CTB as an Oral Adjuvant for Parainfluenza Vaccine

The long term objective is to develop a commercial trivalent glycoprotein subunit vaccine for parainfluenza viruses. Because of the high cost of preparing these glycoproteins, a means for achieving an enhanced immune response is an important objective, and it is the immediate focus. The adjuvanticity of CTB to the PI3 glycoprotein subunit vaccine will be evaluated. Two glycoproteins, fusion (F) and hemagglutin-neuraminidase (HN) proteins, of PI3 virus will be purified from virions or virus infected cells. Glycoproteins will be conjugated with CTB by various methods. Either conjugated or unconjugated glycoproteins will be used for subcutaneous and oral immunization of hamsters and their immune responses will be evaluated. Finally, the approach will be extended to other paramyxovimses, type 1 and 2, to develop trivalent subunit vaccine.