title: Multiple antigen peptides (MAPs) as candidate vaccines against malaria.
abstract: Multiple Antigen Peptides (MAPs), branched molecules where multiple copies of a desired antigenic sequence are assembled on a small peptide core, have been recently described as an alternative approach to the synthesis of high molecular weight immunogens. In comparison with conventional peptide-carrier conjugates, the MAPs show several advantages, including chemical unambiguity and ease of synthesis. A MAP based on the sequence of the repetitive domain of P. malariae sporozoites was immunogenic in a large number of mouse strains. When covalently linked to the corresponding sequence of the P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein, [NANP]40, the resulting conjugate showed the properties of a multivalent vaccine, overcoming the severe genetic restriction of the [NANP] sequence. A second generation of MAPs including both sequences, with more desirable chemical properties, was equally effective. These compounds represent a promising step towards the development of synthetic, multivalent peptide vaccines against human malaria.
authors.affiliation: Peptide Synthesis Unit, SCLAVO SpA, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pessi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiappinelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tougne
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Giudice
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics; D007114:Immunization; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H / Q000276:immunology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D010455:Peptides; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C041595:circumsporozoite protein, Protozoan