In this study, the potential of N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC) nanoparticles as a carrier system for the nasal delivery of the r4M2e.HSP70c, as an M2e-based universal recombinant influenza virus vaccine candidate, was investigated in mice. The anti-M2e specific cellular and humoral immune responses were assessed and the protective efficacy against a 90% lethal dose (LD90) of influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) in a mice model was evaluated. Our results showed that the intranasal immunization of mice with r4M2e.HSP70c+TMC rather than the control groups, r4M2e+TMC, r4M2e and PBS (Phosphate buffer saline), significantly elevated both longevity and serum level of the total M2e-specific IgG antibody with a significant shift in the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio toward IgG2a, induced a Th1 skewed humoral and cellular immune responses, increased IFN-γ, IgG, and IgA in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and promoted the proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with lower morbidity and mortality rate against viral challenge. In conclusion, based on evidence to our finding, nasal vaccination with r4M2e.HSP70c antigen encapsulated into N-Trimethyl Chitosan (TMC) nanoparticulate system showed to induce a long lasting M2e-specific humoral and cellular immune responses and also provided full protection against a 90% lethal dose (LD90) of the influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). It seems, protective immunity following intranasal administration of r4M2e could be resulted by the cooperation of both adjuvants, TMC and HSP70c.
Keywords: HSP70; Influenza; Intranasal; M2e; N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC); Vaccine.
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