Peptide mimotopes of Neisseria meningitidis group B capsular polysaccharide

The antigenic similarity between Neisseria meningitidis group B (NMGB) capsular polysaccharide (PS) and human polysialic acid (PSA) has hampered the development of a NMGB PS-based vaccine. But the possibility of a safe vaccine based on NMGB PS has been demonstrated by the existence of the NMGB PS-associated nonautoreactive epitope, which is distinct from those present on human PSA. To obtain peptide mimotopes of NMGB PS, we used HmenB3, a protective and nonautoreactive monoclonal antibody, to screen a phage library with 12 amino acids. We obtained 23 phage clones that bound to HmenB3 but not in the presence of E. coli K1 PS [which is alpha(2-8)-linked PSA like NMGB PS]. The clones contained 3 mimotopes and differed from previously described NMGB PS mimotopes. Immunization with a synthetic peptide of one mimotope elicited anti-NMGB antibodies in BALB/c mice. These mimotopes may be useful in the development of group B meningococcal vaccines.     

Anti-idiotypic antibody as a potential candidate vaccine for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B

Sepsis and meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NMGB) are serious diseases in infants and young adults, but no effective vaccine is available. The capsular polysaccharide (PS) of NMGB has poor immunogenicity and a structural similarity to polysialic acid (PSA) on neuronal tissue that may elicit autoantibodies. Using HmenB3, a protective and nonautoreactive monoclonal antibody (MAb) to NMGB capsular PS, we produced an anti-idiotypic MAb, Naid60, which mimics the capsular PS of NMGB. We produced an anti-anti-idiotypic MAb, MoB34, by using the immunogenic site on Naid60 responsible for inducing the anti-NMGB PS antibody response. MoB34 elicited the complement-mediated killing of representative strains of serogroup B meningococci. MoB34 did not bind to CHP-134, a neuroblastoma cell line expressing alpha(2-8) PSA, or to mouse brain cryosections at a high concentration. Naid60-keyhole limpet hemocyanin immunization inhibited the growth of live NMGB in intraperitoneally challenged mice; in contrast, three of five control mice developed bacteremia. Thus, Naid60 has an immunogenic site that elicits antibodies with bactericidal activity against NMGB and no autoimmunity to PSA. We suggest that the immunogenic region of Naid60 is a candidate for the development of a new vaccine against NMGB.     

大肠杆菌脂多糖2630模拟位的研究

目的 :利用纯化的抗大肠杆菌L2 6 30多抗筛选噬菌体环七肽库 ,以获得可模拟脂多糖 (LPS)表位的短肽克隆。方法 :以亲和层析纯化的抗大肠杆菌L2 6 30多克隆抗体为靶分子 ,筛选噬菌体随机环七肽库 ,用双夹心ELISA和竞争抑制ELISA鉴定阳性噬菌体克隆的抗原性。结果 :对噬菌体环肽库进行 3轮筛选后 ,随机挑选 2 0个克隆 ,经鉴定其中 12个可与抗L2 6 30抗体结合 ,即为阳性克隆 ;其中有 5个阳性噬菌体克隆表现出与抗鼠伤寒沙门氏菌LPS多抗结合的活性 ,提示这 5个噬菌体展示的短肽具有模拟大肠杆菌LPS及鼠伤寒沙门氏菌LPS共同表位的性质。经DNA序列分析显示 ,其中 8个克隆的氨基酸序列具有X DGLL XX或X EDGLL X保守序列 ,其余 4个克隆的序列均不相同。结论 :筛选获得的噬菌体环七肽克隆具有模拟大肠杆菌LPS表位的活性 ,为大肠杆菌L2 6 30多表位模拟短肽。其中 5个阳性噬菌体克隆短肽具有模拟大肠杆菌LPS及鼠伤寒沙门氏菌LPS共同表位的活性     

应用噬菌体随机肽库技术筛选SARS-CoV S蛋白模拟表位

目的筛选SARS病毒(Severe acutere spiratorysyndromeas sociated coronavirus,SARSCoV)结构蛋白S(Spike)特异性的模拟表位,为抗SARS疫苗研究提供基础。方法以抗SARS病毒S蛋白的单克隆抗体为固相筛选分子,对人工合成的噬菌体随机12肽库进行5轮“吸附洗脱扩增”的筛选,随机挑选30个克隆,经噬菌体酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法和交叉反应实验鉴定阳性克隆,再进行DNA序列分析和竞争抑制结合实验,以确定SARS病毒S蛋白的模拟表位。结果经噬菌体富集后,从随机挑选的30个克隆中得到了29个编码8种12肽的阳性克隆,8条肽与S蛋白的320～350氨基酸序列有较高同源性,确定YF、W、E和K氨基酸残基为模拟表位的骨架结构。结论用噬菌体12肽库成功筛选到了SARS病毒S蛋白的模拟表位,为基于S蛋白的肽疫苗研制提供了基础。     

Molecular analysis of neutralizing epitopes on outer surface proteins A and B of Borrelia burgdorferi.

The neutralizing epitopes of the major outer surface proteins A and B (OspA and OspB) of Borrelia burgdorferi B31 were investigated by epitope mapping using overlapping synthetic peptides, encompassing full-length OspA and OspB, and antiborrelial monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). OspA MAb N4B12 and OspB MAbs N5G5, W7C2, and P4D1 displayed a complement-independent antiborrelial activity, and complement failed to enhance the antiborrelial activity, as measured by a sensitive colorimetric assay. A combination of N4B12 with N5G5 displayed a higher antiborrelial activity than did the MAbs individually. OspA MAbs B3G11 and L3B5, however, exhibited a significant antiborrelial activity only in the presence of complement. Epitope mapping showed that B3G11 bound to one OspA synthetic peptide with the sequence of amino acids 247 to 256 (QYDSNGTKLE) and produced more than sixfold-higher reactivity than with other sequences, as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OspB MAb N5G5 bound to an OspB peptide with the sequence of amino acids 211 to 220 (TLKREIEKDG), yielding at least threefold-higher reactivity than with other sequences. These two peptide sequences were found to contain neutralizing epitopes. Other MAbs had weak binding activities with the synthetic peptides, and their specific epitopes remain to be further analyzed. Thus, this study demonstrated both complement-independent and complement-dependent antiborrelial MAbs and identified the linear epitopes on OspA and OspB capable of inducing neutralizing antibody responses.     

Variable region sequences and idiotypic expression of a protective human immunoglobulin M antibody to capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis group B and Escherichia coli K1.

We determined the heavy (H)- and light (L)-chain variable (V) region nucleotide and translated amino acid sequences of the human immunoglobulin M(kappa) monoclonal antibody (MAb) 5E1, which is specific for the polysaccharide capsule of Escherichia coli K1 and Neisseria meningitidis group B (poly[alpha(2-->8)-N-acetylneuraminic acid]) and which is protective in animal models of infection. The 5E1 VH gene is a member of the VHIIIb family and is 97% homologous to the 9.1 germ line gene. The 5E1 VL gene is a member of the kappa I subgroup and is 98% homologous to the germ line gene, 15A, also known as KLO12. The VL and/or VH genes used by 5E1 are highly homologous to the V genes encoding antibodies to the Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide and to antibodies reactive with self-antigens such as erythrocyte "i," DNA, and thyroid peroxidase. We also produced three murine anti-idiotype (Id) MAbs against 5E1. All three anti-Ids recognize a minor subset of antimeningococcal B polysaccharide antibodies present in serum from normal adults. Two of the anti-Ids define distinct Ids associated with antibodies having kappa I-15A V regions. These 15A-associated Ids are expressed by some heterologous human antimeningococcal B polysaccharide MAbs, and they also are independently expressed by two human MAbs that are specific for either the H. influenzae b polysaccharide or the i erythrocyte antigen and that utilize the kappa I-15A V region. Taken together, these data indicate that the 5E1 antibody uses V regions that recur in the human antibody repertoires to this polysaccharide and to structurally dissimilar polysaccharides and autoantigens. Thus, the poor immunogenicity of poly[alpha(2-->8)-N-acetylneuraminic acid] cannot be explained by the unavailability of certain critical VH and VL genes required for generation of antibody response.     

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against the Escherichia coli hemolysin.

Twelve monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) produced against the Escherichia coli hemolysin (HlyA) encoded by the hemolysin recombinant plasmid pWAM04 were studied. HlyA derivatives from recombinant strains with different plasmids encoding HlyA amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal truncates, HlyA in-frame deletions, and HlyA frameshift mutations were used in immunoblots to localize the antigenic determinants for the anti-HlyA MAbs. The mapping of the MAb epitopes was also facilitated by immunoblotting analysis of HlyA polypeptide fragments derived by cyanogen bromide cleavage. The HlyA epitopes for 11 of the MAbs were mapped to relatively small linear regions of the cytolysin ranging from 28 to 160 amino acids. Five of the MAbs (C10, G8, E2, B7, and D12) neutralized HlyA hemolytic activity to varying degrees. The epitopes for these neutralizing MAbs were found to reside within the following HlyA regions: C10 and G8, amino acids 2 to 160; E2, amino acids 161 to 194; B7, amino acids 518 to 598; and D12, amino acids 626 to 726. Hemolytically active HlyA was dependent on the action of the hlyC gene product. The D12 MAb recognized only HlyA produced by strains with an intact hlyC function. MAb A10 recognized an epitope within the HlyA region from amino acids 728 to 829 where a glycine-rich repeat domain exists; however, this MAb did not neutralize HlyA hemolytic activity. A HlyA domain map showing the anti-HlyA epitope location was constructed.     

Characterization of epitopes for virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to Ross River virus E2 using phage-displayed random peptide libraries

Ross River virus (RRV) is the predominant cause of epidemic polyarthritis in Australia, yet the antigenic determinants are not well defined. We aimed to characterize epitope(s) on RRV-E2 for a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize overlapping conformational epitopes on the E2 envelope protein of RRV and that neutralize virus infection of cells in vitro. Phage-displayed random peptide libraries were probed with the MAbs T1E7, NB3C4, and T10C9 using solution-phase and solid-phase biopanning methods. The peptides VSIFPPA and KTAISPT were selected 15 and 6 times, respectively, by all three of the MAbs using solution-phase biopanning. The peptide LRLPPAP was selected 8 times by NB3C4 using solid-phase biopanning; this peptide shares a trio of amino acids with the peptide VSIFPPA. Phage that expressed the peptides VSIFPPA and LRLPPAP were reactive with T1E7 and/or NB3C4, and phage that expressed the peptides VSIFPPA, LRLPPAP, and KTAISPT partially inhibited the reactivity of T1E7 with RRV. The selected peptides resemble regions of RRV-E2 adjacent to sites mutated in neutralization escape variants of RRV derived by culture in the presence of these MAbs (E2 210-219 and 238-245) and an additional region of E2 172-182. Together these sites represent a conformational epitope of E2 that is informative of cellular contact sites on RRV.     

模拟HIV-1 gp41 CHR表位短肽的筛选及研究

目的 利用针对HIV-1跨膜蛋白gp41CHR序列合成肽C34的单克隆抗体1G1筛选噬菌体12肽库，旨在找寻模拟C34肽表位的序列，同时探索该短肽成为HIV-1gp41NHR与CHR结合抑制物的可能性。方法 以1G1为钓饵蛋白对噬菌体12肽库进行亲和筛选，以双夹心ELISA鉴定阳性克隆。结果 经3轮筛选后，随机挑选17个噬菌体克隆，其中6个克隆与1G1显示出较强的结合活性，上述6个阳性克隆经DNA测序，氨基酸序列相同；HYEFWAWNWEAN，其明显的疏水性质类似于G34N末端，特异性鉴定显示这些克隆均能够与HIV-1gp41N多肽结合，结论 该噬菌体克隆展示肽可模拟HIV-1gp41CHR多肽表位，并可与N多肽结合。     

Enhanced protection by use of a combination of anticapsule and antilipopolysaccharide monoclonal antibodies against lethal Escherichia coli O18K5 infection of mice.

To study antibody-mediated protection against Escherichia coli peritonitis in BALB/c mice, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against the capsule (K5) and the lipopolysaccharide (O18) of E. coli. Flow cytometric analysis with two selected immunoglobulin M MAbs revealed that bacteria were antigenically heterogeneous. Arbitrarily, three subpopulations in E. coli O18K5 cultures could be distinguished by double immunofluorescence. A subpopulation bound only the anti-K5 MAb, and another subpopulation bound only the anti-O18 MAb. An intermediate subpopulation, however, bound both MAbs. In agreement with this result, combinations of both MAbs enhanced phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bacteria by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mouse macrophage J774 cells as well. In protection experiments, combinations of both MAbs, preincubated with 3 50% lethal doses of E. coli O18K5, protected all mice upon intraperitoneal challenge. Relatively high doses of either MAb alone proved to be not fully protective in this infection model. Protection of mice by the combination of MAbs was associated with significantly lower (P < 0.02) tumor necrosis factor levels in serum 90 min after challenge compared with any other treatment group. Similarly, prophylactic administration of MAbs yielded significantly lower (P < 0.01) tumor necrosis factor levels in mice that received the combination of MAbs than in any other treatment group.     

Towards the development of peptide mimotopes of carbohydrate antigens as cancer vaccines

Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens are considered important targets in efforts to develop cancer vaccines. To further enhance vaccine efforts, we are developing peptide mimotopes of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens that can elicit functional immune responses. Mapping peptide epitopes with anticarbohydrate antibodies can lend to defining structural relationships that can go undetected by screening of carbohydrate antigens alone. Here we contrast reactivity patterns for peptides using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed to the neolactoseries related Lewis Y (LeY) and sialyl-Lewis X (sLeX) antigen and the GD3/GD2 ganglioside antigen. We observe that representative MAbs cross-react with a WRY-containing peptide and that this motif type is isolated by the respective monoclonal in peptide phage display screening. Primary immunization with multiple antigen peptide preparations with QS-21 adjuvant efficiently elicited cytotoxic IgM antibodies for a murine Meth A fibrosarcoma line expressing sLeX. The cytotoxicity of IgG polyclonal response was found to be as effective as IgM in mediating complement-dependent cytotoxicity against the Meth A line. These experiments suggest that peptide mimotopes of the LeY and sLeX tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen and QS-21 adjuvant could be considered as an immunogenic therapeutic vaccine in carcinoma and melanoma patients in the minimal residual disease setting.     

Epitopes recognized by a nonautoreactive murine anti-N-propionyl meningococcal group B polysaccharide monoclonal antibody

The capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis group B (MBPS) is a polymer of alpha (2-->8) N-acetyl neuraminic acid. The polysaccharide is chemically identical to an autoantigen, polysialic acid (PSA), and is a poor immunogen, even when conjugated to protein carriers. Immunization of mice with MBPS-protein conjugate vaccines, in which N-acetyl groups have been replaced by propionyl groups (N-Pr MBPS), elicits serum bactericidal antibodies. A subpopulation of these antibodies do not cross-react with human PSA. The reasons for the increased immunogenicity of N-Pr MBPS and the antigenic targets of the bactericidal nonautoreactive antibodies are unknown. In this study, we investigated the antigenic targets of a protective murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) prepared against a N-Pr MBPS-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine. Binding of the MAb to N-Pr MBPS (as demonstrated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and bactericidal activity were inhibited by de-N-acetylated MBPS and re-N-acetylated MBPS, which indicate that N-propionyl groups are not obligatory determinants for binding. The results of affinity selection from a preparation of N-Pr MBPS and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectroscopic analysis indicated that the minimal epitope recognized by the MAb is a MBPS disaccharide containing one de-N-acetylated residue. Thus, the bacterial capsular epitope recognized by this bactericidal, nonautoreactive, anti-group-B MAb likely contains de-N-acetyl residues.     

Mapping of conformational IgE epitopes on Phl p 5a by using mimotopes from a phage display library

BACKGROUND: Phl p 5 represents a major allergen of timothy grass pollen (Phleum pratense). Detailed knowledge about the structures responsible for IgE binding would allow the design of a novel generation of allergy vaccines. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize the IgE epitopes of Phl p 5a using phage display combined with a molecular modeling approach. METHODS: Phl p 5a-specific IgE from sera of patients with grass pollen allergy was used for screening of a random peptide phage library displaying constrained decamers. RESULTS: Fifteen phage clones that shared sequence motifs and could be grouped into families were selected by using Phl p 5a-specific IgE. Peptide alignment with the solvent-accessible amino acids of Phl p 5a revealed 3 sequence sections with frequent hits of identical or similar amino acids. On the surface of Phl p 5a, these sections assembled in compact patches, most likely representing conformational IgE epitopes, whereas no matching clusters were found on the back sides of the 2 Phl p 5a halves. In surface plasmon resonance experiments, the high-affinity interaction between IgE and Phl p 5 could be competed by phage-displayed peptides up to 24%, indicating that they represent true epitope mimics (ie, mimotopes). Allergen-specific immunogenicity of the mimotopes was proved in Biozzi mice. CONCLUSION: The selected mimotopes facilitated the localization of conformational IgE epitopes of Phl p 5. We suggest them to be suitable candidates for the development of an epitope-specific immunotherapy.     

A rheumatoid factor specific mimotope identified by a peptide display library.

We screened a 10 amino acid peptide display library in filamentous phage with B'20, a monoclonal high affinity IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) expressing the VkIIIa-dependent 4C9 idiotype. Using direct and indirect selection techniques, 12 B'20 reactive peptides were identified, 9 of which belonged to one of two motifs. Binding of B'20 to phage-bearing peptides was inhibited by both IgG and 4C9 antiidiotype. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the two motifs inhibited the Fc binding of a low avidity IgA B'20 construct. Purified IgM from 6/8 RF-positive RA patients and 8/11 monoclonal RFs with VkIII-encoded light chains bound to the phage, whereas none of the four monoclonal RFs with VkI or VkII encoded light chains bound. Phage binding appeared to be RF specific. Three 4C9 positive/RF negative cell lines from RA patients did not bind to phage nor did three B'20 mutants that had lost RF specificity, whereas two mutants that retained RF specificity also retained phage binding. We propose that there is a common epitope(s) recognized by VkIII encoded RFs that is mimicked by the structure of these peptides. Such mimotopes might be exploited to design novel agents that interfere with autoantibody binding.     

A peptide mimotope of type 8 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide induces a protective immune response in mice

Increasing antibiotic resistance and a rising patient population at risk for infection due to impaired immunity underscore the importance of vaccination against pneumococci. However, available capsular polysaccharide vaccines are often poorly immunogenic in patients at risk for pneumococcal disease. The goal of this study was to explore the potential of peptide mimotopes to function as alternative vaccine antigens to elicit a type-specific antibody response to pneumococci. We used a human monoclonal immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody (NAD) to type 8 Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide (type 8 PS) to screen a phage display library, and the phage PUB1 displaying the peptide FHLPYNHNWFAL was selected after three rounds of biopanning. Inhibition studies with phage-displayed peptide or the peptide PUB1 and type 8 PS showed that PUB1 is a mimetic of type 8 PS. PUB1 conjugated to tetanus toxoid (PUB1-TT) induced a type 8 PS-specific antibody response in BALB/c mice, further defining it as a mimotope of type 8 PS. The administration of immune sera obtained from PUB1-TT-immunized mice earlier (days 14 and 21) and later (days 87 and 100) after primary and reimmunization resulted in a highly significant prolongation of the survival of naive mice after pneumococcal challenge compared to controls. The survival of PUB1-TT-immunized mice was also prolonged after pneumococcal challenge nearly 4 months after primary immunization. The efficacy of PUB1-TT-induced immune sera provides proof of principle that a mimotope-induced antibody response can protect against pneumococci and suggests that peptide mimotopes selected by type-specific human antibodies could hold promise as immunogens for pneumococci.     

IgE mimotopes of birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 induce blocking IgG in mice

BACKGROUND: The induction of nonanaphylactogenic 'blocking' IgG antibodies capable of inhibiting the IgE/allergen interaction represents a favorable therapeutic concept for type I allergy. However, IgG antibodies to allergens may block or enhance specific IgE binding, depending on the recognized epitope. Taking the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 as a model, we developed a strategy for the precise induction of IgG antibodies of a desired epitope specificity. METHODS: Random phage display peptide libraries were applied to define peptide structures mimicking natural epitopes (mimotopes) of Bet v 1. Selections were performed with BIP 1, a murine monoclonal antibody known to enhance the IgE binding to Bet v 1, and with anti-Bet v 1 IgE purified from patients' sera. The characterized Bet v 1 mimotopes were used to localize the corresponding epitope at the surface of Bet v 1 by a computer-aided mathematical approach based on the three-dimensional structure and the chemical character of the amino acids. The Bet v 1 mimotopes were further used to immunize BALB/c mice. The specificity of the induced antibodies was tested by immunoblotting and inhibition assays. RESULTS: With the three-dimensional epitope search it became possible to localize a discontinuous IgE epitope on the surface of Bet v 1 in a substantial distance from the IgG epitope of the monoclonal antibody BIP 1. Moreover, we could demonstrate that phage displaying mimotopes are immunogenic vectors for the precise induction of epitope-specific IgG. Immunization with BIP 1 mimotopes induced IgG enhancing the IgE binding to Bet v 1, whereas immunization with IgE mimotopes resulted in IgG capable of blocking human IgE binding in vitro. CONCLUSION: Allergen mimotopes can be used for the induction of anti allergen IgG of desired specificity. We propose that mimotope immunotherapy based on IgE mimotopes generated by biopannings may represent a future concept for therapy of type I allergy.     

Specific and randomly derived immunoactive peptide mimotopes of mycobacterial antigens

The mycobacterial cell surface contains complex nonprotein antigens that are highly immunoactive in nature. However, these antigens are chemically heterogeneous and structurally complex, thereby limiting their applications. To identify their peptide mimotopes, phage-displayed peptide libraries Ph.D.-7 and Ph.D.-12 were panned on either defined template, monoclonal antibody (MAb) CS-35 against lipoarabinomannan (LAM), or a polyclonal rabbit immune serum reactive against whole cells of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Panning on anti-LAM MAb CS-35 yielded two confirmed mimotopes of LAM, a 7-mer and a 12-mer, whereas panning on polyclonal serum yielded a large repertoire of mimotopes reactive against sera from BCG-immunized rabbits, one of which turned out to have the same sequence as the 7-mer LAM mimotope. The dissociation constant of the interaction between MAb CS-35 and a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 7-mer LAM mimotope was determined to be 7.55 microM. Dot blot assays were performed with peptides corresponding to the two LAM mimotopes to evaluate their diagnostic potential. Both peptides gave discernibly higher signals with a panel of tuberculosis (TB) patient sera than with sera from healthy controls. The peptides were also found to stimulate the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-12 cytokines in the J774A.1 cell line and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages, indicating that they may have immunomodulatory potential. The present study demonstrates that peptide mimotopes of known and unknown mycobacterial antigens could be isolated by using subtractive phage display techniques and that these peptides could have potential applications in areas such as TB diagnostics and immunotherapy.     

Selection and characterization of cyclic peptides that bind to a monoclonal antibody against meningococcal L3,7,9 lipopolysaccharides

There is still no general vaccine for prevention of disease caused by group-B meningococcal strains. Meningococcal lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) have received attention as potential vaccine candidates, but concerns regarding their safety have been raised. Peptide mimics of LPS epitopes may represent safe alternatives to immunization with LPS. The monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 9-2-L3,7,9 specific for Neisseria meningitidis LPS immunotype L3,7,9 is bactericidal and does not cross-react with human tissue. To explore the possibility of isolating peptide mimics of the epitope recognized by MoAb 9-2-L3,7,9, we have constructed two phage display libraries of six and nine random amino acids flanked by cysteines. Furthermore, we developed a system for the easy exchange of peptide-encoding sequences from the phage-display system to a hepatitis B core (HBc) expression system. Cyclic peptides that specifically bound MoAb 9-2-L3,7,9 at a site overlapping with the LPS-binding site were selected from both libraries. Three out of four tested peptides which reacted with MoAb 9-2-L3,7,9 were successfully presented as fusions to the immunodominant loop of HBc particles expressed in Escherichia coli. However, both peptide conjugates to keyhole limpet haemocyanin and HBc particle fusions failed to give an anti-LPS response in mice.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者血清特异性的噬菌体7肽的筛选、鉴定及其意义

目的 筛选和鉴定与系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)患者血清特异性结合的噬菌体7肽,并分析其实际意义.方法 分别选取正常人及SLE患者血清各30例,先后用正常人混合血清及SLE患者混合血清作为筛选配基,对噬菌体随机7肽库进行亲和筛选、扩增,获得SLE血清特异性结合的噬菌体克隆,并用患者混合血清进行Dot-ELISA实验鉴定获得的噬菌体克隆,进而分别用SLE患者及正常人血清各12例进一步鉴定阳性噬菌体的混合克隆,确定阳性噬菌体克隆与个体血清之间的结合情况;并对最终鉴定的噬菌体克隆进行测序与比对分析.结果 筛选到与SLE患者混合血清特异性结合的阳性克隆12个;阳性噬菌体混合克隆与SLE患者个体血清反应阳性率明显高于其与正常人血清的反应率;序列分析显示阳性噬菌体克隆的抗原表位与大肠杆菌、沙门菌、人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)有一定的同源性,但与人类抗原表位无关.结论 噬菌体随机7肽库筛选出的SLE特异性多肽可能用于制备SLE诊断试剂,同时SLE患者血清中存在与病原体抗原表位结合的抗体成分,提示SLE可能与病原体感染有关.