RESUMO
Vaccination remains the most effective method of control of spread of a whole range of infections of both viral and bacterial nature. Many bacterial pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae) carry polysaccharide capsule on the surface, that is one of the elements of protection from host organism immune system. At the same time, vaccination with bacteria exopolysaccharides (EPS) ensures infection neutralization. Effectiveness of such vaccine prophylaxis is limited by age of the vaccinated, intensity and duration of the immunity, development of secondary immune response. EPS conjugation with protein antigens was known for a long time to ensure activation of T-cell immunity against EPS and formation of secondary immune response. However, detailed studies of mechanism of immunity modulation by a protein partner as part of a glycoconjugate has not been carried out. T-lymphocyte activation was traditionally thought to occur exclusively due to peptide presentation, that are products of processing of protein component of the conjugate. Recently, information, accumulated in the field of natural carbohydrate, glycolipid and glycoprotein antigen presentation to T-cells, has generated interest in studying mechanisms of cell immunity activation by conjugated vaccines. Progress in this field, as well as development of novel chemical and biochemical, including combinative technologies of synthesis and study of these molecules, opens new opportunities for detailed understanding of mechanism of action for conjugated vaccines and creation of glycoconjugates with increased effectiveness of protective action.