Biomaterial Approaches for Understanding and Overcoming Immunological Barriers to Effective Oral Vaccinations

Oral vaccines have the potential to reduce cost, improve compliance, and induce immunity at mucosal surfaces that are the first line of defense against infection. The gastrointestinal tract is highly evolved to efficiently digest and absorb nutrients without eliciting aberrant inflammation. However, these functions also limit the efficacy of immunization by the oral route. While mechanisms responsible for the development of tolerance to fed...