The development of new or improved vaccines using biotechnological techniques is especially important for developing countries, where traditional means of vaccine manufacture are frequently not available. This volume explores the four main approaches for developing alternative vaccines: the use of live agents; the use of anti-idiotype antibodies; the introduction of DNA or cDNA coding for a protective antigen of the disease agent into a mammalian cell line, into a lower eukaryote, or into an appropriate bacterium; and the synthesis of oligopeptides corresponding to an epitope or a protective antigen of the disease agent.

1. Introduction

2. Recognition of Antigen by T Cells

3. Suppression Mechanism

4. Excessive Number of L3T4+ Parasite-Specific T Lymphocytes Capable of Mediating Specific Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity in Lymphoid Tissues of Genetically Susceptible (BALB/c) Mice Infected with Leishmania Major

5. IgA Synthesis and Stimulation

6. The Role of Lymphokines in T-Cell Activation and Effector Functions

7. Cellular and Molecular Aspects of the Genetic Control of the T-Cell Response to a Defined Protein Epitope

8. Locating Immunogenic Sites on Viral Proteins

9. Anti-Idiotypic Vaccines

10. Mutual Conformational Adjustments of Ligand and Protein Upon Binding

11. Membrane Proteins as Micelles or Iscoms in Vaccination Experiments

12. Directional T to B Help in the Immune Response to Conformational Determinants in a Multimeric Protein

13. An Infertility Vaccine

14. Role and Potentiation of Different Classes of Antigen-Presenting Cells

15. Myelopeptides - Regulatory Bone Marrow Mediators

16. Mineral Gel Adjuvants: Why Has It Taken So Long to Find an Alternative?

17. Muramyl Dipeptides and Analogues

18. Continuous and Pulsed Delivery of Bioactive Materials Using Composite Systems Based on Inorganic Glasses

19. Discussion: Peptide-Based Vaccines