CONJUGATE VACCINES FOR THE PREVENTION OF DENTAL CARIES

摘要

The present invention provides glucan-based compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response against mutans streptococci components and vaccines and methods for the treatment and prevention of dental caries. In a preferred embodiment, a glucan polymer is covalently bound to one or more T cell-dependent antigens to form a conjugate vaccine. The T cell-dependent antigen preferably contains epitopes of one or more mutans streptococcal proteins, such as a glucosyltransferase. Moreover, one or more moieties, including haptens, may be conjugated to the glucan or to the glucan-T cell-dependent composition. In a preferred embodiment, these moieties are peptides which contain immunogenic epitopes corresponding to components of a mutants streptococcus.