Effect of adjuvant composition on immune response to a multiple antigen peptide (MAP) containing a protective epitope from Neisseria meningitidis class 1 porin

Vaccine. 1999 Aug 20;18(1-2):131-9. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(99)00190-5.

Abstract

A variety of adjuvants with the potential for use with experimental human vaccines were used for immunisation of mice, in an attempt to augment the humoral immune response to a multiple antigen peptide (MAP) containing a protective epitope from the sero-subtype specific class 1 porin protein of Neisseria meningitidis, in tandem with a Th-cell epitope. Surface plasmon resonance showed that combinations of the immunomodulators pluronic block co-polymer, muramyl dipeptide and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), increased the magnitude and avidity of the immune response in comparison with both Al(OH)3 and Freund-type adjuvants. In addition, the incorporation of MPL was essential for the induction of a broad distribution of antibody isotypes. The antibodies induced recognised the native protein in meningococcal outer membranes in a subtype-specific manner. The formulations containing these multiple immunomodulators which have already been used in human phase I/II trials with experimental vaccines, are candidates for inclusion in future human vaccines based on synthetic peptides containing defined, protective epitopes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology*
  • Epitopes
  • Immune Sera / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neisseria meningitidis / immunology*
  • Porins / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Epitopes
  • Immune Sera
  • Porins