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Floss-based vaccination targets the gingival sulcus for mucosal and systemic immunization
Rohan S J Ingrole1, Akhilesh Kumar Shakya1, Gaurav Joshi1,2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
Nature Biomedical Engineering
|July 22, 2025
Summary
Dental floss can deliver vaccines through the gingival sulcus, enhancing immune responses and protection against influenza. This needle-free method shows promise for improved mucosal immunization compared to other oral delivery routes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- The oral cavity offers accessible vaccination sites, but sublingual and buccal routes show limited vaccine uptake.
- Developing effective mucosal immunization strategies is crucial for enhancing vaccine delivery and immune activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of using flat tape dental floss for vaccine delivery via the gingival sulcus.
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy of floss-based vaccination in preclinical models and assess clinical feasibility.
Main Methods:
- Flat tape dental floss was used to deliver various vaccine formulations (protein, inactivated virus, nanoparticles, mRNA) through the gingival sulcus in mice.
- Immunological responses, including T cell activation, antibody production, and protection against influenza challenge, were assessed.
- Fluorescent dye delivery via floss picks was evaluated in human participants to confirm gingival sulcus access.
Main Results:
- Floss-based vaccination successfully delivered diverse vaccine types and induced robust systemic and mucosal immune responses in mice.
- Significant increases in CD4+ T cells and antibody-secreting cells were observed, leading to durable protection against lethal influenza infection.
- The method demonstrated superiority over sublingual and comparable efficacy to intranasal vaccination, with successful delivery confirmed in human participants.
Conclusions:
- Floss-based vaccination is a simple, needle-free strategy that effectively enhances vaccine delivery and immune activation through the gingival sulcus.
- This approach offers a promising alternative to existing mucosal immunization methods, with potential for broad applicability.
- The findings support the clinical feasibility of floss-based vaccination for improved public health interventions.
