Vaccine Strategies to Elicit Mucosal Immunity

Abstract

Vaccines are essential tools to prevent infection and control transmission of infectious diseases that threaten public health. Most infectious agents enter their hosts across mucosal surfaces, which make up key first lines of host defense against pathogens. Mucosal immune responses play critical roles in host immune defense to provide durable and better recall responses. Substantial attention has been focused on developing effective mucosal vaccines to elicit robust localized and systemic immune responses by administration via mucosal routes. Mucosal vaccines that elicit effective immune responses yield protection superior to parenterally delivered vaccines. Beyond their valuable immunogenicity, mucosal vaccines can be less expensive and easier to administer without a need for injection materials and more highly trained personnel. However, developing effective mucosal vaccines faces many challenges, and much effort has been directed at their development. In this article, we review the history of mucosal vaccine development and present an overview of mucosal compartment biology and the roles that mucosal immunity plays in defending against infection, knowledge that has helped inform mucosal vaccine development. We explore new progress in mucosal vaccine design and optimization and novel approaches created to improve the efficacy and safety of mucosal vaccines.

A Narrative Review on the Promising Potential of Graphene in Vaccine Design: Evaluating the Benefits and Drawbacks of Carbon Nanoplates in Nanovaccine Production

“…This can provide better protection against pathogens that enter the body through mucosal surfaces, such as the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. Mucosal vaccines, which target the body’s mucosal surfaces, such as the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts, offer several advantages over traditional parenteral (injectable) vaccines [ 53 ]. Graphene-based materials, particularly graphene oxide, have been shown to possess mucoadhesive properties, allowing them to adhere to and interact with mucosal surfaces [ 54 ].…”