Dissolving polymer microneedle patches for influenza vaccination

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sean P. Sullivan, Emory University; Dimitrios G. Koutsonanos, Emory University; Maria del Pilar Martin, Emory University; Jeong-Woo Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology; Vladimir G. Zarnitsyn, Georgia Institute of Technology; Niren Murthy, Emory University; Richard W Compans, Emory University; Ioanna Skountzou, Emory University; Mark R. Prausnitz, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2010-08-01
• Publisher: Nature Research (part of Springer Nature)
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 Nature America Inc. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.2182
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Nature Medicine
• ISSN: 1078-8956
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 8
• Start Page: 915
• End Page: U116
• Grant/Funding Information: Maria del Pilar Martin was a trainee supported by contract HHSN266200700006C from NIH/NIAID.; Sean Sullivan was a trainee supported by a fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education GAANN program.; The work was supported in part by U.S. National Institutes of Health grants R01-EB006369 and U01-AI0680003.
• Keywords: DESIGN; Science & Technology; SKIN; IMMUNIZATION; SYSTEM; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; TRANSDERMAL DRUG-DELIVERY; RESPONSES; Research & Experimental Medicine; Cell Biology; IL-21; NEEDLES; PERCUTANEOUS-ABSORPTION; Medicine, Research & Experimental; ARRAYS
• Research Categories: Biology, Virology; Health Sciences, Pharmacology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Influenza prophylaxis would benefit from a vaccination method enabling simplified logistics and improved immunogenicity without the dangers posed by hypodermic needles. Here we introduce dissolving microneedle patches for influenza vaccination using a simple patch-based system that targets delivery to skin's antigen-presenting cells. Microneedles were fabricated using a biocompatible polymer encapsulating inactivated influenza virus vaccine for insertion and dissolution in the skin within minutes. Microneedle vaccination generated robust antibody and cellular immune responses in mice that provided complete protection against lethal challenge. Compared to conventional intramuscular injection, microneedle vaccination resulted in more efficient lung virus clearance and enhanced cellular recall responses after challenge. These results suggest that dissolving microneedle patches can provide a new technology for simpler and safer vaccination with improved immunogenicity that could facilitate increased vaccination coverage.