Preclinical study shows hydrogel microneedle patches sample microbes and immune cells in humans and mice

This primary research article presents a preclinical study involving hydrogel-coated microneedle patches for co-sampling viable microbes, immune cells, and interstitial fluid in humans and murine models. The human pilot component assessed tolerability, finding that patches were well tolerated in humans. No adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or specific absolute numbers were reported for safety outcomes.

In murine models colonized with commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis and/or opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, the study observed distinct immune trajectories during commensal colonization, pathogen challenge, and commensal-pathogen co-colonization. Pathogen colonization drives progressive inflammatory amplification, whereas commensal exposure induces controlled immune activation that stabilizes over time. Exposure to S. epidermidis reshapes pathogen-induced responses, producing a transient immune activation followed by attenuation of inflammation.

The authors note that inter-individual microbial signatures were preserved. The study establishes MN sampling as a strategy to resolve immune-microbiome dynamics in barrier tissues and provides a framework for mechanistic studies of host-microbe interactions in health and disease. Follow-up duration and specific effect sizes were not reported. Funding or conflicts of interest were not reported.