The Extent of the Uptake of Plasmid Into the Skin Determines the Immune Responses Induced by a DNA Vaccine Applied Topically Onto the Skin

January 2011 in “ Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ”

Zhen Yu, Woon-Gye Chung, Brian R. Sloat, Christiane V. Löhr, Richard Weiss, B. Leticia Rodriguez, Xinran Li, Zhengrong Cui

DNA vaccine hair follicles anagen stage hair plucking retinoic acid O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate plasmid DNA antibody responses RA TPA

Studysummary This study found that inducing hair follicles into the anagen stage by plucking significantly enhances antibody responses in mice after topical DNA vaccine application, compared to retinoic acid or TPA treatments.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This study explored the enhancement of immune responses from a DNA vaccine applied topically to the skin by inducing hair follicles into the anagen stage. Three methods were tested: hair plucking, retinoic acid (RA), and O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Hair plucking was found to be the most effective method for enhancing antibody responses, as it facilitated better uptake or retention of the DNA in the application area. In contrast, RA and TPA treatments caused more skin damage and severe local inflammation. The study concluded that the extent of plasmid DNA uptake in the skin correlated with the strength of the antibody responses.

View this study on academic.oup.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

5 / 5 results

research Nanoparticle-Based Targeting of Vaccine Compounds to Skin Antigen-Presenting Cells by Hair Follicles and Their Transport in Mice

119 citations , December 2008 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

In this study, transcutaneously applied nanoparticles and viral vectors were shown to penetrate murine hair follicles, internalize in antigen-presenting cells, and induce immune responses, suggesting a promising approach for vaccine delivery.

research Immunization by Application of DNA Vaccine onto a Skin Area Where the Hair Follicles Have Been Induced into Anagen-Onset Stage

20 citations , August 2007 in “Molecular therapy”

This study found that inducing hair follicles into the anagen-onset stage in mice enhances the immune response to a topically applied DNA vaccine against anthrax.

research 40nm, But Not 750 or 1,500nm, Nanoparticles Enter Epidermal CD1a+ Cells After Transcutaneous Application on Human Skin

323 citations , April 2006 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study found that 40 nm nanoparticles can effectively penetrate into hair follicles and epidermal Langerhans cells in human skin samples, potentially enabling efficient transcutaneous vaccine delivery.

research Efficient Delivery of Transgenes to Human Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells Using Topical Lipoplex

124 citations , April 2000 in “Nature biotechnology”

Cells Within the Bulge Region of Mouse Hair Follicle Transiently Proliferate During Early Anagen: Heterogeneity and Functional Differences of Various Hair Cycles

research Cells Within the Bulge Region of Mouse Hair Follicle Transiently Proliferate During Early Anagen: Heterogeneity and Functional Differences of Various Hair Cycles

130 citations , January 1994 in “Differentiation”

In this study, researchers found that bulge cells in mouse hair follicles undergo transient proliferation during early anagen, indicating their role as follicular stem cells. However, another factor beyond dermal papilla proximity may be required to initiate a new anagen phase.