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

Rapid response to pandemic threats: immunogenic epitope detection of pandemic pathogens for diagnostics and vaccine development using peptide microarrays

Heiss, Kirsten; Heidepriem, Jasmin; Fischer, Nico; Weber, Laura K; Dahlke, Christine; Jaenisch, Thomas; Loeffler, Felix F
J. Proteome Res..
Sep 2020
Emergence and re-emergence of pathogens bearing the risk of becoming a pandemic threat are on the rise. Increased travel and trade, growing population density, changes in urbanization, and climate have a critical impact on infectious disease spread. Currently, the world is confronted with the emergence of a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for yet more than 500 000 deaths globally. Outbreaks caused by viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV, Ebola, influenza, and Zika have increased over the last decade, underlining the urgent need for a rapid development of diagnostics and vaccines. Hence, the rational identification of biomarkers for diagnostic measures on the one hand, and antigenic targets for vaccine development on the other, are of utmost importance. Peptide microarrays can display large numbers of putative target proteins translated into overlapping linear (and cyclic) peptides. Using these highly diverse libraries, covering tens of thousands of peptides, allow for the in-depth analysis of antibody signatures in a multiplexed, high-throughput fashion. In this review, we highlight synthesis platforms that facilitate fast and highly flexible generation of high-density peptide microarrays. We further outline the multifaceted applications of these peptide array platforms for the development of serological tests and vaccines, to quickly encounter pandemic threats.

Expression of different L1 isoforms of Mastomys natalensis papillomavirus as mechanism to circumvent adaptive immunity

Fu, Yingying; Cao, Rui; Schäfer, Miriam; Stephan, Sonja; Braspenning-Wesch, Ilona; Schmitt, Laura; Bischoff, Ralf; Müller, Martin; Schäfer, Kai; Vinzón, Sabrina E; Rösl, Frank; Hasche, Daniel
Although many high-risk mucosal and cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPVs) theoretically have the potential to synthesize L1 isoforms differing in length, previous seroepidemiological studies only focused on the short L1 variants, co-assembling with L2 to infectious virions. Using the multimammate mouse Mastomys coucha as preclinical model, this is the first study demonstrating seroconversion against different L1 isoforms during the natural course of papillomavirus infection. Intriguingly, positivity with the cutaneous MnPV was accompanied by a strong seroresponse against a longer L1 isoform, but to our surprise, the raised antibodies were non-neutralizing. Only after a delay of around 4 months, protecting antibodies against the short L1 appeared, enabling the virus to successfully establish an infection. This argues for a novel humoral immune escape mechanism that may also have important implications on the interpretation of epidemiological data in terms of seropositivity and protection of PV infections in general.

Efficient elimination of primary B-ALL cells in vitro and in vivo using a novel 4-1BB-based CAR targeting a membrane-distal CD22 epitope

Velasco-Hernandez, Talia; Zanetti, Samanta Romina; Roca-Ho, Heleia; Gutierrez-Aguera, Francisco; Petazzi, Paolo; Sánchez-Martínez, Diego; Molina, Oscar; Baroni, Matteo Libero; Fuster, Jose Luis; Ballerini, Paola; Bueno, Clara; Fernandez-Fuentes, Narcis; Engel, Pablo; Menendez, Pablo
J Immunother Cancer.
Aug 2020
Background There are few therapeutic options available for patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) relapsing as CD19– either after chemotherapy or CD19-targeted immunotherapies. CD22-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells represent an attractive addition to CD19-CAR T cell therapy because they will target both CD22+CD19– B-ALL relapses and CD19– preleukemic cells. However, the immune escape mechanisms from CD22-CAR T cells, and the potential contribution of the epitope binding of the anti-CD22 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) remain understudied. Methods Here, we have developed and comprehensively characterized a novel CD22-CAR (clone hCD22.7) targeting a membrane-distal CD22 epitope and tested its cytotoxic effects against B-ALL cells both in in vitro and in vivo assays. Results Conformational epitope mapping, cross-blocking, and molecular docking assays revealed that the hCD22.7 scFv is a high-affinity binding antibody which specifically binds to the ESTKDGKVP sequence, located in the Ig-like V-type domain, the most distal domain of CD22. We observed efficient killing of B-ALL cells in vitro, although the kinetics were dependent on the level of CD22 expression. Importantly, we show an efficient in vivo control of patients with B-ALL derived xenografts with diverse aggressiveness, coupled to long-term hCD22.7-CAR T cell persistence. Remaining leukemic cells at sacrifice maintained full expression of CD22, ruling out CAR pressure-mediated antigen loss. Finally, the immunogenicity capacity of this hCD22.7-scFv was very similar to that of other CD22 scFv previously used in adoptive T cell therapy. Conclusions We report a novel, high-affinity hCD22.7 scFv which targets a membrane-distal epitope of CD22. 4-1BB-based hCD22.7-CAR T cells efficiently eliminate clinically relevant B- CD22high and CD22low ALL primary samples in vitro and in vivo. Our study supports the clinical translation of this hCD22.7-CAR as either single or tandem CD22–CD19-CAR for both naive and anti-CD19-resistant patients with B-ALL.

Identification of the atypically modified autoantigen Ars2 as the target of B-cell receptors from activated B cell–type diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Thurner, Lorenz; Hartmann, Sylvia; Bewarder, Moritz; Fadle, Natalie; Regitz, Evi; Schormann, Claudia; Quiroga, Natalia; Kemele, Maria; Klapper, Wolfram; Rosenwald, Andreas; Trümper, Lorenz; Bohle, Rainer Maria; Nimmesgern, Anna; Körbel, Christina; Lascke, Matthias W.; Menger, Michael D.; Barth, Stefan; Kubuschok, Boris; Mottok, Anja; Kaddu-Mulindwa, Dominic; Hansmann, Martin-Leo; Pöschel, Viola; Held, Gerhard; Murawski, Niels; Stilgenbauer, Stephan; Neumann, Frank; Preuss, Klaus-Dieter; Pfreundschuh, Michael
It has been suggested that B-cell receptor (BCRs) stimulation by specific antigens plays a pathogenic role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, it was the aim to screen for specific reactivities of DLBCL-BCRs in the spectrum of autoantigens and antigens of infectious origin. Arsenite resistance protein 2 (Ars2) was identified as the BCR target of 3/5 ABC-type DLBCL cell lines and 2/11 primary DLBCL cases. Compared to controls, Ars2 was hypo-phosphorylated exclusively in cases and cell lines with Ars2-specific BCRs. In a validation cohort, hypo-phosphorylated Ars2 was found in 8/31 ABC-type, but only 1/20 germinal center B cell (GBC)-like type DLBCL. Incubation with Ars2 induced BCR-pathway activation and increased proliferation, while an Ars2/ETA-toxin conjugate induced killing of cell lines with Ars2-reactive BCRs. Ars2 appears to play a role in a subgroup of ABC-type DLBCLs. Moreover, transformed DLBCL lines with Ars2-reactive BCRs still show growth advantage after incubation with Ars2. These results provide knowledge about the pathogenic role of a specific antigen stimulating the BCR pathway in DLCBL.

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
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.

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
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.

Optimised ‘on demand’ protein arraying from DNA by cell free expression with the ‘DNA to Protein Array’ (DAPA) technology

Schmidt, Ronny; Cook, Elizabeth A.; Kastelic, Damjana; Taussig, Michael J.; Stoevesandt, Oda
Journal of Proteomics.
Aug 2013
We have previously described a protein arraying process based on cell free expression from DNA template arrays (DNA Array to Protein Array, DAPA). Here, we have investigated the influence of different array support coatings (Ni-NTA, Epoxy, 3D-Epoxy and Polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA)). Their optimal combination yields an increased amount of detected protein and an optimised spot morphology on the resulting protein array compared to the previously published protocol. The specificity of protein capture was improved using a tag-specific capture antibody on a protein repellent surface coating. The conditions for protein expression were optimised to yield the maximum amount of protein or the best detection results using specific monoclonal antibodies or a scaffold binder against the expressed targets. The optimised DAPA system was able to increase by threefold the expression of a representative model protein while conserving recognition by a specific antibody. The amount of expressed protein in DAPA was comparable to those of classically spotted protein arrays. Reaction conditions can be tailored to suit the application of interest. Biological significance: DAPA represents a cost effective, easy and convenient way of producing protein arrays on demand. The reported work is expected to facilitate the application of DAPA for personalized medicine and screening purposes.

Purification of High-Complexity Peptide Microarrays by Spatially Resolved Array Transfer to Gold-Coated Membranes

Schirwitz, Christopher; Loeffler, Felix F.; Felgenhauer, Thomas; Stadler, Volker; Nesterov-Mueller, Alexander; Dahint, Reiner; Breitling, Frank; Bischoff, F. Ralf
Adv. Mater..
Mar 2013
A method for the one-step purification of high-complexity peptide microarrays is presented. The entire peptide library is transferred from the synthesis support to a gold coated polyvinylidenfluoride (PVDF) membrane, whereby only full-length peptides covalently couple to the receptor membrane via an N-terminally added cysteine. Highly resolved peptide transfer and purification of up to 10 000 features per cm2 is demonstrated.

Sensing Immune Responses with Customized Peptide Microarrays

Schirwitz, Christopher; Loeffler, Felix F.; Felgenhauer, Thomas; Stadler, Volker; Breitling, Frank; Bischoff, F. Ralf
Biointerphases.
Aug 2012
The intent to solve biological and biomedical questions in high-throughput led to an immense interest in microarray technologies. Nowadays, DNA microarrays are routinely used to screen for oligonucleotide interactions within a large variety of potential interaction partners. To study interactions on the protein level with the same efficiency, protein and peptide microarrays offer similar advantages, but their production is more demanding. A new technology to produce peptide microarrays with a laser printer provides access to affordable and highly complex peptide microarrays. Such a peptide microarray can contain up to 775 peptide spots per cm², whereby the position of each peptide spot and, thus, the amino acid sequence of the corresponding peptide, is exactly known. Compared to other techniques, such as the SPOT synthesis, more features per cm² at lower costs can be synthesized which paves the way for laser printed peptide microarrays to take on roles as efficient and affordable biomedical sensors. Here, we describe the laser printer-based synthesis of peptide microarrays and focus on an application involving the blood sera of tetanus immunized individuals, indicating the potential of peptide arrays to sense immune responses.

Physical Characterization of the “Immunosignaturing Effect”

Stafford, Phillip; Halperin, Rebecca; Legutki, Joseph Bart; Magee, Dewey Mitchell; Galgiani, John; Johnston, Stephen Albert
Mol Cell Proteomics.
Apr 2012
Identifying new, effective biomarkers for diseases is proving to be a challenging problem. We have proposed that antibodies may offer a solution to this problem. The physical features and abundance of antibodies make them ideal biomarkers. Additionally, antibodies are often elicited early in the ontogeny of different chronic and infectious diseases. We previously reported that antibodies from patients with infectious disease and separately those with Alzheimer’s disease display a characteristic and reproducible immunosignature on a microarray of 10,000 random sequence peptides. Here we investigate the physical and chemical parameters underlying how immunosignaturing works. We first show that a variety of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against different classes of antigens produce distinct profiles on this microarray and the relative affinities are determined. A proposal for how antibodies bind the random sequences is tested. Sera from vaccinated mice and people suffering from a fugal infection are individually assayed to determine the complexity of signals that can be distinguished. Based on these results, we propose that this simple, general and inexpensive system could be optimized to generate a new class of antibody biomarkers for a wide variety of diseases.

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