Synthesis of linear and comb-like peptide constructs containing up to fourcopies of a T cell epitope and their capacity to stimulate T cells

Polypeptide constructs containing up to four copies of the T cell epitope 3 06-318 of influenza virus haemagglutinin have been synthesized on solid pha se. Between the copies, a non-natural PEG-based spacer amino acid has been introduced. The oligomeric epitopes were analysed by RP-HPLC and ES-MS. The arrangement of the epitopes within the peptide constructs was either linea r or comb-like. The proliferative response in a T helper cell assay induced by these oligomerized epitopes has been tested. showing that the linearly arranged epitopes are more effective than the comb-like oligomers. Copyrigh t (C) 2001 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.