Synthetic antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) against S. mutans and S. sobrinus inhibit caries formation

Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 5;8(1):10173. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28240-0.

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the main causative agents of human dental caries. Current strategies for treating caries are costly and do not completely eradicate them completely. Passive immunization using nonhuman antibodies against Streptococcal surface antigens has shown success in human trials, however they often invoke immune reactions. We used phage display to generate human antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) against S. mutans and S. sobrinus. These Fabs were readily expressed in E. coli and bound to the surface S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Fabs inhibited sucrose-induced S. mutans and S. sobrinus biofilm formation in vitro and a combination of S. mutans and S. sobrinus Fabs prevented dental caries formation in a rat caries model. These results demonstrated that S. mutans and S. sobrinus Fabs could be used in passive immunization strategies to prevent dental caries. In the future, this strategy may be applied towards a caries therapy, whereby Fabs are topically applied to the tooth surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Bacterial Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology*
  • Biofilms
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Dental Caries / etiology
  • Dental Caries / microbiology
  • Dental Caries / prevention & control*
  • Diet, Cariogenic / adverse effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / isolation & purification
  • Peptide Library
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus mutans / immunology*
  • Streptococcus sobrinus / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Peptide Library
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vaccines, Synthetic