Abstract:

Objective　To investigate the antigenicity of the peptide vaccineHDS fromStreptococcus mutansglucosyltrans- ferase and its ability to induce protective immune responses in an experimental ratmodel of dental caries.Methods　Artificial an- tigenHDS-KLH, peptide HDS, glycosyltransferase were injected to immunize rats. Measurement of the specific anti-HDS,GTF IgG or IgA concentration in saliva and serumwere undertaken by ELISAamongthe experimental groups. Gnotobiotic ratmodelwas developed when challengedS.mutansand a caries promoting diet. The jaws of the ratswere selected and dyed. The Keyes caries score for each jawwere counted.Results　The level of serum and salivary specific anti-HDS IgG and IgA in the group immunized by HDS-KLHwas significantly higher than that in control group (P<0·05). The Keyes caries score of GTF,HDS andHDS-KLH immunized group were significantly lowerthan that of control group, especially lower in smooth tooth surface.Conclusion　Artifi- cial antigen HDS-KLH could induce immune response. As a peptide vaccine, HDS-KLH could reduce the caries incidence in ex- perimental rat model.

Key words: caries, Streptococcus mutans, glycosyltransferase, vaccine