Induction of bovine leukaemia virus Env-specific Th-1 type immunity in mice by vaccination with short synthesized peptide-liposome.

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is considered to be effective in controlling retrovirus infection and replication. To develop a peptide-based vaccine capable of inducing CMI, mannan-coated liposome encapsulating 20-mer synthetic peptide, spanning the 98-117 amino acids of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) envelope glycoprotein (Env) gp51 was constructed. The liposome induced specific delayed-type hypersensitivity, lymphocyte proliferative responses and a weak cytotoxic lymphocyte response in mice. By stimulation with the peptide and BLV virion, the spleen cells from the immunized mice produced a large amount of IFN-gamma and IL-2, whereas they released neither IL-4 or IL-10. These results indicate the augmentation of Th-1 type immunity in mice by the T-cell epitope synthetic peptide-liposome.