Immunization with a LEAPS(TM) heteroconjugate containing a CTL epitope and a peptide from beta-2-microglobulin elicits a protective and DTH response to herpes simplex virus type 1

A ligand epitope antigen presentation system (LEAPS(TM)) heteroconjugate vaccine containing a CTL epitope (H1) from the HSV-1 immediate early protein ICP27 (322-332) and a peptide sequence (J) from β-2-microglobulin (35-50) elicited protection from intraperitoneal viral challenge and promoted DTH responses. The H1 peptide and other H1 containing heteroconjugates did not elicit protection or DTH responses. Antibody to the H1 peptide could not be detected by ELISA following vaccination with peptide, heteroconjugate or natural infection. The LEAPS(TM) heteroconjugate appears to prime a Th1-like response which is subsequently boosted by infection. These studies show that attachment of the J peptide can make a CTL epitope into a vaccine which is immunogenic and promotes a protective Th1 type of response.