Figure 17  Use of fullerenol as co-adjuvant for vaccination. (a) The structure of fullerenol, red balls represent O and white for H on the fullerene surface, and green balls represent C atoms. (b) The schematic diagram of HIV Env plasmid DNA encapsulated during the self-assembly of fullerenol. (c) TEM image of Env entrapped by fullerenol. (d) Compared to naked Env immunization group, IFN-γ production (immunospot) was significantly enhanced when mice were immunized with the formulation via various immunization routes, including intradermal (i.d.), intramuscular (i.m.), subcutaneous (s.c.), and intranasal (i.n.) injections. Fullerenol could decrease the antigen dosage (e) and immunization times (f). Reproduced with permission from ref (141). Copyright 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.