Synthetic Vaccines

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that chemically synthesized petides representing a part of the surface of a protein can elicit antibodies reactive with the native molecule. Some of the antibodies thus obtained are also shown to have activities to neutralize viruses, when the peptide constituting the surface antigen of the virus are used for immunization. Such peptides have potentials to serve as synthetic vaccines and several successful results have been reported. In order to use synthetic peptide vaccines for humans and domestic animals, we have to consider the following factors; 1) selection of the peptides, 2) carriers of the peptides, 3) adjuvants, 4) contribution of cellular immunity. © 1987, The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan. All rights reserved.