Transcutaneous immunization with cholera toxin protects mice against lethal mucosal toxin challenge.

We recently reported that application of cholera toxin (CT) to the skin results in transcutaneous immunization and induces a systemic Ab response to both CT and coadministered Ags. In this paper, we demonstrate antitoxin IgG and IgA Abs in sera, lung washes, and stool samples from immunized mice as well as a broad spectrum of IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3) in the sera. Mice immunized with CT by the transcutaneous route exhibited significant protection from intranasal challenge with a lethal dose of CT. Thus, clinically relevant immunity against mucosal toxin challenge can be achieved via the transcutaneous route.