title: Nanoparticulate mediated transcutaneous immunization: Myth or reality.
abstract: Transcutaneous immunization (TCI) is a promising route of vaccine delivery through skin due to many well documented advantages. The main obstacle in TCI is the skin's top dead layer i.e. stratum corneum which is difficult to penetrate. Efficiently delivery of antigen to the immune competent cells of epidermis or dermis in TCI might elicit an effective immune response. In this review, skin immunology with a particular focus on potential of immunological active receptors in influencing adaptive immune responses is highlighted. The challenges with TCI and methods to improve it using different adjuvants, chemical and physical approaches, delivery systems, and combination of above methods to further improve immune response following skin application of antigen are elaborately discussed. Nanoparticulate vaccine delivery systems with reference to their applications in TCI are classified according to their chronological development. Conclusively, clinical translations of above methods are also briefly reviewed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Transcutaneous immunization has been investigated by many as a promising route of vaccination. In this comprehensive review article, the authors described and discussed the existing knowledge and difficulties in this approach. Furthermore, ways of improving transcutaneous delivery were also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: SLT Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, India. Electronic address: monika11kaurav@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaurav
authors.affiliation: SLT Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, India. Electronic address: sunitaminz.3481@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minz
authors.affiliation: SLT Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, India. Electronic address: kantrol.sahu23@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kantrol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sahu
authors.affiliation: SLT Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, India. Electronic address: mrmanojkumar1@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Chandigarh College of Pharmacy, Mohali, Panjab, India. Electronic address: jitenderpharmacy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Madan
authors.affiliation: SLT Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, India. Electronic address: ravishankarpandey2@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Ravi Shankar
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Pandey
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000941:Antigens
keywords: Adjuvants; Nanoparticulate delivery systems; Transcutaneous immunization