Characterisation of a protective linear B cell epitope against feline parvoviruses

Monoclonal antibody 3C9 was the starting material in the definition of the epitope that led to the synthesis of the first efficient peptide vaccine ag ainst a viral disease (canine parvovirus) in the natural host (dog). In thi s report. we have analysed the specificity of the antibody at the single am ino acid level and the contribution of each residue to the binding, using m ultiple length analysis. Moreover, a replacement analysis allowed determini ng those critical residues for the binding. Finally, in an attempt to optim ise the production cost of the vaccine, we have determined that the minimal dose required for induction of protective antibodies can be as low as 0.5 mug of peptide. Also, KLH can be replaced as a carrier for a much cheaper a lternative such as ovalbumine. All these findings implicate a substantial r eduction in the cost of the vaccinal dose. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.