Priming characteristics of peptide mimotopes of carbohydrate antigens.

Immunization with peptide mimetics of carbohydrate antigens can induce functional carbohydrate-reactive antibodies. Here, we examine the immune characteristics of alternative approaches in prime and boost strategies using glycosylated HIV-1 envelope protein and model tumor associated carbohydrate antigens. Our results indicate that peptide mimotopes either in a DNA or carrier-conjugated format can induce comparable levels of IgM and IgG.