Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles As an Adjuvant for Inactivated Foot-and-mouth Disease Vaccine in Pigs

Background Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly transmissible disease that leads to vast economic losses in many countries. Prevention using inactivated vaccines is one effective measure used to control FMD. Unfortunately, inactivated FMD vaccines provide only short-term protection and require a cold-chain system. In recent years, many studies have shown that layered double metal hydroxides (LDHs) carrying antigens can be used to strongly induce immune responses. In this study, LDH nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. LDH particle size, electric potential, and morphology were measured and observed. The adsorption capacity of LDH NPs to FMDV was tested. The effects of LDH as an adjuvant on inactivated FMDV vaccines were further evaluated and compared with commercial FMDV Montanide ISA-206 in BALB/C female mice and Yorkshire pigs. Results LDH NPs were successfully prepared with a uniform particle size of ~ 87.21 nm, regular edges, a loose hexagonal shape and positive zeta charge of 32 mV. The maximum absorption concentration was 0.16–0.31 μg FMDV/μg LDH. In the mouse experiment, antibody levels in group LDH + FMDV were significantly higher compared to group saline + FMDV ( P < 0.01) from days 42–98 and were significantly higher to group ISA-206 + FMDV on day 56 post-immunization ( P < 0.05). After day 14 post-immunization, IFN-γ content was significantly increased ( P < 0.05). In the pig experiment, antibody levels in both the ISA-206 + FMDV and LDH + FMDV were positive and were significantly higher compared with the PBS group on day 7 ( P < 0.005). Antibody levels in 90% pigs were positive on day 56 in the LDH group. The neutralizing antibody levels in the LDH and ISA-206 groups were significantly higher from days 7–28 compared to the PBS control group ( P < 0.05). Thus, LDH NPs were effective at inducing an immune response against FMDV. Conclusions LDHs with a loose hexagonal shape and a positive charge were prepared and evaluated as adjuvant for FMD vaccine. It was demonstrated that LDHs can induce immune responses in mice and pigs. In addition, the LDHs produced antibodies continuously which may indicate a slow-release effect. The study shows that LDHs may act as a potentially useful FMDV adjuvant.