A rapid approach for linear epitope vaccine profiling reveals unexpected epitope tag immunogenicity.

ABSTRACT: Antibody epitope profiling is essential for assessing the robustness of vaccine-induced immune responses, particularly while in development. Despite advancements in computational tools, high throughput experimental epitope validation remains an important step. Here, we describe a readily accessible method for rapid linear epitope profiling using phage-displayed oligo pools in combination with Nanopore deep sequencing. We applied this approach to TeeVax3, a Group A Streptococcus vaccine candidate, to investigate the antibody response generated in a pre-clinical rabbit model and assess antigen immunogenicity. Surprisingly, we found a strong bias in antibody binding response towards the N-terminal epitope tag used for purification. These tags are widely reported to have low immunogenicity and

SUBMITTER: Browne-Cole K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11923269 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature