Study Explores Needle-Free Vaccines via Floss
Flossing with vaccine-coated thread may someday offer a painless and practical way to immunize people. A recent study shows floss-based delivery triggered a strong immune response in mice, including long-term protection.
Researchers have uncovered a novel, needle-free method for vaccine delivery that could one day transform immunization: dental floss. In a recent study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, scientists demonstrated that flossing with threads coated in vaccine components could provoke a robust immune response in mice.
This method works because the interdental regions of the gingiva are highly permeable, allowing vaccine molecules to absorb directly into the bloodstream and lymphatic system. In the study, researchers flossed 50 mice biweekly for a month. Four weeks after the final dose, the mice were exposed to a lethal strain of influenza. Remarkably, all vaccinated mice survived, while the unvaccinated ones did not.
Beyond survival, the flossed mice developed a systemic immune response. Flu-specific antibodies were detected not only in saliva and feces, but also in the bone marrow, evidence of long-term immunity. Researchers also found elevated levels of T cells in the lungs and spleen, further supporting the effectiveness of the delivery method.
To test feasibility in humans, volunteers flossed with dye-coated picks. The dye reached the gingiva 60% of the time, suggesting the method is physically viable, though it may require refinement for consistent delivery. Click here to read more.
