Immunogenicity of conjugates and micelles of synthetic hepatitis B surface antigen peptides.

A cyclic peptide containing the amino acid sequence 122 through 137 of the major hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) polypeptide was synthesized. The immunogenicity of this synthetic peptide, aggregated in micelles or covalently coupled to tetanus toxoid, was assessed in mice. Antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) were obtained with both preparations, administered either in saline suspension or adsorbed on aluminum gel. The peptide-tetanus toxoid conjugate was more immunogenic than the peptide micelles, producing high levels of specific anti-HBs.