagnostic choices involve a combination of strategies, including the utilisation of antibody methods to screen individuals and then subsequent confirmation of positive cases by intensive parasitological investigations.

Vaccination remains the most effective public health tool to prevent infectious diseases. Many vaccines are marginally effective and need enhancement for immunocompromised, elderly, and very young populations. To enhance immunogenicity, we exploited the biphasic property of the (RADA)4 synthetic oligopeptide to create VacSIM (vaccine self-assembling immune matrix), a new delivery method. VacSIM solution can easily be mixed with antigens, organisms, and adjuvants for injection. Postinjection, the peptides self-assemble into hydrated nanofiber gel matrices, forming a depot with antigens and adjuvants in the aqueous phase. We believe the depot provides slow release of immunogens, leading to increased activation of antigen-presenting cells that then drive enhanced immunogenicity. Using recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen (rHBsAg) as a model immunogen, we compared VacSIM delivery to delivery in alum or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Delivery of the rHBsAg antigen to mice via VacSIM without adjuvant elicited higher specific IgG responses than when rHBsAg was delivered in alum or CFA. Evaluating IgG subtypes showed a mixed Th1/Th2 type response following immunization with VacSIM, which was driven further toward Th1 with addition of CpG as the adjuvant. Increased specific IgG endpoint titers were observed in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, representative of Th1 and Th2 environments, respectively. Restimulation of splenocytes suggests that VacSIM does not cause an immediate proinflammatory response in the host. Overall, these results suggest that VacSIM, as a new delivery method, has the potential to enhance immunogenicity and efficacy of numerous vaccines.