COMPARISON OF NONHUMAN PRIMATE ANTIBODIES AGAINST HAEMOPHILUS-INFLUENZAE TYPE-B POLYSACCHARIDE WITH HUMAN-ANTIBODIES IN OLIGOCLONALITY AND IN-VIVO PROTECTIVE POTENCY

Nonhuman primates are often used as a model for studying vaccines for humans. However, it is not always clear how closely the antibody respo nses in these species mimic human responses. Recent studies have chara cterized the human antibody response to Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in great detail. In this study, we have compared the antibody re sponse to Hib of humans with those of other primates. Studies of isoel ectric points and VK subgroup usage show that, like humans, nonhuman p rimates produce oligoclonal antibodies. Also, monkey antibodies to the Hib polysaccharide are as protective as human antibodies in an in viv o model of Hib infection. Thus, we conclude that nonhuman primates pro duce antibodies to Hib polysaccharide that are structurally and functi onally similar to human antibodies and are a good model for testing hu man vaccines.