Response of live Newcastle disease virus encapsulated in N-2-hydroxypropyl dimethylethyl ammonium chloride chitosan nanoparticles

•Synthesis of N-2-hydroxypropyl dimethylethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (N-2-HFCC).•NDV encapsulated in N-2-HFCC/CMC nanoparticles (NDV/La Sota-N-2-HFCC/CMC-NPs).•In vitro release and storage stability of the NDV/La Sota-N-2-HFCC/CMC-NPs.•Biological evaluation and safety of the NDV/La Sota-N-2-HFCC/CMC-NPs.•A mucosal immunity delivery carrier for live Newcastle disease vaccine. We have synthesized N-2-hydroxypropyl dimethylethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (N-2-HFCC) with higher water solubility than chitosan. To evaluate its potential as delivery carrier, NDV encapsulated in N-2-HFCC/CMC nanoparticles (NDV/La Sota-N-2-HFCC/CMC-NPs) with a diameter of 252.2±32.68nm, Zeta potential of 41.1±0.89mV, encapsulation efficiency of 96.6±0.72% and loading capacity of 53.2±1.11% were prepared. NDV/La Sota-N-2-HFCC/CMC-NPs are a novel type of attenuated live vaccine encapsulated in nanoparticles. These nanoparticles displayed lower cytotoxicity and higher stability. Their bioactivity was maintained when they were stored for three months at the room temperature. Release assay in vitro showed that NDV could be sustainably released after an initial burst release. In vivo immunization showed that immunization of specific pathogen free chickens with NDV/La Sota-N-2-HFCC/CMC-NPs intranasally induced high titers of serum antibody, significantly promoted lymphocyte proliferation and caused higher levels of interleukine-2 and interference-γ. These results indicated that N-2-HFCC/CMC nanoparticles could serve as an efficient and safe delivery vehicle for mucosal immunity, and have a great potential in medical applications.