Epigenetic Adjuvants: Durable Reprogramming of the Innate Immune System with Adjuvants

Overview

Journal Curr Opin Immunol

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2022 May 19

PMID 35588691

Authors

Audrey Lee

Florian Wimmers

Bali Pulendran

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Development of effective vaccines is a critical global health priority. Stimulating antigen-specific B and T cells to elicit long-lasting protection remains the central paradigm of vaccinology. Adjuvants are components that enhance vaccine immunogenicity by targeting specific innate immune receptors and pathways. Recent data highlight the capacity of adjuvants to induce durable epigenetic reprogramming of the innate immune system to engender heightened resistance against pathogens. This raises the prospect of developing epigenetic adjuvants that, in addition to stimulating robust T and B cell responses, convey broad protection against diverse pathogens by training the innate immune system. In this review, we discuss our emerging understanding of the various vaccines and adjuvants and their effects on durable reprogramming of the innate immune response, their putative mechanisms of action, and the promise and challenges of developing epigenetic adjuvants as a universal vaccine strategy.

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