Defining a protective epitope on factor H binding protein, a key meningococcal virulence factor and vaccine antigen.

ABSTRACT: Mapping of epitopes recognized by functional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is essential for understanding the nature of immune responses and designing improved vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. In recent years, identification of B-cell epitopes targeted by neutralizing antibodies has facilitated the design of peptide-based vaccines against highly variable pathogens like HIV, respiratory syncytial virus, and Helicobacter pylori; however, none of these products has yet progressed into clinical stages. Linear epitopes identified by conventional mapping techniques only partially reflect the immunogenic properties of the epitope in its natural conformation, thus limiting the success of this approach. To investigate antigen-antibody interactions and assess the potential of the most common

SUBMITTER: Malito E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3587270 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature