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 (T1, T3, T7 and T8)] and four cytotoxic lymphocyte [CTL (T2, T4, T5 and T6)] epitopes were coupled in two copies each to an artificial carrier, SOC4, which was formed by the repeating tripeptide Lys-Aib-Gly. The helical conformation of the SOC4-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 SOC4-conjugates.
(EN)
University of Ioannina
