A modified process for preparing cationic polylactide-co-glycolide microparticles with adsorbed DNA.

We have previously shown that cationic polylactide-co-glycolide (PLG) microparticles can be effectively used to adsorb DNA and generate potent immune responses in vivo. We now describe a modified and easier process containing a single lyophilization step to prepare these cationic PLG microparticles with adsorbed DNA. Cationic PLG microparticle formulations with adsorbed DNA were prepared using a modified solvent evaporation technique.

Vaccines with the MF59 adjuvant do not stimulate antibody responses against squalene.

Squalene is a naturally occurring oil which has been used in the development of vaccine adjuvants, such as the oil-in-water emulsion MF59. In past years, by use of noncontrolled and nonvalidated assays, a claim was made that antisqualene antibodies were detectable in the sera of individuals with the so-called Gulf War syndrome. Using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantitation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against squalene, we demonstrated that antisqualene antibodies are frequently detectable at very low titers in the sera of subjects who were never immunized with vaccines containing squalene.