DNA vaccines can elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. However, their poor immunogenicity is a major obstacle toward clinical applications. Improving the efficiency of delivery of DNA vaccines has become a key issue. Vaccination via microneedles penetrating the epidermis can dramatically enhance the stimulation of immune responses. This study showed that by using microneedles to deliver DNA vaccines, gene expression and corresponding immune responses were greatly improved compared to conventional needle injection. The quantitative analysis of gene expressions was made at 6, 24, 72, and 144 h after the DNA delivery. DNA expression levels increased in a time-dependent manner and were substantially greater than with syringe injection after 6 h and 24 h. This elevated expression was followed by markedly enhanced immune responses, with 6-10 times higher levels of antibody and T-cell responses.
Keywords: DNA vaccine; cellular immune response; microneedle.