Design of three-component vaccines against group A streptococcal infections: importance of spatial arrangement of vaccine components

J Med Chem. 2010 Nov 25;53(22):8041-6. doi: 10.1021/jm1007787. Epub 2010 Oct 28.

Abstract

Immunological assessment of group A streptococcal (GAS) branched lipopeptides demonstrated the impact of spatial arrangement of vaccine components on both the quality and quantity of their immune responses. Each lipopeptide was composed of three components: a GAS B-cell epitope (J14), a universal CD4(+) T-cell helper epitope (P25), and an immunostimulant lipid moiety that differs only in its spatial arrangement. The best systemic immune responses were demonstrated by a lipopeptide featuring the lipid moiety at the lipopeptide C-terminus. However, this candidate did not achieve protection against bacterial challenge. The best protection (100%) was shown by a lipopeptide featuring a C-terminal J14, conjugated through a lysine residue to P25 at the N-terminus, and a lipid moiety on the lysine side chain. The former candidate features α-helical conformation required to produce protective J14-specific antibodies. Our results highlight the importance of epitope orientation and lipid position in the design of three-component synthetic vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Animals
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Female
  • Lipopeptides / administration & dosage
  • Lipopeptides / chemistry*
  • Lipopeptides / immunology
  • Mice
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Streptococcal Infections / immunology
  • Streptococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / chemistry*
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / immunology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Subunit / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Subunit / chemistry
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / chemistry
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology

Substances

  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Lipopeptides
  • Streptococcal Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • Vaccines, Synthetic