INDUCTION OF SALIVARY ANTIBODIES BY TOPICAL SENSITIZATION WITH PARTICULATE AND SOLUBLE BACTERIAL IMMUNOGENS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 34  (6) , 969-979
Abstract
The secretory and serum immune responses following oral administration of soluble and particulate bacterial immunogens were systematically characterized. Following oral sensitization of axenic mice with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide [LPS], Candidin or streptococcal group H antigen, a substantially longer latent period was observed before all salivary samples exhibited specific agglutinins when compared to a similar immunization regimen with intact nonviable microorganisms. Also, the peak titers of salivary agglutinins were significantly lower when the soluble antigenic counterparts of particulate E. coli or Candida albicans were utilized as immunogens. Examination of serum antibodies showed that following administration of E. coli LPS, similar titers of exocrine and serum agglutinins were noted. The serum titers were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than those elicited by oral immunization with particulate E. coli. After termination of the topical immunization regimen, salivary agglutinins declined rapidly whether immunization was via soluble or particulate antigens; however, immunization with particulate bacterial antigens appeared capable of stimulating and maintaining a higher rate of local antibody secretion than similar sensitization with soluble immunogen preparations.