vacunas
Cariology in the 21st Century
State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Proceedings of a Symposium held at the 50th Anniversary ORCA Congress, July 2-6, 2003, Konstanz, Germany
Guest Editors: B. Nyvad, Aarhus; J.M. ten Cate, Amsterdam; C. Robinson, Leeds
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Paper
A Caries Vaccine?
The State of the Science of Immunization against Dental Caries
Michael W. Russella, Noel K. Childersb, Suzanne M. Michalekc, Daniel J. Smithd, Martin A. Taubmand
aDepartments of Oral Biology and Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y., Departments of
bOral Biology and
cMicrobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala., and
dDepartment of Immunology, Forsyth Institute, Boston, Mass., USA
Address of Corresponding Author
Caries Research 2004;38:230-235 (DOI: 10.1159/000077759)
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Key Words
Mutans streptococci
Salivary IgA antibodies
Vaccine antigen
Mucosal immunization
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Abstract
Studies performed in numerous laboratories over several decades have demonstrated the feasibility of immunizing experimental rodents or primates with protein antigens derived from Streptococcus mutans or Streptococcus sobrinus against oral colonization by mutans streptococci and the development of dental caries. Protection has been attributed to salivary IgA antibodies which can inhibit sucrose-independent or sucrose-dependent mechanisms of streptococcal accumulation on tooth surfaces according to the choice of vaccine antigen. Strategies of mucosal immunization have been developed to induce high levels of salivary antibodies that can persist for prolonged periods and to establish immune memory. Studies in humans show that salivary antibodies to mutans streptococci can be induced by similar approaches, and that passively applied antibodies can also suppress oral re-colonization by mutans streptococci. Progress towards practical vaccine development requires evaluation of candidate vaccines in clinical trials. Promising strategies of passive immunization also require further clinical evaluation.
Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Author Contacts
Michael W. Russell, PhD
Department of Microbiology, Farber 138
University at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214 (USA)
Tel. +1 716 829 2790, Fax +1 716 829 2169, E-Mail russellm@buffalo.edu
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Article Information
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 53