Next Generation Polyanhydride Nanovaccine Platform Technology For Poultry

. Polyanhydride nanoparticles (PANs) have been shown to be safe for use in many food animals and humans. In this project, our team of experts in nanotechnology, molecular biology, vaccines and poultry diseases will develop polyanhydride nanoparticle-based vaccines (i.e., nanovaccines) as a platform technology for more efficient poultry vaccination. Specifically, we will test the new technology in a model system with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causing infectious bronchitis (IB) disease, which results in severe economic losses to the poultry industry. Specifically, we will:Aim I: Examine the safety and fate of polyanhydrides (PANs) in chickens. We hypothesize that PANs will function as a safe and well-tolerated adjuvant for subunit vaccines in poultry. To test this hypothesis, we will utilize fluorescently labeled PANs to examine cell toxicity and tissue distribution in vivo. This aim will be successfully attained when the safety and persistence of PANs are well characterized in
the target host for immunization, chickens.Aim II: Decipher the immunogenicity of IBV proteins encapsulated within PANs. We hypothesize that PANs will efficiently release IBV antigens throughout the lifespan of broilers (average 8 weeks). To test this hypothesis, IBV-encapsulated PANs will be used to immunize chicken and examine their immunogenicity over 8 weeks. This aim will be successfully attained when stable and sufficient release of IBV antigens is demonstrated from the PANs.Aim III: Analyze the protective immunity of polyanhydride nanovaccine against challenge with IBV. We hypothesize that the polyanhydride nanovaccine will provide a better immunization strategy than commercial live attenuated vaccines (LAV). To test this hypothesis, we will examine the protective efficacy of the nanovaccine in a standard model system of IBV in comparison to LAV using readouts that include clinical signs, histology, virus load, and immunological parameters. This aim will be successfully
attained when the developed nanovaccine is shown to be more protective than LAV in the stringent IBV challenge model. Overall, developing a novel platform technology based on polyanhydride nanovaccines will significantly improve poultry immunization programs and help in providing a sustained supply of food to consumers in the USA and worldwide, an important mission of the Nanotechnology program supported by NIFA.