Antibodies

Needle-Free Vaccines: Mucojet Technology Promises Effective Mucosal Immunization

Needle-Free Vaccines: Mucojet Technology Promises Effective Mucosal Immunization

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Most current vaccines are administered through needles and syringes. Injections are given either subcutaneously (below the skin), intradermally (into the skin) or intramuscularly (into the muscle). However, the use of needles presents several disadvantages. For example, needle fears are a documented barrier to immunization in children and adults. It’s not surprising, then, that much research […]

Rogue B Cells: Newly Discovered Triggers of Autoimmune Diseases

Rogue B Cells: Newly Discovered Triggers of Autoimmune Diseases

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During an immune response to infectious pathogens, we generate antibodies. Antibodies first bind the pathogens, and then shuttle these pathogens to cells that can destroy them. Sometimes we develop antibodies that do not bind infectious pathogens — instead, they bind self-antigens. Self-antigens are molecules present in our own cells — the interactions of antibodies with […]