Characterizing Complex Polysera Produced by Antigen-Specific Immunization through the Use of Affinity-Selected Mimotopes

Galina Denisova, Dimitri Denisov, Carole Evelegh, Michaela Weissgram, Jochen Beck, Stephen Ronan Foley and Jonathan Lorne Bramson

PLOS ONE, 2009, vol. 4, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Antigen-based (as opposed to whole organism) vaccines are actively being pursued for numerous indications. Even though different formulations may produce similar levels of total antigen-specific antibody, the composition of the antibody response can be quite distinct resulting in different levels of therapeutic activity. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using plasmid-based immunization against the proto-oncogene HER-2 as a model, we have demonstrated that affinity-selected epitope mimetics (mimotopes) can provide a defined signature of a polyclonal antibody response. Further, using novel computer algorithms that we have developed, these mimotopes can be used to predict epitope targets. Conclusions/Significance: By combining our novel strategy with existing methods of epitope prediction based on physical properties of an individual protein, we believe that this method offers a robust method for characterizing the breadth of epitope-specificity within a specific polyserum. This strategy is useful as a tool for monitoring immunity following vaccination and can also be used to define relevant epitopes for the creation of novel vaccines.

Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0005309

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005309

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