Induction of Humoral and Cellular Immunity by Intradermal Delivery of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Using Dissolvable Microneedles

J Immunol Res. 2021 May 17:2021:5531220. doi: 10.1155/2021/5531220. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The nucleocapsid protein (NP) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains immunogenic epitopes that can induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) against viral infection. This makes the nucleocapsid protein a suitable candidate for developing a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection. This article reports the intradermal delivery of NP antigen using dissolvable microneedle skin patches that could induce both significant B cell and T cell responses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Injections, Intradermal / methods
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Phosphoproteins / administration & dosage
  • Phosphoproteins / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • nucleocapsid phosphoprotein, SARS-CoV-2