随机肽库筛选弓形虫特异性抗原表位诱导保护性免疫的研究

目的　从噬菌体随机肽库中筛选出模拟弓形虫特异性抗原表位的短肽分子 ,并探讨其对弓形虫的保护性效果。方法　以纯化的弓形虫免疫兔血清IgG为配基 ,亲和筛选法富集特异性噬菌体 ,随机挑取噬菌体克隆用夹心ELISA法和Dot-ELISA法检测其特异性 ,混合 4个阳性克隆免疫小鼠 ,1月后攻击感染 ,观察小鼠发病时间和死亡时间。结果　经 3轮筛选 ,特异性噬菌体得到了有效富集 ,第 3轮洗脱噬菌体的产量为第 1轮的 16 7倍 ,随机挑取 2 7个噬菌体经Dot -Bloting和夹心ELISA法检测 ,有 2 4个能与弓形虫免疫兔血清及单克隆抗体特异反应。用致死量弓形虫攻击感染经阳性克隆免疫的小鼠 ,存活时间明显长于对照组。结论　免疫筛选噬菌体随机多肽库可获得具有保护性的弓形虫抗原表位 ,为弓形虫疫苗研制提供了新途径。     

噬菌体表达短肽模拟旋毛虫抗原表位及其抗血吸虫保护性免疫研究

目的　从噬菌体随机肽库中筛选出模拟旋毛虫特异性抗原表位的短肽分子 ,探讨其抗血吸虫的交叉免疫保护效果。　方法　以纯化的旋毛虫感染鼠血清IgG为配基 ,亲合筛选法富集特异性噬菌体 ,随机挑取噬菌体克隆用ELISA检测其特异性 ;混合噬菌体克隆经皮下免疫小鼠 3次 ,攻击感染后第 4 5天剖杀小鼠 ,观察减虫和减卵效果。　结果　经 3轮筛选 ,特异性噬菌体得到了有效的富集 ,第三轮洗脱噬菌体的产量约为第一轮的 15 0倍。随机挑取 2 4个噬菌体克隆经ELISA测定 ,有 2 1个克隆能与旋毛虫感染鼠血清IgG特异性反应。与对照组相比 ,混合噬菌体克隆免疫小鼠的减虫率与减卵率分别为 4 2 8%与 6 6 3% (P <0 0 0 1)。　结论　利用噬菌体随机肽库技术可获得模拟旋毛虫特异性抗原表位的短肽分子 ,这些短肽分子能诱导明显的抗血吸虫的保护性免疫。     

噬菌体表达短肽模拟血吸虫致弱尾蚴特异性抗原表位的研究

目的　从噬菌体随机肽库中筛选模拟血吸虫致弱尾蚴特异性抗原表位的噬菌体克隆 ,并探讨其免疫保护效果。方法　用紫外线致弱尾蚴免疫兔血清IgG筛选以融合蛋白形式在丝状噬菌体外壳蛋白Ⅲ表达的随机 7肽库 ,三轮免疫筛选后获得的噬菌体克隆经皮下免疫小鼠 3次 ,攻击感染 45d后剖杀 ,观察减虫和减卵效果。结果　经三轮筛选 ,特异性结合的噬菌体富集增加了 10 0多倍 ,随机挑取 2 4个噬菌体克隆经ELISA测定 ,有 2 2个克隆能与致弱尾蚴免疫兔血清IgG特异性反应。混合噬菌体克隆免疫小鼠试验的减虫率与减卵率分别为 33.5 7%和 5 6 .0 7% (P均 <0 .0 0 1)。结论　采用噬菌体随机肽库技术可获得模拟致弱尾蚴特异性抗原表位的短肽分子 ,这些短肽分子能诱导一定程度的保护性免疫     

Characterization of autoantigenic epitopes on platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa using random peptide libraries

Most patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) have autoantibodies directed against the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex. We have used a filamentous phage library that displays random linear hexapeptides to identify peptide sequences recognized by these autoantibodies. Plasma antibody eluates from two patients were used to select for phage displaying autoantibody-reactive peptides. From patient ITP-1 (known to have two distinct autoantibodies), we identified anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-specific phage encoding the peptide sequences Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala-Lys-Trp (REKAKW) and Pro-Val-Val-Trp-Lys-Asn (PVVWKN). Patient ITP-2 bound phage encoding the hexapeptide sequence Arg-Glu-Leu-Leu-Lys-Met. Each phage showed saturable dose-dependent binding to immobilized autoantibody, and binding could be blocked with purified GPIIb/IIIa. Patient ITP-1 autoantibody recognition of phage encoding REKAKW could be blocked with a synthetic peptide derived from the GPIIIa cytoplasmic tail; however, the PVVWKN was not. Using sequential overlapping peptides from the GPIIIa cytoplasmic region, an epitope for ITP-1 was localized to the sequence Arg-Ala-Arg-Ala-Lys-Trp (GPIIIa 734-739). Inhibition studies using synthetic peptides showed that phage REKAKW and PVVWKN were recognized by distinct autoantibodies from patient ITP-1. To determine whether individual patients with ITP possessed autoantibodies that recognize similar antigenic determinants on GPIIb/IIIa, the three phage were tested for binding to five other ITP patient autoantibodies. The phage encoding the peptide PVVWKN was found to bind ITP-1 and one other patient autoantibody. This result suggests that ITP patients recognize a limited number of shared epitopes.     

Isolation of peptides useful for differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND: Phage displayed random peptide technology has been utilised to identify binding epitopes of antibodies or receptor ligands. Aim: To isolates peptides from a phage library which are specifically recognised by antibodies in serum from patients with Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: A phage displayed random peptide library composed of nine amino acids was established and sequentially screened using serum immunogloblin G obtained from CD patients. RESULTS: Five different CD specific peptides were isolated from the phage library. No homology in amino acid sequences was observed among four (CDP-1, -3 to -5) of the five peptides exhibiting different binding characteristics with each CD patient's serum. In contrast, two peptides (CDP-1 and -2) had similar amino acid sequences and similar binding characteristics. Four multiple antigenic peptides (MAP, CDP-1, -3 to -5) were synthesised, and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the four peptides was developed to detect serum antibodies against them. Fifty two of 92 CD patients (56.5%) were detected by ELISA, none of 20 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, only one of 25 duodenal ulcer patients, and only three of 48 healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: ELISA using the four peptides isolated in this study may be useful for the differential diagnosis of CD and UC.     

Isolation of peptides that inhibit binding of basic fibroblast growth factor to its receptor from a random phage-epitope library.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is known to bind to its cell-surface receptors with high affinity and in a heparin-dependent manner. In an attempt to predict the receptor recognition site on bFGF we screened phage-epitope libraries with monoclonal antibodies DG2 and DE6, which inhibit bFGF binding to its receptor. On the affinity-isolated phages, we identified several peptide sequences as the putative antibody-binding epitopes on bFGF. The identified library epitopes shared the consensus sequence Pro-(Pro/Ser)-Gly-His-(Tyr/Phe)-Lys, corresponding to two continuous protein sequences of bFGF: Pro-Pro-Gly-His-Phe-Lys and Arg-Thr-Gly-Gln-Tyr-Lys at amino acids 13-18 and 120-125 of bFGF, respectively. Synthetic peptides of the corresponding phage epitopes or of the above bFGF sequences specifically inhibited binding of the antibodies to bFGF, blocked binding of bFGF to its high-affinity receptor, and inhibited basal and bFGF-induced proliferation of vascular endothelial cells at submicromolar peptide concentrations. The potent inhibition of bFGF binding and biological activity by peptides recognized by the antibodies suggests that these sequences are functionally involved in receptor binding and may constitute part of the receptor-binding determinants on bFGF.     

人类白细胞抗原-B*2704/B*2705重链拮抗肽的筛选和初步鉴定

目的 从噬菌体展示随机12肽库筛选人类白细胞抗原(HLA)-B·2704及B·2705重链拮抗肽并做初步鉴定.方法 用HLA-B*2704/B*2705重链胞外区蛋白分别筛选噬菌体展爪随机肽库,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)鉴定阳性克隆,DNA测定确定氨基酸序列,免疫荧光和流式细胞术鉴 ,定噬菌体克隆分别与HLA-B*2704及B*2705细胞株结合的特异性.结果 经3轮筛选,获得12个HLA-B·2704拈抗肽,共有5种序列,分别为HTSFCSTHLCLI(×4),QHCSPTLCQIHR(×5),ARCTITL-CYLSN(×1),YGLCTDWYCHIT(×1),YPLCDAILCRLP(×1);10个B*2705拮抗肽共有4种序列,分别为:①SHCSPHWCALPF(×6);②HLCSNSLCLLPW(×2);③EPMCSWFWCTLP(×1);④WTCSPLLCTWGA(×1).比对分析表明,B*2704与B*2705拮抗肽的序列是基本一致的,均含有CS(T)TXXL(W)CXL表位.展示有B*2704拮抗肽的噬菌体克隆可与HLA-B*2704细胞株结合,阳性率为43.55%;而B*2705拈抗肽噬菌体克隆与HLA-B·2705细胞株的阳性结合率为45.69%.结论 筛选获得的HLA-B27拈抗肽的噬菌体克隆具有一定的亲和力,可与表达于细胞株表面的B*2704和B**2705分子特异性结合,而与正常B细胞不结合,因而表现出一定的结合特异性.     

Evidence for unpredicted transmembrane domains in acetylcholine receptor subunits.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs 236 and 237) against a synthetic peptide composed of the same amino acid residues as the sequence 152-167 of the alpha subunit of the acetylcholine receptor were obtained, and their crossreaction with the synthetic peptide, alpha subunit, and solubilized receptor was demonstrated. Crossreaction with the synthetic peptide alpha 159-169 was less by a factor of 10(4), suggesting that the mAbs bind primarily to the sequence alpha 152-159. Cholinergic ligands did not inhibit mAb binding. No crossreaction was observed with the receptor in native membranes, but the mAbs could bind to receptor reconstituted into liposomes in which 50% of the receptors have their cytoplasmic surface oriented outside. When native membranes were permeabilized with saponin, mAbs directed against cytoplasmic determinants of the receptor could bind to them, but mAbs 236 and 237 could not. However, after treatments that removed peripheral proteins from the cytoplasmic surface, binding of both mAbs was observed. Further evidence for the cytoplasmic localization of this sequence was provided by observation of partial competition for binding between mAbs 236 and 237 and mAbs previously demonstrated to bind to the cytoplasmic surface of the receptor. To account for these findings, a model for the organization of the polypeptide chains in receptor subunits is proposed that has a total of seven transmembrane domains in each subunit, two of which are amphipathic and one of which is not alpha-helical.     

Anti-peptide aptamers recognize amino acid sequence and bind a protein epitope.

In vitro selection of nucleic acid binding species (aptamers) is superficially similar to the immune response. Both processes produce biopolymers that can recognize targets with high affinity and specificity. While antibodies are known to recognize the sequence and conformation of protein surface features (epitopes), very little is known about the precise interactions between aptamers and their epitopes. Therefore, aptamers that could recognize a particular epitope, a peptide fragment of human immunodeficiency virus type I Rev, were selected from a random sequence RNA pool. Several of the selected RNAs could bind the free peptide more tightly than a natural RNA ligand, the Rev-binding element. In accord with the hypothesis that protein and nucleic acid binding cusps are functionally similar, interactions between aptamers and the peptide target could be disrupted by sequence substitutions. Moreover, the aptamers appeared to be able to bind peptides with different solution conformations, implying an induced fit mechanism for binding. Just as anti-peptide antibodies can sometimes recognize the corresponding epitope when presented in a protein, the anti-peptide aptamers were found to specifically bind to Rev.     

Identification of a hexapeptide that mimics a conformation-dependent binding site of acetylcholine receptor by use of a phage-epitope library.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) 5.5 is directed against the ligand-binding site of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The epitope for this antibody is conformation-dependent, and the antibody does not react with synthetic peptides derived from the receptor sequence. We have identified a ligand peptide that mimics this conformation-dependent epitope from a phage-epitope library composed of filamentous phage displaying random hexapeptides. Among 38 positive phage clones, individually selected from the library, 34 positive clones carried the sequence Asp-Leu-Val-Trp-Leu-Leu (DLVWLL), 1 positive clone had the sequence Asp-Ile-Val-Trp-Leu-Leu (DIVWLL), and 3 positive clones expressed the sequence Leu-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Leu (LIEWLL), none of which are significantly homologous with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha subunit sequence. All of these phages bind specifically to mAb 5.5. The synthetic peptide DLVWLL inhibits binding of mAb 5.5 to the related peptide-presenting phage and to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a concentration-dependent manner; the IC50 value is of the order of 10(-4) M. Bioactivity of the peptide "mimotope" DLVWLL was demonstrated in vivo in hatched chickens by inhibition of the mAb 5.5 effect by the peptide. The neuromuscular block and myasthenia gravis-like symptoms that are induced in chicken by passive transfer of mAb 5.5 were specifically abolished by DLVWLL. This study shows the potential of a random peptide phage-epitope library for selecting a mimotope for an antibody that recognizes a folded form of the protein, where peptides from the linear amino acid sequence of the protein are not applicable.     

Antibodies that neutralize human beta interferon biologic activity recognize a linear epitope: analysis by synthetic peptide mapping.

The location of biologically relevant epitopes on recombinant human beta interferon in which Ser-17 replaces Cys-17 (rh[Ser17]IFN-beta) was evaluated by testing the immunoreactivity of antibodies against 159 sequential, overlapping octamer peptides. Three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that neutralize rh[Ser17]IFN-beta biologic activity, designated A1, A5, and A7, bound to peptides spanning only residues 39-48, whereas nonneutralizing mAb bound less specifically at multiple sites near the amino terminus. The immunoreactivity of peptides spanning residues 40-47 that contained a series of single amino acid substitutions suggested that residues 41-43 (Pro-Glu-Glu) and 46 (Gln) are important for the binding of neutralizing mAbs. The reactivity of mAbs to larger synthetic peptides containing rh[Ser17]IFN-beta sequences from residue 32 through residue 56 was evaluated. All mAbs except A7 reacted with synthetic peptides representing rh[Ser17]IFN-beta residues 32-47, 40-56, and 32-56, but only mAbs A1 and A5 bound to the core peptide composed of residues 40-47. Peptide 32-56 effectively blocked the binding of mAbs A1 and A5 to rh[Ser17]IFN-beta and markedly inhibited their neutralizing activity. Biologic activity of the peptides was undetectable. Rabbit antisera raised against peptides 32-47 and 40-56 recognized rh[Ser17]IFN-beta but did not neutralize its antiviral activity. Thus, structure-function analysis by peptide mapping has permitted the identification of a linear epitope recognized by neutralizing antibody on a biologically active cytokine. We conclude that the region spanning residues 32-56 is of major importance in the expression of the biologic activity of human IFN-beta.     

Epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies specific to serovar of Leptospira, using phage display technique

Random heptapeptide library displayed by bacteriophage T7 was used to characterize epitopes of five monoclonal antibodies that were specific to L. australis, L. bangkok, and L. bratislava. Phages selected by biopanning were cloned by plaque isolation, and the binding specificity of individual clones was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, before being further amplified and checked for phage peptide sequence using PCR and DNA sequencing. Almost all of the peptide epitopes were continuous or linear. Interestingly, in phages reacting with the monoclonal antibody (MAb) clones F11, F20, 2C3D4, and 8C6C4A12, the deduced amino acid sequence of the displayed peptides corresponded to a segment of hypothetical protein of the Leptospira genome (L. interrogans serovar Lai and Copenhageni). Considering the deduced amino acid sequences of phages reacting with the MAb clones F11, F20, 2C3D4, and 8C6C4A12, the consensus motif -SKSSRC-, -TLINIF-, -SSKSYR- and -CTPKKSGRC- appeared respectively. No similarity was observed among phage reacting with the MAb clone F21. The results demonstrate that T7 phage display technique has potential for epitope mapping of leptospiral MAbs, and for rapid analysis of the interactions between phage display peptides with the MAb. The finding of a phage peptide that binds to MAb with protective activity can be further tested as a candidate for leptospirosis vaccine in the future.     

A family of concanavalin A-binding peptides from a hexapeptide epitope library.

The lectin concanavalin A (Con A) binds methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside (Me alpha Man) as well as alpha-D-mannosyl groups at the nonreducing terminus of oligosaccharides. Ligand peptides that mimic the binding of Me alpha Man to Con A were identified from screening an epitope library composed of filamentous phage displaying random hexapeptides. A consensus sequence was identified among affinity-purified phage; Con A binds phage bearing this sequence and is inhibited from doing so by Me alpha Man. When tested for binding against a panel of lectins, phage bearing this sequence bind only weakly to a closely related D-mannose-binding lectin, indicating that binding to Con A is highly selective. A synthetic peptide bearing the consensus sequence blocks the precipitation of Con A by dextran with an inhibition strength equivalent to that of methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside. These results demonstrate that the specificity of Con A is not limited to carbohydrates and that highly selective sugar-mimics for lectins of plant, animal, or bacterial origin may be identified from epitope libraries.     

Prevention of passively transferred experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by a phage library-derived cyclic peptide

Many pathogenic antibodies in myasthenia gravis (MG) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG), are directed against the main immunogenic region (MIR) of the acetylcholine receptor (AcChoR). These antibodies are highly conformation dependent; hence, linear peptides derived from native receptor sequences are poor candidates for their immunoneutralization. We employed a phage-epitope library to identify peptide-mimotopes capable of preventing the pathogenicity of the anti-MIR mAb 198. We identified a 15-mer peptide (PMTLPENYFSERPYH) that binds specifically to mAb 198 and inhibits its binding to AcChoR. A 10-fold increase in the affinity of this peptide was achieved by incorporating flanking amino acid residues from the coat protein as present in the original phage library. This extended peptide (AEPMTLPENYFSERPYHPPPP) was constrained by the addition of cysteine residues on both ends of the peptide, thus generating a cyclic peptide that inhibited the binding of mAb 198 to AcChoR with a potency that is three orders of magnitude higher when compared with the parent library peptide. This cyclic peptide inhibited the in vitro binding of mAb 198 to AcChoR and prevented the antigenic modulation of AcChoR caused by mAb 198 in human muscle cell cultures. The cyclic peptide also reacted with several other anti-MIR mAbs and the sera of EAMG rats. In addition, this peptide blocked the ability of mAb 198 to passively transfer EAMG in rats. Further derivatization of the cyclic peptide may aid in the design of suitable synthetic mimotopes for modulation of MG.     

Localization of the main immunogenic region of human muscle acetylcholine receptor to residues 67-76 of the alpha subunit.

The majority of antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AcChoR), both in the human disease myasthenia gravis and in its experimental models, are directed against an extracellular area of the AcChoR alpha subunit called the main immunogenic region (MIR). We have studied the binding of anti-AcChoR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to 26 synthetic peptides corresponding to the hydrophilic parts of the human AcChoR alpha subunit. The binding sites for eight anti-MIR mAbs and for eight anti-alpha-subunit, non-anti-MIR mAbs were localized. Anti-MIR mAbs bound to one peptide corresponding to residues 63-80 of the human alpha subunit. A second panel of peptides corresponding to the various parts of the alpha-subunit segment 63-80 was synthesized. Anti-MIR antibodies bound to a peptide that contained the alpha-subunit sequence 67-76. Thus, a main constituent loop of the MIR is localized between residues 67 and 76 of the alpha subunit.     

ORFeome Phage Display Reveals a Major Immunogenic Epitope on the S2 Subdomain of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

The development of antibody therapies against SARS-CoV-2 remains a challenging task during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All approved therapeutic antibodies are directed against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike, and therefore lose neutralization efficacy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, which frequently mutate in the RBD region. Previously, phage display has been used to identify epitopes of antibody responses against several diseases. Such epitopes have been applied to design vaccines or neutralize antibodies. Here, we constructed an ORFeome phage display library for the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Open reading frames (ORFs) representing the SARS-CoV-2 genome were displayed on the surface of phage particles in order to identify enriched immunogenic epitopes from COVID-19 patients. Library quality was assessed by both NGS and epitope mapping of a monoclonal antibody with a known binding site. The most prominent epitope captured represented parts of the fusion peptide (FP) of the spike. It is associated with the cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell; the serine protease TMPRSS2 cleaves the spike within this sequence. Blocking this mechanism could be a potential target for non-RBD binding therapeutic anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. As mutations within the FP amino acid sequence have been rather rare among SARS-CoV-2 variants so far, this may provide an advantage in the fight against future virus variants.     

Fine Characterization of a Series of New Monoclonal Antibodies Directed against Glycophorin A

Objectives: Glycophorins A (GPA) and B (GPB) are the major sialoglycoproteins of the human erythrocyte (RBC) membrane. To prepare tools for the analysis of GPA and GPB, we produced a series of new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that identified epitopes of GPA. Methods: Seven murine monoclonal antibodies directed to glycophorin A (GPA) were fully characterized by agglutination of untreated and enzyme-treated human erythrocytes, inhibition of agglutination using chemically modified glycophorins and peptides from GPA, immunoblotting, and binding to synthetic peptides on plastic pins. Results: The antibodies identify epitopes located on four different portions of GPA: (1) NaM13-6D2 binds to the N-terminal portion of GPA and GPB carrying the N blood group antigen; (2) NaM26-3F4 recognizes the homologous portion of GPA and GPB corresponding to their amino acids 6-26; (3) NaM10-2H12, NaM16-IB10 and NaM10-6G4 are specific for the amino acid sequence 38-45 of GPA; and (4) NaM37-5F4 and NaM13-4E4 bind to the amino acid residues 119-124 located on the intracellular ponion of GPA. Conclusion: These antibodies represent precise tools to investigate GPA and related molecules in different cells and tissues.     

Peptide ligands for a sugar-binding protein isolated from a random peptide library.

Peptide ligands for the carbohydrate-binding protein concanavalin A (Con A) have been identified by screening a large, diverse peptide library expressed on the surface of filamentous phage. A dodecapeptide containing the consensus sequence Tyr-Pro-Tyr was found to bind Con A with an affinity (dissociation constant, Kd) of 46 microM, comparable to that of a known carbohydrate ligand, methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside (Kd of 89 microM). In addition the peptide inhibited precipitation of the alpha-glucan dextran 1355 by Con A. Given the complexity of oligosaccharide synthesis, the prospect of finding peptides that competitively inhibit carbohydrate-specific receptors may simplify the development of new therapeutic agents.     

禽流感病毒M1蛋白型特异性表位分析

目的对流感病毒基质蛋白1(M1)型特异性表位进行定位研究。方法采用针对禽流感病毒M1蛋白的型特异性单克隆抗体,淘选M13噬菌体展示的12肽随机肽库,进行M1蛋白表(拟)位分析。采用ELISA、竞争性ELISA、免疫印迹分析不同噬菌体拟位与单克隆抗体的免疫反应性。结果筛选获得共有序列NxPHLR,定位于M1蛋白222-224位(HPN)、229-230位(LR)氨基酸区域。含有NxPHLR基序的噬菌体拟位能与单克隆抗体发生特异性结合,且此结合能被天然病毒抗原抑制或阻断,表明拟位多肽真实模拟了天然病毒蛋白与单克隆抗体结合的抗原决定簇或表位。结论M1蛋白222-230位氨基酸(HPNSSARLR)序列构成了流感病毒型特异性表位。     

Delineation of the minimal hepatitis B surface antigen-specific B- and T-cell epitope contained within an anti-idiotype-derived pentadecapeptide.

A pentadecapeptide (2F10 peptide) is capable of mimicking the group-specific "a" determinant of human hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at both the B- and the T-cell level. This peptide represents a sequence on the heavy-chain hypervariable region of a monoclonal "internal image" anti-idiotype (anti-id 2F10) that has partial sequence homology to the "a" determinant epitope of HBsAg. To identify the exact location of the B- and T-cell epitopes, four truncated peptides (peptides 1-4) were synthesized. Using these truncated peptides we have identified the minimal sequence (octapeptide 3) that represents a functional B- and T-cell epitope capable of generating HBsAg-specific antibodies and T cells. This to our knowledge represents the first example of a short peptide sequence functioning as both a B- and a T-cell epitope. We have also identified another T-cell epitope (2F10 peptide 4), but this peptide fails to elicit HBsAg-specific B cells and T cells. Thus, the 2F10 pentadecapeptide is composed of two nonoverlapping, functional T-cell epitopes only one of which is HBsAg specific. Since peptide 3 represents the complementarity-determining region and peptide 4 represents the framework region of the anti-id 2F10, we conclude that an 8-aa sequence from the complementarity-determining region of anti-id 2F10 is sufficient for the molecular mimicry of HBsAg. Finally, our experiments suggest that sequences flanking the minimal immunodominant epitope exert a considerable influence on the nature of antigenic processing that occurs and the resultant T-cell reactivity elicited.