Immune response to synthetic peptides of dengue prM protein.

The immunological activities of five synthetic peptides of the prM protein of dengue-2 (DEN-2) virus containing B cell epitopes were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Two peptides elicited neutralizing antibodies against all four DEN serotypes. Virus-specific proliferative responses were demonstrated in mice immunized with four of the five peptides, demonstrating the presence of T cell epitopes. Mice immunized with three of the five peptides conjugated with bovine albumin showed statistically significant levels (P<0.05) of protection when challenged with DEN-2 virus. These results could constitute the basis for the establishment of the role of DEN virus pre and M antigens in the development of anti-flaviviral vaccines.