A Caries Vaccine?

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.

Studies on strains ofStreptococcus mutansisolated from caries-active and caries-free individuals in Iceland

“…Early colonisation of the mouth with mutans streptococci results in more caries later in life (3) and high counts of mutans streptococci in samples of dental plaque or saliva have been shown to predict a higher incidence of caries (4, 5). The considerable amount of clinical data linking mutans streptococci to dental caries is further backed up by a vast amount of laboratory and animal studies, not least the production of a vaccine (10) that has been shown to protect against caries induced in experimental animals, including monkeys, by S. mutans and a highly cariogenic diet.…”

Involvement of Sortase Anchoring of Cell Wall Proteins in Biofilm Formation by Streptococcus mutans

“…However, BLAST searches against the unfinished microbial genomes (http://tigrblast.tigr.org/ufmg/) revealed that an ortholog of this protein was found in the genome of Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 (E value, 2.9e Ϫ77 ). S. sobrinus, a member of the mutans streptococcus group, colonizes the smooth surfaces of teeth and is also recognized as a principal etiological agent responsible for initiating caries in humans (28,32). As wapE expression is increased in S. mutans biofilm cells, WapE may be involved in the adhesion of this organism to the tooth surface and therefore may play a role in the formation of dental plaque.…”

“…Cell surface proteins of gram-positive pathogens play various important roles in pathogenicity. Over the past decade, surface proteins from the oral pathogen S. mutans have been studied for their role in oral colonization, as well as their potential as vaccine targets (28). The LPXTG-containing proteins are the only surface proteins known to be covalently linked to the bacterial cell wall (5).…”

Dental caries: A complete changeover, PART III: Changeover in the treatment decisions and treatments

“…Thus, it is logical to administer the vaccine before this period. [36] Various pre clinical studies have established the effect of these vaccines, but clinical trials in humans are still pending verdict. Although active immunization can confer long-term immunity, it is not without adverse effects.…”