肺炎支原体双蛋白多抗原表位表达载体的构建

目的构建肺炎支原体(Mp)双蛋白多特异抗原表位表达载体,提高重组蛋白抗原的敏感性。方法应用生物信息学方法筛选Mp P116粘附蛋白抗原表位序列,PCR点突变技术获取P116蛋白基因片段,与pMD-T载体重组,转入大肠埃希菌JM109,通过限制性酶切图谱和基因序列分析鉴定重组质粒。酶切回收P116基因片段与pGEX 6P-1-P1 DNA重组,转入大肠埃希菌JM109菌株。用Glutathione Sepharose 4B纯化重组蛋白,SDS-PAGE分析表达产物的相对分子量,用Mp免疫血清进行免疫印迹试验,鉴定重组蛋白的免疫原性。结果 PCR点突变扩增Mp黏附蛋白P116的基因片段为597 bp,该基因片段与已知的基因库序列分析比较,除两个突变位点由UAG突变为UGG外,其余核苷酸序列同源性为100%。SDS-PAGE分析多表位重组蛋白相对分子质量(Mr)为77.8 kDa。免疫印迹结果显示,Mp兔多价血清能与纯化的78KDa的重组蛋白发生免疫反应。结论本研究成功构建了Mp双蛋白多表位的表达载体。该表达载体表达的重组蛋白具有Mp特异的免疫反应性。重组蛋白的敏感性有待进一步鉴定。     

HPV16 E7抗原CTL表位拟肽设计及活性评价

人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)早期基因E7是致癌的关键基因,其表达在宫颈癌细胞癌变进程及维持癌细胞恶性表型方面发挥重要作用,已成为宫颈癌治疗的理想靶标.目前,基于HPV16 E7抗原细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(cytotoxic lymphocyte,CTL)表位设计多肽疫苗是抗宫颈癌治疗发展的重要方向,但天然CTL表位肽普遍存在体内半衰期短、激发CTL反应效果不佳等缺点.因此,本研究基于前期HPV16 E7抗原CTL表位鉴定的基础,结合多肽酶解实验结果,进行分子动力学模拟及结合自由能计算,初步筛选了3条表位模拟肽.人工合成相关待测表位肽,并利用T2细胞株测定各肽与HLA-A2分子的结合力.研究结果表明,3条表位模拟肽体外抗酶解能力较天然HPV16 E7抗原CTL表位肽均有提高,以(d)RAHYNIVTF表位模拟肽的效果最为明显.此外,(d)RAHYNIVTF表位模拟肽与HLA-A2分子的结合力也有所提高(荧光系数为2.06).以上结果表明,基于HPV16 E7抗原CTL表位模拟肽进行结构修饰有望为宫颈癌治疗性疫苗的设计奠定基础.     

应用噬菌体展示技术筛选人巨细胞病毒糖蛋白M新的中和抗原表位

人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)糖蛋白复合物Ⅱ包括两种蛋白,即糖蛋白M(gM)和糖蛋白N(gN)．尽管来自于HCMV阳性病人血清中的糖蛋白复合物Ⅱ的IgG抗体能够中和HCMV粒子,但迄今为止,还没有gM中和性抗原表位的相关研究．应用消减杂交技术,通过噬菌体肽库筛选获得gM抗原的一个表位,即MAD．MAD氨基酸序列与gM第32～38位序列高度同源．将MAD与钥孔血蓝蛋白偶联免疫小鼠可产生抗MAD多抗,该多抗不仅结合天然HCMV病毒粒子,而且特异结合重组表达的gM30～78多肽．ELISA结果表明MAD能够特异结合HCMV阳性的病人血清．病毒中和实验结果进一步证明抗MAD多抗能够抑制HCMV AD169株病毒感染人胚肺细胞．总之,MAD表位有可能成为HCMV病毒疫苗潜在的保护性抗原.     

Epitope mapping by solution NMR spectroscopy

Antibodies play an ever more prominent role in basic research as well as in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Characterizing their epitopes, that is, the region that they recognize on their target molecule, is useful for purposes ranging from molecular biology research to vaccine design and intellectual property protection. Solution NMR spectroscopy is ideally suited to the atomic level characterization of intermolecular interfaces and, as a consequence, to epitope discovery. Here, we illustrate how NMR epitope mapping can be used to rapidly and accurately determine protein antigen epitopes. The basic concept is that differences in the NMR signal of an antigen free or bound by an antibody will identify epitope residues. NMR epitope mapping provides more detailed information than mutagenesis or peptide mapping and can be much more rapid than X‐ray crystallography. Advantages and drawbacks of this technique are discussed together with practical considerations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The epitope study on the SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein

The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) has been found to be an antigenic protein in a number of coronaviruses. Whether the N protein in severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is antigenic remains to be elucidated. Using Western blot and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), the recombinant N proteins and the synthesized peptides derived from the N protein were screened in sera from SARS patients. All patient sera in this study displayed strong positive immunoreactivities against the recombinant N proteins, whereas normal sera gave negative immunoresponses to these proteins, indicating that the N protein of SARS-CoV is an antigenic protein. Furthermore, the epitope sites in the N protein were determined by competition experiments, in which the recombinant proteins or the synthesized peptides competed against the SARS-CoV proteins to bind to the antibodies raised in SARS sera. One epitope site located at the C-terminus was confirmed as the most antigenic region in this prot     

Identification of B- and T-cell epitopes on HtrA protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi

Orientia tsutsugamushi, a cause of scrub typhus is emerging as an important pathogen in several parts of the tropics. The control of this infection relies on rapid diagnosis, specific treatment, and prevention through vector control. Development of a vaccine for human use would be very important as a public health measure. Antibody and T-cell response have been found to be important in the protection against scrub typhus. This study was undertaken to predict the peptide vaccine that elicits both B- and T-cell immunity. The outer-membrane protein, 47-kDa high-temperature requirement A was used as the target protein for the identification of protective antigen(s). Using BepiPred2 program, the potential B-cell epitope PNSSWGRYGLKMGLR with high conservation among O. tsutsugamushi and the maximum surface exposed residues was identified. Using IEDB, NetMHCpan, and NetCTL programs, T-cell epitopes MLNELTPEL and VTNGIISSK were identified. These peptides were found to have promiscuous class-I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding affinity to MHC supertypes and high proteasomal cleavage, transporter associated with antigen processing prediction, and antigenicity scores. In the I-TASSER generated model, the C-score was −0.69 and the estimated TM-score was 0.63 ± 0.14. The location of the epitope in the 3D model was external. Therefore, an antibody to this outer-membrane protein epitope could opsonize the bacterium for clearance by the reticuloendothelial system. The T-cell epitopes would generate T-helper function. The B-cell epitope(s) identified could be evaluated as antigen(s) in immunodiagnostic assays. This cocktail of three peptides would elicit both B- and T-cell immune response with a suitable adjuvant and serve as a vaccine candidate.     

Analysis of an immunodominant epitope of topoisomerase I in patients with systemic sclerosis

Summary In this paper an immunodominant epitope of Topoisomerase I is described. An epitope expression sublibrary was constructed from Topoisomerase I cDNA. The subclones were screened with an antiserum from a patient with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The positive clones defined one immunodominant B cell epitope (epitope III), which was located at the carboxyterminal part of the protein. The epitope, 52 amino acids in length, neither contains the p 30^gag sequence nor the suggested active site Tyr-723, both presumed antibody recognition sites.More than 70% of our anti-TopoI sera recognize this epitope III, indicating that it is a major recognition site of the anti-TopoI autoantibodies in SSc sera. DNA relaxation experiments show that all sera that recognize epitope III and most sera with antibodies to other epitopes inhibit Topoisomerase I activity.Abbreviations used in this paper SSc Systemic sclerosis - Topol DNA Topoisomerase I (EC 5.99.1.2)     

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte elicited therapeutic vaccine candidate targeting cancer against MAGE-A11 carcinogenic protein

Immunotherapy is a breakthrough approach for cancer treatment and prevention. By exploiting the fact that cancer cells have overexpression of tumor antigens responsible for its growth and progression, which can be identified and removed by boosting the immune system. In silico techniques have provided efficient ways for developing preventive measures to ward off cancer. Herein, we have designed a potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitope to elicit a desirable immune response against carcinogenic melanoma-associated antigen-A11. Potent epitope was predicted using reliable algorithms and characterized by advanced computational avenue CABS molecular dynamics simulation, for full flexible binding with HLA-A*0201 and androgen receptor to large-scale rearrangements of the complex system. Results showed the potent immunogenic construct (KIIDLVHLL), from top epitopes using five algorithms. Molecular docking analyses showed the strong binding of epitope with HLA-A*0201 and androgen receptor with docking score of −780.6 and −641.06 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed strong binding of lead epitope with androgen receptor by involvement of 127 elements through atomic-model study. Full flexibility study showed stable binding of epitope with an average root mean square deviation (RMSD) 2.21 Å and maximum RMSD value of 6.48 Å in optimal cluster density area. The epitope also showed remarkable results with radius of gyration 23.0777 Å, world population coverage of 39.08% by immune epitope database, and transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) affinity IC₅₀ value of 2039.65 nm. Moreover, in silico cloning approach confirmed the expression and translation capacity of the construct within a suitable expression vector. The present study paves way for a potential immunogenic construct for prevention of cancer.     

Reverse-vaccinology strategy for designing T-cell epitope candidates for Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis vaccine

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen causing various inflammatory diseases from skin and tissue local infections, to serious life threatening infections including endocarditis. Experimental models for endocarditis demonstrated that virulence factors of S. aureus, that are very important in infection of heart vegetations, are surface proteins which promote bacterial adherence. Until now, efforts to develop effective vaccines against S. aureus were unsuccessful, partly due to the fact that different vaccine formulations have targeted mainly B-cell immunity. Reverse vaccinology is applied here, in order to identify potential vaccine epitope candidates. The basic epitopes prediction strategy relied on detection of a common antigenic 9-mer epitope meant to be able to stimulate both the B-cell and T-cell mediated immunity. Ten surface exposed proteins were chosen for antigenicity testing. Using a web-based system, five T-cell epitopes corresponding to fibronectin binding protein A (FDFTLSNNV and YVDGYIETI), collagen adhesin (FSINYKTKI), serine-rich adhesin for platelets (LTFDSTNNT) and elastin binding protein (FAMDKSHPE) were selected as potential vaccine candidates. Epitopes sequences were found to be conserved among the different S. aureus genomes screened from NCBI GenBank. In vitro and in vivo immunological tests will be performed in order to validate the suitability of the epitopes for vaccine development.     

Epitope imprinting of iron binding protein of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria through multiple monomers imprinting approach

Epitope imprinting is a promising technique for fabrication of novel diagnostic tools. In this study, an epitope imprinted methodology for recognition of target epitope sequence as well as targeted protein infused by bacterial infection in blood samples of patients suffering from brain fever is developed. Template sequence chosen is a ferric iron binding fbp A protein present in Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. To orient the imprinting template peptide sequence on gold surface of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), thiol chemistry was utilized to form the self‐assembled monolayer on EQCM electrode. Here, synergistic effects induced by various noncovalent interactions extended by multiple monomers (3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium‐salt and benzyl methacrylate) were used in fabricating the imprinting polymeric matrix with additional firmness provided by N,N‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide as cross‐linker and azo‐isobutyronitrile as initiator. Extraction of template molecule was carried out with phosphate buffer solution. After extraction of epitope molecules from the polymeric film, epitope molecularly imprinted polymeric films were fabricated on EQCM electrode surface. Nonimprinted polymers were also synthesized in the similar manner without epitope molecule. Detection limit of epitope molecularly imprinted polymers and imprinting factor (epitope molecularly imprinted polymers/nonimprinted polymers) was calculated 1.39 ng mL^?1 and 12.27 respectively showing high binding capacity and specific recognition behavior toward template molecule. Simplicity of present method would put forward a fast, facile, cost‐effective diagnostic tool for mass health care.     

Cross-presentation of a CMV pp65 epitope by human dendritic cells using bee venom PLA2 as a membrane-binding vector

We have used bee venom phospholipase A2 as a vector to load human dendritic cells ex vivo with a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted epitope fused to its C-terminus. The fusion protein bound to human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and was internalized into early endosomes. In vitro immunization experiments showed that these dendritic cells were able to generate specific CD8 T cell lines against the epitope carried by the fusion protein. Cross-presentation did not require proteasome, transporter associated with antigen processing, or endosome proteases, but required newly synthesized MHC molecules. Comparison of the antigen presentation pathway observed in this study to that followed by other toxins used as vectors is discussed.     

Identification of a murine ICAM-1-specific peptide by subtractive phage library selection on cells

The ICAM-1 adhesion molecule is expressed selectively at low levels on endothelial cells but is strongly upregulated in dysfunctional endothelial cells associated with inflammation, cancer, and atherogenesis. Using COS-7 cells transfected with murine ICAM-1 (mICAM-1) as a target receptor, a phage display library was screened. Clones were selected by elution with a mAb specific for a functional epitope of ICAM-1 and a novel peptide sequence binding to the extracellular domain of mICAM-1 was identified that can potentially be used as a targeting vector aimed at dysfunctional endothelium. We further showed that the targeting specificity of the peptide was retained following its incorporation at the N terminal end of a large chimeric protein. Moreover, this chimeric protein containing the mICAM-1-specific sequence was found to inhibit ICAM-1-mediated intercellular adhesion during antigen presentation. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential for improving the cell-selectivity and properties of therapeutical agents toward targeting adhesion molecules involved in cell-cell interactions.     

Peptide immunization restimulates the memory CD4 T cell response but fails to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes in cynomolgus monkeys

A potential strategy to induce peptide specific CTL in vivo was investigated. A synthetic vaccine consisting of an SIV-derived, HLA-A2.1-binding CTL epitope and a tetanus toxin-derived T helper epitope was evaluated for its capacity to induce peptide-specific CTL in monkeys. Thirteen animals were immunized and boosted twice with 150 μg of CTL plus 250 μg of the T helper peptide (p30). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were regularly analysed for cytotoxic and proliferative responses before, between, and after the immunizations, and the serum was tested for anti-peptide antibodies. No unequivocal induction of SIV peptide-specific CTL in any of the monkeys was observed. However, a wide pattern of mild and transient side reactions were observed, ranging from local redness at the injection site to generalized exanthema, myalgias, arthralgias, and fever. The side-effects were related to the T helper epitope, as they were similar to the side-effects experienced after tetanus immunization, correlated to the magnitude of the p30-specific in vitro proliferative response, and occurred only if p30 was co-injected. No antibody against the SIV-derived peptides nor against p30 was detectable in the serum after repeated immunizations. The data suggest that the CTL peptide, at the concentration used in this study, failed to induce a cytotoxic immune response in vivo, although the T helper peptide seems to be capable of restimulating the specific memory T cells.     

Broad epitope coverage of a human in vitro antibody library

Successful discovery of therapeutic antibodies hinges on the identification of appropriate affinity binders targeting a diversity of molecular epitopes presented by the antigen. Antibody campaigns that yield such broad “epitope coverage” increase the likelihood of identifying candidates with the desired biological functions. Accordingly, epitope binning assays are employed in the early discovery stages to partition antibodies into epitope families or “bins” and prioritize leads for further characterization and optimization. The collaborative program described here, which used hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) as a model antigen, combined 3 key capabilities: 1) access to a diverse panel of antibodies selected from a human in vitro antibody library; 2) application of state-of-the-art high-throughput epitope binning; and 3) analysis and interpretation of the epitope binning data with reference to an exhaustive set of published antibody:HEL co-crystal structures. Binning experiments on a large merged panel of antibodies containing clones from the library and the literature revealed that the inferred epitopes for the library clones overlapped with, and extended beyond, the known structural epitopes. Our analysis revealed that nearly the entire solvent-exposed surface of HEL is antigenic, as has been proposed for protein antigens in general. The data further demonstrated that synthetic antibody repertoires provide as wide epitope coverage as those obtained from animal immunizations. The work highlights molecular insights contributed by increasingly higher-throughput binning methods and their broad utility to guide the discovery of therapeutic antibodies representing a diverse set of functional epitopes.     

Localisation of a carbohydrate epitope recognised by human IgE in pollen of Cupressaceae

The objectives of the present study were: (1) to localise, at the subcellular level, the allergens in pollen of Cupressaceae species, using a monoclonal antibody (mAb 5E6) that is specific for carbohydrate epitopes of allergenic components of Cupressus arizonica pollen extract; (2) to determine whether the glycidic epitope recognised by mAb 5E6 was present in pollen of allergenic species taxonomically unrelated to Cupressaceae; and (3) to determine whether human IgE purified from monosensitive patients recognises the same epitope as mAb 5E6 in Cupressaceae pollen. Immunogold labelling of mAb 5E6 showed a high density of gold particles on the orbicules, supporting the hypothesis that they are important vectors of allergens. A high density was also found on the exine and in the cytoplasm, with the latter finding confirming that fragments of pollen ruptured under humid conditions can represent a vector. The glycidic epitope recognised by mAb 5E6 was detected in all of the species taxonomically unrelated to Cupressaceae, although with varying density. Human IgE recognised the same epitope as mAb 5E6. These findings are consistent with observations of diffuse allergenic cross-reactivity among various allergens. The in situ localisation of a common epitope recognised by both a monoclonal antibody and human IgE could be of importance in immunotherapy.     

Presentation of two epitopes of the preS2 region of hepatitis B virus on live recombinant bacteria

Having developed a genetic procedure to expose a foreign epitope at the surface of Escherichia coli by using the outer membrane LamB protein as a carrier, we apply this procedure to express two distinct portions of the preS2 region of hepatitis B virus: region A, residues 132-145, and region B, residues 153-171. The resulting hybrid proteins (LamB-preS2 A and LamB-preS2 B) were normally expressed, stable, and still kept most biologic functions of LamB. The corresponding bacterial strains were used directly as immunogens in rabbits and mice. Both viral sequences were found to be immunogenic in the two animal species. With LamB-preS2 A, antibodies induced were able to react with the viral particles and the immobilized peptide. With LamB-preS2 B, the antibodies raised were not able to recognize the immobilized peptide. However, the results suggest that the B epitope, inserted in LamB, was at least as efficient as the corresponding synthetic peptide in raising antiviral antibodies. Thus, epitope presentation with LamB may present advantages for immunization. We also have shown that peptide A is an essential part of the polymerized human serum albumin receptor. These results, which validate further the LamB vector system for epitope presentation, provide information on the two hepatitis B regions expressed.     

B细胞表位的计算机预测

B细胞表位预测对于多种免疫学研究是必不可少的重要工具.本文概括了计算机预测B细胞表位的现状,汇总了多种表位预测工具及其原理和应用,介绍了一些用于建立与评价预测工具的数据库和数据集,对各类预测工具和数据库的特点和网址进行整理列表.另外,还分析了B细胞表位预测领域存在的问题,并对其未来发展提出了建议.     

Highly efficient selection of epitope specific antibody through competitive yeast display library sorting

Combinatory antibody library display technologies have been invented and successfully implemented for the selection and engineering of therapeutic antibodies. Precise targeting of important epitopes on the protein of interest is essential for such isolated antibodies to serve as effective modulators of molecular interactions. We developed a strategy to efficiently isolate antibodies against a specific epitope on a target protein from a yeast display antibody library using dengue virus envelope protein domain III as a model target. A domain III mutant protein with a key mutation inside a cross-reactive neutralizing epitope was designed, expressed, and used in the competitive panning of a yeast display naïve antibody library. All the yeast display antibodies that bound to the wild type domain III but not to the mutant were selectively sorted and characterized. Two unique clones were identified and showed cross-reactive binding to envelope protein domain IIIs from different serotypes. Epitope mapping of one of the antibodies confirmed that its epitope overlapped with the intended neutralizing epitope. This novel approach has implications for many areas of research where the isolation of epitope-specific antibodies is desired, such as selecting antibodies against conserved epitope(s) of viral envelope proteins from a library containing high titer, high affinity non-neutralizing antibodies, and targeting unique epitopes on cancer-related proteins.     

Identification of immunodominant Th1-type T cell epitopes from Schistosoma japonicum 28 kDa glutathione-S-transferase, a vaccine candidate

Th1-type cytokines produced by the stimulation of Th 1-type epitopes derived from defined schistosome-associated antigens are correlated with the development of resistance to the parasite infection. Schistosoma mansoni 28 kDa glutathione-S-transferase （Sm28GST）, a major detoxification enzyme, has been recognized as a vaccine candidate and a phase II clinical trial has been carried out. Sheep immunized with recombinant Schistosoma japonicum 28GST （Sj28GST） have shown immune protection against the parasite infection. In the present study, six candidate peptides （P1, P2, P3, P4, P7 and P8） from Sj28GST were predicted, using software, to be T cell epitopes, and peptides P5 and P6 were designed by extending five amino acids at the N-terminal and C-terminal of P1, respectively. The peptide 190-211 aa in Sj28GST corresponding to the Th1-type epitope （190-211 aa） identified from Sm28GST was selected and named P9. The nine candidate peptides were synthesized or produced as the fusion protein with thioredoxin in the pET32c（＋）/BL21（DE3） system. Their capacity to induce a Th1-type response in vitro was measured using lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine detection experiments and flow cytometry. The results showed that P6 （73-86 aa） generated the strongest stimulation effect on T cells among the nine candidate peptides, and drove the highest level of IFN-γ, and IL-2. Therefore, P6 is a functional Thl-type T cell epitope that is different from that in Sm28GST, and will be useful for the development of effective vaccines which can trigger acquired immunity against S. japonicum. Moreover, our strategy of identifying the Thl-type epitope by a combination of software prediction and experimental confirmation provides a convenient and cost-saving alternative approach to previous methods.     

Identification of novel HLA-A11-restricted T-cell epitopes in the Ebola virus nucleoprotein

The Ebola virus (EBOV) is a very contagious virus that is highly fatal in humans and animals. The largest epidemic was in West Africa in 2014, in which over 11,000 people died. However, to date, there are no licensed vaccines against it. Studies show that CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses, especially cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses, play key roles in protecting individuals from EBOV infection. Since HLA-restricted epitope vaccines are likely to be effective and safe immunization strategies for infectious diseases, the present study screened for CTL epitopes in the EBOV-nucleoprotein that are restricted by HLA-A11 (a common allele in Chinese people). Predictive computer analysis of the amino-acid sequence of EBOV-nucleoprotein identified ten putative HLA-A11-restricted epitopes. ELISPOT assay of immunized HLA-A11/DR1 transgenic mice showed that five (GR-9, VR-9, EK-9, PK-9, and RK-9) induced effective CTL responses. Additional epitope analyses will aid the design of epitope vaccines against EBOV.