Researchers at the Institute of Technology Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have unveiled a new way to deliver vaccines through dry powder inhalation. The approach showed strong protection against ARVI in animal studies, and the results were published in Nature.
Traditionally, vaccines are delivered via intramuscular injections, where protection largely depends on antibodies circulating in the bloodstream. The current work explores a different route: triggering immune responses right at the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract to counter airborne pathogens at the point of entry.
The dry powder vaccine uses biodegradable microspheres wrapped in protein nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can carry multiple antigens on their surface, enabling protection against several variants of the virus with a single formulation.
In primate experiments, the powder reached the lungs and was taken up by antigen-presenting cells. These cells play a key role in presenting antigens to T cells, guiding the immune response. The gradual release of vaccine antigens produced durable humoral, cellular, and mucosal immunity after just one inhalation.
Additionally, the dry powder format offers practical advantages. It remains stable without extensive refrigeration, making it well suited for regions with limited cold-chain infrastructure.
Earlier research has explored strategies to bolster immune defense against environmental hazards, including studies on protecting immune health from arsenic exposure. While the current findings focus on respiratory vaccine delivery, they contribute to a broader understanding of immune system resilience and the potential to broaden vaccine accessibility.