Therapeutic effect of llama derived VHH fragments against Streptococcus mutans on the development of dental caries.
Streptococcus mutans is the main cause of dental caries. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of variable regions of a llama heavy chain antibody fragments directed against S. mutans named S36-VHH (S for Streptococcus) alone or fused with glucose oxidase (GOx) from Aspergillus niger. Western blot analysis and ELISA revealed binding of the S36-VHH to the streptococcal antigen I/II adhesin molecule of S. mutans serotype C. In a rat-desalivated caries model, daily administration of S36-VHH significantly reduced the development of smooth surface caries. No additional therapeutic effect of GOx was observed. Our results suggest that llama VHH antibodies may be a potential benefit as prophylaxis against dental caries.
Krüger
Carina
C
Division of Clinical Immunology, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, 141 86, Sweden.
Hultberg
Anna
A
Marcotte
Harold
H
Hermans
Pim
P
Bezemer
Sandra
S
Frenken
Leon G J
LG
Hammarström
Lennart
L
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005949:Glucose Oxidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D000922:Immunotoxins; D005949:Glucose Oxidase