We have designed a peptide-based vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) effective in swine. The peptide immunogen has a G–H
loop domain from the VP1 capsid protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and a novel promiscuous T helper (Th) site for broad
immunogenicity in multiple species. The G–H loop VP1 sitewas optimised for cross-reactivity toFMDVby the inclusion into the peptide of
cyclic constraint and adjoining sequences. The incorporation of consensus residues into the hypervariable positions of the VP1 site provided
for broad immunogenicity. The vaccine protected 20 out of 21 immunised pigs from infectious challenge by FMDV O1 Taiwan using
peptide doses as low as 12.5g, and a mild adjuvant that caused no lesions. A safe chemically-defined product would have considerable
advantages for vaccination against FMD. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.