S M Michalek

Advances in Mucosal Immunology

The proceedings of the August 1992 congress comprise 354 papers grouped within ten sections: B and T cells of the mucosal immune system; non-lymphoid cells of the mucosal immune system; development of mucosal immunity; gnotobiology, environmental, nutritional, and intrinsic factors in mucosal immuno

Effective Immunity to Dental Caries: Selective Induction of Secretory Immunity by Oral Administration of Streptococcus Mutans in Rodents

1) The selective induction of secretory antibody is antigen dose dependent. A dose of 10(7) or 10(8) S. mutans CFU (per gram of diet) elicited a significant response, while a higher dose (10(9) CFU/gram) resulted in an apparent state of unresponsiveness. 2) A lowly virulent mutant of S. mutans 6715 (C4) induced protective s-IgA antibodies against challenge with a highly virulent species (C211). Cross protection among serotypes of S. mutans has been achieved. 3) Bovine milk with antibodies to S. mutans significantly reduced the level of caries lesions in rats fed this lyophilized milk and challenged with the homologous, virulent S. mutans strains.

Induction of Secretory Antibodies in Humans Following Ingestion of Streptococcus Mutans

1) Ingestion of Streptococcus mutans antigen by human volunteers induced the selective appearance of antibodies in saliva and tears but not in serum. 2) These antibodies were associated with the IgA class as determined by enhanced or blocked agglutination, immunofluorescence and gel filtration. 3) A second series of antigen ingestion resulted in a secondary response in these secretions characterized by an earlier appearance of antibodies which reached higher titers than in the primary response.