title: Influenza virus H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA) T-cell epitope conjugates: design, synthesis and immunogenicity.
abstract: The influenza virus, major surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) is one of the principal targets for the development of protective immunity. Aiming at contributing to the development of a vaccine that remains the first choice for prophylactic intervention, a reconstituted model of HA, mimicking its antigenic properties was designed, synthesized and tested in mice for the induction of protective immunity. Four helper T lymphocyte [HTL (T(1) , T(3) , T(7) and T(8) )] and four cytotoxic lymphocyte [CTL (T(2) , T(4) , T(5) and T(6) )] epitopes were coupled in two copies each to an artificial carrier, SOC(4) , which was formed by the repeating tripeptide Lys-Aib-Gly. The helical conformation of the SOC(4) -conjugates preserves the initial topology of the attached epitopes, which is critical for their immunogenic properties. Survival of immunized animals, ranged from 30 to 50%, points out the induction of protective immunity by using the SOC(4) -conjugates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skarlas
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zevgiti
authors.forename: Karoline
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Droebner
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panou-Pomonis
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Planz
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakarellos-Daitsiotis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology*; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051379:Mice; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D010455:Peptides