Mucosal Immune Symposium Immunology and Diseases in the Skin and Mucous Membrane

Human mucosa possesses a specific immune system mainly consisting of production of secretory IgA and bactericidal IgG, which is different from the blood immune system. Establishment of mucosal immunity by strongly inducing specific mucosal immune responses with vaccine (and adjuvant) may effectively block the early step of pathogenic infection, which is colonization of pathogens to the mucosa. It is awaited that practical use of the mucosal immunity theory can be used to control (e. g.) influenza, new type cholera O139,and pulmonary anthrax caused by bioterrorism