Tabriz University of Medical Sciences ImmunoAnalysis 2783-2589 3 1 2023 03 27 Immunogenicity of Chitosan-Based Non-invasive Vaccine Strategy Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis 2 2 10.34172/ia.2023.02 EN Rasoul Hoseinpour https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2717-0355 Alka Hasani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6648-0893 Behzad Baradaran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8642-6795 Jalal Abdolalizadeh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8283-5057 Roya Salehi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9284-0055 Akbar Hasani https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9461-821X Hossein Samadi Kafil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6026-8795 Edris Nabizadeh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8192-8382 Journal Article 10.34172/ia.2023.02 2023 01 27 2023 02 19 Background: In spite of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, still tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a problematic impediment that requires perspective management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of chitosan nanoparticles containing recombinant mycobacterial proteins and adjuvant in the Balb/C mice through a non-invasive nasal inhalation delivery route and measure the level of cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-17. Methods: Thirty mice in five different groups were vaccinated through inhalation with compounds set in different combinations. Two weeks after the last nasal delivery, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 were measured in spleen cell culture supernatants. Results: The IFN-γ and IL-17 concentrations were found to increase in the groups that received chitosan nanoparticles containing protein and adjuvant alone or as a BCG booster. Our study showed that the chitosan nanoparticle containing protein and adjuvant induced a Th1 response. However, the groups that first received BCG and then chitosan nanoparticles containing protein and adjuvant had the greatest Th1 response in terms of IFN-γ and IL-17 production in all the groups. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the vaccine designed to be administered through the nasal mucosa well stimulates cellular immunity and enhances the BCG vaccine’s effectiveness.