Journal Article

Current Progress in Particle-Based Systems for Transdermal Vaccine Delivery

Langguth, Peter, Pielenhofer, Jonas, Windbergs, Maike, Sohl, Julian, Radsak, Markus P.

2020

Overview

Transcutaneous immunization (TCI) via needle-free and non-invasive drug delivery systems is a promising approach for overcoming the current limitations of conventional parenteral vaccination methods. The targeted access to professional antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations within the skin, such as Langerhans cells (LCs), various dermal dendritic cells (dDCs), macrophages, and others makes the skin an ideal vaccination site to specifically shape immune responses as required. The stratum corneum (SC) of the skin is the main penetration barrier that needs to be overcome by the vaccine components in a coordinated way to achieve optimal access to dermal APC populations that induce priming of T-cell or B-cell responses for protective immunity. While there are numerous approaches to penetrating the SC, such as electroporation, sono- or iontophoresis, barrier and ablative methods, jet and powder injectors, and microneedle-mediated transport, we will focus this review on the recent progress made in particle-based systems for TCI. This particular approach delivers vaccine antigens together with adjuvants to perifollicular APCs by diffusion and deposition in hair follicles. Different delivery systems including nanoparticles and lipid-based systems, for example, solid nano-emulsions, and their impact on immune cells and generation of a memory effect are discussed. Moreover, challenges for TCI are addressed, including timely and targeted delivery of antigens and adjuvants to APCs within the skin as well as a deeper understanding of the ill-defined mechanisms leading to the induction of effective memory responses.

• Publisher: Frontiers Media SA,Frontiers Media S.A
• Subject: Adjuvants / Adjuvants, Immunologic / Administration, Cutaneous / Antigen-presenting cells / Antigen-Presenting Cells - immunology / Antigens / Cytotoxicity / Dendritic cells / Dermis - cytology / Dermis - immunology / Drug delivery / Drug Delivery Systems / Ebola virus / Electroporation / Follicles / Hepatitis / Humans / Immune response / Immunological memory / Immunology / Infections / Injections, Jet / Iontophoresis / Langerhans cells / Langerhans Cells - immunology / Ligands / Liposomes - administration & dosage / Lymph Nodes - immunology / Lymphatic system / Lymphocytes / Lymphocytes B / Lymphocytes T / Macrophages / Nanoemulsions / Nanoparticles / Nanoparticles - administration & dosage / needle-free vaccination / Ovalbumin - administration & dosage / Particle Size / particulate systems / Pathogens / Peptide Fragments - administration & dosage / Peptides / Pharmaceutical Vehicles - administration & dosage / Skin / Sonication / Stratum corneum / T-Lymphocytes - immunology / transcutaneous immunization / Vaccination - methods / vaccine particles / Vaccines / Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle - administration & dosage