We are all used to vaccines. In early childhood, we are given vaccines against diphtheria, measles, whooping cough. Then they are vaccinated against hepatitis and other dangerous diseases. Getting vaccinated against the flu annually will help you avoid getting sick with the onset of cold weather. But scientists from China have successfully tested another vaccine that will save you from tooth decay and a visit to the most "terrible" doctor. To the dentist.
According to the most common theory at the moment, caries occurs due to the influence of the microorganisms Streptococcus mutans, which live in the oral cavity. They produce lactic acid, which leads to tartar formation, enamel breakdown, and cavities. Scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have tested their vaccine to suppress this microflora, which is responsible for the development of tooth decay, according to Scientific Reports.
Experiments to research a new vaccine were carried out in rats. The main component of the vaccine is the KF-rPAc fusion protein. It consists of the KF protein, which provokes an immune response to the rPAc protein. The latter is a structural element of the membrane of Streptococcus mutans. Thus, carious bacteria are more strongly attacked by the immune system. At the moment, Chinese scientists are planning the next phase of clinical trials involving humans.
It is worth noting that attempts to create a vaccine against caries have been carried out for more than three decades. Scientists have used a variety of approaches. For example, in one study, the vaccine created a protective coating on the surface of the teeth that prevented bacteria from fixing to their surface.
Vladimir Kuznetsov
