Protein antigen delivery by gene gun-mediated epidermal antigen incorporation (EAI)

Methods Mol Biol. 2013:940:401-11. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-110-3_29.

Abstract

The gene gun technology can not only be employed for efficient transfer of gene vaccines into upper layers of the skin, but also for application of protein antigens. As a tissue rich in professional antigen presenting cells, the skin represents an attractive target for immunizations. In this chapter we present a method for delivery of the model antigen ovalbumin into the skin of mice termed epidermal antigen incorporation and describe in detail how antigen-specific proliferation in draining lymph nodes can be followed by flow cytometry.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biolistics / instrumentation*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epidermis / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Ovalbumin / administration & dosage*
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Ovalbumin
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate