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Edwards C, Shah SA, Gebhardt T, Jewell CM. Exploiting Unique Features of Microneedles to Modulate Immunity. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2302410. [PMID: 37380199 PMCID: PMC10753036 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Microneedle arrays (MNAs) are small patches containing hundreds of short projections that deliver signals directly to dermal layers without causing pain. These technologies are of special interest for immunotherapy and vaccine delivery because they directly target immune cells concentrated in the skin. The targeting abilities of MNAs result in efficient immune responses-often more protective or therapeutic-compared to conventional needle delivery. MNAs also offer logistical benefits, such as self-administration and transportation without refrigeration. Thus, numerous preclinical and clinical studies are exploring these technologies. Here the unique advantages of MNA, as well as critical challenges-such as manufacturing and sterility issues-the field faces to enable widespread deployment are discussed. How MNA design parameters can be exploited for controlled release of vaccines and immunotherapies, and the application to preclinical models of infection, cancer, autoimmunity, and allergies are explained. Specific strategies are also discussed to reduce off-target effects compared to conventional vaccine delivery routes, and novel chemical and manufacturing controls that enable cargo stability in MNAs across flexible intervals and temperatures. Clinical research using MNAs is then examined. Drawbacks of MNAs and the implications, and emerging opportunities to exploit MNAs for immune engineering and clinical use are concluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Edwards
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Shrey A Shah
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Thomas Gebhardt
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Christopher M Jewell
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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Zheng Y, Ling Z, Li Z, Zhao P, Wen X, Qu F, Yu H, Chang H. A Rapidly Dissolvable Microneedle Patch with Tip-Accumulated Antigens for Efficient Transdermal Vaccination. Macromol Biosci 2023; 23:e2300253. [PMID: 37552862 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Dissolvable microneedles (DMNs) are an attractive alternative for vaccine delivery due to their user-friendly, skin-targeted, and minimally invasive features. However, vaccine waste and inaccurate dosage remain significant issues faced by DMNs, as the skin's elasticity makes it difficult to insert MNs completely. Here, a simple and reliable fabrication method are introduced based on two-casting micromolding with centrifugal drying to create a rapidly DMN patch made of hyaluronic acid. Ovalbumin (OVA), as the model antigens, is concentrated in the tip parts of the DMNs (60% of the needle height) to prevent antigen waste caused by skin elasticity. The time and temperature of the initial centrifugal drying significantly affect antigen distribution within the needle tips, with lower temperature facilitating antigen accumulation. The resulting DMN patch is able to penetrate the skin with enough mechanical strength and quickly release antigens into the skin tissue within 3 min. The in vivo study demonstrates that immunization of OVA with DMNs outperforms conventional vaccination routes, including subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, in eliciting both humoral and cellular immunity. This biocompatible DMN patch offers a promising and effective strategy for efficient and safe vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Zheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Zhixin Ling
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Zhiming Li
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Puxuan Zhao
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Xueyu Wen
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Fengli Qu
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Haining Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Hao Chang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
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Feng YX, Hu H, Wong YY, Yao X, He ML. Microneedles: An Emerging Vaccine Delivery Tool and a Prospective Solution to the Challenges of SARS-CoV-2 Mass Vaccination. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051349. [PMID: 37242591 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is an effective measure to prevent infectious diseases. Protective immunity is induced when the immune system is exposed to a vaccine formulation with appropriate immunogenicity. However, traditional injection vaccination is always accompanied by fear and severe pain. As an emerging vaccine delivery tool, microneedles overcome the problems associated with routine needle vaccination, which can effectively deliver vaccines rich in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to the epidermis and dermis painlessly, inducing a strong immune response. In addition, microneedles have the advantages of avoiding cold chain storage and have the flexibility of self-operation, which can solve the logistics and delivery obstacles of vaccines, covering the vaccination of the special population more easily and conveniently. Examples include people in rural areas with restricted vaccine storage facilities and medical professionals, elderly and disabled people with limited mobility, infants and young children afraid of pain. Currently, in the late stage of fighting against COVID-19, the main task is to increase the coverage of vaccines, especially for special populations. To address this challenge, microneedle-based vaccines have great potential to increase global vaccination rates and save many lives. This review describes the current progress of microneedles as a vaccine delivery system and its prospects in achieving mass vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Xiu Feng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huan Hu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu-Yuen Wong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xi Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ming-Liang He
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- CityU Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518071, China
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Chen J, Ren H, Zhou P, Zheng S, Du B, Liu X, Xiao F. Microneedle-mediated drug delivery for cutaneous diseases. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1032041. [PMID: 36324904 PMCID: PMC9618658 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1032041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microneedles have garnered significant interest as transdermal drug delivery route owing to the advantages of nonselective loading capacity, minimal invasiveness, simple operation, and good biocompatibility. A number of therapeutics can be loaded into microneedles, including hydrophilic and hydrophobic small molecular drugs, and macromolecular drugs (proteins, mRNA, peptides, vaccines) for treatment of miscellaneous diseases. Microneedles feature with special benefits for cutaneous diseases owing to the direct transdermal delivery of therapeutics to the skin. This review mainly introduces microneedles fabricated with different technologies and transdermal delivery of various therapeutics for cutaneous diseases, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, skin and soft tissue infection, superficial tumors, axillary hyperhidrosis, and plantar warts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Ren
- Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pan Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Zheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Du
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Du, ; Xiaowen Liu, ; Fei Xiao,
| | - Xiaowen Liu
- Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Du, ; Xiaowen Liu, ; Fei Xiao,
| | - Fei Xiao
- Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Du, ; Xiaowen Liu, ; Fei Xiao,
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Zare MR, Khorram M, Barzegar S, Sarkari B, Asgari Q, Ahadian S, Zomorodian K. Dissolvable carboxymethyl cellulose/polyvinylpyrrolidone microneedle arrays for transdermal delivery of Amphotericin B to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 182:1310-1321. [PMID: 34000308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a significant public health problem caused by different species of Leishmania parasites. Due to low skin permeability, the development of an effective system for delivery of Amphotericin B (AMB), the common effective drug for leishmaniasis treatment, is required to replace the unpleasant and problematic injections. To overcome this problem, a dissolvable microneedle (MN) patch was developed, using biodegradable polymers (a mixture of polyvinylpyrrolidone and carboxymethyl cellulose) for AMB's transdermal delivery. Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescent images showed successful fabrication of the MNs and homogeneous dispersion of the drug into the needles. MNs showed good mechanical properties with the ability to penetrate the rat skin and reach the lower layers. After insertion to the skin, the MNs were rapidly dissolved to release the encapsulated drug, and the resulted micropores in the skin were quickly resealed within 30 min. MN patches showed non-toxicity as exposed to HT-29 cell line. Flow cytometry results showed a potent in vitro leishmanicidal activity of AMB-loaded MN patches against the Leishmania parasites (up to 86% of the parasites' death). Taken together, MN patches might represent a new, efficient and clinically translational approach for transdermal AMB delivery to treat CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Zare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71348-51154, Iran
| | - Mohammad Khorram
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71348-51154, Iran.
| | - Sajjad Barzegar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71348-51154, Iran
| | - Bahador Sarkari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-45794, Iran; Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-45794, Iran
| | - Qasem Asgari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-45794, Iran
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Kamiar Zomorodian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-45794, Iran; Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-45794, Iran.
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Amani H, Shahbazi MA, D'Amico C, Fontana F, Abbaszadeh S, Santos HA. Microneedles for painless transdermal immunotherapeutic applications. J Control Release 2020; 330:185-217. [PMID: 33340568 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has recently garnered plenty of attention to improve the clinical outcomes in the treatment of various diseases. However, owing to the dynamic nature of the immune system, this approach has often been challenged by concerns regarding the lack of adequate long-term responses in patients. The development of microneedles (MNs) has resulted in the improvement and expansion of immuno-reprogramming strategies due to the housing of high accumulation of dendritic cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and mast cells in the dermis layer of the skin. In addition, MNs possess many outstanding properties, such as the ability for the painless traverse of the stratum corneum, minimal invasiveness, facile fabrication, excellent biocompatibility, convenient administration, and bypassing the first pass metabolism that allows direct translocation of therapeutics into the systematic circulation. These advantages make MNs excellent candidates for the delivery of immunological biomolecules to the dermal antigen-presenting cells in the skin with the aim of vaccinating or treating different diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, with minimal invasiveness and side effects. This review discusses the recent advances in engineered MNs and tackles limitations relevant to traditional immunotherapy of various hard-to-treat diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Amani
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland; Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland; Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center (ZPNRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, 45139-56184 Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Carmine D'Amico
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Flavia Fontana
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Samin Abbaszadeh
- Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center (ZPNRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, 45139-56184 Zanjan, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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Zhu DD, Zhang XP, Zhang BL, Hao YY, Guo XD. Safety Assessment of Microneedle Technology for Transdermal Drug Delivery: A Review. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Dan Zhu
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 P. R. China
| | - Xiao Peng Zhang
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 P. R. China
| | - Bao Li Zhang
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 P. R. China
| | - Yu Ying Hao
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 P. R. China
| | - Xin Dong Guo
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 P. R. China
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Affiliation(s)
- Aung Than
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Innovative Centre for Flexible DevicesNanyang Technological University Singapore
| | - Ping Zan
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Innovative Centre for Flexible DevicesNanyang Technological University Singapore
| | - Peng Chen
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Innovative Centre for Flexible DevicesNanyang Technological University Singapore
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