Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Thailand
Narintorn Dueanphen
The Petrochemistry and Polymer Science Program, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Nisha Wanichwecharungruang
Central Chest Institute of Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Asada Leelahavanichkul
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Thailand
Tanapat Palaga
Center of Excellence in Materials and Bio-Interfaces, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, Thailand
Kiat Ruxrungtham
Chula Vaccine Research Center (ChulaVRC) and School of Global Health, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Supason Wanichwecharungruang
Center of Excellence in Materials and Bio-Interfaces, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Corresponding author.
Although vaccine administration by microneedles has been demonstrated, delivery reliability issues have prevented their implementation. Through an ex vivo porcine skin experiment, we show visual evidence indicating that detachable dissolvable microneedles (DDMN) can deposit cargo into the dermis with insignificant loss of cargo to the stratum corneum. Using ovalbumin (OVA), a model antigen vaccine, as a cargo, the ex vivo experiments yielded a delivery efficiency of 86.08 ± 4.16 %. At room temperature, OVA could be stabilized for up to 35 days in DDMN made from hyaluronic acid and trehalose. The DDMN matrix could improve the denaturation temperature of the OVA from around 70–120 °C to over 150 °C, as demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetric analysis. In vivo delivery of OVA antigen into the mice's skin via DDMN elicited 10 times higher specific antibody responses compared to conventional intramuscular injection. We envision DDMN as an effective, precise dosing, intradermal vaccine delivery system that may require no cold-chain, offers a dose-sparing effect, and can be administered easily.
