Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in protein antigenic structure

Characterization of murine B-cell epitopes on the Mycobacterium leprae proline-rich antigen by use of synthetic peptides

Using synthetic peptides representing overlapping sequences of the 100-amino-acid-long N-terminal region of the proline-rich antigen of Mycobacterium leprae (PRA), we have mapped the epitopes in the primary structure of PRA recognized by four monoclonal antibodies. The M. leprae-specific monoclonal antibody F47-9 recognized the amino acid sequence LGSAYP (residues 34 to 39). Both monoclonal antibodies F67-1 and F67-5 recognized the sequence YPPP within the repeated sequence of PRA at four sites (residues 38 to 41, 50 to 53, 60 to 63, and 70 to 73). Monoclonal antibody F126-5 recognized the sequence SYPPP, also within the repeat, at three sites (residues 49 to 53, 59 to 63, and 69 to 73). All three epitopes appeared to be linear as far as can be determined by this approach.

Molecular epitope identification by limited proteolysis of an immobilized antigen-antibody complex and mass spectrometric peptide mapping

Sequences of antigenic determinants were identified by limited proteolysis of peptide antigens bound to an immobilized monoclonal antibody and direct molecular weight determination of the monoclonal antibody-bound peptide fragments by 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry. The epitope peptides to the monoclonal antibody h453 [Burger, R., Zilow, G., Bader, A., Friedlein, A. & Naser, W. (1988) J. Immunol. 141, 553-558] were isolated from immobilized antigen-antibody complexes by partial trypsin digestion. A synthetic eicosapeptide comprised of the C-terminal sequence of the human complement component polypeptide des-Arg77-C3a as well as guinea pig des-Arg78-C3a was used as an antigen. Conditions were developed under which trypsin specifically degraded the antigens without inactivation of the immobilized antibody. After proteolysis, epitope peptides were dissociated from the antibody with 4 M MgCl2. The antigenic peptides were purified by HPLC and identified by 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry. The epitope recognized by h453 resides on the C-terminal tryptic peptides of human (residues 70-76) and guinea pig (residues 70-77) C3a. As an estimation of accuracy this method is able to provide, trypsin digestion of immune complexes caused cleavage of the antigen within a distance of two amino acid residues upstream from the epitope.

Structural factors modulate the activity of antigenic poliovirus sequences expressed on hybrid hepatitis B surface antigen particles

We have studied the functional expression of antigenic poliovirus fragments carried by various hybrid hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles. Several constructions were made by using two different insertion sites in the HBsAg molecule (amino acid positions 50 and 113) and two different sequences, one derived from poliovirus type 1 (PV-1) and the other from PV-2. The inserted fragments each encompassed residues 93 to 103 of the capsid protein VP1, a segment which includes the linear part of the neutralization antigenic site 1 of the poliovirus. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of the hybrid particles were evaluated and compared in terms of poliovirus neutralization. A high level of antigenic and immunogenic activity of the PV-1 fragment was obtained by insertion at position 113 but not at position 50 of HBsAg. However, a cooperative effect was observed when two PV-1 fragments were inserted at both positions of the same HBsAg molecule. Antibodies elicited by the PV-2 fragment inserted at amino acid position 113 did not bind or neutralize the corresponding poliovirus strain. They did, however, bind a chimeric poliovirus in which the homologous antigenic fragment of PV-1 had been replaced by that of PV-2. The only virions that were neutralized by these antibodies were certain mutants carrying amino acid substitutions within the PV-2 fragment. These results show that position, constraints from the carrier protein, and nature of the inserted sequences are critically important in favoring or limiting the expression of antigenic fragments as viral neutralization immunogens.

Identification of functional epitopes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A using synthetic peptides and subclone products

The structure-function relationship of P. aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) was examined using synthetic peptides and genetically engineered ETA deletion mutants. Antibodies directed against synthetic peptides have allowed the identification of three ETA epitopes, two within domain I and one within the last 33 amino acids of domain III. In addition two distinct neutralizing determinants have been identified by antibodies directed against subclone products. One was associated with the amino-terminal half of ETA, the proposed receptor binding region. The second was associated with the carboxy-terminal half of ETA, a region previously not associated with receptor-binding. The amino-terminal subclone also offers potential as an ETA vaccine, since it produces a stable, non-enzymatically active product, effective in inducing ETA neutralizing antibodies. Data derived from these studies were used in a re-evaluation of structure-function relationships between ETA and diphtheria toxin.

Immunoaccessible peptide sequences of the major outer membrane protein from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar C

The antigenicity of the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar C was assessed by using overlapping hexapeptide homologs of serovar C major outer membrane protein and rabbit antisera in a peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Five immunogenic sites were found distributed within variable sequences of the protein: four were immunodominant and three were surface exposed on native elementary bodies of serovar C. None was surface exposed on serovars H, I, and J.

Mapping of epitopes on the 86 kDa subunit of the Ku autoantigen

Patients with rheumatic disorders develop autoantibodies to a nuclear protein antigen termed Ku. The Ku antigen has been identified as a non-histone DNA-binding protein complex composed of two polypeptides: 86 kDa and 70 kDa. Initial competition experiments with four monoclonal antibodies specific for the 86 kDa subunit of Ku protein suggested there was more than one epitope on this polypeptide. To determine the region for these epitopes, cDNA deletions were made from both 5' and 3' ends. The immunoreactivity of the expressed proteins was assayed by immunoblotting. A 40 amino acids region located near the C-terminus of the polypeptide between amino acids 667-708 was essential for binding the monoclonal and autoimmune antibodies. Within this region, we differentiated three epitopes for the monoclonal antibodies. The sequence critical for binding of the autoimmune antibodies was in the same region, between amino acids 689-708. None of the four monoclonal antibodies blocked the binding of the autoantibodies. The implications of these results for the etiology of the anti-Ku autoantibody response are discussed.

Immunochemical characterization of antigenic domains on human interferon-beta: spatially distinct epitopes are associated with both antiviral and antiproliferative activities

The use of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) raised against recombinant (serine-17) human interferon-beta (rHuIFN-beta ser) has permitted the identification of three epitopes on HuIFN-beta, designated as sites I, II and III, based solely on functional differences, i.e., the neutralization of antiviral and antiproliferative activities of natural and recombinant HuIFN-beta (Redlich, P.N. and Grossberg, S. E., J. Immunol. 1989. 143: 1887). Site I- and II-directed mAb possessed neutralizing activity whereas none was noted by mAb recognizing site III. To characterize further these epitopes by immunochemical means, we studied their (a) spatial relationship by competitive binding assays, (b) antigenic structure by Western blotting, and (c) sensitivity to chemical modification by the measurement of mAb reactivity after radioiodination. Competitive antibody binding studies revealed site II to be spatially distinct from sites I and III. Furthermore, site I- and II-directed mAb could easily recognize rHuIFN-beta ser on a Western blot, suggesting that both these epitopes are primarily sequential in structure or denaturation resistant. Chemical modification by radioiodination, which did not alter the biologic activity of rHuIFN-beta ser, had likewise little effect on mAb reactivity to site I; however, reactivity to site II was diminished and reactivity to site III was minimal following the radioiodination process. Both site I- and II-directed mAb inhibited the binding of 125I-rHuIFN-beta ser to intact Daudi cells, suggesting that inhibition of receptor binding is their mechanism of neutralization. Thus, we conclude that epitopes I and II, which are associated with both antiviral and antiproliferative activities of rHuIFN-beta, are spatially and immunochemically distinct.

Structure of viral B-cell epitopes

Four categories of viral epitopes can be distinguished that have been designated cryptotopes, neotopes, metatopes and neutralization epitopes. Specific examples of each epitope type are presented and the methods used for locating their positions in viral proteins are described. The epitopes of four well-characterized viruses, namely poliovirus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, influenza virus and tobacco mosaic virus are briefly described.

Mapping of 10 epitopes on bovine herpesvirus type 1 glycoproteins gI and gIII

In order to map some of the immunologically important sites on bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), deleted, truncated, and hybrid forms of glycoproteins gI and gIII were expressed in transfected murine LMTK- cells. The cells were tested for reactivity with a panel of 16 gI- or gIII-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) possessing conformation-independent antigen binding properties. This panel represented five epitopes on gI and five epitopes on gIII. For gI, two epitopes were mapped between residues 68 and 119, one epitope was mapped between residues 370 and 440, one epitope was mapped to the vicinity of residue 487, and one epitope was mapped between residues 744 and 763. For gIII, three epitopes were mapped between residues 22 and 150, one epitope was mapped between residues 140 and 240, and one epitope was mapped between residues 230 and 287. The location of the gI epitope in the vicinity of residue 487, which was recognized by a virus-neutralizing MAb, was verified by synthetic peptide binding studies. The epitope locations were consistent with proposed models for the structure of gI and gIII, and comparable to some of the epitope locations reported for the homologous glycoproteins of herpes simplex virus type 1. The implications of these results for development of a subunit vaccine against BHV-1 are discussed.

Antigenic link between human interferons-alpha and -beta: the common epitope 1

An until now unobserved consistent antigenic structure, tentatively named "common epitope 1," was detected on molecules of human recombinant (rHu) IFN-alpha 2 and natural HuIFN-beta by testing with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. The monoclonal antibody B6, obtained after immunization of BALB/c mice with human fibroblast IFN-beta, was capable of binding and neutralizing both IFN-alpha 2 and natural IFN-beta. The neutralizing activity of monoclonal antibody B6 was completely inhibited by a synthetic hexapeptide which corresponded to the amino acid sequence of IFN-alpha 2 in positions 132-137. Although a corresponding sequence of amino acids in the IFN-beta molecule was localized to the region 134-139 and shows only a 66% homology with the assumed IFN-alpha 2 binding site, lysine at position 132 in IFN-alpha 2 and at position 134 in IFN-beta seems to be crucial for establishment of the common epitope. Its existence was supported by experiments using polyclonal antibodies. Antiserum to IFN-alpha 2 showed cross-neutralization with IFN-beta, and vice versa, antiserum to IFN-beta cross-reacted with IFN-alpha 2. The ability for cross-neutralization by both polyclonal antisera was abolished in the presence of IFN-alpha 2 hexapeptide SH 132-137. No cross-reacting epitope could be detected on the IFN-alpha 1 molecule. These findings are the first evidence of a homology between human IFNs of alpha and beta types at the antigenic level. They indicate that the antigenic distinction between IFNs of alpha and beta types is not absolute.

Outer-membrane PhoE protein of Escherichia coli K-12 as an exposure vector: possibilities and limitations

The phosphate-limitation-inducible outer-membrane protein (PhoE) of Escherichia coli K-12 can be used in an expression system as a carrier for foreign antigenic determinants, facilitating their transport to the bacterial cell surface. The system is very flexible, since insertions varying in length and nature can be made in different cell-surface-exposed regions of PhoE protein, without interfering with the assembly process into the outer membrane. Multiple insertions of an antigenic determinant can be made in the second and eighth exposed regions, resulting in a total insert length of up to 30 and 50 amino acid (aa) residues. Insertions can be made in two exposed regions, simultaneously. However, some limitations were encountered, e.g., insertion of eight or more hydrophobic aa residues affected both the translocation process across the inner membrane and the assembly process into the outer membrane. Also, the insertion of sequences containing many charged residues resulted in accumulation of precursor protein in the cytoplasm.

Characterization of the gene and an antigenic determinant of equine herpesvirus type-1 glycoprotein 14 with homology to gB-equivalent glycoproteins of other herpesviruses

The gene encoding glycoprotein 14 (gp14) of equine herpesvirus type 1 was sequenced. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a complete transcription unit composed of a CAT box, a TATA box, a ribosome-binding sequence, a polyadenylation signal and an open reading frame (ORF) of 2940 bp transcribed from left to right. The amino acid (aa) sequence deduced from this ORF corresponded to that of a protein with 979 aa and had the characteristic features of membrane gp including a 20-aa signal sequence at the N terminus, a 743-aa surface domain, a 40-aa membrane anchoring region, a 108-aa hydrophilic cytoplasmic domain at the C terminus and eleven potential sites for N-linked glycosylation. An unusual feature of this protein was an exceptionally long (66aa) sequence, with a preponderance of hydrophilic residues, preceding the hydrophobic signal core. An antigenic determinant recognized by an anti-gp14 monoclonal antibody was present in the N terminus of the postulated surface domain. Comparison of gp 14 with the gp of other herpesviruses indicated that gp14 was highly homologous to corresponding gp of pseudorabies (gII), bovine herpesvirus (gI), varicella-zoster virus (gII), as well as of herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus and human cytomegalovirus (gB).

Immunogenic domains of hepatitis delta virus antigen: peptide mapping of epitopes recognized by human and woodchuck antibodies

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus which is dependent on hepatitis B virus for essential helper functions. Only a single highly basic phosphoprotein, HDV antigen (HDAg), is expressed by the HDV genome during infection in humans. Antibody directed to HDAg is important in the diagnosis of HDV infection, and it is likely but not yet proven that the immune response to HDAg provides significant protection against subsequent exposures to HDV. In an effort to map the antigenic domains of HDAg, 209 overlapping hexapeptides, spanning the entire 214 amino acid residues of the protein, were synthesized on polyethylene pins and probed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with sera containing high titers of anti-HD antibodies. Domains recognized by antibodies present in serum from human chronic carriers of this virus included residues 2 to 7, 63 to 74, 86 to 91, 94 to 100, 159 to 172, 174 to 195, and 197 to 207. Antibody from an acutely superinfected woodchuck recognized similar epitopes, as well as a domain spanning residues 121 to 128. Together, residues in these antigenic domains constitute 41% of the HDAg molecule. Oligopeptides 15 to 29 residues in length and representing epitopes of HDAg found to be dominant in humans (residues 2 to 17, 156 to 184, and 197 to 211) were synthesized in bulk and found to possess significant antigenic activity by microdilution enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The reactivity of peptide 197-211 with human sera confirms that the entire 214 amino acids of HDAg are expressed during infection in vivo. In addition, these results suggest that synthetic peptides may be useful reagents for development of new and improved diagnostic tests for HDV infection.

Mapping of the immunodominant regions of the NAD-dependent formate dehydrogenase

A panel of 4 monoclonal antibodies and 7 polyclonal antisera against NAD-dependent formate dehydrogenase from methylotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. 101 has been obtained. The reactivity of the 37 overlapping proteolytic peptides with the monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera has been studied with ELISA test. The data obtained were interpreted residing on the structural model of the formate dehydrogenase at 3 A resolution. The immunodominant regions in the formate dehydrogenase molecule and the epitopes for the monoclonal antibodies were elucidated.

Mapping of viral epitopes with prokaryotic expression products

Several systems are available for the expression of foreign gene sequences in Escherichia coli. We describe the use of prokaryotic expression products of viral gene fragments in order to identify the regions that specify the binding sites of antibodies. This approach is particularly successful if the antigenicity does not depend on the native protein, but only on the amino acid sequence, i.e., if the epitope is sequential. Combining prokaryotic expression with the use of synthetic peptides often permits a fast and accurate mapping of an epitope. The occurrence of immunodominant sequential epitopes on the surfaces of viruses seems to be a widespread phenomenon.

The grid-blot: a procedure for screening large numbers of monoclonal antibodies for specificity to native and denatured proteins

This report describes a procedure referred to as a grid-blot for simultaneously testing up to 30 monoclonal antibodies for specificity with an equivalent number of different proteins on a single sheet of nitrocellulose paper. Only 150 microliters of hybridoma culture supernatant is required for the screening and the entire procedure can be completed in less than five hours. This assay was developed to quickly identify those hybridoma cultures producing antibodies that preferentially recognize the native form of a protein and those that also recognize the SDS denatured form and were optimal for use in Western blots. Monoclonal antibodies raised against two distinct proteins, myofibril C-protein (120 antibodies) and the catalytic subunit of cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase (240 antibodies) were tested. The grid-blot results indicated that 85 of the C-protein antibodies and 55 of the catalytic subunit antibodies were monospecific. Only 4 of the C-protein and 9 catalytic subunit antibodies showed a preferential staining for the appropriate native protein. The antibodies that stained the denatured protein most intensely in the grid-blot corresponded with those that produced the best immunostain in the Western blot. Finally, a version of the grid-blot was found to be an efficient means of determining antibody isotypes.

The T-lymphocyte proliferative response to synthetic peptide antigens of defined secondary structure

Immunodominant sites in proteins recognized by T lymphocytes are segments consisting of at least 7-8 amino acids. It has previously been proposed that these sites in proteins are alpha-helical and amphipatic structures. We synthesized and investigated the immunogenicity of three synthetic peptides (MP7, MP8, and MP9), each consisting of the same 15 amino acids, but differing with respect to sequence. Based on information analysis and circular dichroism measurements, MP7 was shown to have an alpha-helical secondary structure and, based on previously assigned hydrophilicity indices, was also strongly longitudinally amphipatic. MP8 also was conformed as an alpha-helix, but was amphipatic in the sense that the N-terminal half of the molecule was hydrophilic and the C-terminal half hydrophobic. MP9 had neither an amphipatic nor alpha-helical structure. All three peptides were immunogenic in some strains of mice but none was immunogenic in all strains. This supports other studies concluding that amphipaticity per se is neither a necessary nor sufficient requirement for immunogenicity of a peptide. On the other hand, the present experimental data suggest that longitudinally amphipatic alpha-helical peptides may function better as T-cell determinants than the other peptides investigated.

Analysis of human antibody epitopes on the 65-kilodalton protein of Mycobacterium leprae by using synthetic peptides

In order to study antibody reactivity to the Mycobacterium leprae 65-kilodalton (kDa) antigen, peptides representing overlapping sequences of the 65-kDa protein were synthesized, and a recombinant protein expression system for r65-kDa was constructed. Mouse monoclonal antibodies and leprosy patient seroreactivity to peptides and r65-kDa were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All seven of the monoclonal antibodies used in this study reacted with their previously defined epitopes when tested against peptides. All monoclonal antibodies also reacted with r65-kDa. Leprosy patient seroreactivity to peptides and r65-kDa was seen in about one-third of active multibacillary cases. Specimens from patients positive for antibodies to peptides were seen to recognize different epitopes than did mouse monoclonal antibodies used in this study. It is concluded that substantial differences exist between mouse monoclonal antibodies and human leprosy patient reactivity to the 65-kDa antigen and that human seroreactivity to the 65-kDa antigen is indicative of a highly elevated bacillary load.

Vaccination with a synthetic zona pellucida peptide produces long-term contraception in female mice

The zona pellucida surrounding mouse oocytes is an extracellular matrix composed of three sulfated glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3. It has been demonstrated that a monoclonal antibody to ZP3 injected into female mice inhibits fertilization by binding to the zona pellucida and blocking sperm penetration. A complementary DNA encoding ZP3 was randomly cleaved and 200- to 1000-base pair fragments were cloned into the expression vector lambda gt11. This epitope library was screened with the aforementioned contraceptive antibody, and the positive clones were used to map the seven-amino acid epitope recognized by the antibody. Female mice were immunized with a synthetic peptide containing this B cell epitope coupled to a carrier protein to provide helper T cell epitopes. The resultant circulating antibodies to ZP3 bound to the zona pellucida of immunized animals and produced long-lasting contraception. The lack of ovarian histopathology or cellular cytotoxicity among the immunized animals may be because of the absence of zona pellucida T cell epitopes in this vaccine.

Characterization of a high-affinity monoclonal antibody to calcineurin whose epitope defines a new structural domain of calcineurin A

Monoclonal antibodies have been raised against native calcineurin using conventional in vivo immunization and hybridoma procedures. The relatively high affinity of nonimmune IgG for the two subunits of calcineurin resulted in large nonspecific binding values for immunoassays of native, dissociated and denatured calcineurin, which complicated the antibody screening. Monoclonal aCn5, a high-affinity IgG1 that exhibits specific binding, was characterized. Other calmodulin-binding proteins tested were not recognized by aCn5. Simple binding properties were exhibited in solid-phase experiments, Kd = 26 (+/- 4) pM, but the stoichiometry was low. The loss of immunoreactivity after denaturation of calcineurin indicated that the aCn5 epitope is of the assembled topographic, not segmental, type. The epitope was located to the A subunit and affinity was unaffected by the presence of calcineurin B. The epitope remained intact after proteolytic removal of the amino-terminal 20 residues of calcineurin A essential for phosphatase activity, and the carboxyl-terminal inhibitory and calmodulin-binding domains. The calmodulin-binding peptide derived from calcineurin, cA8, was not recognized by aCn5. Addition of Ca2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, chelators or dithiothreitol did not influence the affinity of aCn5 for the holoenzyme. Phosphatase activity of calcineurin, in the presence and absence of calmodulin and after removal of the inhibitory domain, was little affected by aCn5. Thus, the aCn5 epitope defines a previously unidentified structural domain of calcineurin A located in a region of the proteolytically resistant core that is topologically distinct from the catalytic, inhibitory, calmodulin-binding and calcineurin-B-binding domains, and not functionally connected with calcineurin B or the putative metal-binding domain(s).

Mobility of secondary structure units of horse-muscle acylphosphatase. Relation to antigenicity

The antigenic properties of acylphosphatase are compared with its various sequential characteristics (hydrophobicity, chemical shift of the main-chain 1H-NMR resonances, numbers and intensities of the nuclear Overhauser enhancements, hydrogen-deuterium exchange and sequential arrangement of the secondary structure units). The discussion is based on the complete sequential assignment of the 1H-NMR spectrum and the knowledge of the three-dimensional fold of the protein obtained by NMR spectroscopy from distance geometry calculations. Regions with very different degrees of mobility can be distinguished. It is found that all major antigenic sites are located in the most mobile surface loops.

Topology and acylation of spiralin

Of the 51 polypeptides detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the plasma membrane of the helical mollicute Spiroplasma melliferum, 21 are acylated, predominantly with myristic (14:0) and palmitic (16:0) chains. This is notably the case for spiralin, the major membrane protein of this bacterium, which contains an average of 0.7 acyl chains per polypeptide, attached very probably by ester bonds to alcohol amino acids. The amphiphilicity of spiralin was demonstrated by the behavior of the protein in charge-shift electrophoresis, its incorporation into liposomes, and its ability to form in the absence of lipids and detergents, globular protein micelles (diameter, approximately 15 nm). The presence of epitopes on the two faces of the cell membrane, as probed by antibody adsorption and crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and the strong interaction between spiralin and the intracytoplasmic fibrils show that spiralin is a transmembrane protein. The mean hydropathy of the amino acid composition of spiralin (-0.30) is on the hydrophilic side of the scale. Surprisingly, the water-insoluble core of spiralin micelles, which is the putative membrane anchor, has a still more hydrophilic amino acid composition (mean hydropathy, -0.70) and is enriched in glycine and serine residues. Taking into account all these properties, we propose a topological model for spiralin featuring a transbilayer localization with hydrophilic domains protruding on the two faces of the membrane and connected by a small domain embedded within the apolar region of the lipid bilayer. In this model, the membrane anchoring of the protein is strengthened by a covalently bound acyl chain.

Structural and functional approaches to the study of protein antigenicity

Structural and functional approaches to the study of protein antigenicity lead to two different perceptions of the nature of protein epitopes. The structural approach concentrates on the purely spatial arrangements of atoms found in the antigen-antibody complex and shows that at least 15 amino acid residues may be implicated in each epitope. The functional approach, which introduces the additional dimension of time, takes the form of cross-reactive binding measurements and leads to the view that a smaller number of residues are implicated in each epitope. Furthermore, as functional binding assays are irretrievably operational in character, different types of epitopes are identified by the use of different probes. Three current controversies in the field of protein antigenicity are discussed here: the mechanism of antigen-antibody interaction, the suitability of peptides as synthetic vaccines and the value of prediction methods for locating epitopes in proteins.

An antigen-independent contact mechanism as an early step in T cell-proliferative responses to dendritic cells

Dendritic cells bearing antigen efficiently aggregate and stimulate antigen-specific T cells. We describe an experimental model in which an initial, apparently antigen-independent binding step is followed by ligation of the TCR. The model is the polyclonal response to mAb to the CD3 portion of the TCR complex. Epidermal and thymic dendritic cells utilize low levels of Fc receptors to present the anti-CD3 mAb and induce mitogenesis. Within 3 h of coculture, most of the dendritic cells have formed clusters with the resting T lymphocytes, and these clusters are the site for subsequent DNA synthesis and cell growth. However, the binding of dendritic cells to T cells proceeds as efficiently in the absence of anti-CD3 as in its presence, and anti-FcR mAb does not block. CD3 and Fc receptors are essential for the subsequent mitogenesis response in dendritic-T cell clusters. Because an exogenous ligand for the TCR does not seem to be required for the extensive polyclonal clustering of resting lymphocytes to dendritic cells, we suggest that an antigen-independent mechanism mediates the initial interaction. This clustering seems essential for T cell growth since we do not detect, in two-chamber experiments, soluble lymphocyte-activating factors that originate from dendritic-T cell aggregates and that activate anti-CD3-coated T cells.

Mapping of four discontiguous antigenic determinants on horse cytochrome c

The epitopes (antigenic determinants) recognized by four different monoclonal antibodies on horse cytochrome c have been partially characterized by differential acetylation of lysine residues of free and antibody-bound cytochrome c. The degree of acetylation in the bound and free antigen molecule was assessed by a double-labeling procedure with [3H]acetic anhydride and [14C]acetic anhydride. Out of the 19 lysine residues of cytochrome c only very few were less reactive in the antigen-antibody complex, i.e. presumably located at the epitope for the antibody under study. The protection varied from 1.5-fold to over 20-fold lower reactivity in antibody-bound cytochrome c. The present results are complemented by previous data obtained by cross-reactivity analysis with cytochromes c from different species, with chemically modified cytochrome c derivatives, and by inhibition of proteolysis of cytochrome c in the presence of the antibodies. From the combined data we conclude that each of the four epitopes depends on the precise spatial folding of the antigen and contains residues which are brought together by the folding of the polypeptide chain. This work exemplifies that mapping of conformation-dependent epitopes can be achieved by applying a combination of mapping procedures of which each by itself provides partial information.

Structural features of T-cell recognition: applications to vaccine design

T lymphocytes, in contrast to antibodies, appear to recognize primarily a limited number of antigenic sites on any given antigenic protein. We find that a single site can so dominate the T-cell repertoire that the presence or absence of a response to one immunodominant site can make the difference between a high responder and a low responder, even though low responders respond to other sites almost as well as high responders. Besides interaction with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, the mode by which the antigen is processed into fragments for T-cell recognition also determines which sites are seen. The products of natural processing of the protein appear to be larger than the synthetic peptides and contain structures which hinder binding to certain MHC molecules or to the T-cell receptor. A third factor in immunodominance is the intrinsic structure of the antigenic site. We have shown that amphipathic helices have a higher than random chance of being immunodominant, and have developed a computer program to locate such structures in protein amino acid sequences. We prospectively predicted sites in the malaria circumsporozoite protein and found that the four most widely recognized sites in an endemic area of West Africa were all predicted. Similarly, we identified two helper T-cell sites from the HIV (AIDS virus) envelope, and have now shown that immunization with these elicits enhanced antibody responses to the whole envelope when injected into monkeys. These sites are also recognized by human T cells from volunteers who had been immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the HIV envelope. Also, because cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLS) may play a critical role in defence against AIDS, we have used a recombinant vaccinia virus and transfectants expressing the HIV envelope gene to induce specific CTLS against the HIV envelope. Using synthetic peptides, we were able to identify the first CTL recognition site in the AIDS virus. These results may contribute to the rational design of vaccines.

Studies of structure and specificity of some antigen-antibody complexes

By using X-ray diffraction and immunochemical techniques, we have exploited the use of monoclonal antibodies raised against hen egg lysozyme (HEL) to study systematically those factors responsible for the high specificity of antigen-antibody interactions. HEL was chosen for our investigations because its three-dimensional structure and immunochemistry have been well characterized and because naturally occurring sequence variants from different avian species are readily available to test the fine specificity of the antibodies. The X-ray crystal structure of a complex formed between HEL and the Fab D1.3 shows a large complementary surface with close interatomic contacts between antigen and antibody. Thus single amino acid sequence changes in heterologous antigens give antigen-antibody association constants that are several orders of magnitude smaller than that of the homologous antigen. For example, a substitution of His for Glu at position 121 in the antigen is sufficient to diminish significantly the binding between D1.3 and the variant lysozyme. The conformation of HEL when complexed to D1.3 shows no significant difference from that seen in the free molecule, and immunobinding studies with other anti-HEL antibodies suggest that this observation may be generally true for the system of monoclonal antibodies that we have studied.

The antigenic structure of a scorpion toxin

Scorpion toxins constitute a family of homologous proteins that exert potent pharmacological effects on ion channels. These proteins are immunogenic and constitute a good model for investigation of the molecular basis of antigenicity. In the first part of this article we summarize the results we have obtained in recent years concerning the location of the main antigenic regions of a model toxin, toxin II of the North African scorpion Androctonus australis Hector. Then, thanks to the recently available atomic coordinates of this toxin, we analyzed the relationships between the structural features of the protein and the location of the antigenic regions: we found that antigenic regions are located at exposed parts of the molecular surface, i.e. in reverse turns and the alpha-helix. These surface parts also correspond to segments of the polypeptide chain which are most accessible to a large spherical probe modelizing an antibody molecule. Finally, we obtained a general idea of what could be the main discontinuous antigenic determinants by looking for the neighboring relationships between the most exposed residues of the protein.

On the attribution of binding energy in antigen-antibody complexes McPC 603, D1.3, and HyHEL-5

Using X-ray coordinates of antigen-antibody complexes McPC 603, D1.3, and HyHEL-5, we made semiquantitative estimates of Gibbs free energy changes (delta G) accompanying noncovalent complex formation of the McPC 603 Fv fragment with phosphocholine and the D1.3 or HyHEL-5 Fv fragments with hen egg white lysozyme. Our empirical delta G function, which implicitly incorporates solvent effects, has the following components: hydrophobic force, solvent-modified electrostatics, changes in side-chain conformational entropy, translational/overall rotational entropy changes, and the dilutional (cratic) entropy term. The calculated delta G ranges matched the experimentally determined delta G of McPC 603 and D1.3 complexes and overestimated it (i.e., gave a more negative value) in the case of HyHEL-5. Relative delta G contributions of selected antibody residues, calculated for HyHEL-5 complexes, agreed with those determined independently in site-directed mutagenesis experiments. Analysis of delta G attribution in all three complexes indicated that only a small number of amino acids probably contribute actively to binding energetics. These form a subset of the total antigen-antibody contact surface. In the antibodies, the bottom part of the antigen binding cavity dominated the energetics of binding whereas in lysozyme, the energetically most important residues defined small (2.5-3 nm2) "energetic" epitopes. Thus, a concept of protein antigenicity emerges that involves the active, attractive contributions mediated by the energetic antigenic epitopes and the passive surface complementarity contributed by the surrounding contact area. The D1.3 energetic epitope of lysozyme involved Gly 22, Gly 117, and Gln 121; the HyHEL-5 epitope consisted of Arg 45 and Arg 68. These are also the essential antigenic residues determined experimentally. The above positions belong to the most protruding parts of the lysozyme surface, and their backbones are not exceptionally flexible. Least-squares analysis of six different antibody binding regions indicated that the geometry of the VH-VL interface beta-barrel is well conserved, giving no indication of significant changes in domain-domain contacts upon complex formation.

Fine mapping of antigenic site II of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D

Glycoprotein D (gD) is a virion envelope component of herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) which plays an important role in viral infection and pathogenesis. Previously, anti-gD monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were arranged into groups which recognize distinct type-common and type-specific sites on HSV-1 gD (gD-1) and HSV-2 gD (gD-2). Several groups recognize discontinuous epitopes which are dependent on tertiary structure. Three groups, VII, II, and V, recognize continuous epitopes present in both native and denatured gD. Previously, group II consisted of a single MAb, DL6, whose epitope was localized between amino acids 268 and 287. In the study reported here, we extended our analysis of the antigenic structure of gD, concentrating on continuous epitopes. The DL6 epitope was localized with greater precision to residues 272 to 279. Four additional MAbs including BD78 were identified, each of which recognizes an epitope within residues 264 to 275. BD78 and DL6 blocked each other in binding to gD. In addition, a mutant form of gD was constructed in which the proline at 273 was replaced by serine. This change removes a predicted beta turn in gD. Neither antibody reacted with this mutant, indicating that the BD78 and DL6 epitopes overlap and constitute an antigenic site (site II) within residues 264 to 279. A separate antigenic site (site XI) was recognized by MAb BD66 (residues 284 to 301). This site was only six amino acids downstream of site II, but was distinct as demonstrated by blocking studies. Synthetic peptides mimicking these and other regions of gD were screened with polyclonal antisera to native gD-1 or gD-2. The results indicate that sites II, V, VII, and XI, as well as the carboxy terminus, are the major continuous antigenic determinants on gD. In addition, the results show that the region from residues 264 through 369, except the transmembrane anchor, contains a series of continuous epitopes.

Polypeptide-antibody binding mechanism: conformational adaptation investigated by equilibrium and kinetic analysis

The mechanism of polypeptide-antibody binding was analysed by kinetic and equilibrium studies to find out whether or not the binding of an antibody to a large protein or a polypeptide antigen behaves as a one-step reaction or involves conformational adaptation. Three monoclonal antibodies recognizing 3 distinct epitopes on the C-terminal domain (F2) of Escherichia coli tryptophan synthase beta 2 subunit were used. The dissociation equilibrium constant (KD), the association rate constant (kon) and the dissociation rate constant (koff) of these antibodies for the native beta 2 subunit, its C-terminal fragment (F2) and different polypeptides obtained by chemical cleavage of the F2 fragment were measured. It was found that for some polypeptide-antibody complexes, binding could not be described as a one-step association-dissociation reaction, thus indicating the existence of conformational adaptation upon antibody-antigen complex formation. It was also shown that differences in affinities of a given antibody for its epitope carried by different polypeptides were mainly due to differences in the dissociation rate constant (koff) and not in the association rate constant (kon). Moreover, the immunoreactivity of various polypeptides obtained by cleavage of the F2 fragment enabled us to localize the 3 epitopes on the beta chain in light of the 3-dimensional structure of tryptophan synthase described recently by Hyde et al. (1988).

Expression of a poliovirus type 1 neutralization epitope on a diphtheria toxin fusion protein

The diphtheria toxin (DT) secreted by Corynebacterium diphtheriae is used after formolization as an efficient vaccine against diphtheria. In an attempt to evaluate its capacity to present heterologous peptide sequence in a recognized form, we created in-phase insertion in the gene encoding the non-toxic mutant protein CRM228 of DT. The sequence chosen for insertion was the synthetic DNA fragment encoding a poliovirus neutralization epitope. Tripartite fusion proteins comprising the mutant DT, the poliovirus peptide and beta-galactosidase were obtained in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. These fusion proteins reacted both with antibodies directed against the DT and a poliovirus specific monoclonal antibody. Moreover, these hybrid toxins induced protective antibodies against the lethal effect of DT and neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus. We conclude that the modification of highly immunogenic DT may provide a means for the presentation of foreign peptide sequences to the immune system.

The structural basis of allergenicity: recombinant DNA-based strategies for the study of allergens

The use of recombinant DNA techniques for the study of allergenicity of proteins is a viable, and in many ways a preferred, alternative to the traditional procedures of protein purification, digestion and analysis of peptides for both allergenicity and amino acid sequence. The process of protein purification can be difficult and in many instances workers are forced to use only partially pure fractions that make the identification of the allergenic proteins uncertain. Furthermore, the purification and sequencing of peptides and their testing for retention of allergenic properties, represents a substantial and time-consuming work load. The synthesis of families of synthetic peptides to characterize the amino acids important for allergenic properties is also expensive and time-consuming. On the other hand, the preparation of a cDNA library from an allergen source is today a relatively easy and inexpensive task. The isolation and purification of cDNA clones is comparatively trivial compared to protein purification. Using the techniques described in this text, it can be seen that the molecular biological approach, although in some respects similar in principle to those of the protein chemist to study allergens, provides the capability to study several clones at the same time, and to compare clones for the presence of conserved regions corresponding to allergenic determinants. In addition, the techniques for generating mutant sequences provides perhaps the most powerful and simple set of procedures available for defining the amino acid structures essential for proteins or peptides to behave as allergens.

Recombinant polypeptides from the human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase define three epitopes recognized by antibodies in sera from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Eight fragments derived from the HIV-1 pol gene were expressed as recombinant polypeptides in Escherichia coli. The fragments were from the portion of the pol gene that encodes the reverse transcriptase. The expressed peptides were analyzed immunologically with sera from HIV-1-infected individuals. Three distinct immunogenic epitopes were identified. These determinants are presumably located on the surface of the native reverse transcriptase. Each epitope was included in a fusion protein that was expressed at high levels in bacteria. These proteins may provide reagents of potential diagnostic value.

Antigenic structure of the flavivirus envelope protein E at the molecular level, using tick-borne encephalitis virus as a model

A model of the tick-borne encephalitis virus envelope protein E is presented that contains information on the structural organization of this flavivirus protein and correlates epitopes and antigenic domains to defined sequence elements. It thus reveals details of the structural and functional characteristics of the corresponding protein domains. The localization of three antigenic domains (composed of 16 distinct epitopes) within the primary structure was performed by (i) amino-terminal sequencing of three immunoreactive fragments of protein E and (ii) sequencing the protein E-coding regions of seven antigenic variants of tick-borne encephalitis virus that had been selected in the presence of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies directed against the E protein. Further information about variable and conserved regions was obtained by a comparative computer analysis of flavivirus E protein amino acid sequences. The search for potential T-cell determinants revealed at least one sequence compatible with an amphipathic alpha-helix which is conserved in all flaviviruses sequenced so far. By combining these data with those on the location of disulfide bridges (T. Nowak and G. Wengler, Virology 156:127-137, 1987) and the structural characteristics of epitopes, such as dependency on conformation or on intact disulfide bridges or both, a model was established that goes beyond the location of epitopes in the primary sequence and reveals features of the folding of the polypeptide chain, including the generation of discontinuous protein domains.

Development and application of synthetic peptides as vaccines

Vaccination against bacterial and viral diseases has been one of the major achievements in medicine and immunology since the beginning of this century. Extensive vaccination programs have been able to control or, in the case of smallpox, virtually wipe out some of the most dangerous infectious diseases e.g. poliomyelitis, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. However, as this success has been limited mainly to the developed, affluent countries, infectious diseases still remain the worlds largest health problem. Furthermore, vaccines against human parasites are non-existent. Recent advances in immunology and molecular biology including recombinant DNA technology have provided the basis for new approaches to vaccine development.