Methods to improve immunogenicity of antigens and specificity of antibodies

Abstract

A method of improving specific immune response to small immunogens, haptens, has been developed by changing the linkage between the hapten and carrier being used for immunization. High affinity antibodies to cotinine have been produced using this method. Antibodies to a glycated protein have also been developed, utilizing an immunogen which is composed of a glycated peptide mimic of the glycated peptide sequence which is the target epitope, wherein the peptide mimic is constructed to conformationally mimic the conformation of the peptide in the native protein, the peptide mimic contains no charged groups or other immunodominant group, and is connected to a spacer sequence equivalent to a peptide spacer of between one and thirty amino acids in length, which serves to position the peptide epitope in a conformation that approximates its conformation in the native protein. In another embodiment, the peptide mimic and spacer are linked to a carrier molecule.