Enhancing the Immune Response of a Nicotine Vaccine with Synthetic Small "Non-Natural" Peptides.

ABSTRACT: The addictive nature of nicotine is likely the most significant reason for the continued prevalence of tobacco smoking despite the widespread reports of its negative health effects. Nicotine vaccines are an alternative to the currently available smoking cessation treatments, which have limited efficacy. However, the nicotine hapten is non-immunogenic, and successful vaccine formulations to treat nicotine addiction require both effective adjuvants and delivery systems. The immunomodulatory properties of short, non-natural peptide sequences not found in human systems and their ability to improve vaccine efficacy continue to be reported. The aim of this study was to determine if small "non-natural peptides," as part of a conjugate nicotine vaccine, could improve immune responses. Four peptide

SUBMITTER: Le HT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7143940 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature