Applications of Gold Nanoparticles in Nanomedicine: Recent Advances in Vaccines †

Carabineiro, Sónia Alexandra Correia

Gold nanoparticles of 12 nm were conjugated to the matrix 2 protein (M2e) of influenza A virus M2e through thiol-gold interactions [117] . This virus ( Figure 6 ) is often responsible for seasonal epidemics and is also a high risk for pandemics [118] . Vaccination of mice with M2e-Au conjugates induced M2e-specific IgG serum antibodies, which significantly improved by addition of CpG as adjuvant, as mice immunized that way were fully protected against lethal PR8 [117] . The same authors also showed that the inclusion of excess soluble M2e antigen along with M2e immobilized on Au nanoparticles is vital for inducing high levels of antibody response, and in providing complete protection [118] . also showed that the inclusion of excess soluble M2e antigen along with M2e immobilized on Au nanoparticles is vital for inducing high levels of antibody response, and in providing complete protection [118] . A recent study showed that animals immunized with a transmissible gastroenteritis virus, conjugated with colloidal gold nanoparticles, produced antibodies with a higher titer than those produced in response to the native virus [119] .