Immunization of Rodents with Anti-Caries Vaccines Containing Non-Freund-Type Adjuvants

摘要

The overall objective of the research project was to develop anti-caries vaccines containing non-Freund-type adjuvants. All studies were performed in a gnotobiotic rat model which allowed comparison of immune responses induced by the various vaccine preparations. During the course of the research effort, a sensitive ELISA was developed to quantitate the level and isotype of anti-Streptococcus mutans antibodies in serum and saliva samples from experimental animals. By employing the method, we have shown that oral vaccines consisting of particulate S. mutans antigens are more effective than soluble antigen forms in inducing a salivary IgA antibody response protective against caries formation. We have also shown that soluble S. mutans antigens can be rendered particulate by incorporating them in liposomes.