The immune responses to bacterial antigens encountered in vivo at mucosal surfaces

Mammals have evolved a sophisticated immune system For handling antigens en countered at their mucosal surfaces. The way in which mucosally delivered a ntigens are handled influences our ability to design effective mucosal vacc ines. Live attenuated derivatives of pathogens are one route towards the de velopment of mucosal vaccines. However, some molecules, described as mucosa l immunogens, are inherently immunogenic at mucosal surfaces. Studies on mu cosal immunogens may facilitate the identification of common characteristic s that contribute to mucosal immunogenicity and aid the development of nove l, non-living mucosal vaccines and immunostimulators.