[Chemosynthetic peptides against foot-and-mouth disease--immune response to free and carrier bound peptides of the VP1 of O1-Kaufbeuren].

Three peptides of main epitope of FMD virus O1-Kaufbeuren, VP1 (16, 21, 31), were found to induce in the 130-160 sequence range, in free and/or carrier-bonded form, virus-neutralising antibodies in guinea pig, rabbit, mouse, swine, and cattle. Five carrier proteins were tested, with thyroglobulin, next to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), being most effective for 16-peptides (145-160) and 21-peptides (141-160 Tyr161). To protect guinea pig from FMD, minimum dosage of 21-peptide was found to be 2 x 8 micrograms. The immunogenic spectrum of peptides and conjugates proved to be broader than that of monovalent vaccines of inactivated virus. Free peptides were found to be also capable in vitro of inhibiting virus infection.