Preparation and evaluation of antigen/N-trimethylaminoethylmethacrylate chitosan conjugates for nasal immunization.

•Ovalbumin conjugated N-trimethylaminoethylmethacrylate chitosan (OVA–TMC) was prepared for nasal immunization.•OVA–TMC showed higher cellular uptake than OVA alone or OVA/TMC physical mixture.•OVA–TMC drained preferably to superficial and deep cervical lymph nodes after nasal administration.•OVA–TMC induced high levels of systemic and mucosal immune responses after three nasal immunizations.