Silk Fibroin Nanoadjuvant as a Promising Vaccine Carrier to Deliver the FimH-IutA Antigen for Urinary Tract Infection

In this study, the silk fibroin nanoparticle (SFNP) was used as a nanoadjuvant in combination with a multiepitope-based vaccine for urinary tract infection (UTI). Nanoparticles containing the fusion protein were analyzed for physicochemical properties, toxicity, release profile, and in vivo potency. The synthesized nanovaccine showed a spherical shape with a mean particle size of 180 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 88%. Antigen release from SFNPs was 18% after 42 days. The SFNPs showed a zeta potential of −29 mV and had no toxic effect on the L929 cells in vitro. SFNPs in the vaccine formulations promoted humoral and cellular (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17) immune responses in comparison to controls. Immunization of mice with antigen-encapsulated SFNPs significantly increased the total IgG as well as IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. In addition, this formulation triggered concurrently type 1 (Th1) and type 2 (Th2) immune responses, with a Th1-polarized response. Furthermore, highly effective protection of the bladder and kidney against experimental UTI was obtained by using the nanoadjuvant containing the antigen for 6 months. The results demonstrated that SFNPs can be proposed as potent adjuvants or vaccine carriers to develop new and more effective nanovaccine formulations in the future.