Research status and challenges of ferritin nanoparticle vaccines
10.13200/j.cnki.cjb.004784
- VernacularTitle:铁蛋白纳米颗粒疫苗的研究现状与挑战
- Author:
Guanbo ZHANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Ferritin;
Nanoparticles(NPs);
Vaccines;
Self-assembly;
Immunogenicity
- From:
Chinese Journal of Biologicals
2026;39(10):1235-1243
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Nanoparticles(NPs) are a class of micro particles with particle sizes in the nanometer range. Among them, NPs based on protein self-assembly have attracted much attention due to their advantages such as precise structure, easy functionalization, and biodegradability. As a naturally occurring iron-storage protein in organisms, ferritin has emerged as a groundbreaking novel delivery and presentation platform in vaccine development, leveraging four core advantages: the high order of its 24-mer cage-like structure, biocompatibility with almost no immunogenicity, flexibility for precise modification across multiple interfaces, and high stability against acid, alkali, and high temperatures. Compared with traditional vaccine carriers,ferritin NPs can not only efficiently display epitopes or encapsulate antigen molecules through diverse strategies such as genetic fusion, chemical conjugation, and the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system, simulating the natural structure of pathogens to activate efficient recognition by the immune system, but also fundamentally address the pain points of traditional vaccines,such as weak immunogenicity, narrow protective spectrum, and short response duration, through mechanisms including enhanced antigen presentation efficiency, targeted lymphoid organ enrichment and simultaneous activation of humoral and cellular immune responses. This article systematically reviews the structural and functional characteristics of ferritin NPs,vaccine research status, current challenges and future development directions, in order to provide reference for the development of next-generation ferritin NP vaccines.
