A novel dendrimeric peptide induces high level neutralizing antibodies against classical swine fever virus in rabbits

The amino acid sequence (TAVSPTTLR, 829-837aa) on the glycoprotein E2 of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a conserved and linear neutralizing epitope. In the present study, two peptides were constructed based the core sequence of this neutralizing epitope, the dendrimeric peptide (Th-B(4)) containing four copies of B cell epitope fused to one copy of promiscuous T helper (Th) cell epitope and the peptide Th-B containing a single copy of B cell epitope fused to one copy of Th cell epitope. The dendrimeric peptide Th-B(4) elicited high titers of neutralizing antibodies as detected in an indirect ELISA, blocking ELISA and neutralization test and induced a complete protection against CSFV C strain in rabbits. The Th-B elicited low titers of neutralizing antibodies and did not induce a protection in rabbits. These results suggest that the dendrimeric peptide Th-B(4) may be a promising marker vaccine candidate against CSFV and the multimerization is a requirement for development of a peptide vaccine.