Comparison of Immune Responses Elicited by Recombinant Fusion Hapten and Coupled Hapten

Objective:To identify the immune characteristics elicited by immunogen prepared in two different ways a gainst a 36AApeptide.Methods:Rabbits were immunized by a 36AAhapten coupled with carrier proteins or recombinant fusion protein separately.The kinetics and specificities of antibody responses were compared.Results:After about 3 months of primary immunity, the antisera elicited by two kinds of immunogen reached the peak titer.The highest titer elicited by the im munogen prepared with coupledhapten method reached 1∶12 000, while the highest titer elicited by the immunogen prepared with gene engineering method was 1∶6 000.But the immune response produced by the recombinant fusion protein was more longlasting.Conclusion:Both kinds of immunogen can successfully elicit 36AA specific antibody response in rabbits, which have different immune characteristics.To couple the hapten with vector proteins is a quicker and more effective way to prepare the immunogen.