Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42042770›Full record

ReviewVaccines2026

Intranasal Vaccine Adjuvants and Delivery Platforms: From Barrier Mechanisms to Clinical Translation.

Shunyu Yao, Zhe Zhai, Liqi Liao, Linglin Zhong, Chenyu Shi, Yong-Xian Cheng, Xuhan Liu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Vaccines, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shunyu YaoSchool of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Zhe ZhaiGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, Institute for Inheritance-Based Innovation of Chinese Medicine, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Liqi LiaoSchool of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Linglin ZhongGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, Institute for Inheritance-Based Innovation of Chinese Medicine, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Chenyu ShiGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, Institute for Inheritance-Based Innovation of Chinese Medicine, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Yong-Xian ChengSchool of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.ORCID 0000-0003-1643-9598
Xuhan LiuGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Ingredients and Gut Microbiomics, Institute for Inheritance-Based Innovation of Chinese Medicine, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China.ORCID 0000-0003-4911-7165

Funding

Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2023A1515110428 and 2025A1515012065National Natural Science Foundation of China 32500829Shenzhen Medical Research Fund D2401001Shenzhen Science and Technology Program JCYJ20240813142059020
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

As a non-invasive mucosal immunization strategy, intranasal vaccines are highly promising for preventing respiratory infectious diseases. Among them, recombinant subunit vaccines represent a safe and ideal option, as they induce targeted mucosal immunity without the safety risks associated with live-vectored or nucleic acid vaccines. However, nasal mucosal defenses rapidly clear antigens before immune activation, limiting protective efficacy. Therefore, intranasal vaccine adjuvants-key regulators of immune response intensity, duration, and type-are essential to overcome mucosal tolerance and improve immunogenicity. Based on a systematic search and analysis of 127 peer-reviewed articles (2010-2026) in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, this study comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms, applications, and limitations of existing and candidate adjuvants for intranasal vaccines. This review systematically categorizes and discusses the nasal mucosal barrier, major adjuvant types (e.g., pattern recognition receptor agonists, cytokine adjuvants, and carrier adjuvants), and their mechanisms of action. It also identifies key bottlenecks: insufficient mucosal targeting, inconsistent global safety evaluation standards for adjuvants, and interference from pre-existing antibodies in humans. Furthermore, this review highlights future development directions, including biomimetic adjuvants, pH-responsive nanoadjuvants, and thermostable vaccine formulations. This systematic review clarifies key scientific and technical barriers in intranasal vaccine adjuvant development. The findings provide valuable references for advancing the translation of intranasal vaccines from emergency countermeasures to routine, accessible preventive tools for respiratory infectious diseases.

Indexed as

adjuvantclinical translationintranasal vaccinemucosal immunityvaccine carrier

Identifiers

PMID42042770
PMCPMC13120605

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.