Abstract
Peanut and tree nut allergies account for most food-induced anaphylactic events. The standard allergy immunotherapy approach involves subcutaneous injection, which is challenging because severe adverse reactions can occur when antigens spread systemically. Allergen localization within the epidermis (i.e., the upper 20–100 µm of skin) should significantly reduce systemic uptake, because the epidermis is avascular. Microneedle (MN) patches provide a convenient method for drug delivery to the skin, but they generally target both epidermis and dermis, leading to systemic delivery. In this study, we adapted MN technology for epidermal localization by performing angled insertion of 250 µm–long MNs that limits MN insertion depth mostly to the epidermis. We designed a biplanar insertion device to aid the repeatability of angled insertions into porcine skin ex vivo at specified angles (90°, 45°, and 20°). When compared to 90° insertions, MN application at 20° decreased mean insertion depth from 265 ± 45 µm to 97 ± 15 µm. Image analysis of histological skin sections revealed that acute-angle insertion increased epidermal localization of delivery for antigen-coated MNs from 25% ± 13% to 70% ± 21%. We conclude that angled insertion of MNs can target antigen delivery to epidermis.
Highlights
Academic Editor: Cheong-Weon ChoPeanut allergies affect 1–2% of adults and 4–8% of children [1,2,3]
Topical immunotherapies that avoid the issues of needle phobia and gastrointestinal adverse effects have emerged
To facilitate insertion of MNs into skin at a controlled angle, we developed a biplanar insertion device with an adjustable angle of elevation that was designed by using computeraided design (CAD) software (SolidWorks, Vélizy-Villacoublay, France) and fabricated out of poly(lactic acid) (ColorFabb, Belfeld, Netherlands) by a 3D-printer (Ultimaker 3, Zaltbommel, Netherlands)
Summary
Academic Editor: Cheong-Weon ChoPeanut allergies affect 1–2% of adults and 4–8% of children [1,2,3]. Typical methods for treating peanut allergies include subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) [5] and oral immunotherapy (OIT) [6]. These immunotherapies are based on extended exposure of the immune system to low doses of antigen in order to induce immunological tolerance to the antigen, thereby suppressing allergic responses. SCIT is often cumbersome, as subcutaneous injection (Figure 1a) of antigens, such as Arachis hypogaea 2—the dominant peanut allergen [7]—can cause severe adverse effects in patients [5,8]. Topical immunotherapies that avoid the issues of needle phobia and gastrointestinal adverse effects have emerged
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