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Recent advances in the use of nanoparticles for allergen‐specific immunotherapy
Author(s) -
Pohlit H.,
Bellinghausen I.,
Frey H.,
Saloga J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.13199
Subject(s) - allergen , medicine , immunotherapy , immunology , adverse effect , immune system , allergen immunotherapy , vaccination , allergy , pharmacology
The number of patients suffering from allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis has increased dramatically within the last decades. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy ( AIT ) is the only available cause‐oriented therapy so far. AIT reduces symptoms, but has also a disease‐modifying effect. Disadvantages are a long‐lasting procedure, and in a few cases potential systemic adverse reactions. Encapsulation of allergens or DNA vaccines into nanostructures may provide advantages compared to the conventional AIT with noncapsulated allergen extracts: The protein/ DNA molecule can be protected from degradation, higher local concentrations and targeted delivery to the site of action appear possible, and most importantly, recognition of encapsulated allergen by the immune system, especially by IgE antibodies, is prevented. AIT with nanoparticles ( NP s) may offer a safer and potentially more efficient way of treatment for allergic diseases. In this review, we summarize the use of biodegradable NP s consisting of synthetic or natural polymers, liposomes, and virus‐like particles as well as nonbiodegradable NP s like dendrimers, and carbon‐ or metal‐based NP s for AIT . More or less successful applications of these NP s in prophylactic as well as therapeutic vaccination approaches in rodents or other animals as well as first human clinical trials are discussed in detail.