Open AccessInduction of an epitope‐specific humoral immune response by lipopeptide–hapten conjugates: enhancement of the anti‐melittin response by a synthetic T helper (T h )‐cell epitope
Author(s) -
Hoffmann Petra,
Loleit Manuel,
Mittenbühler Klaus,
Beck Werner,
Wiesmüller KarlHeinz,
Jung Günther,
Bessler Wolfgang G
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.1997.tb01016.x
Subject(s) - melittin , epitope , lipopeptide , biology , immune system , hapten , immunology , antigen , peptide , biochemistry , genetics , bacteria
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 (T h )‐cell epitope into the lipopeptide–hapten conjugate. The T h ‐cell epitope applied, which is presented by the MHC class II molecule of the BALB/c (H‐2 d ) 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)‐CONH 2 ]. 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.