Methods to Evaluate Immune Cell Recruitment and Cellular Uptake and Distribution of Antigen Following Intramuscular Administration of Vaccine to Mice.

An effective vaccine depends on the stimulation of the immune system to generate effective antigen-specific immune responses capable of neutralizing mediators of disease long after vaccination. However, the ability of the vaccine to enhance immune parameters such as cell activation, cell recruitment and antigen uptake shortly following administration contributes to the development of long-term responses directed toward the antigen. Here, we describe a flow cytometry-based method to identify changes in immune cell profile and assess cellular uptake and distribution of antigen following vaccination.