Synthesis and immunologic characterisation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan specific oligosaccharide-protein conjugates

Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a major structural surface component of all myco bacteria, and has been reported to have a wide range of biological effects. Immunogenic LAM specific oligosaccharide protein conjugates were synthesiz ed and immunologically characterized. Oligosaccharides were derived from LA M purified from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 Rv and covalently conjugated to tetanus toroid and cross reactive mutant (CRM197) diphtheria toroid. Bo th types of LAM oligosaccharide protein conjugates proved to be highly immu nogenic, inducing a boosterable T helper cell dependent IgG response. These conjugates are currently evaluated as components in a subcellular experime ntal TB vaccine. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.