Enhanced memory responses to H1N1 influenza vaccination in the skin using vaccine coated-microneedles

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Yeu-Chun Kim, Georgia Institute of Technology; Fu-Shi Quan, Emory University; Dae-Goon Yoo, Emory University; Richard W Compans, Emory University; Sang-Moo Kang, Emory University; Mark R. Prausnitz, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2010-01-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy A1 - Oxford Open Option C
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America
• Final Published Version (URL): http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/201/2/190
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Infectious Diseases
• ISSN: 0022-1899
• Volume: 201
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 190
• End Page: 198
• Grant/Funding Information: Korea Ginseng Society (grant 6-37250 to S.M.K); Southeast Regional Center of Excellence for Emerging Infections and Biodefense (grant AI 057157 to R.W.C); National Institutes of Health (grants EB 006369 [to M.R.P.] and AI 0680003 [to R.W.C.])
• Keywords: intradermal immunization; influenza virus; microneedle; vaccine; memory response
• Research Categories: Biology, Microbiology; Health Sciences, Immunology

Abstract

Background Morbidity and mortality due to influenza could be reduced by improved vaccination. Methods To develop a novel skin delivery method for simple and self administration, we prepared microneedle patches with stabilized influenza vaccine and investigated their protective immune responses. Results Mice immunized by a single microneedle dose of trehalose-stabilized influenza vaccine developed strong antibody responses that were long-lived. Compared to traditional intramuscular immunization, stabilized microneedle vaccination was superior in inducing protective immunity as evidenced by efficient lung viral clearance and enhanced humoral and antibody secreting cell immune responses after lethal challenge. Vaccine stabilization was found to be important, because mice immunized with an unstabilized microneedle vaccine elicited weaker IgG2a antibody response and were only partially protected against viral challenge. Improved trafficking of dendritic cells to regional lymph nodes by microneedle delivery to the skin might play a role in contributing to improved protective immunity. Conclusions These findings suggest that vaccination in the skin using a microneedle patch can improve protective efficacy, induce long-term sustained immunogenicity, and may provide a simple method of administration to improve influenza vaccination.