title: 48-mer synthetic peptide analogue of the hepatitis B virus "a" determinant induces an anti-HBs antibody response after a single injection.
abstract: An extended (48 amino acid) synthetic peptide analogue of the hepatitus B virus (HBV) S protein (HBsAg) 'a' determinant has been produced by using 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (fmoc) chemistry and a low substitution polystyrene resin as the solid phase support. This peptide (S121/48) elicited a sustained anti-peptide antibody response in BALB/c (H-2(d)) mice when immunised with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). Cross-reactive, anti-HBs antibodies were induced, directed against a significant proportion of the conformationally restrained epitope repertoire on the native HBsAg particles. Similar responses were obtained by injection of guinea pigs, a species known both to be exquisitely sensitive to HBsAg and to produce a wide range of B cell responses to HBsAg antigens. Taken together, these data show for the first time, that a synthetic peptide mimicking conformational epitopes can be produced by chemical synthesis and can be used to induce significant titres of anti-HBs antibodies after a single injection. This immunogen has considerable potential for incorporation into novel delivery systems, e.g., microspheres, thus offering the potential of a controlled release, single dose hepatitis B vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Moynihan
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: D'Mello
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D010455:Peptides