Tiny capsules engineered to mimic part of the body’s immune system could strengthen its response to vaccines, say researchers.
The nanoparticles, described in the journal Nature Materials, are a message sent from cells in the skin to warn of a threat.
Scientists from Duke University in the US said mice given them as part of a vaccine coped with otherwise lethal infections.
They could soon be suitable for humans.
Vaccination involves priming the immune system to recognise particular bacteria or viruses, so that it is ready to counter-attack quickly in the event of a genuine infection.
As well as a deactivated or weakened version of the bacteria or virus in question, many vaccines contain “adjuvants” - extra ingredients designed to enhance this priming process.
The Duke University team aimed to hijack a natural immune response involving cells called mast cells found in the skin.
These cells are a key part of the driving force behind the itching and swelling during an allergic reaction, but are also thought to play a role in the “innate immune system” which reacts to infection.
It is believed that when they encounter certain bacteria and viruses, they release small capsules called “granules”, which contain a body chemical called tumour necrosis factor (TNF).
Nanoparticles (green) pictured in the lymph node (red) just half an hour after injection
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