Mucosal immune responses to meningococcal C polysaccharide-protein conjugate in mice

Vaccine. 2006 Apr 12:24 Suppl 2:S2-72-3. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.01.129.

Abstract

Mucosal delivery of vaccines represents an attractive approach because this is a region of first contact point for inhaled antigens. We have obtained a meningococcal group C polysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugate (MGCP-TT) and evaluated it for intranasal route in mice. The conjugate was obtained by a developed method in our laboratory. The specific IgA in saliva and specific IgA and IgG in serum were measured by ELISA methods and bactericidal antibodies in sera against a meningococcal group C strain were measured. The conjugated elicited a significant increase in anti-MGCP salivary IgA and serum IgG and bactericidal antibodies concentrations, while specific serum IgA was not observed. These results indicated that after conjugation, there was a change in the responses for MGCP from thymus-independent to thymus-dependent and that it was effective by intranasal route.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Immunity, Mucosal*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neisseria meningitidis
  • Tetanus Toxoid / chemistry
  • Tetanus Toxoid / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Meningococcal Vaccines
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Vaccines, Conjugate
  • serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine