Local and systemic immune response to orally administered liposome-associated soluble S. mutans cell wall antigens

• Published in: Immunology Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 189 - 193
• Main Authors: WACHSMANN, D, KLEIN, J. P, SCHÖLLER, M, FRANK, R. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 1985
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity; Animals; Antigens, Bacterial - administration & dosage; Antigens, Bacterial - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Wall - immunology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Immunobiology; Immunoglobulin A - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin G - biosynthesis; Immunologic Memory; Liposomes - administration & dosage; Liposomes - immunology; Male; Organs and cells involved in the immune response; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Saliva - immunology; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus mutans - immunology; IgA; Immunization; Immunoglobulins; Immunological memory; Immune response; Rat; Secretion; Rodentia; Oral administration; Liposome; Cell wall; Antigen; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Molecular association; Bacteria
• ISSN: 0019-2805; 1365-2567

The aim of the present study was to develop an immunization procedure which preferentially stimulated the IgA system of rats, with release of IgA in secretions. Rats immunized by intragastric route with liposome-associated soluble antigen extracted from Streptococcus mutans cell wall, showed a significantly higher IgA (and IgG) response than did rats injected with the soluble antigen alone. In saliva, maximal antibody titres were obtained 11 days after the beginning of intubations for IgA, and 16 days for IgG. After a booster immunization, the secondary response occurred very quickly in saliva and, like the primary response, it was almost exclusively of the IgA class. This demonstrates, on one hand the existence of immunological memory in the IgA system and, on the other, the efficiency of liposomes as insoluble adjuvants in eliciting an immunological response.