重组牛乳源金黄色葡萄球菌GapC蛋白优势B细胞抗原表位的预测和筛选

旨在表达牛乳源金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)GapC蛋白并对其B细胞抗原表位进行预测与鉴定，本研究利用实验室分离鉴定的S. aureus分离株15119扩增GapC基因并构建重组表达质粒pET-28a-GapC，诱导纯化得到分子量为44 kD重组蛋白GapC，以此免疫新西兰大白兔，获得特异多克隆抗体。利用生物信息学方法，对GapC蛋白的二级及三级结构进行分析，预测其B细胞抗原表位，并利用特异性抗体对筛选的表位进行鉴定。结果表明，GapC蛋白具有良好的免疫原性，筛选出7个线性B细胞抗原表位，利用兔抗重组GapC蛋白多克隆抗体鉴定得到了PL 5(²²¹ IPEIDGKLDGGAQRVP²³⁶)多肽和PL 7(²⁶⁴KNASNESFGYTEDEIVSSDVVGM²⁸⁶)2个优势B细胞表位。本研究成功制备了GapC蛋白，预测并鉴定了2个优势抗原表位，为其嵌合表位疫苗的开发提供了技术支持。     

HIV-1辅助蛋白Vpr多肽抗体的制备与鉴定

预测Vpr蛋白的B细胞抗原表位,并利用合成的B细胞表位肽制备Vpr特异性抗体。应用生物信息学技术获得Vpr蛋白共享氨基酸序列并预测其潜在B细胞抗原表位,与载体蛋白血蓝蛋白(KLH)偶联合成多肽并免疫家兔,鉴定及纯化获得的多肽特异性抗体。软件预测显示,Vpr蛋白N端的第3～19位(N)和C端的第82～95位(C)氨基酸序列为潜在B细胞抗原表位;ELISA检测抗血清中多肽特异性抗体的效价都达到1:105以上;Western-Blotting结果显示,无论对HIV-1B亚型还是CRF07_BC重组型的Vpr蛋白,其多肽N抗体和C抗体均能特异性识别;免疫沉淀结果显示,Vpr多肽N和C抗体也能特异性结合未变性的野生型Vpr或GFP-Vpr融合蛋白。利用生物信息学技术能成功预测Vpr蛋白B细胞抗原表位,免疫所获得的抗体具有较好的特异性和应用性。     

HIV蛋白质优势B细胞抗原表位的筛选、重组表达与抗原性鉴定

设计了一种新的病原体蛋白质B细胞抗原表位的筛选和重 组表达方法。不须使用抗原,而通过交替用病人血清IgG抗体“淘洗”(biopanning)随机肽库和用正常人血清IgG反向吸附,来获得特异抗原表位资料。用HIV病人血清的IgG抗体淘洗噬菌体递呈随机十二肽库,再以正常人IgG抗体吸附,筛选到了能和HIV病人血清发生特异反应的噬菌体克隆,经ELISA、DNA测序等,成功地筛选出了位于HIV gp41外膜蛋白、高亲和力、构型特异的优势B细胞抗原表位(602GCSGKLICTTNV613)。用大肠杆菌硫氧还蛋白作为骨架,在其活性部位以“内融合”形式重组表达了该抗原表位,纯化的重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性,能与HIV(+)IgG抗体及艾滋病人血清呈特异反应,表明本技术路线可以有 效地进行HIV蛋白质的B细胞抗原表位筛选和重组表达。此方法也可移植于其它病原微生物抗原或自身抗原的表位研究,继而为基于抗原表位水平的特异诊断试剂的研制、疫苗的设计提供依据。     

B型肉毒毒素重链抗原表位的预测及表位合成肽抗原性的检测

目的:预测B型肉毒毒素蛋白抗原表位,研究表位合成肽的生物学活性。方法:利用生物信息学,结合Anthwine分析软件及网络平台,预测B型肉毒毒素蛋白重链的B细胞抗原表位。人工合成4条(P1,P2,P3,P4)表位多肽,与抗B型肉毒毒素类毒素的马血清反应;采用腹腔注射的方式用合成肽免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测免疫血清与合成肽的结合;对免疫小鼠腹腔注射B型肉毒毒素。结果:合成的多肽能与抗B型肉毒毒素的类毒素的马血清结合;多肽免疫小鼠后能产生针对多肽的抗体,其中P1、P3、P4产生的抗体对受毒素攻击的小鼠具有保护作用。结论:成功预测了抗原表位,合成的表位多肽具有较好的抗原性。     

狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位研究

为阐明狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位,本研究通过合成肽模拟B细胞线性抗原表位,采用免疫学方法对生物信息学分析获得的狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白潜在B细胞线性抗原表位进行验证。结果显示,狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白355~369、385~400位氨基酸序列合成肽免疫小鼠血清经间接酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测抗多肽抗体效价达到1∶12 800以上;抗多肽抗体在免疫印迹试验(Western blot,WB)中识别变性狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白抗原,在间接荧光抗体试验(Indirect fluorescent antibody,IFA)中识别感染BHK-21细胞的狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白抗原。因此,狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白355~369、385~400位氨基酸序列经证实为B细胞线性抗原表位。     

单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型糖蛋白G主要抗原表位的表达和抗原性检测

利用PCR拼接技术,合成含单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型糖蛋白G(gG2)抗原表位(氨基酸序列第561～578位)的片段,并进一步利用基因工程技术获得该表位的双拷贝片段,克隆入pET-KDO表达载体进行原核表达.经IPTG诱导后,高效表达出分子量大小约为39kDa的融合蛋白,经Western blot检测具有良好的抗原性.表达的融合蛋白经凝血酶切割和亲和层析纯化,得到双拷贝gG2(561～578aa)目的蛋白,经ELISA检测具有良好的灵敏度和特异性.该重组抗原的构建和表达可用于HSV-2特异性血清学诊断的研究.     

单纯疱疹病毒II型糖蛋白G主要抗原表位的表达和抗原性检测*

利用PCR拼接技术,合成含单纯疱疹病毒II型糖蛋白G(gG2)抗原表位（氨基酸序列第561～578位）的片段,并进一步利用基因工程技术获得该表位的双拷贝片段,克隆入pET-KDO表达载体进行原核表达。经IPTG诱导后,高效表达出分子量大小约为39,000D的融合蛋白,经Western-blot检测具有良好的抗原性。表达的融合蛋白经凝血酶切割和亲和层析纯化,得到双拷贝gG2（561～578aa）目的蛋白,经ELISA检测具有良好的灵敏度和特异性。该重组抗原的构建和表达可用于HSV-2特异性血清学诊断的研究。     

丙型肝炎病毒多表位抗原基因的构建与免疫原性研究

丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)基因易发生变异, 尤其是含中和抗原表位的高变区1(HVR1)变异性最大. 模拟HVR1的B细胞表位具有涵盖多种天然表位的抗原特性, 保守的T细胞表位具有各型间的相对保守性. 为解决HCV高变性造成的疫苗研究障碍, 我们选取HCV E2区HVR1(384～410 aa)模拟B细胞表位9条、C区的保守CTL表位2条(35～44 aa, 132～140 aa)、NS3区保守的CTL表位1条(1073～1081 aa)及NS3区保守的Th表位1条(aa 1251～1259), 各表位之间以插入3个氨基酸为连接臂, 人工合成上述13条表位基因串联的HCV多表位抗原基因(mfc). 将mfc与gst基因融合, 表达了多表位抗原蛋白GST-MFC. 同时, 构建了白介素-2信号肽基因、PADRE表位基因和mfc基因串联的候选HCV DNA疫苗, 即质粒pVAX1.0-st-mfc. 以GST-MFC蛋白免疫家兔和质粒pVAX1.0-st-mfc免疫小鼠, 采用ELISA和Western blot方法, 应用10条具有代表性的HCV HVR1合成肽进行检测, 证明有9条HVR1合成肽能与所有免疫动物血清反应, 交叉反应率(cross reactivity, CR)为90%. 应用HCV抗体阳性的感染者血清与多表位抗原GST-MFC蛋白进行反应, 证明其反应识别率(reactivity frequency, RF)为75%. 上述结果表明, 筛选合成的HCV多表位抗原基因mfc具有HCV中和抗原表位的特征, 可作为HCV疫苗研制的候选基因.     

金黄色葡萄球菌重组GapC蛋白的GAPDH活性及免疫原性分析

为研究金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)表面GapC蛋白的GAPDH活性、免疫原性及免疫保护作用, 应用PCR方法扩增出S. aureus的gapC基因, 插入到pQE-30载体相应位点, 构建重组质粒pQE/gapC。将其导入宿主菌E.coli M15(pREP4)后, IPTG诱导表达。重组蛋白纯化后进行GAPDH活性检测, 并与灭活全菌体分别免疫健康家兔。然后, 应用ELISA方法检测血清中IgG抗体水平及IFN-g、IL-4细胞因子浓度, 并用1.0×108CFU/mL S. aureus菌株Wood46对免疫家兔攻毒。SDS-PAGE结果显示, GapC蛋白在E. coli M15(pREP4)中获得表达; 经GAPDH活性检测及Western Blot检测, 重组蛋白具有较高的GAPDH活性和抗原特异性; 经ELISA检测, GapC蛋白及全菌体组兔血清中IgG抗体水平迅速升高, 并在加强免疫后第28天达到最高(1:64 000), 加强免疫后第14 d, 血清中细胞因子IFN-g和IL-4浓度与对照组相比, 显著升高(P<0.05), 而全菌体免疫组升高不明显(P>0.05); 攻毒结果为蛋白免疫组家兔获得一定的免疫保护(4/5)。以上结果表明, 表达的重组GapC蛋白具有GAPDH活性、较好的免疫原性及免疫保护力, 可作为深入研究S. aureus基因工程疫苗的良好靶向。     

A组轮状病毒多个结构蛋白抗原表位的串联表达及其免疫原性的检测

从北京腹泻婴儿粪便提取的轮状病毒(rotavirus,RV)(T114株)的RNA中,克隆到轮状病毒结构蛋白基因vp4,vp6和vp7的全长cDNA,对它们编码的蛋白质序列和可能的抗原表位肽进行了预测,选择了RV主要抗原蛋白VP7、VP6和VP4的4个抗原表位肽,通过人工合成DNA的方式将这些抗原表位肽基因串联融合成一个阅读框RME(rotavirus multipleepitopes,RME)并构建原核表达载体.大肠杆菌表达的RME在ELISA反应中可被RV多克隆抗体识别,纯化的RME蛋白注射免疫小鼠可诱导特异性免疫应答,产生高滴度的同源氨基酸序列特异抗体和人RV抗体,其中针对RME的IgG抗体滴度达到l∶40 000,针对单个抗原表位EV7、EV6和EV4的IgG抗体滴度达l∶10 000～l∶20 000,针对RV Wa株的IgG抗体滴度较低为l∶2 500,但能特异地中和该病毒对MAC145细胞的侵染.上述结果为新型RV基因工程疫苗的研发提供了论据和基础.     

Epitope specificity of murine and human bactericidal antibodies against PorA P1.7,16 induced with experimental meningococcal group B vaccines

Synthetic peptides derived from the predicted loops 1 and 4 of meningococcal PorA, sero-subtype P1.7,16, were used to study the epitope specificity of murine and human PorA P1.7,16 bactericidal antibodies. The predicted loops 1 and 4 are surface exposed and carry in their apices the sero-subtype epitopes P1.7 (loop 1) or P1.16 (loop 4), respectively. Peptides were synthesized as mono- and multimeric peptides. Murine monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were induced with meningococcal whole cell preparations. Polyclonal antibodies were evoked in volunteers after one immunization with 50 μg or 100 μg protein of a hexavalent meningococcal PorA vesicle vaccine. The induction of PorA antibodies was determined in ELISA using purified PorA P1.7,16. The epitope specificity of anti-PorA antibodies for both murine and human antibodies could be demonstrated by direct peptide ELISA using overlapping multimeric peptides almost spanning the entire loops 1 or 4 of the protein. The capacity of peptides to inhibit the bactericidal activity of murine and human antibodies was investigated using meningococcal strain H44/76 (B:15:P1.7,16) as a target strain. Bactericidal activities could be inhibited with both monomeric and multimeric peptides derived from epitopes P1.7 and P1.16.     

Experimental and bioinformatic approach to identifying antigenic epitopes in human α- and β-enolases

Human α- and β-enolases are highly homologous enzymes, difficult to differentiate immunologically. In this work, we describe production, purification and properties of anti-α- and anti-β-enolase polyclonal antibodies. To raise antibodies, rabbits were injected with enolase isoenzymes that were purified from human kidney (α-enolase) and skeletal muscle (β-enolase). Selective anti-α- and anti-β-enolase antibodies were obtained by affinity chromatography on either α- or β-enolase-Sepharose columns. On Western blots, antibodies directed against human β-enolase, did not react with human α-isoenzyme, but recognized pig and rat β-enolase. To determine what makes these antibodies selective bioinformatic tools were used to predict conformational epitopes for both enolase isoenzymes. Three predicted epitopes were mapped to the same regions in both α- and β-enolase. Peptides corresponding to predicted epitopes were synthesized and tested against purified antibodies. One of the pin-attached peptides representing α-enolase epitope (the C-terminal portion of the epitope 3 - S²⁶²PDDPSRYISPDQ²⁷³) reacted with anti-α-enolase, while the other also derived from the α-enolase sequence (epitope 2 - N¹⁹³VIKEKYGKDATN²⁰⁵) was recognized by anti-β-enolase antibodies. Interestingly, neither anti-α- nor anti-β-antibody reacted with a peptide corresponding to the epitope 2 in β-enolase (G¹⁹⁴VIKAKYGKDATN²⁰⁶). Further analysis showed that substitution of E¹⁹⁷ with A in α-enolase epitope 2 peptide lead to 70% loss of immunological activity, while replacement of A¹⁹⁸ with E in peptide representing β-enolase epitope 2, caused 67% increase in immunological activity. Our results suggest that E¹⁹⁷ is essential for preserving immunologically active conformation in epitope 2 peptidic homolog, while it is not crucial for this epitope's antigenic activity in native β-enolase.     

Comprehensive Mapping Antigenic Epitopes of NS1 Protein of Japanese Encephalitis Virus with Monoclonal Antibodies

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1) contributes to virus replication and elicits protective immune responses during infection. JEV NS1-specific antibody responses could be a target in the differential diagnosis of different flavivirus infections. However, the epitopes on JEV NS1 are poorly characterized. The present study describes the full mapping of linear B-cell epitopes in JEV NS1. We generated eleven NS1-specific monoclonal antibodies from mice immunized with recombinant NS1. For epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies, a set of 51 partially-overlapping peptides covering the entire NS1 protein were expressed with a GST-tag and then screened using monoclonal antibodies. Through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), five linear epitope-containing peptides were identified. By sequentially removing amino acid residues from the carboxy and amino terminal of peptides, the minimal units of the five linear epitopes were identified and confirmed using monoclonal antibodies. Five linear epitopes are located in amino acids residues ⁵AIDITRK¹¹, ⁷²RDELNVL⁷⁸, ²⁵¹KSKHNRREGY²⁶⁰, ²⁶⁹DENGIVLD²⁷⁶, and ³⁴¹DETTLVRS³⁴⁸. Furthermore, it was found that the epitopes are highly conserved among JEV strains through sequence alignment. Notably, none of the homologous regions on NS1 proteins from other flaviviruses reacted with the MAbs when they were tested for cross-reactivity, and all five epitope peptides were not recognized by sera against West Nile virus or Dengue virus. These novel virus-specific linear B-cell epitopes of JEV NS1 would benefit the development of new vaccines and diagnostic assays.     

A Novel B-Cell Epitope Identified within Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP10/ESAT-6 Protein

Background

The 10-kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP10) and 6-kDa early-secreted target antigen (ESAT-6) play important roles in mycobacterial virulence and pathogenesis through a 1∶1 complex formation (CFP10/ESAT-6 protein, CE protein), which have been used in discriminating TB patients from BCG-vaccinated individuals. The B-cell epitopes of CFP10 and ESAT-6 separately have been analyzed before, however, the epitopes of the CE protein are unclear and the precise epitope in the positions 40 to 62 of ESAT-6 is still unknown.

Methods

In the present study, we searched for the B-cell epitopes of CE protein by using phage-display library biopanning with the anti-CE polyclonal antibodies. The epitopes were identified by sequence alignment, binding affinity and specificity detection, generation of polyclonal mouse sera and detection of TB patient sera.

Results

One linear B-cell epitope (KWDAT) consistent with the 162^nd–166^th sequence of CE and the 57^th–61^st sequence of ESAT-6 protein was selected and identified. Significantly higher titers of E5 peptide-binding antibodies were found in the sera of TB patients compared with those of healthy individuals.

Conclusion

There was a B-cell epitope for CE and ESAT-6 protein in the position 40 to 62 of ESAT-6. E5 peptide may be useful in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis, which need to be further confirmed by more sera samples.     

应用细菌鞭毛递呈的随机肽库研究丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白B细胞抗原表位

设计了利用大扬杆菌鞭毛蛋白递呈的随机十二肽库研究ＨＣＶ核心蛋白Ｂ细胞抗原位的实验程序：１利用大肠杆有达质粒ｐＱＥ－３０有达并纯化ＨＣＶ核心蛋白Ｐ１９;２利用Ｐ１９蛋白亲和层析纯化ＨＣＶ感染者血清的抗ＨＣＶ核心蛋白多克隆抗体;     

MAPPING OF HIV-1 GAG EPITOPES RECOGNIZED BY POLYCLONAL ANTIBODIES USING GENE-FRAGMENT PHAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM

Phage display has emerged as a powerful technique for mapping epitopes recognised by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. We have recently developed a simple gene-fragment phage display system and have shown its utility in mapping epitope recognised by a monoclonal antibody. In the present study, we have employed this system in mapping epitopes recognised by polyclonal antibodies raised against HIV-1 capsid protein, p24 which is derived from proteolytic cleavage of Gag polyprotein. HIV-1 gag DNA was fragmented by DNase I and the fragments (50–250 bp) were cloned into gene-fragment phage display vector to construct a library of phages displaying peptides. This phage library was used for affinity selection of phages displaying epitopes recognised by rabbit anti-p24 polyclonal antibodies. Selected phages contained sequences from two discrete regions of p24, demonstrating the presence of two antigenic regions.

The DNA sequences encoding these regions were also cloned and expressed as GST fusion proteins. The immunoreactivity of these epitopes as GST fusion proteins, or as phage-displayed peptides, was comparable in ELISA system using same anti-p24 polyclonal antibodies. The results indicate that the gene-fragment based phage display system can be used efficiently to identify epitopes recognised by polyclonal antibodies, and phage displayed epitopes can be directly employed in ELISA to detect antibodies.     

Identification of a Conserved Linear B-Cell Epitope of Streptococcus dysgalactiae GapC Protein by Screening Phage-Displayed Random Peptide Library

The GapC of Streptococcus dysgalactiae (S. dysgalactiae) is a highly conserved surface protein that can induce protective humoral immune response in animals. However, B-cell epitopes on the S. dysgalactiae GapC have not been well identified. In this study, a monoclonal antibody (mAb5B7) against the GapC_1-150 protein was prepared. After passive transfer, mAb5B7 could partially protect mice against S. dysgalactiae infection. Eleven positive phage clones recognized by mAb5B7 were identified by screening phage-displayed random 12-peptide library, most of which matched the consensus motif DTTQGRFD. The motif sequence exactly matches amino acids 48-55 of the S. dysgalactiae GapC protein. In addition, the motif ⁴⁸DTTQGRFD⁵⁵ shows high homology among various streptococcus species. Site-directed mutagenic analysis further confirmed that residues D48, T50, Q51, G52 and F54 formed the core motif of ⁴⁸DTTQGRFD⁵⁵. This motif was the minimal determinant of the B-cell epitope recognized by the mAb5B7. As expected, epitope-peptide evoked protective immune response against S. dysgalactiae infection in immunized mice. Taken together, this identified conserved B-cell epitope within S. dysgalactiae GapC could provide very valuable insights for vaccine design against S. dysgalactiae infection.     

Identification of a Conserved B-Cell Epitope on Duck Hepatitis A Type 1 Virus VP1 Protein

BackgroundThe VP1 protein of duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) is a major structural protein that induces neutralizing antibodies in ducks; however, B-cell epitopes on the VP1 protein of duck hepatitis A genotype 1 virus (DHAV-1) have not been characterized.

Methods and Results

To characterize B-cell epitopes on VP1, we used the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2D10 against Escherichia coli-expressed VP1 of DHAV-1. In vitro, mAb 2D10 neutralized DHAV-1 virus. By using an array of overlapping 12-mer peptides, we found that mAb 2D10 recognized phages displaying peptides with the consensus motif LPAPTS. Sequence alignment showed that the epitope ¹⁷³LPAPTS¹⁷⁸ is highly conserved among the DHAV-1 genotypes. Moreover, the six amino acid peptide LPAPTS was proven to be the minimal unit of the epitope with maximal binding activity to mAb 2D10. DHAV-1–positive duck serum reacted with the epitope in dot blotting assay, revealing the importance of the six amino acids of the epitope for antibody-epitope binding. Competitive inhibition assays of mAb 2D10 binding to synthetic LPAPTS peptides and truncated VP1 protein fragments, detected by Western blotting, also verify that LPAPTS was the VP1 epitope.

Conclusions and Significance

We identified LPAPTS as a VP1-specific linear B-cell epitope recognized by the neutralizing mAb 2D10. Our findings have potential applications in the development of diagnostic techniques and epitope-based marker vaccines against DHAV-1.     

Cross‐Reactivity of Polyclonal Antibodies against Canavalia ensiformis (Jack Bean) Urease and Helicobacter pylori Urease Subunit A Fragments

Overlapping decapeptide fragments of H. pylori urease subunit A (UreA) were synthesized and tested with polyclonal antibodies against Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean) urease. The linear epitopes of UreA identified using the dot blot method were then examined using epitope mapping. For this purpose, series of overlapping fragments of UreA, frameshifted ± four amino acid residues were synthesized. Most of the UreA epitopes which reacted with the Jack bean urease polyclonal antibodies had been recognized in previous studies by monoclonal antibodies against H. pylori urease. Fragments 11 – 24, 21 – 33, and 31 – 42 were able to interact with the Jack bean urease antibodies, giving stable immunological complexes. However, the lack of recognition by these antibodies of all the components in the peptide map strongly suggests that a non‐continuous (nonlinear) epitope is located on the N‐terminal domain of UreA.