ABSTRACT
T he skin is a highly complex yet well-orchestrated system committed to its protective barrier function. Human integument not only keeps moisture in and foreign material out, but is also designed for protection against the hostile microbial world which frequendy gains entry through micro-trauma or other barrier disruptive events. Scientists in the past few decades have begun to more thoroughly describe skin immunobiology and vaccinologists have subsequendy appreciated that the skin immune system is a desirable and potent target for immunization.1'4 Topical applications and immune responses have tradition ally been associated by clinicians only with immunopathologies o f the skin. Intradermal immunization has been appreciated for the potency o f subsequent immune responses, but until recently has not been appreciated for its connection with the skin immune system. The premise o f transcutaneous immunization (TCI) is that vaccinologists can capitalize on the potency and accessiblity o f the skin immune system and utilize this refined protective system for im m unoprotection and immunotherapy by topical application o f the immunizing formulation.
