PROTEINS AND OTHER CARRIERS FOR CREATION OF CONJUGATED VACCINES: PROPERTIES AND APPLICATION

Abstract

Vaccination is a key element in prophylaxis of infectious diseases. Effective vaccines based on polysaccharide capsules were developed for a number of microorganisms. Effectiveness of polysaccharides as antigens, however, is low in the main risk groups - infants and patients with immunedeficiency conditions. Use of polysaccharide antigens conjugated with protein carriers as vaccines became a principal step forward. Though use of carriers became a breakthrough for vaccine effectiveness increase, mechanisms of interaction of proteins and carbohydrate components of the vaccines in T-cell immune response induction and immunological memory remains studied incompletely. Lack of theoretical base complicates execution of directed engineering of conjugated vaccines with the goal of expansion of their nomenclature and effectiveness increase. Despite significant volume of new information in the field of interaction of various antigens, and significant expansion of spectrum of potential carriers, including of non-protein nature, the number of pathogens, for which conjugated vaccines are introduced into clinical practice, remains insignificant. Information regarding problems and perspectives of use of carriers for conjugated polysaccharide vaccines is summarized in the review.