In Vivo Biocompatibility of ZIF-8 for Antigen Slow Release via Intranasal Administration

Abstract

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) is becoming popular in research for its potential in antigen protection and for providing a thermally stable, slow-release platform. While papers applying these materials for immunological applications are aplenty in literature, studies that explore the biosafety of ZIF-8 in mammals--especially when administered intranasally--are not well represented. We checked the body clearance of uncoated and ZIF-coated liposomes and observed that the release slowed as ZIF-8 is easily degraded by mucosal fluid in the nasal cavity. We delivered varying doses of ZIF-8, checked their short- and long-term effects on diagnostic proteins found in blood serum, and found no noticeable differences from the saline control group. We also studied their lung diffusing capacity and tissue morphology; neither showed significant changes in morphology or function. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=133 SRC="FIGDIR/small/523104v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (37K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c2c72forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a2ee70org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d3fdf4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c5a43d_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGraphical Abstract:C_FLOATNO General overview of the investigation C_FIG