Development of hepatitis B oral vaccine using B-cell epitope loaded PLG microparticles

Oral hepatitis B vaccine formulation was prepared by successful encapsulation of immunogenic peptide representing residues 127–145 of the immunodominant B-cell epitope of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in poly(d,l-lactide co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles. The smooth, spherical PLG microparticles with a diameter of around 10 μm was prepared by using W/O/W double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The entrapment efficiency of B-cell epitope peptide (BCEP) into PLG microparticles was 64%. In vitro studies showed B-cell epitope loaded PLG microparticles (BCEM) released the peptide in sustained profile and reached 64.9% efficiency by Day 25. Single oral immunization of mice with BCEM led to the significant induction of specific serum IgG and IgM anti-HB antibodies. After the termination of antibody induction, the orally immunized mice were infected with HBsAg, which resulted in the rapid production of antibodies against HBsAg as a result of secondary immune response. PLG microparticles formulation approach may have potential in increasing the efficacy of microparticulate systems for the oral administration of hepatitis B vaccine.