Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025
06:51
Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin
Published on: April 29, 2016
21.6K
Fatballs foster fabulous follicles
Joanna L Turley1, Ed C Lavelle1
1Adjuvant Research Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 D02R590, Ireland.
Immunity
|December 15, 2021
Summary
Lipid nanoparticles, used in mRNA vaccines, act as powerful adjuvants. They boost immune responses for both mRNA and protein-based vaccines, improving B cell function and protection.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology and immunology
- Nanotechnology in medicine
Background:
- Adjuvants are crucial for enhancing vaccine-induced adaptive immunity.
- Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are essential delivery systems for mRNA vaccines like those against SARS-CoV-2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adjuvant properties of lipid nanoparticles beyond their role in mRNA delivery.
- To determine if LNPs can enhance immune responses to non-mRNA vaccine antigens.
Main Methods:
- Evaluating the immunogenicity of protein-based subunit vaccines formulated with and without LNPs.
- Assessing B cell responses and protective efficacy in relevant models.
Main Results:
- Lipid nanoparticles demonstrated broad adjuvant function.
- Enhanced B cell responses were observed with LNP-adjuvanted protein vaccines.
- Protective efficacy was improved for both mRNA and protein-based antigens when formulated with LNPs.
Conclusions:
- Lipid nanoparticles possess intrinsic adjuvant capabilities.
- LNPs can enhance the efficacy of diverse vaccine platforms, including protein subunits.
- This finding broadens the potential applications of LNPs in vaccine development.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
1.8K
Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
1.8K
01:06Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
3.9K
A hair follicle or HF is a small part of the skin that produces the hair shaft. Paul Gerson Unna was the first to observe a bulge in the human hair follicle's outer root sheath (ORS). The bulge is present between the sebaceous gland and the arrector pili muscle and is the niche for hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). The bulge is also a niche for melanocyte stem cells, and their loss results in graying of hair. The HFSCs express Sox9 and Lhx2, which help them maintain stemness and prevent...
3.9K
01:20Folliculogenesis
1.3K
Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...
1.3K
01:16Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles
3.1K
Hair and hair follicles are integral components of the integumentary system. Hair is a filamentous structure composed mainly of a protein called keratin. It is found on the surface of the skin throughout the body, except for areas such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
3.1K
01:09Introduction to Fibroblasts
3.3K
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
3.3K