Mesoporous silica particles potentiate antigen-specific T-cell responses.

Aim: To study the adjuvant effect of mesoporous silica particles and their capability of modifying an already existing allergic Th2-like immune response. Materials & methods: The adjuvant effect of Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15) mesoporous silica particles was studied in an antigen-specific ovalbumin (OVA) system in vitro and in vivo. The capacity of the OVA-loaded SBA-15 particles (SBA-15-OVA) to modify an existing immune response was assessed in a murine allergy model. Results: SBA-15-OVA induced significantly stronger OVA-specific splenocyte proliferation compared with OVA alone. Significantly higher IFN-gamma production was observed in ex vivo OVA-stimulated splenocytes from SBA-15-OVA-immunized mice compared with mice injected with only SBA-15 or OVA. Treatment of OVA-sensitized mice with SBA-15-OVA modified the immune response with significantly lower serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and higher IgG levels compared with the alum-OVA-treated group. Conclusion: The results are promising for the continued development of mesoporous silica materials for therapeutic applications.