Fighting flu with dental floss

A vaccine-coated dental floss could help boost influenza immunity.

In a preclinical study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, researchers coated flat tape dental floss with several vaccine formulations, including inactivated influenza virus, protein antigens, peptide-presenting nanoparticles and messenger RNA. The dental floss vaccine delivery model was then tested in a group of 27 healthy human volunteers.

The researchers discovered that following delivery of the vaccines to the gingival sulcus, the treated mice demonstrated mucosal and systemic immune responses that protected against the flu virus. For instance, the antigen-specific immune responses and antibody levels among the treated mice were greater compared with the untreated mice. Further, vaccine delivery through the gingival sulcus showed comparable efficacy to intranasal administration.

According to a companion news article published in Science, the researchers noted that two months postdelivery, elevated antibodies were detected in the lungs, noses, feces and spleens of the treated mice. After incorporating an inactive flu virus into the dental floss vaccine delivery model, 100% of the thrice-treated mice vs. 0% of the untreated mice survived exposure to the flu virus.

The preclinical efficacy of the novel vaccine-coated dental floss could indicate its potential as a simple, alternative immunization strategy; however, clinical studies will be needed to uncover its effects on the immune system and gum health.

Read more: Nature Biomedical Engineering

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