3D-Printing of Structure-Controlled Antigen Nanoparticles for Vaccine Delivery

Abstract

Targeted delivery of antigen to immune cells using micro/nanocarriers may serve as therapeutic application for the vaccination. However, synthetic carriers have potential drawbacks in cytotoxicity, low encapsulation efficiency of antigen, and lack of morphological design, which limits the translation of the delivery system to the clinical use. Here we report a carrier-free and 3D-shape-designed antigen nanoparticle by multiphoton lithography-based 3D-printing. This simple, versatile 3D-printing approach provides freedom for the precise design of particle shape with nanoscale resolution. Importantly, shaped-designed antigen nanoparticles with distinct aspect ratio show shape-dependent immune responses. The 3D-printing approach for rational design of nanomaterials with increasing safety, complexity, and efficacy offer an emerging platform to develop vaccine delivery system and mechanistic understanding.