Effects of Local Immunization with Glucosyltransferase Fractions from Streptococcus mutans on Dental Caries in Hamsters Caused by Homologous and Heterologous Serotypes of Streptococcus mutans

Seven serotypes of Streptococcus mutans have been identified. The biochemical, genetic, and serological characteristics of these serotypes have indicated that certain serotypes are quite similar, whereas others are quite distinct. The effect of local immunization with glucosyltransferase (GTF) enzymes from serotypes a, c, or g on infection and disease caused by homologous or heterologous cariogenic S. mutans is reported. Organisms with either similar (a and g) or different (c and g) biochemical and serological characteristics were selected for heterologous challenge. NIH white hamsters were injected four times at weekly intervals with GTF prepared by 6 M guanidine-hydrochloride elution from water-insoluble glucan of serotypes a, c, or g, which resulted in enzyme (homologous) inhibitory activity in sera and salivas. After infection of GTF-immunized and sham-immunized groups of hamsters with cariogenic S. mutans of the same serotype as the injected antigen (homologous infection) or with S. mutans of a different serotype from the injected antigen (heterologous infection), the numbers of streptomycin-labeled S. mutans, caries, and lesions were determined. Immunization with GTF preparations from each of the three serotypes resulted in statistically significant reductions in the extent of infection and disease and number of lesions caused by infections with homologous cariogenic S. mutans. Statistically significant reductions in these three parameters were also observed in groups immunized with enzyme from serotype a (strain E49) and challenged with cariogenic serotype g (strain 6715) organisms; or immunized with enzyme from serotype c (strain Ingbritt) and challenged with cariogenic serotype g (strain 6715) organisms; or immunized with enzyme from serotype g (strain 6715) and challenged with cariogenic serotype c (strain Ingbritt) organisms. These studies suggest that soluble antigen preparations containing GTF from one serotype may elicit a protective immune response against infection with cariogenic S. mutans from many or possibly all serotypes.