Interleukin-1 derived synthetic peptide as an added co-adjuvant in vaccine formulations.

A synthetic peptide containing the immunostimulatory and receptor binding sequences of human IL-1 beta was synthesized and tested for its immunoadjuvant properties. Using a commercially available hepatitis B vaccine as model antigen we found that added peptide enhanced both total and protective antibody responses in high and low responder strains of mice but was unable to overcome non-responsiveness in a third strain. Increased antibody response to antigen in the responder strains was not accompanied by any significant alteration in IgG isotype composition. These results suggest that this peptide may prove useful as a co-adjuvant in vaccines.