Immunodominance of Epitopes and Protective Efficacy of HI Antigen Are Differentially Altered Using Different Adjuvants in a Mouse Model of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

HI, a fusion protein that consists of the alpha-toxin (Hla) and the N2 domain of iron surface determinant B (IsdB), is one of the antigens in the previously reported S. aureus vaccine rFSAV and has already entered phase II clinical trials. Previous studies revealed that HI is highly immunogenic in both mice and healthy volunteers, and the humoral immune response plays key roles in HI-mediated protection. In this study, we further investigated the protective efficacy of immunization with HI plus four different adjuvants in a mouse bacteremia model. Results showed that HI-mediated protection was altered in response to different adjuvants. Using antisera from immunized mice, we identified seven B-cell immunodominant epitopes on Hla and IsdB, including 6 novel epitopes (Hla1-18, Hla84-101, Hla186-203, IsdB342-359, IsdB366-383, and IsdB384-401). The immunodominance of B-cell epitopes, total IgG titers and the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A from mice immunized with HI plus different adjuvants were different from each other, which may explain the difference in protective immunity observed in each immunized group. Thus, our results indicate that adjuvants largely affected the immunodominance of epitopes and the protective efficacy of HI, which may guide further adjuvant screening for vaccine development and optimization.

Allergome-wide peptide microarrays enable epitope deconvolution in allergen-specific immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The interaction of allergens and allergen-specific IgE initiates the allergic cascade after crosslinking of receptors on effector cells. Antibodies of other isotypes may modulate such a reaction. Receptor crosslinking requires binding of antibodies to multiple epitopes on the allergen. Limited information is available on the complexity of the epitope structure of most allergens. OBJECTIVES: We sought to allow description of the complexity of IgE, IgG4, and IgG epitope recognition at a global, allergome-wide level during allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). METHODS: We generated an allergome-wide microarray comprising 731 allergens in the form of more than 172,000 overlapping 16-mer peptides. Allergen recognition by IgE, IgG4, and IgG was examined in serum samples collected from subjects undergoing AIT against pollen allergy. RESULTS: Extensive induction of linear peptide-specific Phl p 1- and Bet v 1-specific humoral immunity was demonstrated in subjects undergoing a 3-year-long AIT against grass and birch pollen allergy, respectively. Epitope profiles differed between subjects but were largely established already after 1 year of AIT, suggesting that dominant allergen-specific antibody clones remained as important contributors to humoral immunity following their initial establishment during the early phase of AIT. Complex, subject-specific patterns of allergen isoform and group cross-reactivities in the repertoires were observed, patterns that may indicate different levels of protection against different allergen sources. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the complexity and subject-specific nature of allergen epitopes recognized following AIT. We envisage that epitope deconvolution will be an important aspect of future efforts to describe and analyze the outcomes of AIT in a personalized manner.

Identification of Seasonal Variations of Antibodies against PR-10-Specific Epitopes Can Be Improved Using Peptide-Phage Display.

BACKGROUND: In pollinosis patients, allergen-specific antibody titers show seasonal variations. Little is known about these variations at the epitope level. OBJECTIVES: We aimed at investigating seasonal variations on the level of allergen epitope recognition in patients with Bet v 1-related food allergy using a peptide phage display approach. METHODS: Serum samples collected over 1 year from 4 patients of the placebo arm of the birch-associated soya allergy immunotherapy trial were included. To identify epitopes from Bet v 1-related food allergens, patient sera were used in peptide phage display experiments. In silico analysis of enriched allergen-related motifs was performed. RESULTS: We identified epitope motifs related to Bet v 1 and its homologs in soya and hazelnut (Gly m 4 and Cor a 1, respectively) that were enriched in accordance with birch and hazel pollen exposure. Within several weeks after the birch pollen season peak, the pattern of identified epitope motifs differed considerably among patients. Data for amino acid preferences in homologous Bet v 1 and Cor a 1 epitope motifs identified for one of the investigated patients suggest changes in concentration or specificity of serum antibodies for the Cor a 1 epitope motif. CONCLUSIONS: Peptide phage display data suggest an impact of birch and hazel pollen exposure on the recognition pattern of Bet v 1-like allergen epitopes. Epitope-oriented analyses could provide deeper, personalized details regarding the allergen epitope recognition influenced by pollen exposure beyond the capability of current methods.

Structure-based drug designing and immunoinformatics approach for SARS-CoV-2.

The prevalence of respiratory illness caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus associated with multiple organ failures is spreading rapidly because of its contagious human-to-human transmission and inadequate globalhealth care systems. Pharmaceutical repurposing, an effective drug development technique using existing drugs, could shorten development time and reduce costs compared to those of de novo drug discovery. We carried out virtual screening of antiviral compounds targeting the spike glycoprotein (S), main protease (Mpro), and the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD)-angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) complex of SARS-CoV-2. PC786, an antiviral polymerase inhibitor, showed enhanced binding affinity to all the targets. Furthermore, the postfusion conformation of the trimeric S protein RBD with ACE2 revealed conformational changes associated with PC786 drug binding. Exploiting immunoinformatics to identify T cell and B cell epitopes could guide future experimental studies with a higher probability of discovering appropriate vaccine candidates with fewer experiments and higher reliability.

A Proliferation Inducing Ligand (APRIL) targeted antibody is a safe and effective treatment of murine IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent primary chronic glomerular disease for which no safe disease-specific therapies currently exist. IgAN is an autoimmune disease involving the production of autoantigenic, aberrantly O-glycosylated IgA1 and ensuing deposition of nephritogenic immune complexes in the kidney. A Proliferation Inducing Ligand (APRIL) has emerged as a key B-cell-modulating factor in this pathogenesis. Using a mouse anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody (4540), we confirm both the pathogenic role of APRIL in IgAN and the therapeutic efficacy of antibody-directed neutralization of APRIL in the grouped mouse ddY disease model. Treatment with 4540 directly translated to a reduction in relevant pathogenic mechanisms including suppressed serum IgA levels, reduced circulating immune complexes, significantly lower kidney deposits of IgA, IgG and C3, and suppression of proteinuria compared to mice receiving vehicle or isotype control antibodies. Furthermore, we translated these findings to the pharmacological characterization of VIS649, a highly potent, humanized IgG2κ antibody targeting and neutralizing human APRIL through unique epitope engagement, leading to inhibition of APRIL-mediated B-cell activities. VIS649 treatment of non-human primates showed dose-dependent reduction of serum IgA levels of up to 70%. A reduction of IgA+, IgM+, and IgG+ B cells was noted in the gut-associated mucosa of VIS649-treated animals. Population-based modeling predicted a favorable therapeutic dosing profile for subcutaneous administration of VIS649 in the clinical setting. Thus, our data highlight the potential therapeutic benefit of VIS649 for the treatment of IgAN.

Design and evaluation of a hypoallergenic peptide-based vaccine for Salsola kali allergy.

BACKGROUND: The Salsola kali (S. kali) pollen is one of the most important causes of allergic rhinitis in the deserts and semi-desert areas. Immunotherapy with allergen extracts remains the only available treatment addressing the underlying mechanism of allergy. However, given the low efficacy of this method, it is necessary to find more effective and alternative therapeutic interventions using molecular biology and bioinformatics tools. In this study, a hypoallergenic vaccine was designed on the basis of B-cell epitope approach for S. kali immunotherapy. METHODS: Using the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), a 35-mer peptide was selected and chemically conjugated to a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) molecule. Specific IgG and IgE from immunized BALB/c mice sera against the vaccine (Sal k 1-KLH), S. kali extract and the recombinant protein, rSal k 1, were measured using ELISA. Also, inhibition of IgE by mouse IgG was evaluated using an inhibitory ELISA. Finally, the IgE reactivity and T-cell reactivity of the designed vaccine were evaluated by dot blot assay and MTT assay. RESULTS: Vaccination with the vaccine produced high levels of protective IgG in mice, which inhibited the binding of patients IgE to recombinant proteins. The result showed that the designed vaccine, unlike the recombinant protein and extract, did not induce T-cell lymphocytes response and also exhibited decreased IgE reactivity. CONCLUSION: The designed vaccine can be considered as a promising candidate for therapeutic allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Safety and efficacy of immunotherapy with the recombinant B-cell epitope-based grass pollen vaccine BM32.

BACKGROUND: BM32 is a grass pollen allergy vaccine based on recombinant fusion proteins consisting of nonallergenic peptides from the IgE-binding sites of the 4 major grass pollen allergens and the hepatitis B preS protein. OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the safety and clinical efficacy of immunotherapy (allergen immunotherapy) with BM32 in patients with grass pollen-induced rhinitis and controlled asthma. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter allergen immunotherapy field study was conducted for 2 grass pollen seasons. After a baseline season, subjects (n = 181) were randomized and received 3 preseasonal injections of either placebo (n = 58) or a low dose (80 µg, n = 60) or high dose (160 µg, n = 63) of BM32 in year 1, respectively, followed by a booster injection in autumn. In the second year, all actively treated subjects received 3 preseasonal injections of the BM32 low dose, and placebo-treated subjects continued with placebo. Clinical efficacy was assessed by using combined symptom medication scores, visual analog scales, Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaires, and asthma symptom scores. Adverse events were graded according to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Allergen-specific antibodies were determined by using ELISA, ImmunoCAP, and ImmunoCAP ISAC. RESULTS: Although statistical significance regarding the primary end point was not reached, BM32-treated subjects, when compared with placebo-treated subjects, showed an improvement regarding symptom medication, visual analog scale, Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, and asthma symptom scores in both treatment years. This was accompanied by an induction of allergen-specific IgG without induction of allergen-specific IgE and a reduction in the seasonally induced increase in allergen-specific IgE levels in year 2. In the first year, more grade 2 reactions were observed in the active (n = 6) versus placebo (n = 1) groups, whereas there was almost no difference in the second year. CONCLUSIONS: Injections of BM32 induced allergen-specific IgG, improved clinical symptoms of seasonal grass pollen allergy, and were well tolerated.

Type III hypersensitivity reactions to a B cell epitope antigen are abrogated using a depot forming vaccine platform.

Peptide antigens are combined with an adjuvant in order to increase immunogenicity in vivo. The immunogenicity and safety of a RSV vaccine formulated in a novel oil-based platform, DepoVax™ (DPX), was compared to an alum formulation. A peptide B cell epitope derived from RSV small hydrophobic ectodomain (SHe) served as the antigen. Both vaccines induced SHe-specific antibodies after immunization of mice. A single dose of the DPX-based formulation resulted in anti-SHe titres for up to 20 weeks. Boosting with Alum-SHe, but not with DPX-SHe, led to unexpected clinical signs such as decreased activity, cyanosis and drop in body temperature in mice but not in rabbits. The severity of adverse reactions correlated with magnitude of SHe-specific IgG immune responses and decreased complement component 3 plasma levels, indicating a type III hypersensitivity reaction. By RP-HPLC analysis, we found that only 8-20% of the antigen was found to be adsorbed to alum in vitro, indicating that this antigen is likely released systemically upon injection in vivo. Clinical signs were not observed in rabbits, indicating the response correlates with peptide dose relative to size of animal. These results suggest that peptide antigens targeted to produce B cell mediated response may result in increased incidence of type III hypersensitivity reactions when delivered in non-depot forming vaccines. The DPX formulation induced strong antibody titres to the antigen without causing adverse events, likely due to the strength of the depot in vivo, and demonstrates the potential safety and immunogenicity of this platform for B cell peptide antigens.

Evaluation of Protective Efficacy of Selected Immunodominant B-Cell Epitopes within Virulent Surface Proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Four previously identified immunodominant B-cell epitopes, located within known virulent pneumococcal proteins CbpD, PhtD, PhtE, and ZmpB, had shown promising in vivo immunological characteristics, indicating their potential to be used as vaccine antigens. In this study, we further evaluated the opsonophagocytic activity of antibodies against these epitopes and their capacity to protect mice from pneumococcal sepsis. An opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPKA) revealed that OPKA titers of human anti-peptide antibodies against pneumococcal serotypes 1, 3, and 19A were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those of the control sera, suggesting their functional potential against virulent clinical isolates. Data obtained from mice actively immunized with any of the selected epitope analogues or with a mixture of these (G_Mix group) showed, compared to controls, enhanced survival against the highly virulent pneumococcal serotype 3 (P < 0.001). Moreover, passive transfer of hyperimmune serum from G_Mix to naive mice also conferred protection to a lethal challenge with serotype 3, which demonstrates that the observed protection was antibody mediated. All immunized murine groups elicited gradually higher antibody titers and avidity, suggesting a maturation of immune response over time. Among the tested peptides, PhD_pep19 and PhtE_pep40 peptides, which reside within the zinc-binding domains of PhtD and PhtE proteins, exhibited superior immunological characteristics. Recently it has been shown that zinc uptake is of high importance for the virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae; thus, our findings suggest that these epitopes deserve further evaluation as novel immunoreactive components for the development of a polysaccharide-independent pneumococcal vaccine.

Exploring Leishmania secretory proteins to design B and T cell multi-epitope subunit vaccine using immunoinformatics approach.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal form of leishmaniasis which affects 70 countries, worldwide. Increasing drug resistance, HIV co-infection, and poor health system require operative vaccination strategy to control the VL transmission dynamics. Therefore, a holistic approach is needed to generate T and B memory cells to mediate long-term immunity against VL infection. Consequently, immunoinformatics approach was applied to design Leishmania secretory protein based multi-epitope subunit vaccine construct consisting of B and T cell epitopes. Further, the physiochemical characterization was performed to check the aliphatic index, theoretical PI, molecular weight, and thermostable nature of vaccine construct. The allergenicity and antigenicity were also predicted to ensure the safety and immunogenic behavior of final vaccine construct. Moreover, homology modeling, followed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation study was also performed to evaluate the binding affinity and stability of receptor (TLR-4) and ligand (vaccine protein) complex. This study warrants the experimental validation to ensure the immunogenicity and safety profile of presented vaccine construct which may be further helpful to control VL infection.

Expression, purification and epitope analysis of Pla a 3 allergen from Platanus acerifolia pollen.

Platanus acerifolia (P. acerifolia) is an important cause of pollinosis in cities. The use of allergen extracts on patients with allergic diseases is the most commonly applied method to attempt to treat pollinosis. Pla a 3, a non­specific lipid transfer protein, is a major allergen present in P. acerifolia pollen extracts. In the present study, the Pla a 3 gene was sub­cloned into a pSUMO­Mut vector using Stu I and Xho I sites and transformed into the Arctic Express™ (DE3) RP E. coli host strain. The purified Pla a 3 allergen was analyzed by western blotting and the results revealed that the Pla a 3 allergen has the ability to bind IgE in the P. acerifolia pollen of allergic patients' sera. Moreover, the authors predicted the potential B cell epitopes of the Pla a 3 allergen using the DNAStar Protean system, the Bioinformatics Predicted Antigenic Peptides system and the BepiPred 1.0 server. In addition, the T cell epitopes were predicted by the SYFPEITHI database and the NetMHCII­2.2 server. As a result, two B cell epitopes (35­45 and 81­86) and four potential T cell epitopes including 2­15, 45­50, 55­61 and 67­73 were predicted in the present study. The current results can be used to contribute to allergen immunotherapies and useful in peptide­based vaccine designs of pollen allergy.

Evaluation of a DNA Aß42 Vaccine in Aged NZW Rabbits: Antibody Kinetics and Immune Profile after Intradermal Immunization with Full-Length DNA Aß42 Trimer.

A pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloid plaques in the brain consisting of aggregated amyloid-ß 42 peptide (Aß42) derived from cellular amyloid-ß protein precursor (AßPP). Based on successful experiments in mouse AD models, active immunization with Aß42 peptide and passive immunizations with anti-Aß42 antibodies were started in clinical trials. Active Aß42 peptide immunization in humans had led to an inflammatory autoimmune response, and the trial was stopped. Passive immunizations had shown some effects in slowing AD pathology. Active DNA Aß42 immunizations administered with the gene gun into the skin elicits a different immune response and is non-inflammatory. While in rodents, good responses had been found for this type of immunization, positive results in larger mammals are missing. We present here results from sixteen New Zealand White Rabbits, which underwent intradermal DNA Aß42 immunization via gene gun. The humoral immune response was analyzed from blood throughout the study, and cellular immune responses were determined from spleens at the end of the study. A good anti-Aß antibody response was found in the rabbit model. The T cell response after re-stimulation in cell culture showed no IFNγ producing cells when ELISPOT assays were analyzed from PBMC, but low numbers of IFNγ and IL-17 producing cells were found in ELISPOTS from spleens (both 5 immunizations). Brains from immunized rabbits showed no signs of encephalitis. Based on these results, DNA Aß42 immunization is highly likely to be safe and effective to test in a possible clinical AD prevention trial in patients.

In silico analyses of heat shock protein 60 and calreticulin to designing a novel vaccine shifting immune response toward T helper 2 in atherosclerosis.

Recent experiments demonstrated that atherosclerosis is a Th1 dominant autoimmune condition, whereas Th2 cells are rarely detected within the atherosclerotic lesions. Several studies have indicated that Th2 type cytokines could be effective in the reduction and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. Therefore, the modulation of the adaptive immune response by shifting immune responses toward Th2 cells by a novel vaccine could represent a promising approach to prevent from progression and thromboembolic events in coronary artery disease. In the present study, an in silico approach was applied to design a novel multi-epitope vaccine to elicit a desirable immune response against atherosclerosis. Six novel IL-4 inducing epitopes were selected from HSP60 and calreticulin proteins. To enhance epitope presentation, IL-4 inducing epitopes were linked together by AAY and HEYGAEALERAG linkers. In addition, helper epitopes selected from Tetanus toxin fragment C (TTFrC) were applied to induce CD4+ helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) responses. Moreover, cholera toxin B (CTB) was employed as an adjuvant. A multi-epitope construct was designed based on predicted epitopes which was 320 residues in length. Then, the physico-chemical properties, secondary and tertiary structures, stability, intrinsic protein disorder, solubility and allergenicity of this chimeric protein were analyzed using bioinformatics tools and servers. Based on bioinformatics analysis, a soluble, and non-allergic protein with 35.405kDa molecular weight was designed. Expasy ProtParam classified this chimeric protein as a stable protein. In addition, predicted epitopes in the chimeric vaccine indicated strong potential to induce B-cell mediated immune response and shift immune responses toward protective Th2 immune response. Various in silico analyses indicate that this vaccine is a qualified candidate for improvement of atherosclerosis by inducing immune responses toward T helper 2.

A B Cell Epitope Peptide Derived from the Major Grass Pollen Allergen Phl p 1 Boosts Allergen-Specific Secondary Antibody Responses without Allergen-Specific T Cell Help.

More than 40% of allergic patients suffer from grass pollen allergy. Phl p 1, the major timothy grass pollen allergen, belongs to the cross-reactive group 1 grass pollen allergens that are thought to initiate allergic sensitization to grass pollen. Repeated allergen encounter boosts allergen-specific IgE production and enhances clinical sensitivity in patients. To investigate immunological mechanisms underlying the boosting of allergen-specific secondary IgE Ab responses and the allergen epitopes involved, a murine model for Phl p 1 was established. A B cell epitope-derived peptide of Phl p 1 devoid of allergen-specific T cell epitopes, as recognized by BALB/c mice, was fused to an allergen-unrelated carrier in the form of a recombinant fusion protein and used for sensitization. This fusion protein allowed the induction of allergen-specific IgE Ab responses without allergen-specific T cell help. Allergen-specific Ab responses were subsequently boosted with molecules containing the B cell epitope-derived peptide without carrier or linked to other allergen-unrelated carriers. Oligomeric peptide bound to a carrier different from that which had been used for sensitization boosted allergen-specific secondary IgE responses without a detectable allergen-specific T cell response. Our results indicate that allergen-specific secondary IgE Ab responses can be boosted by repetitive B cell epitopes without allergen-specific T cell help by cross-linking of the B cell epitope receptor. This finding has important implications for the design of new allergy vaccines.

Mechanisms, safety and efficacy of a B cell epitope-based vaccine for immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy.

BACKGROUND: We have developed a recombinant B cell epitope-based vaccine (BM32) for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) of grass pollen allergy. The vaccine contains recombinant fusion proteins consisting of allergen-derived peptides and the hepatitis B surface protein domain preS as immunological carrier. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled AIT study to determine safety, clinical efficacy and immunological mechanism of three subcutaneous injections of three BM32 doses adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide versus aluminum hydroxide (placebo) applied monthly to grass pollen allergic patients (n=70). Primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in total nasal symptom score (TNSS) through grass pollen chamber exposure before treatment and 4weeks after the last injection. Secondary clinical endpoints were total ocular symptom score (TOSS) and allergen-specific skin response evaluated by titrated skin prick testing (SPT) at the same time points. Treatment-related side effects were evaluated as safety endpoints. Changes in allergen-specific antibody, cellular and cytokine responses were measured in patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients completed the trial. TNSS significantly decreased with mean changes of -1.41 (BM32/20µg) (P=0.03) and -1.34 (BM32/40µg) (P=0.003) whereas mean changes in the BM32/10µg and placebo group were not significant. TOSS and SPT reactions showed a dose-dependent decrease. No systemic immediate type side effects were observed. Only few grade 1 systemic late phase reactions occurred in BM32 treated patients. The number of local injection site reactions was similar in actively and placebo-treated patients. BM32 induced highly significant allergen-specific IgG responses (P<0.0001) but no allergen-specific IgE. Allergen-induced basophil activation was reduced in BM32 treated patients and addition of therapy-induced IgG significantly suppressed T cell activation (P=0.0063). CONCLUSION: The B cell epitope-based recombinant grass pollen allergy vaccine BM32 is well tolerated and few doses are sufficient to suppress immediate allergic reactions as well as allergen-specific T cell responses via a selective induction of allergen-specific IgG antibodies. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01445002.).

The conformational IgE epitope profile of soya bean allergen Gly m 4.

BACKGROUND: Birch pollen-related soya allergy is mediated by Gly m 4. Conformational IgE epitopes of Gly m 4 are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify the IgE epitope profile of Gly m 4 in subjects with birch pollen-related soya allergy utilizing an epitope library presented by Gly m 4-type model proteins. METHODS: Sera from patients with (n = 26) and without (n = 19) allergy to soya as determined by oral provocation tests were studied. Specific IgE (Bet v 1/Gly m 4) was determined by ImmunoCAP. A library of 59 non-allergenic Gly m 4-type model proteins harbouring individual and multiple putative epitopes for IgE was tested in IgE binding assays. Primary, secondary and tertiary protein structures were assessed by mass spectrometry, circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: All subjects were sensitized to Gly m 4 and Bet v 1. Allergen-specific serum IgE levels ranged from 0.94 to > 100 kUA /L. The avidities of serum IgE were 5.06 ng (allergic) and 1.8 ng (tolerant) as determined by EC50 for IgE binding to Gly m 4. 96% (46/48) of the protein variants bound IgE. Model proteins had Gly m 4-type conformation and individual IgE binding clustered in six major surface areas. Gly m 4-specific IgE binding could be inhibited to up to 80% by model proteins harbouring individual IgE binding sites in an epitope-wise equimolar fashion. Receiver operating curve analysis revealed an area under fitted curve of up to 0.88 for model proteins and 0.66 for Gly m 4. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum levels and avidity of Gly m 4-specific IgE do not correlate with clinical reactivity to soya. Six IgE-binding areas, represented by 23 amino acids, account for more than 80% of total IgE binding capacity of Gly m 4. Model proteins may be used for epitope-resolved diagnosis to differentiate birch-soya allergy from clinical tolerance.

A single mouse monoclonal antibody, E58 modulates multiple IgE epitopes on group 1 cedar pollen allergens.

We recently described a dominant role for conformational epitopes on the group 1 allergen of the mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei, Cupressaceae), Jun a 1, in pollen hypersensitivity in South Central U.S.A. Since these epitopes are surface exposed and are likely to be flexible, they may be susceptible to molecular or physical perturbations. This may make Jun a 1 a potential target for new forms of therapy for cedar pollinosis. Here, we describe a mouse monoclonal antibody, termed E58, which binds to the group 1 allergens of the cedar pollens from three highly populated regions of the world (central U.S.A., France and Japan). Upon binding to these allergens, E58 strongly reduces the binding of patient's IgE antibodies to these dominant allergens. This characteristic of E58, and potentially other similar antibodies, suggests an opportunity to develop preventative or therapeutic agents that may inhibit cedar pollen sensitization or prevent their allergic reactions.

Immunisation With Immunodominant Linear B Cell Epitopes Vaccine of Manganese Transport Protein C Confers Protection against Staphylococcus aureus Infection.

Vaccination strategies for Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections have attracted much research attention. Recent efforts have been made to select manganese transport protein C, or manganese binding surface lipoprotein C (MntC), which is a metal ion associated with pathogen nutrition uptake, as potential candidates for an S. aureus vaccine. Although protective humoral immune responses to MntC are well-characterised, much less is known about detailed MntC-specific B cell epitope mapping and particularly epitope vaccines, which are less-time consuming and more convenient. In this study, we generated a recombinant protein rMntC which induced strong antibody response when used for immunisation with CFA/IFA adjuvant. On the basis of the results, linear B cell epitopes within MntC were finely mapped using a series of overlapping synthetic peptides. Further studies indicate that MntC113-136, MntC209-232, and MntC263-286 might be the original linear B-cell immune dominant epitope of MntC, furthermore, three-dimensional (3-d) crystal structure results indicate that the three immunodominant epitopes were displayed on the surface of the MntC antigen. On the basis of immunodominant MntC113-136, MntC209-232, and MntC263-286 peptides, the epitope vaccine for S. aureus induces a high antibody level which is biased to TH2 and provides effective immune protection and strong opsonophagocytic killing activity in vitro against MRSA infection. In summary, the study provides strong proof of the optimisation of MRSA B cell epitope vaccine designs and their use, which was based on the MntC antigen in the development of an MRSA vaccine.