Antibodies induced in sera and saliva of rats and rabbits immunized with ribosomal preparations from Streptococcus mutans 6715 inhibited transport of glucose by the phosphotransferase system by >60%, acid production from sucrose by >95%, and growth of the homologous S. mutans by >59%. Inhibition of growth and acid production by immune sera and saliva were abrogated by prior adsorption with S. mutans 6715 whole cells, glucosyltransferase, lipoteichoic acid, or α1-6 or α1-3 dextran. These results indicate that antibodies induced to an S. mutans ribosomal preparation react with cell surface determinants and suggest that the antibodies inhibit sucrose-induced acid formation and growth of virulent S. mutans by neutralizing the glucose-phosphotransferase system.
