Using similar experiments, we also investigate the effect of pre-existing allergy on natural adenovirus infection.
Future vaccines administered through nasal or sublingual paths are expected to confer a better protection against respiratory and alimentary pahtogens than classic intramuscular vaccines, and should be easier and safer to administer at large scales. The Experimental Pediatric Pneumology Group focuses on developing adenovirus-based vaccine platforms adapted to human mucosa with customized and targeted immunogenicity. This does not only require vector engineering, but also the establishment of ex vivo models representative of human mucosal structure and immunology. To this aim, we are working on primary tonsil-derived organoids and nasal epithelium cultures for high-throughput characterization of adenovirus vectors transduction levels and elicited immune response. Using similar experiments, we also investigate the effect of pre-existing allergy on natural adenovirus infection.