IDENTIFICATION AND IMMUNOGENICITY OF VACCINIA PEPTIDES

This project is a collaboration with Dr. Gregory Poland and the Vaccine Research Group

Recent terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad have raised concerns about the use of smallpox as a biological weapon and renewed considerable interest in both basic immunologic research into poxviruses and the reinstitution of widespread smallpox vaccination to combat this threat. The smallpox vaccine contains live vaccinia virus and has the highest rate of complications and adverse reactions of any currently licensed vaccine. Consequently, safer vaccines against smallpox and an increased understanding of the immune mechanisms of protection are needed.

We are currently conducting a series of experiments to identify and sequence naturally processed and presented vaccinia peptides and to examine the immunostimulatory capabilities of these peptides. Our overall objectives are to expand our understanding of immune responses to viral agents of mass destruction, specifically smallpox and vaccinia, and to define vaccine antigens that can protect against these agents. The information obtained will increase our basic understanding of how the current smallpox vaccine functions and will prove useful in the design of effective, second generation vaccines.