The nature of the bond between peptide and carrier molecule determines theimmunogenicity of the construct

The influence of the nature of the bond between a peptide and a (lipidic) c arrier molecule on the immunogenicity of that construct was investigated. A s types of bonds a thioester-, a disulfide-, an amide- and a thioether bond were investigated. As carrier molecules a peptide, an N-palmitoylated pept ide or a C-16-hydrocarbon chain were used. The biostability of the bond bet ween peptide and carrier molecule is thioether > amide > disulfide much gre ater than thioester. However, the immunogenic potency of the constructs use d was found to be thioester > disulfide > amide > thioether. In conclusion, a construct with a bond between peptide and (lipidic) carrier molecule tha t is more susceptible to biological degradation is more immunogenic when us ed in a peptide-based vaccine than a bond that is less susceptible to biolo gical degradation.