Microparticle and nanoparticle-based influenza vaccines

Influenza infections are a health public problem worldwide every year with the potential to become the next pandemic. Vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent future influenza outbreaks, however, influenza vaccines need to be reformulated each year to provide protection due to viral antigenic drift and shift. As more efficient influenza vaccines are needed, it is relevant to recapitulate strategies to improve the immunogenicity and broad reactivity of the current vaccines. Here, we review the current approved vaccines in the U.S. market and the platform used for their production. We discuss the different approaches to develop a broadly reactive vaccine as well as reviewing the adjuvant systems that are under study for being potentially included in future influenza vaccine formulations. The main components of the immune system involved in achieving a protective immune response are reviewed and how they participate in the trafficking of particles systemically and in the mucosa. Finally we describe and classify, according to their physicochemical properties, some of the potential micro and nano-particulate platforms that can be used as delivery systems for parenteral and mucosal vaccinations.