Local and systemic antibody response to oral administration of glucosyltransferase antigen complex.

The salivary and serum immune responses to orally administered glucosyltransferase antigen complex from Streptococcus mutants strain 6715 were investigated in hamsters. All enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the antibody quantity and isotype, and a [14C]glucosyl-labeled sucrose incorporation assay was used to measure functional inhibition of the enzyme. A total of 21 to 27 daily doses of antigen administered in hamster oral cavities elicited salivary immunoglobulin C and immunoglobulin A antibody responses and functional inhibitory activity. The salivary response increased throughout the immunization procedure, and the amount of salivary antibody was dependent upon the dose of antigen given. The salivary response to a second oral administration of antigen for 4 days showed some features of anamnesis. The response after a second antigen administration was detected sooner than the primary response, and somewhat higher levels of antibody and inhibitory activity were observed. Serum antibody (immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M) and functional inhibitory responses were also elicited by oral administration of the soluble enzyme antigen. These responses were lower than responses induced by local injections of antigen in complete Freund adjuvant. The ability to evoke a salivary immune response to the glucosyltransferase antigen complex may increase the potential of using this antigen in an effective caries vaccine.