Transcutaneous Immunization with the Outer Membrane Protein of P. gingivalis Elicits Long-term Protective Immunity in the Oral Cavity

A previous study showed that transcutaneous immunization with the 40-kDa outer membrane protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis (40k-OMP) elicits humoral immunity that protects from abscess induction by P. gingivalis. In this study, we assessed the potential of 40k-OMP as a transcutaneous vaccine against oral P. gingivalis infection. Transcutaneous immunization of mice with 40k-OMP alone or 40k-OMP plus cholera toxin (CT) elicited 40k-OMP-specific IgG and IgA antibody (Ab) responses in serum and IgG Abs in saliva. These Ab responses were maintained for at least 1 year after immunization, except for serum IgA Abs induced by 40k-OMP alone. Importantly, IgG Abs generated by transcutaneous immunization with 40k-OMP alone, or with 40k-OMP plus CT, inhibited hemagglutinating activity of P. gingivalis. Furthermore, mice transcutaneously immunized with 40k-OMP plus CT, but not 40k-OMP alone, showed significant reduction of alveolar bone loss caused by oral infection with P. gingivalis even 1 year after immunization. These results suggest that 40k-OMP is an effective transcutaneous vaccine against P. gingivalis infection and may be an important tool for the prevention of chronic periodontitis.