HDL biology
An orally delivered trefoil-factor-CETP chimeric vaccine raises intestinal and serum anti-CETP antibodies and inhibits atherosclerosis in rabbits (Peptides 2010)
Original title: A chimeric peptide of intestinal trefoil factor containing cholesteryl ester transfer protein B cell epitope significantly inhibits atherosclerosis in rabbits after oral administration
Using protease-resistant intestinal trefoil factor (TFF3) as a molecular vehicle, researchers built a chimeric peptide (cTFF3) containing a CETP B cell epitope and a tetanus toxin helper T cell epitope, confirming it preserved TFF3's trefoil structure and resisted protease digestion in vitro. Oral immunization with cTFF3 induced CETP-specific IgA and IgG detectable in both intestinal lavage fluid and serum, and the resulting anti-CETP antibodies partially inhibited CETP activity, increased HDL cholesterol, decreased LDL cholesterol, and inhibited atherosclerosis in immunized animals, demonstrating TFF3 as a viable molecular vehicle for oral peptide vaccines against atherosclerosis.
Original abstract
Vaccination against cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is proven to be effective for inhibiting atherosclerosis in animal models. In this study, the proteases-resistant intestinal trefoil factor (TFF3) was used as a molecular vehicle to construct chimeric TFF3 (cTFF3) containing CETP B cell epitope and tetanus toxin helper T cell epitope. It was found that cTFF3 still preserved a trefoil structure, and can resist proteases digestion in vitro. After oral immunization with cTFF3, the CETP-specific IgA and IgG could be found in intestine lavage fluid and serum, and the anti-CETP antibodies could inhibit partial CETP activity to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and inhibit atherosclerosis in animals. Therefore, TFF3 is a potential molecular vehicle for developing oral peptide vaccines. Our research highlights a novel strategy for developing oral peptide vaccines in the future.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.