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- Title
Characterizing Complex Polysera Produced by Antigen- Specific Immunization through the Use of Affinity- Selected Mimotopes.
- Authors
Denisova, Galina; Denisov, Dimitri; Evelegh, Carole; Weissgram, Michaela; Beck, Jochen; Ronan^Foley, Stephen; Bramson, Jonathan Lorne
- 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.
- Subjects
ANTIGENS; IMMUNIZATION; IMMUNOGLOBULINS; EPITOPES; RESEARCH methodology; ALGORITHMS
- Publication
PLoS ONE, 2009, Vol 4, Issue 4, p1
- ISSN
1932-6203
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0005309