Conjugates of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (14-32)Pre-S2 Region with N-Acetylmuramic Acid, N-Acetylnormuramic Acid, and Their L-Alanyl-D-Isoglutamine Derivatives: Synthesis and Studies on Immunogenicity

Abstract

Four novel analogs of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (14-32)Pre-S2 region fragment attached covalently to N-acetylmuramic acid, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, N-acetylnormuramic acid, and N-acetylnormuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine were synthesized by the solid phase method. The ability of analogs to induce cellular and humoral immunity to native HBsAg was tested on rabbits. Cellular immune response occurred in vitro, and HBs antibodies were detected in all immunized animals. No additional adjuvants were used in the tests.