A structurally diversified linker enhances the immune response to a small carbohydrate hapten

Glycoconj J. 2011 May;28(3-4):149-64. doi: 10.1007/s10719-011-9331-8. Epub 2011 May 5.

Abstract

The tether employed to covalently attach β-mannan disaccharide glycoconjugates influences the specificity of rabbit antibodies that protect against Candida albicans. Two glycoconjugates containing (1 → 2)-β-mannan disaccharides linked to chicken serum albumin (CSA) either via a structurally uniform or via a stereodiversified spacer were prepared and evaluated in immunization trials in mice and rabbits. Immunization with conjugate vaccine possessing a structurally diversified linker induced higher IgG titers against Candida albicans cell wall phosphomannan than a conjugate with a structurally uniform linker. These results suggest that affinity maturation and the specific antibody response can be shifted towards recognition of the desired hapten by employing a linker with diversified configuration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Candida albicans / immunology
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Glycoconjugates / chemistry*
  • Glycoconjugates / immunology*
  • Haptens / chemistry*
  • Haptens / immunology*
  • Mannans / chemistry
  • Mannans / immunology
  • Mice
  • Rabbits
  • Serum Albumin / immunology
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / chemistry
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / immunology

Substances

  • Glycoconjugates
  • Haptens
  • Mannans
  • Serum Albumin
  • Vaccines, Conjugate
  • phosphomannan