Induction of HLA class I-restricted CD8+ CTLs specific for the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis in human genital tract infections.

HLA class I-restricted CD8+ CTLs specific for the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis are present in the peripheral blood of humans who acquired genital tract infections with the organism. Three HLA-A2-restricted epitopes and two HLA-B51-restricted epitopes were identified in serovar E-MOMP. One of the five epitopes spans a variable segment of MOMP and is likely a serovar E-specific epitope. The other four epitopes are localized in constant segments and are C. trachomatis species specific. CTL populations specific for one or more of the four constant segment epitopes were isolated from all 10 infected subjects tested, regardless of infecting serovars, but from only one of seven uninfected subjects tested. The CTLs failed to recognize corresponding peptides derived from Chlamydia pneumoniae MOMP, further suggesting that they indeed resulted from genital tract infections with C. trachomatis. Significantly, ME180 human cervical epithelial cells productively infected with C. trachomatis were killed by the MOMP peptide-specific CTLs. Further investigations of the ability of such CTLs to lyse normal infected epithelial cells and their presence at inflamed sites in the genital tract will help understand the protective or pathological role of CTLs in chlamydial infections. The MOMP CTL epitopes may be explored as potential components of a subunit vaccine against sexually transmitted diseases caused by C. trachomatis. Moreover, the knowledge provided here will facilitate studies of HLA class I pathways of chlamydial Ag processing and presentation in physiologically relevant human APCs.     

Identification of T- and B-cell epitopes of the E7 protein of human papillomavirus type 16.

There is strong evidence implicating human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) in the genesis of human genital cancer. Viral DNA has been identified in invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix and in cell lines derived from cervical carcinomas. These sequences are actively transcribed, and translation products corresponding to the early (E)-region genes have been identified. The most abundant viral protein is the E7 protein, which has been shown to possess transforming activity for both established and primary cells. In addition, it has been shown to bind to a cellular tumor suppressor, the retinoblastoma gene product (pRb-105). In view of these properties, we have undertaken the immunological analysis of this protein and have identified four T-cell epitopes and three B-cell epitopes by using a series of overlapping peptides spanning the entire HPV16 E7 sequence. Two of the B-cell epitopes were recognized by antisera from mice with three different murine (H-2) haplotypes (k, d, and s) immunized with two different E7 fusion proteins and from Fischer rats seeded with baby rat kidney cells transformed by HPV16 E7 and ras. A third B-cell epitope was recognized by antisera from CBA mice seeded with HPV16 E7-expressing L cells. Two regions of the protein contain common B- and T-cell epitopes, one of which appears to be particularly immunodominant.     

Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein epitopes expressed as fusions with LamB in an attenuated aro A strain of Salmonella typhimurium; their application as potential immunogens.

The major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis is the focus of attention for chlamydial vaccine design, particularly those serovar- and subspecies-specific epitopes which provoke neutralizing immune responses. Selected surface-exposed B-cell epitopes of MOMP, incorporating B-subspecies specificities, were expressed as fusions with LamB, an inducible outer-membrane transport protein of Escherichia coli. These recombinant chlamydial-LamB proteins were correctly transported to the outer membrane of both E. coli and an aro A mutant of Salmonella typhimurium. The immunogenicity of the constructs was investigated in a mouse model of chlamydial salpingitis. After oral immunization, recombinant S. typhimurium were recovered from the livers of mice for up to two weeks, and a serum IgG response was induced both to the Salmonella and to the inserted chlamydial epitopes. By contrast, intravenous inoculation was ineffective. Although these LamB fusions proved only weakly immunogenic, this approach should be useful for investigating the ability of attenuated S. typhimurium vaccines incorporating chlamydial epitopes to stimulate protective mucosal immunity in the mouse model of chlamydial salpingitis.     

Complete sequence of the major outer membrane protein-encoding gene of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar Da.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene omp1 encoding the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar Da was determined following amplification by the polymerase chain reaction. The most closely related complete sequence published to date is that encoding the C. trachomatis L1 MOMP. When the L1 and Da MOMP deduced amino acid (aa) sequences were compared, 16 single-aa differences located mostly in the variable domains I, II, and IV were detected. These regions contain the B-cell epitopes. Additional differences were found in the constant domains I and II, thought to participate in the T-cell response.     

Epitope analysis of the FanC subunit protein of the K99 (F5) fimbriae of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli using a recombinant fusion technique

We have used a recombinant approach to characterise the B- and T-cell epitopes of FanC, the major subunit polypeptide of K99 (F5) fimbriae of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains. This involved the fusion of FanC and its carboxy-terminal truncated derivatives to a reporter, the E. coli alkaline phosphatase (PhoA), generating stable, recombinant fusions. The B-cell epitopes of FanC were characterised by Western blotting of FanC::PhoA fusion proteins with a polyclonal mouse antiserum directed against K99 fimbrial antigen, and with a panel of monoclonal antibodies generated to the K99 antigen. An attempt to characterise the T-cell epitopes of the fimbrial subunit was made by standard in vitro T-cell proliferation assay. Our results suggest that the B-cell epitopes of FanC are likely to be continuous, with a potentially immunodominant epitope at the carboxy-terminus. However, T-cell proliferation assays with the FanC::PhoA fusion proteins did not indicate any immunodominant T-cell epitope(s). We hypothesise that fusion of FanC peptides to PhoA had resulted in altered folding of the peptides for antibody and T-cell recognition, highlighting the potential problems and drawbacks of the recombinant fusion technique in defining the epitopes of certain proteins.     

Immunodominant IgM and IgG Epitopes Recognized by Antibodies Induced in Enterovirus A71-Associated Hand,Foot and Mouth Disease Patients

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is one of the main causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Unlike other enteroviruses that cause HFMD, EV-A71 is more frequently associated with severe neurological complications and fatality. To date, no effective licensed antivirals are available to combat EV-A71 infection. Little is known about the immunogenicity of viral non-structural proteins in humans. Previous studies have mainly focused on characterization of epitopes of EV-A71 structural proteins by using immunized animal antisera. In this study, we have characterized human antibody responses against the structural and non-structural proteins of EV-A71. Each viral protein was cloned and expressed in either bacterial or mammalian systems, and tested with antisera by western blot. Results revealed that all structural proteins (VP1-4), and non-structural proteins 2A, 3C and 3D were targets of EV-A71 IgM, whereas EV-A71 IgG recognized all the structural and non-structural proteins. Sixty three synthetic peptides predicted to be immunogenic in silico were synthesized and used for the characterization of EV-A71 linear B-cell epitopes. In total, we identified 22 IgM and four IgG dominant epitopes. Synthetic peptide PEP27, corresponding to residues 142–156 of VP1, was identified as the EV-A71 IgM-specific immunodominant epitope. PEP23, mapped to VP1 41–55, was recognized as the EV-A71 IgG cross-reactive immunodominant epitope. The structural protein VP1 is the major immunodominant site targeted by anti-EV-A71 IgM and IgG antibodies, but epitopes against non-structural proteins were also detected. These data provide new understanding of the immune response to EV-A71 infection, which benefits the development of diagnostic tools, potential therapeutics and subunit vaccine candidates.     

人绒毛膜促性腺激素β亚基单一B-细胞表位(β5、β9或β8)融合蛋白的表达和纯化

作为开发新型实用性人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)疫苗的一种尝试, 我们已构建若干组合靶抗原三个线性B- 细胞表位和外源强T- 细胞表位的基因工程hCG嵌合肽。为了检测用这些嵌合肽免疫的动物血清中是否能产生抗各表位的三种抗体,本研究选用能在大肠杆菌中高表达和与生物素亲和性强且特异(方便通过亲和层析纯化)的链霉亲和素为载体,分别构建了三种含β-hCG不同单一线性B_细胞表位(β5,β9和β8)的融合蛋白。在链霉亲和素基因下游多克隆区EcoRⅠ和Hind Ⅲ位点插入各表位编码基因片段(带TAA终止密码子)的pTSA-18重组质粒, 转化BL21(DE3)pLysS宿主菌后, 它们在IPTG诱导下均能以较高水平表达各自目的融合蛋白,而且它们的表达产物在Western blot鉴定中都能被抗各表位特异的多抗或单抗或抗报告表位单抗识别。用改良的制备性PAGE方法可以一步纯化电泳均一性高于95%的三个融合蛋白, 它们的收得率相对1L培养物约为5 mg。作为化学合成表位肽的替代物, β-hCG三个单一B- 细胞表位融合蛋白的可获得性将有助于所构建hCG基因工程嵌合肽以及其他hCG疫苗,也包括它的DNA疫苗的免疫原性分析。     

Surface-exposed epitopes on the major outer-membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis defined with peptide antisera

The surface exposure of computer-predicted, linear B-cell epitopes on the major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar B was assessed using antibodies raised against synthetic peptides in conjunction with immunogold transmission electron microscopy. Several of the chosen peptides elicited antibodies which reacted with both denatured and native MOMP. The majority of the exposed epitopes were found within the variable segments of MOMP. For each of the epitopes identified, the extent of their surface accessibility varied both among individual organisms and different developmental forms. Evidence for two distinct subspecies-specific epitopes within VS4 is presented.     

Expression of the Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein-encoding gene in Escherichia coli: role of the 3' end in mRNA stability

The major outer membrane protein (MOMP)-encoding gene (omp1) of Chlamydia trachomatis has been cloned into Escherichia coli and partially sequenced. This recombinant gene expresses a full-length 40-kDa product, which is recognized by a monoclonal antibody directed against the species-specific epitope of MOMP. The recombinant omp1 is expressed in either insertion orientation, indicating that it utilizes its own promoter system. The endogenous omp1 promoter possesses a relatively low activity despite the high level of MOMP expression. Deletion of a 520-bp fragment at the 3' end encoding 39 amino acids (aa) at the C terminus and the remainder of the noncoding region leads to a significant decrease in mRNA stability and loss of protein synthesis. When the MOMP-encoding plasmid was introduced into E. coli minicells, it expressed 40- and 43-kDa proteins; however, inhibition of post-translational processing by ethanol revealed only a 43-kDa protein. These data indicate that the unprocessed omp1 gene product contains a 22-aa leader sequence which is cleaved during translocation to the outer membrane, to yield a processed 40-kDa protein. The recombinant MOMP was localized to the outer membrane E. coli fraction, comparable to the location of the native C. trachomatis protein.     

Characterization of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies

We used monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to examine the antigenic specificity and biologic function of several Chlamydia trachomatis antigens. Thirteen distinct MAbs to eight C. trachomatis antigens were produced. Six MAbs reacted with unique epitopes on the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and two of these had neutralizing activity. MAbs were produced to each of the chlamydial antigens with molecular masses of 10, 29, 32, 57, 60, 70, and 75 kilodaltons (kDa). These MAbs showed species and genus specificity in an immunoblot assay. None of the MAbs had neutralizing activity. The epitopes recognized on MOMP, 29-, and 10-kDa (presumably lipopolysaccharide) antigens were surface exposed. MAbs to the 75-kDa, 57-kDa, and MOMP antigens were used for immunoaffinity purification of these antigens to produce monospecific antisera in mice. With polyclonal sera, we found that the 75-kDa antigen was also immunoaccessible and that antibody to MOMP and 75-kDa antigens neutralized C. trachomatis infectivity. We conclude that, in addition to MOMP and lipopolysaccharide, antigens with molecular masses of 75 and 29 kDa are surface exposed. Antibodies to MOMP and 75-kDa antigens can neutralize the organism in vitro.     

人乳头瘤病毒11型L2NE7E6融合蛋白的原核表达及其诱发的T细胞免疫反应

目的:在原核表达系统中表达人乳头瘤病毒11型(HPV11)L2NE7E6融合蛋白,纯化蛋白后免疫小鼠,检测其诱发的T细胞免疫水平,并筛选HPV11 E6、E7特异的T细胞表位肽。方法:用重叠PCR方法构建HPV11L2NE7E6融合基因并插入原核表达质粒,在大肠杆菌中经IPTG诱导表达融合蛋白L2NE7E6,用SDS-PAGE和West-ern印迹鉴定融合蛋白的表达。Q柱纯化蛋白后免疫C57BL/6小鼠,分别用覆盖HPV11 E6和E7蛋白序列的肽库,采用酶联免疫斑点法(ELISPOT)检测其诱发的E7、E6特异的T细胞免疫反应,并筛选E7、E6特异的T细胞表位肽。结果:在原核表达系统中有效表达了HPV11 L2NE7E6融合蛋白,蛋白纯化后免疫C57BL/6小鼠,分别能检测到针对HPV11 E6、E7肽库刺激产生的特异性T细胞免疫反应。经肽池筛选到1条强的E6 T细胞表位肽E6aa41-55(AEI-YAYAYKNLKVVW);而E7只筛选到2条弱的T细胞表位肽,分别为E7aa53-67(QILTCCCGCDSNVRL)和E7aa73-87(DGDIRQLQDLLLGTL)。结论:HPV11 L2NE7E6融合蛋白能诱发小鼠产生E6、E7特异性细胞免疫反应,可作为尖锐湿疣免疫治疗候选疫苗。     

三个HIV-1广谱中和表位与HBV S抗原融合表达可诱导小鼠特异性抗体应答

为了增强HIV-1交叉中和表位的免疫原性,本研究使用PCR克隆技术将HIV-1三个具有一定广谱中和活性的线性抗原表位ELDKWA(简称2F5)、NWFDIT(简称4E10)和GPGRAFY(简称447-52D)基因分别融合到HBV S基因的3味端,构建了分别表达这三种融合基因的天坛株重组痘苗病毒疫苗RVJ1175S-2F5、RVJ1175S-4E10和RVJ1175S-447-52D,使用这三种重组痘苗病毒感染的细胞培养上清液经分离纯化制备了三种相应的蛋白亚单位疫苗PS-2F5、PS-4E10和PS-447-52D,对重组痘苗病毒和亚单位疫苗中三种融合抗原的生物学及免疫学特性进行了比较研究.PCR和测序结果表明,三种融合基因序列正确重组到痘苗病毒TK区,HBsAg的ELISA检测表明三种融合蛋白有效表达并分泌到细胞培养上清液中,SDS-PAGE凝胶电泳显示三种纯化后的融合蛋白均含分子量为23kD和27kD两种典型HBsAg条带,Western blot证明这两个条带均能与HBsAg抗体反应,并分别能与三种表位相应的HIV-1单抗2F5、4E10和447-52D反应.小鼠免疫结果显示,三种重组痘苗病毒疫苗和三种蛋白亚单位疫苗均能诱发较高水平的HBsAg抗体和相应HIV-1交叉中和表位抗体,蛋白亚单位疫苗诱生的这两类抗体均明显高于对应的重组痘苗病毒疫苗.这些结果为进一步研究三种表位抗体的中和活性和通过不同类型疫苗联合免疫进一步增强其免疫效果研究奠定了基础.     

Synthesis of disulfide-bonded outer membrane proteins during the developmental cycle of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis.

The disulfide bond cross-linked major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of the extracellular elementary bodies (EBs) of Chlamydia psittaci was reduced to its monomeric form within 1 h of entry of EBs into host cells by a process which was inhibited by chloramphenicol, while monomeric forms of three cross-linked cysteine-rich proteins could not be detected in Sarkosyl outer membrane complexes at any time in either extracellular or intracellular forms of C. psittaci. Synthesis and incorporation of the MOMP into outer membrane complexes were detected early in the infection cycle (12 h postinfection), while synthesis and incorporation of the cysteine-rich proteins were not observed until reticulate bodies had begun to reorganize into EBs at 20 to 22 h postinfection. By 46 h postinfection, the intracellular population of C. psittaci consisted mainly of EBs, the outer membrane complexes of which were replete with monomeric MOMP and cross-linked cysteine-rich proteins. Upon lysis of infected cells at 46 h, the MOMP was rapidly cross-linked, and infectious EBs were released. The status of the MOMP of intracellular Chlamydia trachomatis was similar to the status of the MOMP of C. psittaci in that the MOMP was largely uncross-linked at 24 and 48 h postinfection, but formed interpeptide disulfide bonds when it was exposed to an extracellular environment late in the developmental cycle. In contrast to C. psittaci, only a fraction of the cross-linked MOMP of infecting EBs of C. trachomatis was reduced by 4 h postinfection, and reduction of the MOMP was not inhibited by chloramphenicol. Exposure of extracellular EBs of C. trachomatis and C. psittaci to dithiothreitol reduced the MOMP but failed to stimulate metabolic activities normally associated with reticulate bodies.     

Identification of a Conserved B-cell Epitope on Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Envelope Protein by Screening a Phage-displayed Random Peptide Library

Background

The gp90 protein of avian reticuloendotheliosis-associated virus (REV-A) is an important envelope glycoprotein, which is responsible for inducing protective antibody immune responses in animals. B-cell epitopes on the gp90 protein of REV have not been well studied and reported.

Methods and Results

This study describes the identification of a linear B-cell epitope on the gp90 protein by screening a phage-displayed 12-mer random peptide library with the neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) A9E8 directed against the gp90. The mAb A9E8 recognized phages displaying peptides with the consensus motif SVQYHPL. Amino acid sequence of the motif exactly matched ²¹³SVQYHPL²¹⁹ of the gp90. Further identification of the displayed B cell epitope was conducted using a set of truncated peptides expressed as GST fusion proteins and the Western blot results indicated that ²¹³SVQYHPL²¹⁹ was the minimal determinant of the linear B cell epitope recognized by the mAb A9E8. Moreover, an eight amino acid peptide SVQYHPLA was proven to be the minimal unit of the epitope with the maximal binding activity to mAb A9E8. The REV-A-positive chicken serum reacted with the minimal linear epitopes in Western blot, revealing the importance of the eight amino acids of the epitope in antibody-epitope binding activity. Furthermore, we found that the epitope is a common motif shared among REV-A and other members of REV group.

Conclusions and Significance

We identified ²¹³SVQYHPL²¹⁹ as a gp90-specific linear B-cell epitope recognized by the neutralizing mAb A9E8. The results in this study may have potential applications in development of diagnostic techniques and epitope-based marker vaccines against REV-A and other viruses of the REV group.     

A single peptide from the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis elicits T cell help for the production of antibodies to protective determinants.

The protective immune response to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is associated with antibody reactivity to serovar-specific determinants on the major outer membrane protein (MOMP). Because this immunity is T cell dependent, it is essential to define those Th cell determinants that promote natural boosting of the protective antibody response. The gene for MOMP of serovar B was separated into nine overlapping fragments that represent the five C and four V regions. These fragments were expressed as fusion peptides with GST and used to identify the regions of the MOMP that contain T cell determinants recognized in BALB/c mice. We identified peptides that elicit a T cell response to Chlamydia by immunizing mice with the fusion peptides and testing the proliferative response of T cells in vitro to intact organism. For analysis of determinants seen after infection, animals were inoculated with live organism and the T cell proliferative response to each fusion peptide was measured in vitro. In contrast to proliferative analysis in which several regions of the MOMP elicited T cell responses, functional analysis demonstrated that a single fusion peptide, containing V segment three, elicited T cell help in vivo for the production of high titered antisera, specific for protective determinants on the MOMP.     

Epitope mapping with solid-phase peptides: identification of type-, subspecies-, species- and genus-reactive antibody binding domains on the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis

The major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis carries serovar-, subspecies-, species- and genus immunodomains, antibodies to which may be protective. We have compared the inferred amino acid sequences for MOMP from different serovars of C. trachomatis and from Chlamydia psittaci to identify the likely locations of these sero-taxonomic epitopes. Overlapping peptides corresponding to each of these regions were synthesized on a solid phase and probed with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) of appropriate specificities. We describe the primary structures of the binding sites of MAb to each of these four epitopes on C. trachomatis serovar L1 MOMP.     

Detection of surface-exposed epitopes on Chlamydia trachomatis by immune electron microscopy

The cell surfaces of two Chlamydia trachomatis serovars were explored by immune electron microscopy with monoclonal antibodies that recognize a number of chlamydial outer-membrane components. Species, subspecies and serovar-reactive epitopes on the major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) of a lymphogranuloma venereum biovar strain, L2/434/Bu, and a trachoma biovar strain, F/UW-6/Cx, were exposed on the surfaces of both elementary bodies (EBs) and reticulate bodies (RBs). Three epitopes on MOMP were inaccessible on EBs and RBs of both strains. These included a genus-reactive, species-reactive, and a subspecies-reactive epitope. In contrast, genus-specific epitopes on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were not detected on the EB surface, but were clearly expressed on RBs of both L2/434/Bu and F/UW-6/Cx chlamydiae. Antibodies specific for the 60 kDa and 12 kDa 'cysteine-rich' outer-membrane proteins did not react with surface epitopes on either EBs or RBs. These data provide evidence that MOMP is a major surface antigen of both morphological forms, whereas some portions of the LPS molecule are exposed on the RB surface but become inaccessible to antibody after conversion to the infectious EB form.     

Identification of a Domain Containing B-Cell Epitopes in Hepatitis C Virus E2 Glycoprotein by Using Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies

Evidence from clinical and experimental studies of human and chimpanzees suggests that hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoprotein E2 is a key antigen for developing a vaccine against HCV infection. To identify B-cell epitopes in HCV E2, six murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), CET-1 to -6, specific for HCV E2 protein were generated by using recombinant proteins containing E2t (a C-terminally truncated domain of HCV E2 [amino acids 386 to 693] fused to human growth hormone and glycoprotein D). We tested whether HCV-infected sera were able to inhibit the binding of CET MAbs to the former fusion protein. Inhibitory activity was observed in most sera tested, which indicated that CET-1 to -6 were similar to anti-E2 antibodies in human sera with respect to the epitope specificity. The spacial relationship of epitopes on E2 recognized by CET MAbs was determined by surface plasmon resonance analysis and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data indicated that three overlapping epitopes were recognized by CET-1 to -6. For mapping the epitopes recognized by CET MAbs, we analyzed the reactivities of CET MAbs to six truncated forms and two chimeric forms of recombinant E2 proteins. The data suggest that the epitopes recognized by CET-1 to -6 are located in a small domain of E2 spanning amino acid residues 528 to 546.     

Murine Humoral Immune Response against Recombinant Structural Proteins of Hepatitis C Virus Distinct from Those of Patients

We examined the humoral immune response to recombinant structural proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) such as C, E1 and E2 in immunized mice. Mice showed high induction of antibodies against these three structural proteins. Conformational and/or linear epitopes of these regions showed high responses in mice. Comparison with patients revealed higher anti-E1 and anti-E2 responses in mice and 15 immunoreactive peptides which are unique to mice, especially 11 peptides from the E2 region. The hydrophilic regions of these proteins were found to be the most immunogenic. Therefore, the murine immune system against recombinant E1 and E2 glycoproteins was distinct from those of patients in natural infection, and may be a target to find protective activity against HCV infection.     

Identification and antigenic epitope mapping of immunodominant region amino residues 510 to 672 on the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emerging human infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV is a major virion structural protein. It plays an important role in the interaction with receptors and neutralizing antibodies. In this study, the S1 domain of the spike protein and three truncated fragments were expressed by fusion with GST in a pGEX-6p-1 vector. Western blot results demonstrated that the 510-672 fragment of the S1 domain is a linear epitope dominant region. To map the antigenic epitope of this linear epitope dominant region, a set of 16 partially overlapping fragments spanning the fragment were fused with GST and expressed. Four antigenic epitopes S1C3 (539-559), S1C4 (548-567), S1C7/8 (583-606), and S1C10/11 (607-630) were identified. Immunization of mice with each of the four antigenic epitope-fused proteins revealed that all four proteins could elicit spike protein specific antisera. All of them were able to bind to the surface domain of the whole spike protein expressed by recombinant baculovirus in insect cells. Identification of antigenic epitopes of the spike protein of SARS-CoV may provide the basis for the development of immunity-based prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic clinical techniques for the severe acute respiratory syndrome.