Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is the main cause of dental caries. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of variable regions of a llama heavy chain antibody fragments directed against S. mutans named S36-VHH (S for Streptococcus) alone or fused with glucose oxidase (GOx) from Aspergillus niger. Western blot analysis and ELISA revealed binding of the S36-VHH to the streptococcal antigen I/II adhesin molecule of S. mutans serotype C. In a rat-desalivated caries model, daily administration of S36-VHH significantly reduced the development of smooth surface caries. No additional therapeutic effect of GOx was observed. Our results suggest that llama VHH antibodies may be a potential benefit as prophylaxis against dental caries.
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This work was supported by the Foundation for Preventive Caries Research (Patentmedelsfonden) and the Swedish Research Council.
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Krüger, C., Hultberg, A., Marcotte, H. et al. Therapeutic effect of llama derived VHH fragments against Streptococcus mutans on the development of dental caries. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 72, 732–737 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0347-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0347-0