Recent Advances in the Use of Nanoparticles for Allergen-specific Immunotherapy

Abstract

The number of patients suffering from allergic asthma and rhino-conjunctivitis 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 non-capsulated allergen extracts: The protein/DNA molecule can be protected from degradation, higher local concentrations and targeted delivery to the site of action appears possible and most importantly, recognition of encapsulated allergen by the immune system, especially by IgE antibodies is prevented. AIT with nanoparticles (NPs) may offer a safer and potentially more efficient way of treatment for allergic diseases. In this review we summarize the use of biodegradable NPs consisting of synthetic or natural polymers, liposomes and virus-like particles as well as non-biodegradable NPs like dendrimers, carbon- or metal-based NPs for AIT. More or less successful applications of these NPs in prophylactic as well as therapeutic vaccination approaches in rodents or other animals as well as first human clinical trials are discussed in detail.

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