TESTING GHRELIN AND PYY VACCINES

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Ghrelin is a modified peptide that appears to elicit a hunger response in animals. We have synthesized two ghrelin-based vaccines that have elicited specific antibody responses in mice without any harmful effects. We have also produced anti-ghrelin monoclonal antibodies from these animals. A vaccine directed against ghrelin has potential for controlling appetite and therefore could provide a beneficial treatment for obesity in humans. Therefore it is important to discover if these vaccines will elicit an immune response in non-human primates. PYY3-36 is a peptide that suppresses the hunger response in animals. We will synthesize a PYY-based vaccine and test it to see if it will elicit a specific antibody responses in mice without any harmful effects. We will also produce anti-PYY monoclonal antibodies from these animals. A vaccine directed against PYY has potential for controlling appetite and therefore could provide a beneficial treatment for anorexia or poor appetite in humans. Therefore it is important to discover if this vaccine will elicit an immune response in non-human primates.