Enhanced antibody response to ovalbumin coupled to poly-dispersed acid functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes

Activated mouse B cells as compared to the resting B cells are known to internalize substantially more acid-functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (AF-SWCNTs). It was hypothesized that the antigens coupled to AF-SWCNTs would also be taken up more efficiently by B cells. Further the enhanced uptake of the antigen by B cells may facilitate antigen presentation by B cells resulting in a better antibody response. Aim of this study was to test this hypothesis. Ovalbumin was chemically coupled to AF-SWCNTs that yielded a coupled product that had 0.08% of all carbon atoms in AF-SWCNTs occupied by ovalbumin. Coupling of ovalbumin to AF-SWCNTs was confirmed by staining the product with anti-ovalbumin antibodies. B cells incubated with ovalbumin-AF-SWCNT internalized more ovalbumin than the B cells incubated with free ovalbumin. Groups of mice were immunized subcutaneously with (a) free ovalbumin, (b) free ovalbumin and AF-SWCNTs at two different subcutaneous sites respectively on mice, and (c) ovalbumin-AF-SWCNT coupled product. In each case a primary immunization was followed by three weekly booster doses. It was found that the anti-ovalbumin antibody response assessed by ELISA, was highest in the group where ovalbumin coupled to AF-SWCNTs was used for immunization (p < 0.001). Antibody response in ovalbumin-AF-SWCNT group was comparable to the group where ovalbumin was used for immunization using complete and incomplete Freund's adjuvant (primary and secondary immunizations respectively). We propose that AF-SWCNTs could be explored as an adjuvant to improve the antibody response especially in vaccine development.