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Mucosal Immunity Induced by Intramuscular Administration of Free Peptides In‐Line with PADRE: IgA Antibodies to the ELDKWA Epitope of HIV gp41
Author(s) -
Decroix N.,
Quan C. P.,
Pamonsinlapatham P.,
Bouvet J.P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3083.2002.01113.x
Subject(s) - epitope , gp41 , peptide , antibody , immune system , virology , biology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immunology , peptide sequence , immunity , peptide vaccine , biochemistry , gene
To improve the mucosal antibody response against a short amino acid (aa) sequence (ELDKWA) of HIV gp41, we have investigated a construction including this peptide in‐line with the Pan DR epitope (PADRE). ELDKWA is a conserved peptide playing a key role in the pathogenicity of HIV transmission. PADRE is a non‐natural peptide with multipotential immunogenic properties. The results show striking differences between mucosal and systemic immune systems, with a preferential response of the mucosal organs. In contrast with most mucosal immunizations, the intracellular response persists for over two months after the last injection. This strongly suggests that further investigations of conserved key epitopes from various pathogens may lead to safe and chemically defined mucosal vaccines with synthetic peptides. These candidate vaccines with free peptides may be suitable for mass campaigns even in developing countries.