ABSTRACT
In a previous study, we demonstrated that vaginal immunization with HIV capturing NS could induce HIV-1-specific IgA antibody in vaginal washes of mice, since HIV capturing NS accumulated in the folds of the mucosal membrane for a longer period than with HIV immunization alone [5, 6]. Since NS is a solid dispersing in aqueous solution rather than dissolving, it is assumed that NS are easily trapped in a narrow space such as mucosal folds. The results of the present study suggest that CT-NS may also become trapped somewhere in the vasculature or nasal mucosa, leading to the steady activation of the immune system. Since all proteins have a surface amino group, the immobilization of any antigen should be possible using this system. Thus, various antigen-NS hybrids should be further pursued for their potential as highly efficient mucosal vaccines.
