SYSTEMIC AND MUCOSAL IMMUNE-RESPONSES OF MICE TO ALUMINUM-ADSORBED ORALUMINUM-NON-ADSORBED TETANUS TOXOID ADMINISTERED INTRANASALLY WITH RECOMBINANT CHOLERA-TOXIN-B SUBUNIT

For the purpose of changing the immunization procedure of tetanus toxo id from intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, which has been in pra ctice for a long time to intranasal administration, we examined system ic and mucosal immune responses of mice to aluminum-adsorbed tetanus t oxoid (aTT) and aluminium-non-adsorbed tetanus toxoid (nTT) inoculated intranasally with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB). Intrana sal immunization with aTT induced at a concentration of 0.5 Lf, high l evels of TT-specific serum IgG antibody titres and moderate levels of TT-specific serum IgA antibody titres in the presence and absence of r CTB. Induction of high or moderate levels of mucosal TT-specific IgA a ntibody responses was observed with and without rCTB in the lung, the nasal cavity, the small and large intestines and the vagina. Generally speaking, the co-administration of aTT and rCTB showed higher mucosal TT-specific IgA antibody titres when compared with the administration of aTT alone. In case of intranasal administration of nTT: the dose o f 5 Lf was necessary and stimulated only in the presence of rCTB (10 m u g), high levels of tetanus toxoid (TT)-specific serum IgG antibody r esponses in all mice examined and moderate or slight levels of TT-spec ific IgA antibody responses in the nasal, pulmonary and small and larg e intestinal lavages of a few mice. All mice intranasally immunized wi th aTT alone or nTT and rCTB escaped onset of tetanus. This is the fir st report concerned with the mucosal adjuvant activity of art aluminiu m compound. Judging from these results, intranasal administration of a TT with and without rCTB ol nTT with rCTB appears to be a very useful means for a vaccination against tetanus with respect to ease, safety: certainty, low cost and no need for an injection needle. (C) 1998 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.