earticle

영어

Influenza is a vaccine-preventable disease, but remains a major health problem world- wide. Morbidity and mortality due to influenza could be reduced by development of simple and effective vaccination methods. Immunization via the skin is attractive, because, in large part, the skin is replete with antigen-presenting cells such as Langerhans and dermal dendritic cells. Arrays of metal micron-scale needles were coated with influenza inactivated virus vaccines suitable for simple, manual application. A single dose of influenza vaccine from microneedles (MNs) generated strong antibody and cellular immune responses in mice and provided superior protection against lethal viral challenge at the main site of viral replication in the lung, as evidenced by virus clearance below the detection limit. Additionally, microneedle vaccination resulted in enhanced cellular recall responses after challenge. In contrast to conventional egg-based vaccine production, cell-based vaccines are being developed to expedite vaccine manufacturing and thereby reduce the threat of insufficient supply. Virus like particles (VLPs) and DNA vaccines are attractive cell-based vaccines and the vaccinations using MN patch coated with VLP or DNA demonstrated dose-sparing effects of influenza vaccine in comparison with intramuscular (IM) injection. Apart from immunologic advantages, microneedles also offer potential logistic opportunities. The small size of microneedles should facilitate storage, stockpiling and transportation of influenza vaccines. Vaccination should be faster and simpler because microneedles are painless and suitable for self administration. Mass-produced microneedles would be cost-competitive with hypodermic needle and syringe. In summary, our results suggest that influenza vaccine delivery to the skin using microneedle patches may provide a new modality to increase patient coverage and improve immunogenicity of influenza and other vaccines.