Microneedle delivery of H5N1 influenza virus-like particles to the skin induces long-lasting B- and T-cell responses in mice

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2010 Sep;17(9):1381-9. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00100-10. Epub 2010 Jul 14.

Abstract

A simple method suitable for self-administration of vaccine would improve mass immunization, particularly during a pandemic outbreak. Influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) have been suggested as promising vaccine candidates against potentially pandemic influenza viruses, as they confer long-lasting immunity but are not infectious. We investigated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of influenza H5 VLPs containing the hemagglutinin (HA) of A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) virus delivered into the skin of mice using metal microneedle patches and also studied the response of Langerhans cells in a human skin model. Prime-boost microneedle vaccinations with H5 VLPs elicited higher levels of virus-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies, virus-specific antibody-secreting cells, and cytokine-producing cells up to 8 months after vaccination compared to the same antigen delivered intramuscularly. Both prime-boost microneedle and intramuscular vaccinations with H5 VLPs induced similar hemagglutination inhibition titers and conferred 100% protection against lethal challenge with the wild-type A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus 16 weeks after vaccination. Microneedle delivery of influenza VLPs to viable human skin using microneedles induced the movement of CD207(+) Langerhans cells toward the basement membrane. Microneedle vaccination in the skin with H5 VLPs represents a promising approach for a self-administered vaccine against viruses with pandemic potential.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral / administration & dosage
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Secondary / methods
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Needles
  • Skin / immunology*
  • Survival Analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccination / methods
  • Vaccines, Virosome / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Virosome / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Cytokines
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Virosome
  • hemagglutinin fusogenic peptide, influenza virus