Effective transcutaneous immunization using a combination of iontophoresis and nanoparticles

Iontophoresis for transcutaneous immunization using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen, liposomes and silver nanoparticles (NPAg): in vitro iontophoresis of the liposomal dispersion containing NPAg improved OVA penetration into the viable epidermis, where antigen presenting cells are located. This increase in OVA skin penetration resulted in a humoral immune response similar to that obtained following a subcutaneous injection of OVA. The cellular immune responses that were obtained after iontophoresis of OVA-liposomes and OVA-liposomes w/o NPAg were more evident than those obtained after subcutaneous injection.139