Contact
Quote

Home » Publications » Page 2

Publications

Discover how PEPperPRINT Peptide Microarray products have been used in different fields of research.

Filter by
Filtered (27)
Filters
Show (27)
Cancel
Showing most recent

Lymphocyte predominant cells detect Moraxella catarrhalis-derived antigens in nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

Thurner, Lorenz; Hartmann, Sylvia; Fadle, Natalie; Regitz, Evi; Kemele, Maria; Kim, Yoo-Jin; Bohle, Rainer Maria; Nimmesgern, Anna; von Müller, Lutz; Kempf, Volkhard A. J.; Weniger, Marc A.; Neumann, Frank; Schneider, Nadine; Vornanen, Martine; Sundström, Christer; de Leval, Laurence; Engert, Andreas; Eichenauer, Dennis A.; Küppers, Ralf; Preuss, Klaus-Dieter; Hansmann, Martin-Leo; Pfreundschuh, Michael
Nat Commun.
May 2020
10.1038/s41467-020-16375-6
Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare lymphoma of B-cell origin with frequent expression of functional B-cell receptors (BCRs). Here we report that expression cloning followed by antigen screening identifies DNA-directed RNA polymerase beta’ (RpoC) from Moraxella catarrhalis as frequent antigen of BCRs of IgD+ LP cells. Patients show predominance of HLA-DRB1*04/07 and the IgVH genes encode extraordinarily long CDR3s. High-titer, light-chain-restricted anti-RpoC IgG1/κ-type serum-antibodies are additionally found in these patients. RpoC and MID/hag, a superantigen co-expressed by Moraxella catarrhalis that is known to activate IgD+ B cells by binding to the Fc domain of IgD, have additive activation effects on the BCR, the NF-κB pathway and the proliferation of IgD+ DEV cells expressing RpoC-specific BCRs. This suggests an additive antigenic and superantigenic stimulation of B cells with RpoC-specific IgD+ BCRs under conditions of a permissive MHC-II haplotype as a model of NLPHL lymphomagenesis, implying future treatment strategies.

Anti-PfGARP activates programmed cell death of parasites and reduces severe malaria

Raj, Dipak K.; Das Mohapatra, Alok; Jnawali, Anup; Zuromski, Jenna; Jha, Ambrish; Cham-Kpu, Gerald; Sherman, Brett; Rudlaff, Rachel M.; Nixon, Christina E.; Hilton, Nicholas; Oleinikov, Andrew V.; Chesnokov, Olga; Merritt, Jordan; Pond-Tor, Sunthorn; Burns, Lauren; Jolly, Grant; Ben Mamoun, Choukri; Kabyemela, Edward; Muehlenbachs, Atis; Lambert, Lynn; Orr-Gonzalez, Sachy; Gnädig, Nina F.; Fidock, David A.; Park, Sangshin; Dvorin, Jeffrey D.; Pardi, Norbert; Weissman, Drew; Mui, Barbara L.; Tam, Ying K.; Friedman, Jennifer F.; Fried, Michal; Duffy, Patrick E.; Kurtis, Jonathan D.
Nature.
Apr 2020
10.1038/s41586-020-2220-1
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains the leading single-agent cause of mortality in children1, yet the promise of an effective vaccine has not been fulfilled. Here, using our previously described differential screening method to analyse the proteome of blood-stage P. falciparum parasites2, we identify P. falciparum glutamic-acid-rich protein (PfGARP) as a parasite antigen that is recognized by antibodies in the plasma of children who are relatively resistant—but not those who are susceptible—to malaria caused by P. falciparum. PfGARP is a parasite antigen of 80 kDa that is expressed on the exofacial surface of erythrocytes infected by early-to-late-trophozoite-stage parasites. We demonstrate that antibodies against PfGARP kill trophozoite-infected erythrocytes in culture by inducing programmed cell death in the parasites, and that vaccinating non-human primates with PfGARP partially protects against a challenge with P. falciparum. Furthermore, our longitudinal cohort studies showed that, compared to individuals who had naturally occurring anti-PfGARP antibodies, Tanzanian children without anti-PfGARP antibodies had a 2.5-fold-higher risk of severe malaria and Kenyan adolescents and adults without these antibodies had a twofold-higher parasite density. By killing trophozoite-infected erythrocytes, PfGARP could synergize with other vaccines that target parasite invasion of hepatocytes or the invasion of and egress from erythrocytes.

On‐Chip Neo‐Glycopeptide Synthesis for Multivalent Glycan Presentation

Mende, Marco; Tsouka, Alexandra; Heidepriem, Jasmin; Paris, Grigori; Mattes, Daniela S.; Eickelmann, Stephan; Bordoni, Vittorio; Wawrzinek, Robert; Fuchsberger, Felix F.; Seeberger, Peter H.; Rademacher, Christoph; Delbianco, Martina; Mallagaray, Alvaro; Loeffler, Felix F
Chem. Eur. J..
Apr 2020
10.1002/chem.202001291
Single glycan–protein interactions are often weak, such that glycan binding partners commonly utilize multiple, spatially defined binding sites to enhance binding avidity and specificity. Current array technologies usually neglect defined multivalent display. Laser-based array synthesis technology allows for flexible and rapid on-surface synthesis of different peptides. By combining this technique with click chemistry, neo-glycopeptides were produced directly on a functionalized glass slide in the microarray format. Density and spatial distribution of carbohydrates can be tuned, resulting in well-defined glycan structures for multivalent display. The two lectins concanavalin A and langerin were probed with different glycans on multivalent scaffolds, revealing strong spacing-, density-, and ligand-dependent binding. In addition, we could also measure the surface dissociation constant. This approach allows for a rapid generation, screening, and optimization of a multitude of multivalent scaffolds for glycan binding.

Plasmodium Falciparum and Plasmodium Vivax Vaccine

Werner, Ekkehard
Apr 2020
The present invention relates to a vaccine V comprising (A) at least one isolated polypeptide strand P comprising or consisting of at least nine consecutive amino acid moieties of the repetitive organellar protein, putative of Plasmodium falciparum or the hypothetical protein PVNG_04523 of Plasmodium vivax or a polynucleotide strand encoding for such polypeptide; and (B) at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Furthermore, the present invention refers to an antibody binding to the repetitive organellar protein,putative of Plasmodium falciparumor the hypothetical protein PVNG_04523 of Plasmodium vivax or a polynucleotide strand encoding therefor, to a method of generating such antibody and uses thereof.

Distinct early IgA profile may determine severity of COVID-19 symptoms: an immunological case series

Dahlke, Christine; Heidepriem, Jasmin; Kobbe, Robin; Santer, Rene; Koch, Till; Fathi, Anahita; Ly, My L.; Schmiedel, Stefan; Seeberger, Peter H.; ID-UKE COVID-19 study group; Addo, Marylyn M.; Loeffler, Felix F.
Apr 2020
10.1101/2020.04.14.20059733
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and is a severe threat to global health. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 show a wide range of symptoms and disease severity, while limited data is available on its immunogenicity. Here, the kinetics of the development of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses in relation to clinical features and dynamics of specific B-cell populations are reported. Immunophenotyping of B cells was performed by flow cytometry with longitudinally collected PBMCs. In parallel, serum samples were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies using whole proteome peptide microarrays. Soon after disease onset in a mild case, we observed an increased frequency of plasmablasts concomitantly with a strong SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA response. In contrast, a case with more severe progression showed a delayed, but eventually very strong and broad SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA response. This case study shows that determining SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody epitopes can be valuable to monitor the specificity and magnitude of the early B-cell response, which could guide the development of vaccine candidates. Follow-up studies are required to evaluate whether the kinetics and strength of the SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA response could be potential prognostic markers of viral control.

Mapping the epitopes of Schistosoma japonicum esophageal gland proteins for incorporation into vaccine constructs

Li, Xiao-Hong; Vance, Gillian M.; Cartwright, Jared; Cao, Jian-Ping; Wilson, R Alan; Castro-Borges, William
PLoS ONE.
Feb 2020
10.1371/journal.pone.0229542
Background The development of a schistosome vaccine has proved challenging but we have suggested that characterisation of the self-cure mechanism in rhesus macaques might provide a route to an effective product. The schistosome esophagus is a complex structure where blood processing is initiated by secretions from anterior and posterior glands, achieved by a mixture of ~40 unique proteins. The mechanism of self-cure in macaques involves cessation of feeding, after which worms slowly starve to death. Antibody coats the esophagus lumen and disrupts the secretory processes from the glands, potentially making their secretions ideal vaccine targets. Methodology/Principal findings We have designed three peptide arrays comprising overlapping 15-mer peptides encompassing 32 esophageal gland proteins, and screened them for reactivity against 22-week infection serum from macaques versus permissive rabbit and mouse hosts. There was considerable intra- and inter-species variation in response and no obvious unique target was associated with self-cure status, which suggests that self-cure is achieved by antibodies reacting with multiple targets. Some immuno-dominant sequences/regions were evident across species, notably including: MEGs 4.1C, 4.2, and 11 (Array 1); MEG-12 and Aspartyl protease (Array 2); a Tetraspanin 1 loop and MEG-n2 (Array 3). Responses to MEGs 8.1C and 8.2C were largely confined to macaques. As proof of principle, three synthetic genes were designed, comprising several key targets from each array. One of these was expressed as a recombinant protein and used to vaccinate rabbits. Higher antibody titres were obtained to the majority of reactive regions than those elicited after prolonged infection. Conclusions/Significance It is feasible to test simultaneously the additive potential of multiple esophageal proteins to induce protection by combining their most reactive regions in artificial constructs that can be used to vaccinate suitable hosts. The efficacy of the approach to disrupt esophageal function now needs to be tested by a parasite challenge.

Immunization with full-length Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 is safe and elicits functional cytophilic antibodies in a randomized first-in-human trial

Blank, Antje; Fürle, Kristin; Jäschke, Anja; Mikus, Gerd; Lehmann, Monika; Hüsing, Johannes; Heiss, Kirsten; Giese, Thomas; Carter, Darrick; Böhnlein, Ernst; Lanzer, Michael; Haefeli, Walter E.; Bujard, Hermann
npj Vaccines.
Jan 2020
10.1038/s41541-020-0160-2
A vaccine remains a priority in the global fight against malaria. Here, we report on a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo and adjuvant-controlled, dose escalation phase 1a safety and immunogenicity clinical trial of full-length Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) in combination with GLA-SE adjuvant. Thirty-two healthy volunteers were vaccinated at least three times with MSP1 plus adjuvant, adjuvant alone, or placebo (24:4:4) to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity. MSP1 was safe, well tolerated and immunogenic, with all vaccinees sero-converting independent of the dose. The MSP1-specific IgG and IgM titers persisted above levels found in malaria semi-immune humans for at least 6 months after the last immunization. The antibodies were variant- and strain-transcending and stimulated respiratory activity in granulocytes. Furthermore, full-length MSP1 induced memory T-cells. Our findings encourage challenge studies as the next step to evaluate the efficacy of full-length MSP1 as a vaccine candidate against falciparum malaria (EudraCT 2016-002463-33).

Functional screening for anti-CMV biologics identifies a broadly neutralizing epitope of an essential envelope protein

Gardner, Thomas J.; Stein, Kathryn R.; Duty, J. Andrew; Schwarz, Toni M.; Noriega, Vanessa M.; Kraus, Thomas; Moran, Thomas M.; Tortorella, Domenico
Nat Commun.
Dec 2016
10.1038/ncomms13627
The prototypic β-herpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes life-long persistence within its human host. The CMV envelope consists of various protein complexes that enable wide viral tropism. More specifically, the glycoprotein complex gH/gL/gO (gH-trimer) is required for infection of all cell types, while the gH/gL/UL128/130/131a (gH-pentamer) complex imparts specificity in infecting epithelial, endothelial and myeloid cells. Here we utilize state-of-the-art robotics and a high-throughput neutralization assay to screen and identify monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the gH glycoproteins that display broad-spectrum properties to inhibit virus infection and dissemination. Subsequent biochemical characterization reveals that the mAbs bind to gH-trimer and gH-pentamer complexes and identify the antibodies’ epitope as an ‘antigenic hot spot’ critical for virus entry. The mAbs inhibit CMV infection at a post-attachment step by interacting with a highly conserved central alpha helix-rich domain. The platform described here provides the framework for development of effective CMV biologics and vaccine design strategies.

Antibody Binding Studies Reveal Conformational Flexibility of the Bacillus cereus Non-Hemolytic Enterotoxin (Nhe) A-Component

Didier, A.; Dietrich, R.; Märtlbauer, E.
PLoS ONE.
Oct 2016
10.1371/journal.pone.0165135
The non-hemolytic enterotoxin complex (Nhe) is supposed to be the main virulence factor of B. cereus causing a diarrheal outcome of food poisoning. This tripartite toxin consists of the single components NheA, -B and -C all of them being necessary for maximum toxicity. In the past, research activities aiming to elucidate the mode-of-action of Nhe were mostly focused on the B- and C-component. In this study the generation of novel monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and their thorough characterization enabled the determination of key features for NheA. By the means of immunoaffinity chromatography it could be shown that NheA does not interact with -B and -C in solution. Additionally, the establishment of a highly sensitive sandwich-EIA now enables the detection of NheA in B. cereus supernatants down to 20 pg ml-1.Peptide-based epitope mapping in combination with partially deleted recombinant NheA fragments allowed the allocation of the binding regions for the three mAbs under study. Furthermore, by different EIA set-ups the conformational flexibility of NheA could be shown. For two of the antibodies under study different mechanisms of NheA neutralization were proven. Due to prevention of complete pore formation by one of the antibodies, NheA could be detected in an intermediate stage of the tripartite complex on the cell surface. Taken together, the results obtained in the present study allow a refinement of the mode-of-action for the Nhe toxin-complex.

A single amino acid substitution alter antigenicity of Glycosylated protein 4 of HP-PRRSV

Wang, Xinglong; Wang, Zhenbin; Xu, Hongyu; Biao, Xiang; Yang, Zengqi
Virol J.
Jul 2016
10.1186/s12985-016-0586-3
Background Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an important pig endemic disease in pork-producing countries worldwide. The etiology, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), is characterized by fast antigen variability. Glycosylated protein 4 (GP4) is a minor protein in PRRSV virion, but contributes to induce protective immune responses. However, the antigenic characterization of PRRSV GP4 and the role of the mutations in this protein in PRRSV evolution are not clear. Methods Peptides chip scanning and peptide based ELISA was used to analyze the antigenic characterization of HP-PRRSV GP4. A total of 142 peptides printed on a chip were used to reveal the antigen reaction characteristics of the HP-PRRSV. The reactions of these peptides with HP-PRRSV-specific pig serum were scanned and quantified using the software PepSlide® Analyzer by fluorescence intensity. The active reaction regions (AR) were identified based on the scanning results and then the amino acids (aa) sequences of AR(s) is aligned among PRRSV strains for further identify the key aa site(s) impact the antigenicity of the protein. Peptide based ELISA is then reacted with PRRSV positive sera derived from pig inoculated with different PRRSV strains for further analysis the role of specific amino acid in AR. Results The intensity plot was used to show the reactions of the peptides with PRRSV serum and it showed that enormously different response happened to various parts of GP4. The highest reaction intensity value reached 6401.5 against one peptide with the sequence DIKTNTTAASDFVVL. An AR from S29 to G56 was identified. Sequence alignment revealed various mutations in site 43 and possibly played an important role in this AR. Peptides ELISA reaction with sera from pigs inoculated with different PRRSV strain revealed that the change of aa in site 43 reduced the reaction of the peptide with PRRSV positive sera derived from pigs inoculated with the peptide related PRRSV strains. Conclusion In this study, one AR covering S29 to G56 was identified in GP4. The aa in site 43 play an important role in determining the antigenic character of GP4. The continual mutations (S → G → D → N) occurred in this site alter the antigenicity of PRRSV GP4.

Properties of Two Enterovirus Antibodies that are Utilized in Diabetes Research

Maccari, Giuseppe; Genoni, Angelo; Sansonno, Silvia; Toniolo, Antonio
Sci Rep.
Apr 2016
10.1038/srep24757
Human enteroviruses (EVs) comprise >100 different types. Research suggests a non-chance association between EV infections and type 1 diabetes. Immunohistochemical studies with the anti-EV antibody 5D-8.1 have shown that the EV capsid antigen is present in pancreatic islet cells of diabetic subjects. When it was noticed that 5D-8.1 may cross-react with human proteins, doubt was casted on the significance of the above histopathologic findings. To address this issue, properties of EV antibodies 5D-8.1 and 9D5 have been investigated using peptide microarrays, peptide substitution scanning, immunofluorescence of EV-infected cells, EV neutralization assays, bioinformatics analysis. Evidence indicates that the two antibodies bind to distinct non-neutralizing linear epitopes in VP1 and are specific for a vast spectrum of EV types (not for other human viruses). However, their epitopes may align with a few human proteins at low expected values. When tested by immunofluorescence, high concentrations of 5D-8.1 yelded faint cytoplasmic staining in uninfected cells. At reduced concentrations, both antibodies produced dotted staining only in the cytoplasm of infected cells and recognized both acute and persistent EV infection. Thus, the two monoclonals represent distinct and independent probes for hunting EVs in tissues of patients with diabetes or other endocrine conditions.

High-Density Peptide Arrays for Malaria Vaccine Development

Loeffler, Felix F.; Pfeil, Johannes; Heiss, Kirsten
Apr 2016
10.1007/978-1-4939-3387-7_32
The development of an efficacious and practicable vaccine conferring sterile immunity towards a Plasmodium infection represents a not yet achieved goal. A crucial factor for the impact of a given anti-plasmodial subunit vaccine is the identification of the most potent parasitic components required to induce protection from both infection and disease. Here, we present a method based on a novel high-density peptide array technology that allows for a flexible readout of malaria antibodies. Peptide arrays applied as a screening method can be used to identify novel immunogenic antibody epitopes under a large number of potential antigens/peptides. Ultimately, discovered antigen candidates and/or epitope sequences can be translated into vaccine prototype design. The technology can be further utilized to unravel antibody-mediated immune responses (e.g., involved in the establishment of semi-immunity) and moreover to confirm vaccine potency during the process of clinical development by verifying the induced antibody responses following vaccination.

Quote form