Immunogenic LHRH peptide constructs and synthetic universal immune stimulators for vaccines

Abstract

This invention relates to immunogenic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides that lead to suppression of LHRH activity in males or females. When male rats are immunized with these peptides, serum testosterone drops and androgen-dependent organs atrophy significantly. These peptides are useful for inducing infertility and for treating prostatic hyperplasia, androgen-dependent carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma and testicular carcinoma in males. In females, the peptides are useful for treating endometriosis, benign uterine tumors, recurrent functional ovarian cysts and (severe) premenstrual syndrome as well as prevention or treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The subject peptides contain a helper T cell epitope and have LHRH at the C terminus. The helper T cell epitope aids in stimulating the immune response against LHRH. The peptides, optionally contain an invasin domain which acts as a general immune stimulator. In another aspect this invention relates to immunogenic synthetic peptides having an invasin domain, a helper T cell epitope and a peptide hapten and methods of using these peptides to treat disease or provide protective immunity. The peptide haptens of the invention include LHRH, amylin, gastrin, gastrin releasing peptide, IgE CH4 peptide, Chlamydia MOMP peptides, HIV V3 peptides and Plasmodium berghei.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.