title: Dissolving polymer microneedle patches for influenza vaccination.
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.
authors.affiliation: Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Dimitrios G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Koutsonanos
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Pilar Martin
authors.forename: Jeong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zarnitsyn
authors.forename: Seong-O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Niren
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Compans
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Skountzou
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Prausnitz
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000502:physiology; D004304:Dosage Forms; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary / Q000379:methods; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D051379:Mice; D009339:Needles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014611:Vaccination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004304:Dosage Forms; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D011108:Polymers