Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectives

Abstract The mucosal immune system represents a critical defense mechanism, safeguarding the body from an array of external pathogens. As the body’s first line of immune protection, it plays an essential role in initiating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Through intricate networks of immu...

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Main Authors: Zhihao Zhang, Weiqi Hong, Yu Zhang, Xin Li, Haiying Que, Xiawei Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Molecular Biomedicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00301-7
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author Zhihao Zhang
Weiqi Hong
Yu Zhang
Xin Li
Haiying Que
Xiawei Wei
author_facet Zhihao Zhang
Weiqi Hong
Yu Zhang
Xin Li
Haiying Que
Xiawei Wei
author_sort Zhihao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The mucosal immune system represents a critical defense mechanism, safeguarding the body from an array of external pathogens. As the body’s first line of immune protection, it plays an essential role in initiating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Through intricate networks of immune cells and complex molecular pathways, mucosal immunity orchestrates a robust defense not only at the local level but also activates systemic immune responses to ensure comprehensive protection. Consequently, the mucosal immune system has garnered immense interest in the field of vaccine development, given its potential to foster durable and effective immunization. Despite the profound promise of mucosal immunity, the development of mucosal vaccines faces significant challenges, particularly with existing technological platforms that primarily rely on live attenuated or inactivated vaccines. However, emerging innovative platforms, including subunit vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and the groundbreaking application of mRNA vaccines, are offering new perspectives, vastly improving the scope and efficacy of mucosal immunization. As mucosal immunity research continues to evolve, rapid advancements in biotechnology and immunology provide promising strategies to enhance immune responses and overcome inherent limitations. This review delves into the latest progress in oral, nasal, and other forms of mucosal vaccines, analyzing the intricate relationship between mucosal immune characteristics and vaccine design. Emphasis is placed on the pivotal role of advanced adjuvants and delivery systems in maximizing vaccine efficacy. This review addresses current challenges, highlights future research opportunities, and aims to provide a comprehensive framework for advancing the field of mucosal immunity and vaccine development. 
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issn 2662-8651
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series Molecular Biomedicine
spelling doaj-art-04e6b92f56fc4c88b4c711b7291059bc2025-08-24T11:03:53ZengSpringerMolecular Biomedicine2662-86512025-08-016113110.1186/s43556-025-00301-7Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectivesZhihao Zhang0Weiqi Hong1Yu Zhang2Xin Li3Haiying Que4Xiawei Wei5State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityAbstract The mucosal immune system represents a critical defense mechanism, safeguarding the body from an array of external pathogens. As the body’s first line of immune protection, it plays an essential role in initiating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Through intricate networks of immune cells and complex molecular pathways, mucosal immunity orchestrates a robust defense not only at the local level but also activates systemic immune responses to ensure comprehensive protection. Consequently, the mucosal immune system has garnered immense interest in the field of vaccine development, given its potential to foster durable and effective immunization. Despite the profound promise of mucosal immunity, the development of mucosal vaccines faces significant challenges, particularly with existing technological platforms that primarily rely on live attenuated or inactivated vaccines. However, emerging innovative platforms, including subunit vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and the groundbreaking application of mRNA vaccines, are offering new perspectives, vastly improving the scope and efficacy of mucosal immunization. As mucosal immunity research continues to evolve, rapid advancements in biotechnology and immunology provide promising strategies to enhance immune responses and overcome inherent limitations. This review delves into the latest progress in oral, nasal, and other forms of mucosal vaccines, analyzing the intricate relationship between mucosal immune characteristics and vaccine design. Emphasis is placed on the pivotal role of advanced adjuvants and delivery systems in maximizing vaccine efficacy. This review addresses current challenges, highlights future research opportunities, and aims to provide a comprehensive framework for advancing the field of mucosal immunity and vaccine development. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00301-7Mucosal immunityVaccine developmentMucosal technology platformAdjuvantsVaccine delivery
spellingShingle Zhihao Zhang
Weiqi Hong
Yu Zhang
Xin Li
Haiying Que
Xiawei Wei
Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectives
Molecular Biomedicine
Mucosal immunity
Vaccine development
Mucosal technology platform
Adjuvants
Vaccine delivery
title Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectives
title_full Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectives
title_fullStr Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectives
title_short Mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies: current insights and future perspectives
title_sort mucosal immunity and vaccination strategies current insights and future perspectives
topic Mucosal immunity
Vaccine development
Mucosal technology platform
Adjuvants
Vaccine delivery
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00301-7
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AT weiqihong mucosalimmunityandvaccinationstrategiescurrentinsightsandfutureperspectives
AT yuzhang mucosalimmunityandvaccinationstrategiescurrentinsightsandfutureperspectives
AT xinli mucosalimmunityandvaccinationstrategiescurrentinsightsandfutureperspectives
AT haiyingque mucosalimmunityandvaccinationstrategiescurrentinsightsandfutureperspectives
AT xiaweiwei mucosalimmunityandvaccinationstrategiescurrentinsightsandfutureperspectives