Katarzyna M Sawicka
Stony Brook University, USA
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nanomed Nanotechnol
Conservative estimates predict that the next global pandemic could affect 25% of the worldâ??s population. Therefore, it is imperative to find a solution that eases the logistical hurdles to swift and efficient mass administration of vaccines against these diseases. Current standard of care calls for infrastructure, equipment and medically trained personnel. ImmunoMatrix is a novel technology that by-passes these hurdles. The first in class self-administrable skin patch consists of biologically active antigen molecules that are reversibly encapsulated within a nanofibrous matrix made of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). PVPâ??s ability to absorb water and the high surface area to volume ratio of the matrix it forms exploit the natural transport of water across the epidermis of the skin. This dissolves the solid-state patch to temporarily swell the â??brick and mortarâ? anatomy of the stratum corneum barrier to successfully deliver the molecular payload into the immunocompetent layers of the skin, where it can engage dermal APCs without resorting to abrasion or puncture of the skin. Significantly, ImmunoMatrix can deliver payloads as large as the 117,000 Daltons pertussis toxin (PT). The PT payload was delivered to Sprague-Dawley rats. The ImmunoMatrix-PT patch elicited a comparable B-cell mediated immune response to that achieved via an intramuscular injection. This platform technology has been shown to successfully encapsulate immunogens for avian influenza and anthrax, broadening the field of target diseases that can potentially be treated. Furthermore, the solid-state patch significantly enhances the long-term storage capacity of the encapsulated proteins.