Current Medicinal Chemistry
Current Medicinal Chemistry
5 years ago

Immunocontraception: Filamentous Bacteriophage as a Platform for Vaccine Development.

Samoylov TI, Bartol FF, Braden TD, Spencer JA
Population control of domestic, wild and invasive species of animals is a global issue of importance to public health, animal welfare and the economy. Although many methods for regulation of animal reproduction are available, the need for effective, safe, and inexpensive contraceptives remains. Immunocontraceptives (contraceptive vaccines) are designed to stimulate the immune system in order to block critical events in the reproductive process and suppress fertility. Platforms used for vaccine development play a critical role in vaccine efficacy, safety, and practicality. One nontraditional platform used for development of contraceptive vaccines is based on filamentous bacteriophages (shortened phages). Filamentous phages comprise a group of rod-shaped bacterial viruses. The core of the virion is a DNA molecule, which is surrounded by phage coat proteins. Phages can be engineered to display fusion (non-phage) peptides as a part of their coat proteins. Such modifications can be accomplished via genetic manipulations of phage DNA or by chemical conjugation of synthetic peptides to phage surface proteins. Phage fusions with antigenic determinants induce humoral as well as cell-mediated immune responses in animals, making them attractive vaccine carriers. Additional advantages of the phage platform include environmental stability, low cost, and safety of phage-based preparations for immunized animals and those administering the vaccines.

Publisher URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28901276

DOI: PubMed:28901276

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