Strategies for intranasal delivery of vaccines

Abstract

The vast majority of human pathogens colonize and invade at the mucosal surfaces. Preventing infection at these sites via mucosally active vaccines is a promising and rational approach for vaccine development. However, it is only recently that the stimulation of local immunity at the mucosal surfaces has become a primary objective in addition to inducing systemic immunity. This review describes vaccine formulations designed for mucosal delivery to the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, via intranasal administration. The association of antigens with mucosal adjuvants and delivery systems is emphasised.

Fig. 1

Waldeyer’s ring is an induction site for mucosal responses. It is formed by the lymphoid tissues near the opening of the respiratory and digestive systems. It consists of the adenoid, tubal, palatine and lingual tonsils

Fig. 2

Scheme of immunological pathway for induction of local mucosal response in NALT

Fig. 3

The structure of the lipid moieties used to enhance immunogenicity of weak antigens

Fig. 4

Structures of lipopeptides with a T helper epitope (P25), S. pyogenes B cell epitope (J14) and a lipid moiety based on LAAs

Fig. 5

Chemical structure of MLA