A novel microencapsulated peptide vaccine against hepatitis B.
A 48 amino acid synthetic peptide (S121/48) representing residues 121-167 of the major envelope protein of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) was successfully encapsulated into polylactide co-glycolide microspheres. A single immunization of the microspheres in BALB/c (H-2d) mice resulted in the production of high-titre anti-HBs antibodies (IgG1-type). The response was long lasting and was superior to that obtained using the same peptide adjuvanted with Freund's complete adjuvant. A T-cell memory response was detected 10 weeks after a booster immunization (approximately 35 weeks after initial immunization) as measured by in-vitro re-stimulation of splenocytes. This study illustrates the feasibility of a single dose vaccine for hepatitis B and is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of a synthetic peptide immunogen inducing anti-native protein antibodies of comparable titre to those obtained with conventional vaccines for hepatitis B. The suitability of a synthetic peptide vaccine for hepatitis B is discussed.
Moynihan
J S
JS
Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, NW1 0TU, London, UK.
Jones
D H
DH
Farrar
G H
GH
Howard
C R
CR
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification; D019344:Lactic Acid; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D002214:Capsules; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011108:Polymers; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid