Stabilization of Influenza Vaccine Enhances Protection by Microneedle Delivery in the Mouse Skin

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007152
• Publication Date: 2009-09-25T12:45:03Z
• Authors: Fu-Shi Quan; Yeu-Chun Kim; Dae-Goon Yoo; Richard W. Compans; Mark R. Prausnitz; Sang-Moo Kang
• Keywords: Hemagglutination assay; Vaccine efficacy

Simple and effective vaccine administration is particularly important for annually recommended influenza vaccination. We hypothesized that delivery to the skin using a patch containing vaccine-coated microneedles could be an attractive approach improve vaccination compliance efficacy.Solid microneedle arrays coated with inactivated were prepared simple skin. However, stability of vaccine, as measured by hemagglutination activity, was found significantly damaged during coating. The addition trehalose coating formulation retained indicating stabilization vaccine. For both intramuscular immunization, un-stabilized yielded weaker protective immune responses including viral neutralizing antibodies, efficacies, recall virus. Immunization also shifted pattern antibody isotypes compared stabilized Importantly, single microneedle-based superior immunization in controlling virus replication well inducing rapid post challenge.The functional integrity hemagglutinin associated improved immunity against influenza. produced protection conventional immunization. This likely applicable other vaccines too.