Structured peptides as vaccine antigens against infections.

The onset of a new infection by a pathogen requires a rapid and prompt response from the body. Here, we present a simple and effective strategy to stimulate antibody production by grafting immunogenic peptides onto a beta-strand peptide scaffold. Analysis of the method using a known immunogenic region, the disulfide loop of the PilA protein of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa pilus, shows that the molecule folds properly in solution and, upon vaccination of mice, provides significant protection against intravenous challenge with the P. aeruginosa PAK strain.