Strategies for mimicking Neisserial saccharide epitopes as vaccines

Int Rev Immunol. 2001;20(2):229-50. doi: 10.3109/08830180109043036.

Abstract

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2C7 recognizes a conserved and widely expressed oligosaccharide (OS) epitope on Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This OS epitope evokes a significant bactericidal and opsonic immune response after natural infection and vaccination. The OS epitope structure represents an excellent target for a potential protective gonococcal vaccine. Because carbohydrate antigens are T-cell independent, inducing weak antibody responses, OS molecules are not useful immunogens. We developed and examined two different strategies to mimic the 2C7 OS epitope: (i) an anti-idiotope (mAb CA1); and (ii) a peptide (PEP-1). These surrogate immunogens elicited antibody responses in mice (CA1 and PEP-1) and rabbits (CA1) that were bactericidal in vitro against gonococci. Both CA1 and PEP-1 are true immunologic mimics of OS and may form a basis for the development of vaccine candidates for human immunization against N. gonorrhoeae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Gonorrhea / immunology
  • Gonorrhea / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / immunology*
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Epitopes
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • lipid-linked oligosaccharides