ISSN:
1574-695X
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Lipopeptides of bacterial origin constitute potent immunoadjuvants when combined with antigens. After the immunization with lipopeptides covalently coupled to non-immunogenic low-molecular-mass antigens or haptens, a hapten-specific humoral immune response can often be obtained. The response against synthetically prepared melittin fragments was further enhanced by the additional introduction of a T helper (Th)-cell epitope into the lipopeptide–hapten conjugate. The Th-cell epitope applied, which is presented by the MHC class II molecule of the BALB/c (H-2d) haplotype, consisted of a synthetic 16-amino-acid oligopeptide derived from sperm whale myoglobin. The immune-enhancing effect was most pronounced for the melittin-derived peptide fragments [Mel(1–16)] and [Mel(17–26)-CONH2]. Antibodies obtained after 3 immunizations with the conjugates recognized the synthetic as well as the native melittin molecule. Our results show that it is possible to markedly enhance a weak hapten-specific immune response by coupling the haptens to a lipopeptide conjugated to a haplotype-specific T helper-cell epitope. The novel conjugates are well suited for the optimization of immunization procedures, and for the development of novel synthetic vaccines.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-695X.1997.tb01016.x
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