Mimotope vaccination for epitope-specific induction of anti-CD20 antibodies

Cell Immunol. 2006 Feb;239(2):136-43. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2006.05.005. Epub 2006 Jun 30.

Abstract

CD20 is expressed strictly by B-cells and is ubiquitously expressed at high surface densities of malignant human B-cells. This suggests that CD20 may be a tumor target for immunotherapy of B-cell lymphomas. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and some autoimmune diseases. In the current study, we used the phage display technique to generate mimotopes that complemented the screening Ab Rituximab. A total of seven candidate mimotopes were isolated from a 12-mer peptide library from which one mimotope was conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or tetanus toxoid (TT). The immunogenicity of the two vaccines generated was examined in BALB/c mice. Sera from the vaccinated mice demonstrated high-titer specific antibodies to the mimotope conjugates. Antibody binding to native CD20 and Ab-mediated cytotoxicity (CDC, complement-dependent cytotoxicity) were also analyzed. Our data suggest that a Rituximab mimotope may be a useful tool for the construction of a functional vaccine to treat B-cell malignancy as well as some CD20 related autoimmune disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20 / administration & dosage*
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD20 / metabolism
  • Binding Sites, Antibody
  • Cancer Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / administration & dosage*
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / metabolism
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Peptide Library
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Immune Sera
  • Peptide Library
  • Rituximab