Talin Barissani-Asenbauer
Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Title: Mucosal Immunization via conjunctiva: Where do we stand?
Biography
Biography: Talin Barissani-Asenbauer
Abstract
The ocular surface is recognized as part of the mucosal immune system as conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT). This lymphoid tissue consists of intraepithelial lymphocytes, sub-epithelial lymphoid follicles (conjunctival follicles) and adjacent lymphatic and blood vessels. Furthermore, together with lacrimal drainage-associated lymphoid tissue (LDALT), CALT forms the eye-associated lymphoid tissue (EALT). All these components have a key role in the protection of the ocular surface by initiating and regulating immune responses. In the context of needle-free delivery approach, the conjunctiva and its underlying CALT, with its possibility to detect antigens, taken up at the ocular surface, present them, and generate specific and nonspecific effector cells, would be an attractive choice for mucosal immunization, particularly against ocular infections. As the conjunctiva and CALT are interconnected with the nasal mucosa via the draining tear duct, antigens would additionally drain to nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). Actual developments and outlooks for conjunctival immunization will be presented.
