Encapsulation of Ole e 1 in biodegradable microparticles induces Th1 response in mice: a potential vaccine for allergy

Abstract

Ole e 1 is the most prevalent allergen of olive (Olea europaea) pollen. The suitability of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles as a vaccine delivery system for Ole e 1 in therapy against olive allergy has been evaluated. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with Ole e 1 in PLG microparticles. Encapsulated Ole e 1 induced specific and long-lasting antibodies that were predominantly of the IgG2a isotype. Splenic cells from immunized mice secreted in vitro IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, after stimulation with Ole e 1. These results suggest that Ole e 1-containing PLG microparticles elicit a specific Th1-type immune response and may become a promising concept for allergy vaccine.