Mucosal immune responses to meningococcal C polysaccharide–protein conjugate in mice

• Published in: Vaccine Vol. 24; pp. S72 - S73
• Main Authors: Cuello, Maribel, Cabrera, Osmir, del Campo, Judith M., Parajón, Elina, Sotolongo, Franklin, Camaraza, Maria A., Arnet, Aida, Suárez, Magaly, Pérez, Oliver
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2006
• Subjects: Conjugate vaccine; Meningococcal group C; N. meningitidis; Nasal; Neisseria meningitidis; Meningococcal group C; Nasal; N. meningitidis; Conjugate vaccine
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.01.129

Mucosal delivery of vaccines represents an attractive approach because this is a region of first contact point for inhaled antigens. We have obtained a meningococcal group C polysaccharide–tetanus toxoid conjugate (MGCP-TT) and evaluated it for intranasal route in mice. The conjugate was obtained by a developed method in our laboratory. The specific IgA in saliva and specific IgA and IgG in serum were measured by ELISA methods and bactericidal antibodies in sera against a meningococcal group C strain were measured. The conjugated elicited a significant increase in anti-MGCP salivary IgA and serum IgG and bactericidal antibodies concentrations, while specific serum IgA was not observed. These results indicated that after conjugation, there was a change in the responses for MGCP from thymus-independent to thymus-dependent and that it was effective by intranasal route.