Mucosal immunogenicity and adjuvant activity of the Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin

Abstract

Many pathogens invade their host via mucosal surfaces. The mucosal immune system forms a first line of defense against such pathogens, through secretion of pathogen-specific antibodies of the IgA isotype, preventing infection of the host. Current vaccination strategies, which generally involve intramuscular injection of live or inactivated pathogens, or antigens thereof, mainly induce systemic IgC antibodies, but rarely result in a mucosal immune response. ... Zie: Summarizing discussion and concluding remarks