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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
Published on: June 15, 2018
Antibody profiling in plague patients by protein microarray
Bei Li1, Dongsheng Zhou, Zuyun Wang
1Laboratory of Analytical Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China.
Abstract:
A protein microarray containing 144 known or putative virulence-related proteins of Yersinia pestis was used to evaluate the antibody responses of plague patients. Forty-two proteins were found to be expressed in vivo and antibodies against 14 of them were detected in all patients analyzed, providing potential candidates for novel protective antigens and novel serodiagnostic markers in Y. pestis. Moreover, the lack of antibody to LcrV in the five patients in Focus F might be a challenge to our understanding of the pathogenesis of Y. pestis.
Insights
Researchers identified 14 Yersinia pestis proteins with antibodies in all plague patients, suggesting new targets for vaccines and diagnostics. The absence of LcrV antibodies in some patients challenges current Yersinia pestis pathogenesis understanding.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague.
- Understanding Yersinia pestis virulence factors and host immune responses is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.
- Previous studies have identified several Yersinia pestis proteins involved in virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify Yersinia pestis virulence-related proteins recognized by the host immune system during plague.
- To discover potential novel protective antigens and serodiagnostic markers for Yersinia pestis infections.
- To investigate the role of specific virulence factors, such as LcrV, in the immune response to Yersinia pestis.
Main Methods:
- A protein microarray was constructed containing 144 known or putative virulence-related proteins of Yersinia pestis.
- Antibody responses in serum samples from plague patients were analyzed using the protein microarray.
- Proteins found to be expressed in vivo and recognized by patient antibodies were identified.
Main Results:
- Out of 144 tested proteins, 42 were found to be expressed in vivo.
- Antibodies against 14 of these in vivo-expressed proteins were detected in all analyzed plague patients.
- Lack of antibody response to LcrV was observed in a subset of patients.
Conclusions:
- The 14 identified proteins represent promising candidates for novel protective antigens and serodiagnostic markers for Yersinia pestis.
- The findings suggest new avenues for vaccine development and improved diagnostics for plague.
- The absence of anti-LcrV antibodies in some patients warrants further investigation into Yersinia pestis pathogenesis and immune evasion strategies.
