Abstract
Peptides representing epitopes of the measles virus glycoproteins have been designed to induce neutralizing and protective antibodies. Those that escape recognition by passively acquired anti-whole virus antibodies could potentially be used as components of a 'pre-vaccine' that could be given during early childhood irrespective of persisting maternal antibodies. Unlike vaccines based on recombinant proteins, epitope-based vaccines can be designed to be compatible with a subsequent boost with the standard life attenuated vaccine. Although synthetic peptides may induce only short-term immunity they have the potential to close in young infants the gap of vulnerability until the standard live attenuated vaccine can be given at 9 or 15 months of age.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 2238-2244 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Vaccine |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 17-19 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Mar 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Maternal antibodies
- Measles virus
- Synthetic peptides