The immune response to poliovirus-specific synthetic peptides: effects of adjuvants and test animal species.

Carrier protein conjugates of five synthetic peptides containing amino acid sequences specific to capsid proteins VP1 and VP2 of poliovirus type 1 were tested for their abilities to elicit an immune response in the presence of either of two adjuvants and in several animal species. Freund's adjuvant induced significantly higher level anti-peptide antibody titers than A1(OH)3. However, no difference was noted between the two adjuvants in their abilities to aid in the induction of cross-reactive virus neutralizing antibody. The latter antibody was more readily produced by rabbits than by guinea pigs in spite of equivalent anti-peptide titers. Rats failed to produce neutralizing antibodies and their anti-peptide antibody levels were generally lower. The significance of these results for studies involving the development of synthetic peptide immunogens is discussed.