Exploiting molecular mimicry to broaden the immune response to carbohydrate antigens for vaccine development

Vaccine. 2001 Mar 21;19(17-19):2361-8. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(00)00527-2.

Abstract

Peptide mimetics of carbohydrates represent an alternative approach to induce anti-carbohydrate responses. Depending on their formulation, peptide mimetics can mediate T-independent or T-dependent responses. Multivalent peptide mimeotopes can induce high IgM/IgG ratios, as non-conjugated carbohydrates do. Here we observe that immunization with multivalent peptide mimeotope conjugated to BSA enhances carbohydrate reactive antibodies in Balb/c mice and xid mice, with IgG1 greater than IgG2a, in xid mice. These results suggest that mimeotope-conjugate formulations might augment carbohydrate-specific immune responses in immuno-compromised hosts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens / chemistry*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Carbohydrates / chemistry
  • Carbohydrates / immunology*
  • Cross Reactions
  • Female
  • Immunization
  • Lewis Blood Group Antigens / chemistry
  • Lewis Blood Group Antigens / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Nude
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Mimicry*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Vaccines / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lewis Blood Group Antigens
  • Lewis Y antigen
  • Peptides
  • Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Conjugate