Epicutaneous and transcutaneous immunization using DNA or proteins

Mucocutaneous surfaces are constantly exposed to an array of exogenous antigens including environmental proteins, peptides and low molecular weight and microbial pathogens. These tissues are covered by an epithelium which exerts both the role of a barrier, limiting the penetration of microbes and of hydrophylic antigenic moieties, but at the same time ensures that antigens which penetrate through the epithelium are rapidly captured and transported to draining lymph nodes for initiation of a specific immune response. Epithelial dendritic cells represent the immunocompetent cells responsible for the dynamic uptake and presentation of antigen entering peripheral tissues, and are unique in their efficiency in triggering the immune system and in initiating a primary immune response.