Innovative Skin Stretching Technique Enables Needle-Free Vaccine Delivery in Mice

Recent research has demonstrated that gentle stretching of the skin can significantly enhance the delivery of vaccines without the need for needles. Published on September 17, 2025, in Cell Reports, the study conducted by scientists from Cell Press reveals that applying targeted skin stretching activates immune cells and increases the skin's permeability to large molecules, including vaccine antigens. Using a specialized device that applies suction to stretch the skin for 20 minutes, researchers observed a temporary rearrangement of collagen fibers, which created openings in hair follicles and facilitated the absorption of topically applied vaccines.

This method was shown to trigger immune responses by attracting immune cells to the skin area, with gene expression changes indicative of immune signaling occurring even after stretching. In practical tests, the team applied a fluorescent-labeled flu vaccine lotion onto the stretched skin of mice. The vaccine was gradually absorbed into the bloodstream and accumulated in lymph nodes, crucial sites for immune activation. Notably, this skin-stretching approach resulted in higher antibody levels compared to traditional intramuscular injections.

Lead researcher Elodie Segura from INSERM cautions about the potential risks, emphasizing that skin stretching could also allow harmful substances or allergens to penetrate, highlighting the importance of careful application. The findings suggest that this technique, which leverages the body's natural immune activation pathways, could be adapted for human vaccine delivery, cell therapies, and diagnostics. Although most studies have been conducted on mice, early indications point to similar responses in human skin due to the movement of molecules through hair follicles, despite differences in skin structure.

Overall, this innovative approach opens new avenues for needle-free vaccination methods, potentially improving vaccination coverage and comfort, especially in populations with needle phobias or difficult-to-access areas. Further research is needed to confirm safety and efficacy in humans, but the findings pave the way for a revolutionary shift in immunization technology.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-skin-enables-needle-free-vaccine.html