Nasal vaccination with N-trimethyl chitosan and PLGA based nanoparticles: nanoparticle characteristics determine quality and strength of the antibody response in mice against the encapsulated antigen.

Nasal vaccination is a promising, needle-free alternative to classical vaccination. Nanoparticulate delivery systems have been reported to overcome the poor immunogenicity of nasally administered soluble antigens, but the characteristics of the ideal particle are unknown. This study correlates differences in physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles to their adjuvant effect, using ovalbumin (OVA)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NP), N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC) based NP (TMC NP) and TMC-coated PLGA NP (PLGA/TMC NP).

An improved primary human nasal cell culture for the simultaneous determination of transepithelial transport and ciliary beat frequency.

Objectives: The aim was to establish a preclinical in-vitro system of the nasal mucosa for the simultaneous evaluation of nasal absorption and effects on ciliary activity.

Methods: Human nasal epithelial cells were grown in collagen-coated transport inserts with transparent polyethylene terephthalate membranes (3 mum). Transepithelial transport and ciliary beat frequency values were measured every 15 min for 1 h.

Beneficial effect of antibiotics on ciliary beat frequency of human nasal epithelial cells exposed to bacterial toxins.

In the present study, we explored whether the cilio-inhibitory effect induced by toxins derived from bacterial infections could be compensated for by a cilio-stimulatory effect of antibiotics. Human nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) expressing beating cilia were grown as monolayers. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was determined using an inverted microscope coupled with a high-speed digital camera.