ENHANCEMENT OF ROTAVIRUS IMMUNOGENICITY BY MICROENCAPSULATION

It was determined whether microencapsulation of rotavirus enhanced vir us-specific immunity in mice. Combinations of several water-soluble an ionic polymers and amines were tested for their capacity to form micro capsules which were stable in the presence of simulated gastric acid. Using the combinations of sodium alginate and spermine hydrochloride o r sodium chondroitin sulfate and spermine hydrochloride we found that microcapsules (1) captured infectious rotavirus, (2) penetrated into t he persisted in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) after oral inocu lation, (3) delivered rotavirus antigen to GALT at levels greater than those detected after oral inoculation with free virus, and (4) enhanc ed the virus-specific humoral immune response after oral or parenteral immunization. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.