Poly (lactic/glycolic acid) microspheres containing antigen as a novel and potential agent of immunotherapy for allergic disorders

Arerugi. 1992 Sep;41(9):1388-97.

Abstract

In order to establish a safer and simpler antigen administration method in immunotherapy, we prepared biodegradable microspheres containing antigen and evaluated its safety and efficacy using guinea pigs. Poly (lactic/glycolic acid); (LGA) microspheres containing ovalbumin (OA) were fabricated by solvent evaporation. Over 70% of the OA was released from the microspheres within 3 days, and release was completed within 14 days in vivo. The local tissue reactions to the OA-LGA microspheres were apparently weaker than those to OA-alum. Repeated injections of high dose OA-LGA microspheres to OA-sensitized guinea pigs (high-LGA group) for 8 weeks at intervals of 2 weeks elicited an excellent therapeutic effect, i.e. a significant increase in the threshold value of antigen inhalation test, with a significant increase in IgG2 blocking antibody. The therapeutic efficacy of the high-LGA group was comparable to the conventional immunotherapy model (conventional group) and was superior to the antigen-alum model (alum group). We concluded that administration of antigen-LGA microspheres could become a new immunotherapeutic method for allergic disorders, being safer and requiring a lower frequency of antigen injections than the conventional method.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Injections
  • Lactates / administration & dosage*
  • Lactic Acid*
  • Microspheres
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Polyesters
  • Polyglycolic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Polymers / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Lactates
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • poly(lactide)
  • Ovalbumin