title: Comparison of an adherence domain and a structural region of Streptococcus mutans antigen I/II in protective immunity against dental caries in rats after intranasal immunization.
abstract: Previous studies have identified an N-terminal saliva-binding region (SBR) on Streptococcus mutans surface antigen I/II (AgI/II) and suggested its importance in the initial adherence of S. mutans to saliva-coated tooth surfaces and subsequent development of dental caries. In this study, we compared the SBR with a C-terminal structural region of AgI/II (AgII) in their abilities to induce protective immunity against caries in rats. When SBR, AgII, or the whole AgI/II molecule was administered intranasally as a conjugate with the B subunit of cholera toxin (CT), in the presence of CT adjuvant, substantial levels of salivary immunoglobulin A anti-AgI/II antibodies were induced. Evaluation of caries activity showed that the SBR, though not as protective as the parent molecule, was superior to AgII and thus can be further considered as a component in a multivalent caries vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA. medm116@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hajishengallis
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Michalek
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000276:immunology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007114:Immunization; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D002772:Cholera Toxin