Vaccination has long been synonymous with needles. However, researchers are now developing more convenient vaccination methods—needle-free, yet still effective. One of the most promising new approaches is mucosal vaccination, namely administering vaccines through body surfaces such as the oral cavity.
Unfortunately, the application of this method still faces major challenges. One of them is the absence of adjuvants (substances that help enhance the body’s immune response) that are both safe and effective for use via the mucosal route. Traditional adjuvants such as aluminum hydroxide (alum) can only be administered via injection.
Addressing this challenge, Andari Sarasati (doctoral student, Dental Science Program, FKG UGM), along with her supervisor Prof. drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D., and co-supervisor Dr.med.vet. Hevi Wihadmadyatami, D.V.M. from UGM’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, as well as Prof. Vasif Hasirci from Acibadem University , Turkey, developed carbonate apatite nanoparticles coated with exosomes, abbreviated as CHA-EXO. Exosomes are natural small particles released by body cells and are known to play important roles in intercellular communication.
“This research was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, we produced and tested the characteristics of CHA-EXO nanoparticles, including their size, shape, ability to carry proteins, and ability to penetrate body cells. The results showed that these nanoparticles are ideal in nano size, stable, and easily taken up (uptake) by body cells,” explained Arin, the nickname of Andari Sarasati, a student in the fast-track Master to Doctoral Program for Outstanding Undergraduates (PMDSU).
After completing the characterization, the research team created an artificial epithelial model (the inner lining of the oral cavity) from human cells to see how well CHA-EXO particles could penetrate the layer. “The results were very encouraging. CHA-EXO particles, which measure around 100–140 nm, were able to gradually pass through the artificial oral epithelial layer. This shows that the new CHA-EXO adjuvant has the potential to be an effective vaccine delivery system through the oral mucosa,” continued Arin.
Even more interestingly, these particles are also capable of stimulating the body’s immune response, even outperforming conventional adjuvants such as aluminum hydroxide. This demonstrates their potential to become a key component in future oral vaccines, which are more comfortable and user-friendly, especially for children and people with needle phobia. With this discovery, researchers hope that CHA-EXO technology will pave the way for safer, more effective, and more accessible needle-free vaccines.
“Our previous research has proven that CHA nanoparticles successfully induced specific proteins and could be a better alternative adjuvant than alum. The results were published in several top-tier journals and patented before this study, and also won the Asia Best Innovation Award from the Hitachi Global Foundation. In her doctoral research, Arin succeeded in improving the properties of CHA nanoparticles and decorating their surfaces with exosomes,” added Prof. Ika as Andari’s supervisor. Andari studied dentistry at Universitas Airlangga before continuing her studies with a PMDSU scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology at UGM, awarded to selected outstanding students from across Indonesia.
Prof. Dr. drg. Widowati Siswomihardjo, MS, Head of the Study Program, stated, “Andari is one of our students who has undergone training in downstreaming research results through special courses. We encourage and mentor students so that every research outcome can be utilized by society. Andari’s research is expected to change the vaccination route to become non-invasive, needle-free, and with CHA-EXO adjuvant, which is better than alum as the only existing and internationally accepted adjuvant.”
Author: FKG Public Relations | Editor: Andri Wicaksono
Photo: Doc. Doctoral Program in Dental Sciences
