INDUCTION OF BOVINE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS ENV-SPECIFIC TH-1 TYPE IMMUNITY INMICE BY VACCINATION WITH SHORT SYNTHESIZED PEPTIDE-LIPOSOME

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is considered to be effective in controll ing retrovirus infection and replication. To develop a peptide-based v accine capable of inducing CMI, mannan-coated liposome encapsulating 2 0-mer synthetic peptide, spanning the 98-117 amino acids of bovine leu kaemia virus (BLV) envelope glycoprotein (Env) gp51 was constructed. T he liposome induced specific delayed-type hypersensitivity, lymphocyte proliferative responses and a weak cytotoxic lymphocyte response in m ice. By stimulation with the peptide and BLV virion, the spleen cells from the immunized mice produced a large amount of IFN-gamma and IL-2, whereas they released neither IL-4 or IL-10. These results indicate t he augmentation of Th-1 type immunity in mice by the T-cell epitope sy nthetic peptide-liposome. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.