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Use of Synthetic Peptides as Immunogens for Developing a Vaccine Against Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

2007; Wiley; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/9780470513286.ch12

1935-4657

Vernon C. Stevens,

Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the placental trophoblast soon after conception and is essential for successful gestation in women. A vaccine against this hormone has been developed for the purposes of birth control and the treatment of hormone-related diseases. Synthetic peptides representing the native primary structure of the hCG β subunit have been coupled to protein carriers to produce immunogens. Several peptides, representing varying lengths from the C-terrninus of the β subunit, were synthesized and their ability to elicit antibodies reactive to hCG and able to neutralize hCG activity in vivo was tested. A peptide representing the 37 amino acids of the C-terminal end of the β subunit was selected as the vaccine antigen and diphtheria toxoid was selected as the carrier for the first prototype vaccine. Procedures for coupling a specified number of peptide molecules to each carrier molecule in a reproducible fashion were developed. The immunogen is mixed with an adjuvant compound and the mixture administered in an oil-in-water emulsion. Significant levels of antibodies to hCG have been elicited in several species and a marked reduction in the fertility of immunized baboons has been observed. Extensive evaluations of vaccine safety have heen conducted and Phase I clinical trials have been proposed to test its utility for human birth control. Possible applications of the hCG vaccine to health problems other than birth control are being considered.