Open AccessGeneration of rubella virus‐neutralising antibodies by vaccination with synthetic peptides
Author(s) -
Robinson Karen,
Mostratos Ann,
Grencis Richard K.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.1995.tb00033.x
Subject(s) - virology , vaccination , biology , antibody , adjuvant , epitope , rubella virus , virus , rubella , antigen , immunology , measles
Four short peptides from rubella virus proteins E1 and E2, predicted to contain B cell epitopes, were used to vaccinate BALB/c mice. Sera from peptide‐vaccinated animals reacted with viral antigens in ELISA and three of the four induced virus‐neutralising antibody (nAb) responses. Peptide PY4, in contrast to the others, induced IgG2a responses upon vaccination and stimulated spleen cells in vitro produced IFNγ in the absence of IL‐5. It was reasoned that vaccination with PY4 caused Th1 subset activation, the appropriate type of response for anti‐viral immunity and hence the efficient neutralising antibody response. Presentation of peptide for vaccination proved to be as important as the sequence. Similar profiles of IgG1 and IgG2a were detected in the sera of mice vaccinated with PY4 in Freund's complete adjuvant or alum; however nAb responses were not found when alum was used.