Nanoparticle-Based Targeting of Vaccine Compounds to Skin Antigen-Presenting Cells by Hair Follicles and Their Transport in Mice
TLDR Nanoparticles can deliver vaccines through hair follicles, triggering immune responses and providing protection.
The study demonstrated that 40 and 200 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) expressing green-fluorescent protein could penetrate deeply into hair follicles in murine skin and be internalized by perifollicular antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Using fibered-based confocal microscopy, the researchers visualized in vivo particle penetration, diffusion into surrounding tissue, uptake by APCs, and transport to draining lymph nodes. The application of small particles, such as ovalbumin coding DNA or MVA, induced both humoral and cellular immune responses, and transcutaneously (TC) applied MVA provided protection against vaccinia virus challenge. These findings supported the concept of TC targeting of cutaneous APCs via hair follicles, contributing to the development of advanced vaccination protocols using NPs or viral vectors.
