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Updated: Oct 23, 2026
Skin Tattooing As A Novel Approach For DNA Vaccine Delivery
Published on: October 18, 2012
Rapid DNA vaccination against Burkholderia pseudomallei flagellin by tattoo or intranasal application
Jacqueline M Lankelma1, Alex Wagemakers1, Emma Birnie1
1a Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Melioidosis is a severe infectious disease with a high mortality that is endemic in South-East Asia and Northern Australia. The causative pathogen, Burkholderia pseudomallei, is listed as potential bioterror weapon due to its high virulence and potential for easy dissemination. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine for prevention of melioidosis. Here, we explore the use of rapid plasmid DNA vaccination against B. pseudomallei flagellin for protection against respiratory challenge. We tested three flagellin DNA vaccines with different subcellular targeting designs. C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated via skin tattoo on day 0, 3 and 6 before intranasal challenge with B. pseudomallei on day 21. Next, the most effective construct was used as single vaccination on day 0 by tattoo or intranasal formulation. Mice were sacrificed 72 hours post-challenge to assess bacterial loads, cytokine responses, inflammation and microscopic lesions. A construct encoding a cellular secretion signal resulted in the most effective protection against melioidosis via tattooing, with a 10-fold reduction in bacterial loads in lungs and distant organs compared to the empty vector. Strikingly, a single intranasal administration of the same vaccine resulted in >1000-fold lower bacterial loads and increased survival. Pro-inflammatory cytokine responses were significantly diminished and strong reductions in markers for distant organ damage were observed. A rapid vaccination scheme using flagellin DNA tattoo provides significant protection against intranasal challenge with B. pseudomallei, markedly improved by a single administration via airway mucosa. Hence intranasal vaccination with flagellin-encoding DNA may be applicable when acute mass vaccination is indicated and warrants further testing.
Insights
Rapid DNA vaccination using Burkholderia pseudomallei flagellin shows promise for melioidosis prevention. A single intranasal vaccine dose significantly reduced bacterial load and improved survival in mice, offering a potential rapid response strategy.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a severe, high-mortality disease endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
- B. pseudomallei is a potential bioterrorism agent due to its virulence and ease of dissemination.
- No licensed vaccine currently exists for melioidosis prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate rapid plasmid DNA vaccination targeting B. pseudomallei flagellin for protection against respiratory melioidosis.
- To compare different subcellular targeting designs for flagellin DNA vaccines.
- To assess the efficacy of a single-dose intranasal vaccine formulation.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated via skin tattoo on days 0, 3, and 6 before intranasal challenge with B. pseudomallei on day 21.
- The most effective DNA vaccine construct was tested as a single dose administered via tattoo or intranasally.
- Bacterial loads, cytokine responses, inflammation, and tissue damage were assessed 72 hours post-challenge.
Main Results:
- A DNA vaccine encoding a cellular secretion signal provided the most effective protection via tattooing, reducing bacterial loads tenfold.
- A single intranasal administration of this vaccine resulted in over 1000-fold lower bacterial loads and increased survival.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and markers of distant organ damage were significantly reduced.
Conclusions:
- Rapid flagellin DNA vaccination, particularly via intranasal administration, offers significant protection against B. pseudomallei challenge.
- Single-dose intranasal vaccination is a highly effective strategy for melioidosis prevention, especially for acute mass vaccination scenarios.
- Further research into intranasal flagellin DNA vaccines is warranted for potential public health applications.
