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

Anti-TRPV2 Autoantibody Linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Maguy, Ange; Tessier, Agnès; Mahendran, Yuvaraj; Denis, Manon; Lauzier, Benjamin; Charpentier, Flavien; Li, Jin
As a leading cause of infant death, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a perplexing diagnosis with no clear underlying biological substrate.1 In the past decade, studies have emerged demonstrating that circulating autoantibodies targeting cardiac antigens can underlie life-threatening arrhythmias.2 Because autoimmunity as a cause of SIDS has not yet been explored, we screened infant serum samples for the presence of autoantibodies targeting cardiac ion channels and examined how immunoglobulins may play a driving role in the pathogenesis of SIDS. Comparing cases of SIDS and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed with healthy controls, we established the autoantibody profile of 47 serum samples using peptide microarray (Figure [A]), as previously described.2 Strikingly, only 1 single autoantibody targeting the transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel (PTGPNATESVQPMEGQEDEG) was significantly associated with SIDS (P=0.028 versus controls, the default correction in limma). Collectively, we detected anti-TRPV2 autoantibodies in 84.6% of infants with SIDS compared with 50.0% in cases of accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed and 25.0% in controls.

Mapping autoantibody targets of full-length C-reactive protein in systemic lupus erythematosus: importance for neutrophil function and classical complement activation

Karlsson, Jesper; Wirestam, Lina; Duàn, Hanna; Ahmad, Suhana; Appelgren, Daniel; Enocsson, Helena; Wetterö, Jonas; Sjöwall, Christopher
Front. Immunol..
May 2025
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important pattern recognition molecule of innate immunity. Autoantibodies targeting CRP are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the levels correlate with disease activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate binding sites of IgG autoantibodies on the full linear sequence of CRP and identify potential associations with clinical variables in well-characterized SLE patients; a secondary aim was to investigate the effect of an epitope-based synthesized peptide motif on neutrophil functions. The levels of anti-CRP and SLE-associated antibodies were assessed, and a microarray-based linear epitope mapping was performed to detect binding sites on the full CRP monomer. We observed that anti-CRP antibodies bind to a variety of linear epitopes with a higher prevalence in SLE compared to healthy blood donors. Eleven unique epitopes were identified, of which five were found exclusively in SLE. Furthermore, we show that patients with anticardiolipin IgG and/or anti-β2GPI IgG antibodies have a higher number of positive CRP epitopes, and some CRP autoantibody-specificities associate with antiphospholipid antibodies, disease activity, and classical complement activation. In addition, one identified motif was selected, synthesized, and used for studying neutrophil function. This peptide showed modulatory capacity on neutrophil oxidative burst and chemotaxis, but not on neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Our results implicate a wide variation of anti-CRP autoantibody binding motifs of the linear structure of CRP in SLE patients. Some epitopes have the potential to modify innate host responses of relevance to the pathogenesis of SLE.

Preclinical characterization of an active immunotherapy targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide

Boyd, Justin D.; Wang, Shixia; Lin, Hsiao-Wen; Hsieh, Yueh-Ting; Sun, Yu Shuang; Thibodeaux, Brett A.; Lu, Hanxin; Sahni, Jaya; Wiggins, Jonathan; Longo, Matthew S.; Brooks, Jeanne K.; Vroom, Madeline M.; Chang, Yi-Pin; Liu, Zhi; Ding, Shuang; Dodart, Jean-Cosme
Commun Med.
Apr 2025
Abstract **Background** The success of passive immunotherapies targeting Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) for managing migraine has prompted our efforts towards developing an active immunotherapy that induces the production of endogenous antibodies against CGRP. Achieving efficacious antibody titers via immunization could provide a more convenient and cost-effective treatment alternative to anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies. However, immunization against endogenous CGRP faces multiple challenges such as breaking immune tolerance, inducing sufficient antibody titers, and avoiding immune response-associated toxicity. **Methods** Synthetic peptide immunogens formulated in adjuvants were delivered intramuscularly. Serum samples were collected post immunization and used to measure antibody titers as well as for the isolation of antibodies specific to CGRP. Antibodies were characterized for their binding affinities and specificities. The capsaicin-induced increase in dermal blood flow model was used in rats for the assessment of the pharmacodynamic effect of immunization. **Results** Here we demonstrate that a peptide-based active immunotherapy designed to induce antibodies against CGRP promotes robust antibody titers across preclinical species. Characterization of the immune response strongly suggests that this peptide immunogen primarily stimulates a humoral response and only induced CGRP-specific antibodies. Antibodies produced by immunization are primarily IgG1 and demonstrate binding and activity potencies similar to marketed monoclonal antibodies against CGRP. Finally, immunization demonstrates in vivo efficacy in a rat pharmacodynamic model. **Conclusion** Our results strongly suggest that a peptide-based active immunotherapy against CGRP could provide an affordable and convenient therapeutic for the prevention of migraine.

Paediatric autoimmune uveitis is associated with intraocular antibodies against Epstein–Barr virus Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA-1)

Hendrikse, Jytte; Bont, Louis J.; Schellekens, Peter A.W.J.F.; De Groot-Mijnes, Jolanda D.F.; De Boer, Joke H.; Kuiper, Jonas J.W.
eBioMedicine.
Mar 2025
**Background** Non-infectious uveitis is an immune-mediated disease characterized by vision-threatening inflammation within the eye. Increasing evidence indicates that microbial agents promote non-infectious uveitis, but the natural history of immune responses to pathogens in patients remains unexplored. We determined intraocular antibodies against pathogens in paediatric uveitis. **Methods** We used peptide microarrays containing 3760 linear B-cell epitopes from 196 human pathogens to profile IgG levels in eye fluid biopsies and paired serum samples from 18 Dutch paediatric patients and 6 age-matched controls. We compared intensities of single epitopes and clusters based on overlapping amino acid sequence of peptides. Next-generation sequencing data was obtained to determine the HLA-DRB1∗15:01 genotype. **Findings** Intraocular antibody profiles largely matched serum profiles and were characterized by high IgG against the conserved PALTAVET-motif of enterovirus family members, as well as broad epitope reactivity against Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). The aqueous humour of patients showed elevated levels of antibodies against peptides containing the RRPFFHPV-motif of Epstein–Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 [EBNA-1]. Antibody levels against the RRPFFHPV-motif of EBNA1 were significantly higher in individuals that carry the HLA-DRB1∗15:01 risk allele of paediatric uveitis. **Interpretation** Intraocular antibodies against an immunogenic epitope of EBV showed an association with paediatric uveitis, particularly HLA-DRB1∗15:01 positive uveitis, indicating a potential link between EBV-specific immune responses and autoimmune uveitis. **Funding** Funding for this research was received from Fischer Stichting (UZ2022-3), ODAS (2021-02), LSBS and ANVVB.

HCV immunodominant peptide mapping reveals unique HLA-A*02-restricted signatures: insights for CD8+ T-cell-based vaccines and immunotherapies

Cardoso Corrêa-Dias, Laura; Lopes-Ribeiro, Ágata; Marques-Ferreira, Geovane; Gomes-de-Pontes, Letícia; Pereira-Santos, Thaiza Aline; De Sousa Reis, Erik Vinicius; Silva Moraes, Thaís De Fátima; Assis Martins-Filho, Olindo; Figueiredo Barbosa-Stancioli, Edel; Guimarães Da Fonseca, Flávio; Coelho-dos-Reis, Jordana Grazziela
Immunogenetics.
Jan 2025
Several barriers for the development of an HCV vaccine still exist, including the genetic diversity of the virus, and the shortage of assessable models for in vitro and in vivo assays. Therefore, in this study, HCV epitope mapping was performed for 59 polyprotein sequences from 7 HCV genotypes. Around 2,880 peptides were considered epitopes for CD8+ T cells. The peptide induction of cytokines from Th1 and/or Th2 axes of the cellular immune response was assessed, indicating a tendency for Th2 axis. In vitro evaluation was performed using peptide microarray and a recombinant HLA-A*02:01 molecule. A total of 615 peptides of high reactivity to HLA-A*02:01 were identified, with predominance of leucine and tryptophan residues, highlighting their importance for TCR-epitope binding and CD8+ T activation. Finally, HCV-derived peptide patterns restricted to HLA-A2*02:01 observed in this study provide important information for the development of a multi-epitope-based pan-genotypic vaccine against the virus.

The antibody repertoire of autoimmune sensory neuronopathies targets pathways of the innate and adaptative immune system. An autoantigenomic approach.

Moritz, Christian P.; Tholance, Yannick; Boutahar, Nadia; Borowczyk, Coralie; Berger, Anne-Emmanuelle; Paul, Stéphane; Antoine, Jean-Christophe; Camdessanché, Jean-Philippe
Journal of Translational Autoimmunity.
Jan 2025
Sensory neuronopathies (SNN) encompasses diverse etiologies, with autoimmunity playing a major role through both cellular and humoral responses. To investigate the humoral autoantibody repertoire in autoimmune SNN, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using large Human Proteome-wide protein microarrays (HuProt 3.1, HuProt 4.0, ProtoArrays). We specifically focused on immune system pathways within the repertoire of targeted antigens (the autoantigenome). We included 131 participants: 44 patients with non-paraneoplastic autoimmune SNN (12 with anti-FGFR3 and/or anti-AGO antibodies), 8 with paraneoplastic SNN and 79 controls. Results were validated in an independent cohort of 16 SNN patients. Overrepresentation of immune-system-related proteins was assessed via the Reactome database, and serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-6 were measured using the Bio-Plex Pro™ Reagent Kit. Autoimmune SNN sera interact with more immune system proteins than healthy controls (ProtoArrays: 271/863 vs. 14/863, HuProt: 112/1694 vs. 39/1694, both p<0.0001). Overrepresentation was observed in all immune sub-pathways, including innate, adaptive immune responses, and cytokine signaling. Anti-FGFR3-positive SNN patients were more reactive with immune system proteins than negative ones. The independent SNN cohort validated the finding of overrepresentatively targeted immune system pathways. Validation with dot blot and ELISA confirmed reactivity to TRIM21 and IL-6, and identified anti-IFN-γ-positive SNN patients. IFN-γ levels correlated weakly with levels of anti-IFN-γ antibodies (Pearson’s r = 0.22, p=0.03). We conclude that the antibody repertoire of autoimmune SNN targets pathways of the innate and adaptative immune system, potentially reflecting key disease-related immune pathways and highlighting the systemic role of immune dysregulation in SNN.

A polyclonal antibody based immunoassay detects seven subtypes of Shiga toxin 2 produced by Escherichia coli in human and environmental samples

He, Xiaohua; Patfield, Stephanie; Hnasko, Robert; Rasooly, Reuven; Mandrell, Robert E.
PLoS ONE.
Oct 2013
BACKGROUND: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are frequent causes of severe human diseases ranging from diarrhea to hemolytic uremic syndrome. The existing strategy for detection of STEC relies on the unique sorbitol-negative fermentation property of the O157 strains, the most commonly identified serotype has been E. coli O157. It is becoming increasingly evident, however, that numerous non-O157 STEC serotypes also cause outbreaks and severe illnesses. It is necessary to have new methods that are capable of detecting all STEC strains. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Here we describe the development of a sandwich ELISA assay for detecting both O157 and non-O157 STECs by incorporating a novel polyclonal antibody (pAb) against Stx2. The newly established immunoassay was capable of detecting Stx2a spiked in environmental samples with a limit of detection between 10 and 100 pg/mL in soil and between 100 and 500 pg/mL in feces. When applied to 36 bacterial strains isolated from human and environmental samples, this assay detected Stx2 in all strains that were confirmed to be stx2-positive by real-time PCR, demonstrating a 100% sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The sandwich ELISA developed in this study will enable any competent laboratory to identify and characterize Stx2-producing O157 and non-O157 strains in human and environmental samples, resulting in rapid diagnosis and patient care. The results of epitope mapping from this study will be useful for further development of a peptide-based antibody and vaccine.

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.

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