Glyconanoparticles as tools to prevent antimicrobial resistance

Abstract

The increased phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance and the slow pace of development of new antibiotics are at the base of a global health concern regarding microbial infections. Antibiotic resistance kills an estimated 700,000 people each year worldwide, and this number is expected to increase dramatically if efforts are not made to develop new drugs or alternative containment strategies. Increased vaccination coverage, improved sanitation or sustained implementation of infection control measures are among the possible areas of action. Indeed, vaccination is one of the most effective tools of preventing infections. Starting from 1970s polysaccharide-based vaccines against Meningococcus, Pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b have been licensed, and provided effective protection for population. However, the development of safe and effective vaccines for infectious diseases with broad coverage remains a major challenge in global public health. In this scenario, nanosystems are receiving attention as alternative delivery systems to improve vaccine efficacy and immunogenicity. In this report, we provide an overview of current applications of glyconanomaterials as alternative platforms in the development of new vaccine candidates. In particular, we will focus on nanoparticle platforms, used to induce the activation of the immune system through the multivalent-displacement of saccharide antigens.

Keywords: Antibacterial infections; Glycans; Saccharide antigens; Vaccine platforms.

Fig. 1

Estimated annual drug-resistant infections per year in US The figure, adapted from ref. [8], reports the US priority list of antibiotic resistant bacteria with the indication of the level of threat (A), and the number of estimated cases of resistant infections (B). The data are relative to the collection of data in 2019 and 2013

Fig. 2

Nanosystems used for antigen presentation in vaccine development