Journal of Dental Research, Vol 56, 1586-1598, Copyright © 1977 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Immunization with dextransucrases, levansucrases, and glycosidic hydrolases from oral streptococci. II. Immunization with glucosyltransferases, fructosyltransferases, and glycosidic hydrolases from oral streptococci in monkeys
A. N. Bahn, I. L. Shklair and J. A. Hayashi
The feasibility of immunizing monkeys with enzymes from oral streptococci
in an attempt to reduce dental caries was investigated. Forty rhesus
monkeys, Macaca mulatta, were used. Cariogenic streptococci, S mutans, were
implanted into all the monkeys' mouths. There was no pathological effect
resulting from immunization. Of the 40 animals, 30 retained the implanted
flora throughout the experiment; the remaining 10 were reimplanted until
the streptococci remained. In six months, gross carious lesions were
evident with plaque. Inhibitiors present in the monkey sera after
immunization inhibited glucosyltransferase, fructosyltransferase, and
neuraminidase activities. It was presumed the inhibitors were antibodies.
There was a reduction of 68.6% in the total carious lesions in the animals
immunized intraorally with glucosyltransferase, 62.4% reduction in those
injected with fructosyltransferase, and 57.4% reduction in total lesions in
those immunized with glycosidic hydrolases after 19 months, as compared to
the control group. There were no gross lesions apparent in the group
immunized with glycosidic hydrolases. It appears that immunization with
enzymes significantly reduces carries and is feasible in a primate model.
