From polymers to nanomedicines: New materials for future vaccines

Abstract

Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology and therefore covers various kinds of nanoparticles. In this chapter, we would like to provide a brief introduction and overview of nanoparticles for the modulation of the immune system. In general, these nano-sized objects can be inorganic colloids, organic colloids (synthesized by emulsion polymerization or mini-/nanoemulsion techniques), polymeric aggregates (micelles or polymersomes), core cross-linked aggregates (nanohydrogels, crosslinked micelles, or polyplexes), multifunctional polymer coils, dendritic polymers or perfect dendrimers. A special focus is set on polymeric materials, because the chemical composition of the particle corona will shape particle properties by providing steric stabilization, avoiding protein adsorption and particle aggregation in vivo. Besides synthesis of new materials, particle characterization is equally important and might be the key to a more detailed understanding of the behavior of nano-sized systems. In addition, we would like to highlight approaches towards nanoparticle-based immunotherapies.