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

The amino acid sequence (TAVSPTTLR, 829–837 aa) 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-B4) 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-B4 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-B4 may be a promising marker vaccine candidate against CSFV and the multimerization is a requirement for development of a peptide vaccine.