Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Epitope Mapping”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,513 records · Page 84Linked to original sources

PPE protein (Rv3873) from DNA segment RD1 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: strong recognition of both specific T-cell epitopes and epitopes conserved within the PPE family.

Proteins encoded by DNA segment RD1 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have recently been demonstrated to play important roles in bacterial virulence, vaccine development, and diagnostic reagent design. Previously, we characterized two immunodominant T-cell antigens, the early secreted antigen target (ESAT-6) and the 10-kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP10), which are encoded by the esx-lhp operon in this region. In the present study we characterized a third putative open reading frame in this region, rv3873, which encodes a PPE protein. We found that the rv3873 gene is expressed in M. tuberculosis H37Rv and that the native protein, Rv3873, is predominantly associated with the mycobacterial cell or wall. When tested as a His-tagged recombinant protein, Rv3873 stimulated high levels of gamma interferon secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from tuberculosis (TB) patients, as well as from healthy tuberculin purified protein derivative-positive donors. In contrast to other RD1-encoded antigens, Rv3873 was also found to be recognized by a significant proportion of Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated donors. Epitope mapping performed with overlapping peptides revealed a broad pattern of T-cell recognition comprising both TB-specific epitopes and epitopes also recognized by BCG-vaccinated donors. The immunodominant epitope (residues 118 to 135) for both TB patients and BCG-vaccinated individuals was found to be highly conserved among a large number of PPE family members.

Adult↗

Epitope-specific humoral immunity to Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein.

Erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium vivax is completely dependent on binding to the Duffy blood group antigen by the parasite Duffy binding protein (DBP). The receptor-binding domain of this protein lies within a cysteine-rich region referred to as region II (DBPII). To examine whether antibody responses to DBP correlate with age-acquired immunity to P. vivax, antibodies to recombinant DBP (rDBP) were measured in 551 individuals residing in a village endemic for P. vivax in Papua New Guinea, and linear epitopes mapped in the critical binding region of DBPII. Antibody levels to rDBP(II) increased with age. Four dominant linear epitopes were identified, and the number of linear epitopes recognized by semi-immune individuals increased with age, suggesting greater recognition with repeated infection. Some individuals had antibodies to rDBP(II) but not to the linear epitopes, indicating the presence of conformational epitopes. This occurred in younger individuals or subjects acutely infected for the first time with P. vivax, indicating that repeated infection is required for recognition of linear epitopes. All four dominant B-cell epitopes contained polymorphic residues, three of which showed variant-specific serologic responses in over 10% of subjects examined. In conclusion, these results demonstrate age-dependent and variant-specific antibody responses to DBPII and implicate this molecule in partial acquired immunity to P. vivax in populations in endemic areas.

Adolescent↗

Isolation of cell surface antigen mutants of Myxococcus xanthus by use of monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with affinities for molecules on the cell surface of the procaryote Myxococcus xanthus were used in a screening strategy for the isolation of mutants lacking particular cell surface molecules. From a large library of independent mutants created by Tn5 transposon mutagenesis, mutants were isolated which lacked reactivities with MAb 1604 (a MAb specific for a cell surface protein) and MAbs 2600, 1733, 1514, 1412, and 783 (MAbs specific for carbohydrate epitopes on the O antigen of lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). The defect in antibody recognition was shown by genetic crosses and DNA hybridization experiments to be caused by the Tn5 transposon acting as a mutation at a single locus. Quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed that particular mutant strains had no detectable affinity for the specific MAb probe. LPS mutants were resistant to myxophage Mx8, and this provided a selection method for isolating a large number of new LPS mutants. A class of Mx8-resistant mutants lacked reactivity with MAb 1514 and therefore was defective in the O antigen of LPS. A class of Mx1-resistant mutants lacked reactivity with MAb 2254, a MAb specific for a carbohydrate epitope on the core of LPS. A comparison of MAb binding to different mutant strains revealed a principle for mapping epitopes and showed that MAbs 1514 and 2254 recognize side-chain carbohydrates rather than backbone carbohydrates within the LPS molecule.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Low frequency of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against the novel HLA-A*0201-restricted JC virus epitope VP1(p36) in patients with proven or possible progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

JC virus (JCV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in peripheral blood are associated with a favorable outcome in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). However, the frequency of these cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of PML patients is unknown. To develop a highly sensitive assay for detecting the cellular immune response against this virus, we performed a CTL epitope mapping study of JCV VP1 major capsid protein by using overlapping peptides. A novel HLA-A*0201-restricted epitope, the VP1(p36) peptide SITEVECFL, was characterized. The cellular immune response against JCV was assessed in 32 study subjects. By combining the results of the (51)Cr release assay on pooled peptides and staining with the HLA-A*0201/JCV VP1(p36) tetramer, VP1-specific CTL were detected in 10 of 11 PML survivors (91%) versus only 1 of 11 PML progressors (9%, P = 0.0003). VP1-specific CTL were also detected in two of two patients recently diagnosed with PML and in four of four human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with possible PML. The frequency of CTL specific for the novel VP1(p36) and the previously described VP1(p100) epitopes was determined. In two patients, the frequency of CTL specific for the VP1(p36) or VP1(p100) epitopes, as determined by fresh blood tetramer staining (FBTS), ranged from 1/6,000 to 1/24,000 PBMC. A CTL sorting technique combining tetramer staining and selection with immunomagnetic beads allowed the detection of epitope-specific CTL in two cases that were determined to be negative by FBTS. The phenotype of these CTL in vivo was consistent with activated memory cells. These data suggest that, although present in low numbers, JCV-specific CTL may be of central importance in the containment of JCV spread in immunosuppressed individuals.

Capsid Proteins↗

Identification of a sequential B-cell epitope on major allergen (Cry j 1) of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen in mice.

BACKGROUND: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica; CJ) pollinosis is one of the most common allergic diseases in Japan. B cell epitopes on Cry j 1, a major allergen of CJ pollen, have been analyzed by the specific monoclonal antibodies to Cry j 1, and most of these epitopes may be conformational, but no previous report has addressed the analysis of sequential epitope mapping with synthetic peptides. The main purpose of the present study is to identify IgE and IgG B cell epitopes on Cry j 1 by using a synthetic peptide approach in mice. METHODS: We synthesized 35 overlapping peptides that cover the entire length of Cry j 1 and examined whether mouse IgE and IgG antibodies produced by immunization with Cry j 1 reacted to the Cry j 1 peptides. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found that mouse IgE and IgG antibodies reacted strongly to Cry j 1 peptide No. 15 ((141)GVEPVHPQDGDALTLRTATN(160)), though those antibodies did not react with other peptides. IgE and IgG antibody binding to peptide No. 15 was completely inhibited by Cry j 1 and the peptide. To determine the minimum epitope in peptide No. 15, we conducted an ELISA inhibition test. IgE and IgG antibody binding to peptide No. 15 was inhibited by smaller peptides of this peptide. We found the core of the epitope to be (145)VHPQDGDA(152).

Allergens↗

A structural/functional domain on human CD36 is involved in the binding of anti-Nak(a) antibodies.

The human CD36 antigen is an integral membrane glycoprotein expressed by platelets, monocytes, endothelial cells and various tumor cell lines. CD36 acts as a receptor for thrombospondin, collagen, Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Individuals possessing the Nak(a)-negative phenotype do not express CD36 and risk developing anti-CD36 isoantibodies upon blood transfusion or during pregnancy. In the present study, we have examined the interaction of an anti-Nak(a) serum with recombinantly expressed CD36. Results obtained show that five functional CD36 monoclonal antibodies (OKM5, FA6-152, L103, ESIV-C7 and 10/5) prevent the binding of the anti-Nak(a) serum whereas a single monoclonal antibody (13/10) has no effect. Consistent with this result, an epitope map of CD36 generated using cross-blocking experiments, indicates that the inhibitory monoclonal antibodies recognize closely-related epitopes whereas 13/10 reacts with a distinct CD36 determinant. Furthermore, we have demonstrated, in a recent study, that OKM5, FA6-152, L103 and 10/5 bind to the same CD36 domain defined by amino acids 155 to 183. Taken together, our results indicate that the 155-183 sequence is important for the binding of the anti-Nak(a) serum to CD36 and may represent a surface-exposed, immunogenic and presumably functional region on human CD36.

Animals↗

Inhibition of Porphyromonas gingivalis hemagglutinating activity by synthetic peptides derived from phage display selection using MAb against the recombinant outer membrane protein.

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated as an pathogen in the development of periodontitis, and hemagglutinins have been identified as an important adhesion onto the gingival tissue cells, and to attach and lyse erythrocytes to uptake Fe ion as an essential nutriant. The 40-kDa outer membrane protein (OMP) has been moleculary cloned from P. gingivalis 381. Since the antibody against recombinant (r) 40-kDa OMP inhibited the hemagglutinating activity, and the polymeric form of r40-kDa OMP itself expressed hemagglutinating activity, the 40-kDa OMP is thought to be one of the hemagglutinins. Moreover, we established MAbs against r40-kDa OMP which were capable of inhibiting hemagglutinating activity of P. gingivalis vesicles. In the present study, a phage-displayed epitope mapping system was used to identify the functional domain expressing hemagglutinating activity by biopanning using the neutralizing mAb, Pg-ompA1. The minimal epitope requirements of the MAb and the predicted amino acid sequences were identified in the region of (96)IALDQTLGIP(105) in 40-kDa OMP. Synthetic peptide, (87)WPRVGQLFIALDQTLGIPTFSVCRME(116), mapped the relevant molecule within a short stretch and is corresponding to residues of 40-kDa OMP. Chemically synthesized peptide was used to determine its inhibitory activity against hemagglutinating activity. The synthetic peptide significantly abolished hemagglutinating activity in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the synthetic peptide is an effective antagonist of erythrocyte binding, and this peptide may be a potent inhibitor of hemagglutination of P. gingivalis cells. The use of synthetic peptide neutralizing hemagglutinating activity of P. gingivalis represents a possible new therapeutic approach to P. gingivalis infected periodontitis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[The structure and function of botulinum type C neurotoxin].

The structure gene for botulinum type C neurotoxin was cloned from the toxigenic bacteriophage obtained from Clostridium botulinum type C, and the whole nucleotide sequence was determined. The nucleotide sequence contained a single open reading frame coding for 1,291 amino acids corresponding to a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 149,000. The signal peptide was not found after the first methionine residue. Upstream of the ATG codon, sequences predicted as a Shine-Dalgarno and a promoter were found. When the deduced amino acid sequence of type C toxin was compared with those of type A and D botulinum toxins and tetanus toxin, type C toxin shared about 52% identity with type D toxin, but shared only about 33% identity with type A and tetanus toxins. The structure and function of type C toxin were estimated from the results of epitope map with monoclonal antibodies and DNA thermal stability map.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of promiscuous epitopes from the Mycobacterial 65-kilodalton heat shock protein recognized by human CD4(+) T cells of the Mycobacterium leprae memory repertoire.

By using a synthetic peptide approach, we mapped epitopes from the mycobacterial 65-kDa heat shock protein (HSP65) recognized by human T cells belonging to the Mycobacterium leprae memory repertoire. A panel of HSP65 reactive CD4(+) T-cell lines and clones were established from healthy donors 8 years after immunization with heat-killed M. leprae and then tested for proliferative reactivity against overlapping peptides comprising both the M. leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP65 sequences. The results showed that the antigen-specific T-cell lines and clones established responded to 12 mycobacterial HSP65 peptides, of which 9 peptides represented epitopes crossreactive between the M. tuberculosis and M. leprae HSP65 (amino acids [aa] 61 to 75, 141 to 155, 151 to 165, 331 to 345, 371 to 385, 411 to 425, 431 to 445, 441 to 455, and 501 to 515) and 3 peptides (aa 343 to 355, 417 to 429, and 522 to 534) represented M. leprae HSP65-specific epitopes. Major histocompatibility complex restriction analysis showed that presentation of 9 of the 12 peptides to T cells were restricted by one of the 2 HLA-DR molecules expressed from self HLA-DRB1 genes, whereas 3 peptides with sequences completely identical between the M. leprae and M. tuberculosis HSP65 were presented to T cells by multiple HLA-DR molecules: peptide (aa 61 to 75) was presented by HLA-DR1, -DR2, and -DR7, peptide (aa 141 to 155) was presented by HLA-DR2, -DR7, and -DR53, whereas both HLA-DR2 and -DR4 (Dw4 and Dw14) were able to present peptide (aa 501 to 515) to T cells. In addition, the T-cell lines responding to these peptides in proliferation assays showed cytotoxic activity against autologous monocytes/macrophages pulsed with the same HSP65 peptides. In conclusion, we demonstrated that promiscuous peptide epitopes from the mycobacterial HSP65 antigen can serve as targets for cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells which belong to the human memory T-cell repertoire against M. leprae. The results suggest that such epitopes might be used in the peptide-based design of subunit vaccines against mycobacterial diseases.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Antigenic structure of surface-exposed regions of the major outer-membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis.

The major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis displays a number of surface-exposed epitopes. Some of these are shared by all or some of the 15 known serovars, whereas others are serovar-specific. With use of epitope-mapping analysis of limited proteolytic digests of purified MOMPs with monoclonal antibodies, the present study assessed whether the same or different surface-exposed regions of the protein express these different epitopes. Results with both chymotrypsin and the staphylococcal V8 protease for MOMP of serovar F indicated that many of the shared surface epitopes are clustered in one region whereas the serovar-reactive epitope is located in a separate region. Analysis of MOMPs from all the serovars with a species-specific monoclonal antibody indicated that each MOMP possesses a structurally analogous region that expresses this epitope. Such a region might play a role in pathogenic mechanisms that are shared by all serovars.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to human platelet myosin that recognize highly conserved epitopes within the 50 kDa fragment of myosin subfragment-1.

Three monoclonal antibodies directed against human platelet myosin heavy chains (MCH) that recognize homologous sequences contained within the functionally active subfragment-1, in platelet and rabbit skeletal muscle myosin were studied. These antibodies are distinguished by their affinities to different myosins and their differential effect on various ATPase activities. Epitope mapping was accomplished by analyzing antibody binding to proteolytic peptides of myosin head subfragment-1 under various experimental conditions. The epitopes recognized by these anti-human platelet MHC monoclonal antibodies reside within a small region of the 50 kDa fragment, beginning 9 kDa from its C-terminus and extending a stretch of 6 kDa towards the N-terminus. These epitopes lie between residues 535-586, and are contained within a highly conserved area of myosin heavy chain.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mapping of immunodominant epitopes of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 integrase proteins by recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides.

Different parts of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) integrase proteins were expressed as TrpE fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and used to screen human sera. In the immunoblot, all HIV/integrase-positive human sera tested reacted with the carboxy-terminal third of the integrase protein. Furthermore, they crossreacted with the same part of the heterologous protein. Half (50%) of the HIV-1/integrase-positive sera additionally detected antigenic epitopes in the amino-terminal third of the HIV-1 protein. Two of the recombinant proteins were used to generate polyclonal rabbit sera, which react with type-common epitopes of both integrase proteins. To map the B-cell epitopes of the HIV integrase proteins in more detail, overlapping decapeptides representing the entire integrase proteins of HIV-1 and HIV-2 were synthesized and used in a pin-based oligopeptide ELISA to scan human sera. This method can define three potential immunogenic epitopes of the HIV-1 integrase and one potential epitope of the HIV-2 integrase. The immunodominant epitopes of the HIV-1 integrase, one localized in the amino-terminal (IDKAQDEHEKYHSNWRAM), one in the central (QMAVFIHNFKRKGGIGGY), and one in the carboxy-terminal (AVVIQDNSDIKVVPRRK) part of the protein were synthesized as oligopeptides and used to test a larger panel of human sera in ELISA (156 HIV-1+ sera and 104 HIV-1- sera). The amino- and the carboxy-terminal epitopes were of equivalent reactivity, while the central part of the HIV-1 integrase seems to be less immunogenic. Nearly 90% of the HIV-1/integrase-positive human sera could be detected by a combination of these three peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and characterization of six monoclonal antibodies raised against human RAD51 recombinant protein.

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against recombinant human RAD51 recombination protein. The antibodies of IgG subclasses were isolated from serum-free cell culture medium and purified by affinity chromatography on protein A-Sepharose. The antibodies can be used to detect specifically RAD51 protein on immunoblots of total cell lysates. Native RAD51 protein is specifically precipitated from lysates of human cells. In addition, these antibodies readily detect RAD51 in the cell nucleus by immunofluorescence staining. Epitope mapping on overlapping peptides spanning the complete primary amino acid sequence of human RAD51 revealed that three monoclonals recognize an epitope on RAD51 very close to the N-terminus of the protein (amino acids 16 to 20); the other three monoclonals interact with amino acids 85 to 95 of human RAD51.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Autoantibody to heat-shock protein 90 can mediate protection against systemic candidosis.

Epitope mapping shows that patients recovering from systemic infection with Candida albicans produce antibodies against both fungal-specific and conserved epitopes of the heat-shock protein (hsp) 90. In a mouse model of systemic candidosis, mortality was halved by prior administration of sera from two infected patients containing antibodies to hsp 90. One of these patients had no other candidal antibodies detectable on immunoblotting. The protective effect was mediated by the immunoglobulin fraction of the immune serum. It was not observed with a normal human serum. A mouse monoclonal antibody raised against one of the conserved peptide epitopes suggested that an autoantibody to hsp 90 could mediate protection against systemic candidosis in the animal model.

Animals↗

Multiple neutralizing B-cell epitopes of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) identified by human monoclonal antibodies. A basis for the design of an HTLV-1 peptide vaccine.

We have generated 153 human mAb reacting with natural envelope glycoprotein-gp46 of human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) by the EBV-transformation of B lymphocytes obtained from patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM)/Tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP). Twenty-four of these mAb had neutralizing activity of HTLV-1 as determined by an HTLV-1-induced syncytium formation inhibition assay in vitro. The reactivity of these neutralizing mAb was studied by using 9 different synthetic peptides covering immunodominant regions of the gp46. Thirteen out of these 24 neutralizing mAb reacted with gp46 peptide 175-199, whereas one mAb reacted with gp46 213-236 and another one with gp46 288-317. The other 9 neutralizing mAb did not react with any of these peptides. Fine epitope mapping of the mAb reacting with gp46 peptide 175-199 revealed the presence of 4 distinct neutralizing B-cell epitopes on this region; (1)187-193, (2)191-196, (3)193-199, and (4) continuous conformational B-cell epitope. The competitive antibody-binding inhibition experiments by soluble phase synthetic peptides showed that the binding activity of these neutralizing mAb to the corresponding synthetic peptides is equal to or a little lower than that to native gp46 protein, suggesting that synthetic peptides can form structure very similar to the neutralizing epitopes on native gp46 protein. The present study is the first systematic demonstration of multiple neutralizing B-cell epitopes of HTLV-1 in human HTLV-1 infection. It would be possible to prepare a synthetic peptide vaccine against HTLV-1 based on these newly identified multiple linear neutralizing B-cell epitopes of HTLV-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibody against branched epitope as an affinity ligand to separate the parent protein.

A peptide that contained one of the continuous epitopes of recombinant human lymphotoxin (rhLT) (amino acid residues 139-154) has been located by epitope mapping. The branched form of this peptide was synthesized by the multiple antigen peptide procedure with an octameric branched resin and was subsequently used to elicit anti-epitope antibody in rabbits. The resulting anti-epitope was then used as an immunoaffinity ligand in affinity chromatography to purify the parent protein, rhLT, from the host cell lysate directly. It is suggested that this approach would be a general way to create novel biospecific ligands for affinity separations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Use of a gene-targeted phage display random epitope library to map an antigenic determinant on the bluetongue virus outer capsid protein VP5.

We describe the use of a gene-targeted random epitope library for the mapping of antigenic determinants. A DNA clone encoding the target antigen was digested randomly with DNase I to generate a population of DNA fragments of different sizes and sequences. After size fractionation, small DNA fragments (100-200 bp) were isolated and cloned into the phage expression vector fUSE2 to form an expression library displaying random polypeptide sequences as fusion proteins at the N terminus of the phage gene III protein. This library, termed a gene-targeted random epitope library to distinguish it from totally random synthetic epitope libraries, was then screened by affinity selection for recombinant phages which were specifically bound by the antibody of interest. Using this approach, we have mapped a monoclonal antibody (mAb)-defined epitope on the bluetongue virus outer capsid protein VP5. This epitope is not accessible on the intact virus surface, but is recognised by the immune system of sheep and cattle during virus infection. Although the example given here utilised a DNA fragment of known sequence and the library was screened for a mAb-defined epitope, the strategy described should be equally applicable to genes of unknown sequence and for screening of epitopes using polyclonal antibodies. The approach can also be extended to identify immunodominant epitope from much more complex genome-targeted random epitope library for virus, bacteria and eukaryotic organisms. Other applications of recombinant phages expressing defined immunodominant epitopes include serodiagnosis and vaccine development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mapping of linear epitopes on the capsid proteins of swine vesicular disease virus using monoclonal antibodies.

The antigenic linear map of swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) has been studied using a repertoire of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against a recombinant SVDV polyprotein, P1. Peptide-scanning analyses, cross-reactivity studies with homologous and heterologous viruses and predicted location on a computer-generated three-dimensional model of the capsid proteins have allowed the identification of five main linear sites. Two sites, the N terminus of VP3 and amino acids 51-60 on VP1, correspond to internal areas, conserved not only between SVDV isolates but also in the related enterovirus coxsackievirus B5. In contrast, three other regions, amino acids 142-161 of VP2, 61-70 of VP3 and the C terminus of VP1, are exposed on the external face of the capsid and subjected to antigenic variation, even among different SVDV isolates. Further minor sites that were antigenically conserved were identified on VP4. In contrast with conformational sites described previously, none of the linear epitopes identified in this work is involved in neutralization of virus infectivity and post-infection swine sera did not inhibit the binding of mAbs with the relevant epitopes. Both of these observations suggest that linear epitopes are poorly immunogenic in pigs. The characterization of linear sites has contributed to a better understanding of the antigenic structure of SVDV and mAbs used to this purpose may provide a useful tool for the improvement of diagnostic methods, such as antigen detection systems, and analyses of the antigenic profile of SVDV isolates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗