title: Immunisation with a purified protein from Streptococcus mutans against dental caries in rhesus monkeys.
abstract: A purified protein antigen, molecular weight 185,000, was prepared from Streptococcus mutans and used in the immunisation of monkeys against dental caries. 1 mg of this antigen, mixed with adjuvant and injected subcutaneously, elicited serum IgG and to a lesser extent IgA antibodies. Compared with sham-immunised monkeys, those receiving this antigen had a 70% reduction in dental caries and a smaller growth of Strep. mutans from dental plaque. The results suggest that the defined protein material isolated from Strep. mutans may be one of the antigens eliciting a protective immune response against dental caries. This antigen seems to be a suitable candidate for consideration as a vaccine for man.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000882:Haplorhini; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008251:Macaca; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M