Microneedle-based intradermal delivery of the anthrax recombinant protective antigen vaccine.
The recombinant protective antigen (rPA) of Bacillus anthracis is a promising anthrax vaccine. We compared serum immunoglobulin G levels and toxin-neutralizing antibody titers in rabbits following delivery of various doses of vaccine by microneedle-based intradermal (i.d.) delivery or intramuscular (i.m.) injection using conventional needles. Intradermal delivery required less antigen to induce levels of antibody similar to those produced via i.m. injection during the first 2 weeks following primary and booster inoculation. This dose-sparing effect was less evident at the later stages of the immune response. Rabbits immunized i.d. with 10 mug of rPA displayed 100% protection from aerosol spore challenge, while i.m. injection of the same dose provided slightly lower protection (71%). Groups immunized with lower antigen doses were partially protected (13 to 29%) regardless of the mode of administration. Overall, our results suggest rPA formulated with aluminum adjuvant and administered to the skin by a microneedle-based device is as efficacious as i.m. vaccination.
Mikszta
John A
JA
BD Technologies, 21 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. john_mikszta@bd.com
Dekker
John P
JP
Harvey
Noel G
NG
Dean
Cheryl H
CH
Brittingham
John M
JM
Huang
Joanne
J
Sullivan
Vincent J
VJ
Dyas
Beverly
B
Roy
Chad J
CJ
Ulrich
Robert G
RG
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008845:Microinjections; D009339:Needles; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic
D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C030325:anthrax toxin