Protection induced by inactivated influenza virus vaccines with polymethylmethacrylate adjuvants

Abstract

Nanocapsules from a copolymer of polymethylmethacrylate and polyacrylamide were tested for adjuvant activity in mouse protection experiments with inactivated influenza virus as antigen. Viruses were either adsorbed on the capsules after polymerization or added to the monomers and incorporated by copolymerization after X-ray initiation. Both preparations showed enhanced immunity as compared to fluid vaccine, if the adjuvant content was 1%. The adjuvant effect was comparable to that caused by the mineral adjuvant Al(OH)₃. After dilution of the polymer the adjuvant effect was lost. Such synthetic polymers at suitable concentrations could serve as alternatives to mineral adjuvants.