A preclinical investigation report by lead author Wei Shi, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his team of researchers indicate that anticaries DNA vaccines, including pGJA-P/VAX, are promising for preventing dental caries. However, challenges remain because of the low immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. The study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, used recombinant flagellin protein derived from Salmonella as mucosal adjuvant for anticaries DNA vaccine (pGJA-P/VAX) and analyzed the effects of Salmonella protein on the serum surface protein immunoglobulin G and saliva surface protein immunoglobulin A antibody responses, the colonization of Streptococcus mutans on rodent teeth, and the formation of caries lesions. The results showed that Salmonella promoted the production of surface protein immunoglobulin G in serum and secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva of animals by intranasal immunization with pGJA-P/VAX plus Salmonella. The researchers also found that enhanced surface protein immunoglobulin A responses in saliva were associated with inhibition of S mutans colonization of tooth surfaces and endowed better protection with significantly less carious lesions. The study concludes that recombinant Salmonella could enhance specific immunoglobulin A responses in saliva and protective ability of pGJA-P/VAX, providing an effective mucosal adjuvant candidate for intranasal immunization of an anticaries DNA vaccine. DNA vaccine approaches for dental caries have had a history of success in animal models. Dental caries vaccines, directed to key components of S mutans colonization and enhanced by safe and effective adjuvants and optimal delivery vehicles, are likely to be forthcoming.
(Source: ScienceDaily, October 25, 2011)
