A novel bacteria] polysaccharide, termed GBA (gliding bacterial adjuvant), has been shown to be a potent and apparently non-toxic adjuvant and immunopotentiator. We will expand on this body of research by focusing on select biological properties displayed by GBA. The research will include: 1) a direct comparison of GBA to 5 well known, currently used adjuvants, including Freund's, Adjuvant B, Carbopol, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), and alum. Humoral responses to 4 important vaccines, which are in various stages of commercialization will be examined. 2) The use of GBA as an adjuvant for the in vitro generation of human and murine monoclonal antibodies from hybridomas. Successful attainment of these research goals should permit commercialization during Phase II development.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:GBA shows potential as an adjuvant for veterinary and human vaccines, as a potentiator of immunization in vitro for improved development of human monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics, and as a tissue culture additive to augment the secretion of antibodies from hybridomas.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
