A protective role of murine langerin⁺ cells in immune responses to cutaneous vaccination with microneedle patches

Sci Rep. 2014 Aug 18:4:6094. doi: 10.1038/srep06094.

Abstract

Cutaneous vaccination with microneedle patches offers several advantages over more frequently used approaches for vaccine delivery, including improved protective immunity. However, the involvement of specific APC subsets and their contribution to the induction of immunity following cutaneous vaccine delivery is not well understood. A better understanding of the functions of individual APC subsets in the skin will allow us to target specific skin cell populations in order to further enhance vaccine efficacy. Here we use a Langerin-EGFP-DTR knock-in mouse model to determine the contribution of langerin(+) subsets of skin APCs in the induction of adaptive immune responses following cutaneous microneedle delivery of influenza vaccine. Depletion of langerin(+) cells prior to vaccination resulted in substantial impairment of both Th1 and Th2 responses, and decreased post-challenge survival rates, in mice vaccinated cutaneously but not in those vaccinated via the intramuscular route or in non-depleted control mice. Our results indicate that langerin(+) cells contribute significantly to the induction of protective immune responses following cutaneous vaccination with a subunit influenza vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / genetics
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Vaccination / methods
  • Vaccines, Subunit / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Cd207 protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins