Immunologic Approach to the Identification and Development of Vaccines to Various Toxins
Abstract
The extreme toxicity of the protein synthesis inhibitor ricin, and the sodium channel blocker saxitoxin render them unsafe as vaccines in the elicitation of active and protective immunity against their toxicity. For this reason, we have investigated the feasibility of the anti-idiotype antibody-based vaccine approach for inducing protective immunity against saxitoxin and ricin. Because of the proteinaceous nature of ricin, we have also investigated the synthetic peptide subunit vaccine strategy for eliciting protective immunity against this toxin. Protective murine monoclonal and goat polyclonal anti-ricin antibodies have been generated, and are being utilized to produce anti-idiotype reagents with antigenic mimicry, which may be effective as vaccines against ricin toxicity. Two peptides homologous to ricin chain A sequences, and two homologous to ricin chain B sequences have been synthesized. Studies are underway to assess their potential, either used singly or in combinations, in inducing protective anti-ricin immunity. *Protective burro polyclonal anti-STX IgG have also been used to generate anti-idiotype antibodies capable of antigen mimicry for the elecitation of active and Biological toxins, saxitoxin, ricin, monoclonal antibodies, anti-idiotype vaccines, ricin synthetic peptides, in vitro and in vivo protection; RA 1 protective immunity against saxitoxin toxicity. Our results are encouraging thus far, and we are confident that our research work will in the near future lead to safe and effective vaccines against the in vivo toxicity of both saxitoxin and ricin.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253213
Entities
People
- Debroah Armstrong
- Patrick Kanda
- Tran C. Chanh
Organizations
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute