Group A Streptococcal Vaccine Candidates based on the Conserved Conformational Epitope from M Protein

Copper catalysed azide alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition (click) reaction assisted conjugation of the multiple copy of conserve epitope (J14) derived from Group A Streptococcal M-protein to LCP core induced desired α-helical conformation of the epitope. The constructs were able to self assemble into large nanoparticles under aqueous conditions. Immunological assessment of these particles demonstrated their capacity to elicit high-titer systemic IgG antibodies against the epitope without help of adjuvant. The LCP systems incorporating the epitope via its N- or C-termini did not elicit significantly different immune responses.