von Brunn A, Früh K, Müller H M, Zentgraf H W, Bujard H
Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie, Universität Heidelberg, Germany.
Vaccine. 1991 Jul;9(7):477-84. doi: 10.1016/0264-410x(91)90032-2.
The development of recombinant subunit vaccines against pathogenic organisms requires not only the identification of epitopes eliciting a protective immune response but also suitable carriers with adjuvant function. B- and T-cell epitopes of the malaria vaccine candidate gp190 were selected on the basis of a systematic search along the gp190 molecule and by computer prediction based on the amino acid sequence. Using some of the epitopes identified, we have redesigned the surface of the hepatitis B surface antigen lipoprotein particles by replacing the major antigenic determinants with malaria-specific sequences of up to 61 amino acids in length. Upon expression via vaccinia virus the hybrid particles elicit an anti-gp190 immune response in animals. Monoclonal antibodies derived from such infections recognize the native parasite.
