Historical perspectives on mucosal vaccines

This chapter reviews the historical background to vaccination using mucosal routes of administration and the distinctive characteristics of the mucosal immune system that have emerged over many decades of past study. Several human vaccines have already been successfully developed for application by oral or intranasal routes, and more are under experimental investigation. The diversity of antigenic challenges presented to the immune system at its principal interface with the environment has shaped the evolution of the mucosal immune system to mount responses appropriate to the nature of the threat while maintaining the mucosal barrier. An awareness of past achievements in mucosal vaccination and how they illuminate the complex subtleties of the mucosal immune system will facilitate the future development of mucosal vaccines.