title: Response of cynomolgus macaques to immunization against a synthetic peptide from the human zona pellucida.
abstract: This study tested immunogenicity of a synthetic peptide hZP3(327-341) from a human zona pellucida (ZP) glycoprotein. After antibody response to various peptide-carrier conjugates was assessed in mice, two female cynomolgus macaques were immunized with the peptide conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). A control macaque was immunized with KLH. The peptide was immunogenic in both species, and included both B and T cell epitopes since low to moderate titers of peptide-specific antibodies and a T cell proliferative response were measured. Profiles of ovarian steroid metabolites indicated unchanged ovarian function in the macaques, but only the control conceived when bred. Ovarian histology was normal except that immunoglobulin was bound to ZP in follicles of the peptide-immune macaques. ZP from these females bound sperm and induced acrosome reactions at rates equal to those of an untreated control. The results support the feasibility of an immunocontraceptive vaccine based on autologous ZP peptides.
authors: California Regional Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, U.S.A.
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Mahi-Brown
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Moran
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008252:Macaca fascicularis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010047:Ovalbumin; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology*; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
chemical_list: D004527:Egg Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins; D010047:Ovalbumin