N19 polyepitope as a carrier for enhanced immunogenicity and protective efficacy of meningococcal conjugate vaccines

Infect Immun. 2004 Aug;72(8):4884-7. doi: 10.1128/IAI.72.8.4884-4887.2004.

Abstract

N19, a string of human universal CD4 T-cell epitopes from various pathogen-derived antigens, was shown to exert a stronger carrier effect than CRM197 for the induction of anti-group C Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide (MenC), after immunization of mice with various dosages of N19-MenC or CRM-MenC conjugate vaccines. After two immunizations, the N19-based construct induced anti-MenC antibody and protective bactericidal antibody titers higher than those induced by three doses of the CRM-MenC conjugate and required lower amounts of conjugate. N19-based conjugates are superior to CRM-based conjugates to induce protective immune responses to MenC conjugates.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Diphtheria Toxin / immunology
  • Drug Carriers
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / chemistry
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / immunology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Diphtheria Toxin
  • Drug Carriers
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Meningococcal Vaccines
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vaccines, Conjugate
  • CRM197 (non-toxic variant of diphtheria toxin)