The design of subunit vaccines requires new adjuvant systems. We designed and synthesized new lipopeptides (cysteine-based) of low molecular weight with different hydrophobic chains that dimerize becoming Gemini lipopeptides. They were characterized and their adjuvant capacity was tested in mice by the inoculation of a protein antigen formulated with the lipopeptides, with and without the addition of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides. Formulations were able to induce an immune response and produced no adverse effects. An adjuvant ability is described for the first time for this type of molecules.

The design of subunit vaccines requires new adjuvant systems. We designed and synthesized new lipopeptides (cysteine-based) of low molecular weight with different hydrophobic chains that dimerize becoming Gemini lipopeptides. They were characterized and their adjuvant capacity was tested in mice by the inoculation of a protein antigen formulated with the lipopeptides, with and without the addition of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides. Formulations were able to induce an immune response and produced no adverse effects. An adjuvant ability is described for the first time for this type of molecules.