Skin vaccination generates protective CD8 T-cells that are recruited to the genital tissues. Study conducted by King's College London scientists has revealed how the skin vaccination strategy could be used against sexually transmitted diseases. The findings of the study are published in the Nature Communications.
One of the challenges in developing vaccines for STIs, such as HIV or herpes simplex virus, is understanding how to attract specialised immune cells, called CD8 T-cells, to take up residence in the part of the body where the virus first enters. These cells need to be in place, armed and ready to provide an immediate protective immune defence, rather than waiting for immune cells in the blood to enter the tissues which takes time.
Safe Sex
Sex is fun but involves health risks such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs or unplanned pregnancy specially in those who have multiple partners or in those having unprotected sex.
‘Specialized groups of 'innate' immune cells in distant tissues can be harnessed to attract protective CD8 T-cells, arming the body's frontline tissues from infection.’
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Before this study, it was thought that vaccines ideally needed to be delivered directly to the body surface (e.g. female genital tissue) where the infection might start, so that the immune system can generate these CD8 T-cells, travel back to the vaccination site and eliminate any future virus that is encountered. However, delivering vaccines directly to the female genital tissue is neither patient friendly nor efficient.
Now the team from King's have found that their vaccination strategy marshals a platoon of immune cells, called innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) and monocytes, in the genital tissues to work together and release chemicals (chemokines) to send out a call to the CD8 T-cells generated by the vaccine to troop into the genital tissue.
![Quiz on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)]( "Quiz on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)")
The alarming risk in sexually transmitted diseases is due to an increase in teenage sex, multiple sex partners, ignoring the use of preventive measures and lack of adequate knowledge about these diseases. Test your knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases by taking this quiz.
This research builds on the team's earlier work to develop skin vaccination techniques using a dissolvable 'microneedle' vaccine patch that once placed against the skin dissolves and releases the vaccine without requiring a hypodermic needle injection and generates immune responses.
"We now need to confirm these results with other types of vaccines from the one used in the study to see if a common pathway is triggered by skin vaccination. If proven, this could have a significant impact in improving the effectiveness of vaccines against sexually transmitted infections."
Source: Eurekalert
Quiz on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
The alarming risk in sexually transmitted diseases is due to an increase in teenage sex, multiple sex partners, ignoring the use of preventive measures and lack of adequate knowledge about these diseases. Test your knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases by taking this quiz.
This research builds on the team's earlier work to develop skin vaccination techniques using a dissolvable 'microneedle' vaccine patch that once placed against the skin dissolves and releases the vaccine without requiring a hypodermic needle injection and generates immune responses.
"We now need to confirm these results with other types of vaccines from the one used in the study to see if a common pathway is triggered by skin vaccination. If proven, this could have a significant impact in improving the effectiveness of vaccines against sexually transmitted infections."
Source: Eurekalert
High Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa
Curable STIs like syphillis,Chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis are highly prevalent among young women of sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence is less among older women and young men.
 ImmunizationProtect your child from various deadly diseases by giving the vaccinations at the right age. This tool helps you schedule the vaccinations of your child. |
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