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Project: The use of F4 in the pig as a ca rrier-delivery molecule for induction of a mucosal immunity and the development of a screenings assay for identifying new carrier-delivery molecules.

2001-10-01 – 2004-09-30

Abstract

The development of mucosal viccins is an important challenge in the immunology. The lab. of Veterinary Immunology has demonstrated that binding of F4 fimbriae to the small intestinal mucosa leads to a protective mucosal immune response. This opens perspectives to use F4 as a carrier-delivery molecule for targetting other antigens to the intestinal mucosa. Using molecular biotechnology fusion proteins of F4 and F18 fimbriae will be constructed. These constructs will be orally given to F18-receptornegative pigs to determine if pigs develop a mucosal immune response against F18. Furthermore a screenings assay for identifying new potential carrier-delivery molecules (polymers, antigens,…)will be developped using a BIACORE biosensor. The biosensor has several advantages which makes it very useful for the de velopment of such an assay.