UofL researchers working toward a vaccine against tooth decay
Researchers with the University of Louisville School of Dentistry have found that a nontoxic part of E. coli could lead to a vaccine against tooth decay.
Research fellow Shuang Liang and Georgios Hajishengallis, associate
professor of dentistry, have found that removing the toxic part of an
E. coli protein renders it harmless yet still able to tell the body to
begin an immune response.
“This basic science research helps us understand the relationship between disease-causing organisms and our immune system,” Liang explained. "It lays the foundation for vaccines against a variety of diseases that begin in the mouth and mucus membranes.”
Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to kill bacteria that cause disease. Vaccines typically include a harmless version of the organism and an adjuvant—an added substance that alerts the immune system to the organism’s presence.
“This promising adjuvant could eventually be used for a vaccine against dental cavities and other infectious diseases,” Hajishengallis said.
Tooth decay begins when sugars and starches are left on the teeth. Bacteria in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids that destroy tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay and cavities.
Theoretically, a vaccine supplemented by an effective adjuvant could prevent cavities by keeping decay-causing bacteria from gathering on the teeth.
Liang’s study of E. coli as a possible adjuvant has earned him second place at the post-doctoral level in the American Association for Dental Research Pfizer Hatton Awards competition in oral/dental/craniofacial research. Since entering the competition, Liang and Hajishengallis have published related articles in the Journal of Immunology and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
© Copyright 2007 by University of Louisville
“This basic science research helps us understand the relationship between disease-causing organisms and our immune system,” Liang explained. "It lays the foundation for vaccines against a variety of diseases that begin in the mouth and mucus membranes.”
Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to kill bacteria that cause disease. Vaccines typically include a harmless version of the organism and an adjuvant—an added substance that alerts the immune system to the organism’s presence.
“This promising adjuvant could eventually be used for a vaccine against dental cavities and other infectious diseases,” Hajishengallis said.
Tooth decay begins when sugars and starches are left on the teeth. Bacteria in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids that destroy tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay and cavities.
Theoretically, a vaccine supplemented by an effective adjuvant could prevent cavities by keeping decay-causing bacteria from gathering on the teeth.
Liang’s study of E. coli as a possible adjuvant has earned him second place at the post-doctoral level in the American Association for Dental Research Pfizer Hatton Awards competition in oral/dental/craniofacial research. Since entering the competition, Liang and Hajishengallis have published related articles in the Journal of Immunology and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
© Copyright 2007 by University of Louisville
