Pox-AbDab: the orthopoxvirus antibody database.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Mpox (orthopoxvirus) was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO in August 2024.
• Continued research into mpox microbiology and therapeutics is crucial.
• Existing data on orthopoxvirus-binding antibodies are fragmented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the Orthopoxvirus Antibody Database (Pox-AbDab), a centralized repository for orthopoxvirus antibody data.
• To standardize and consolidate existing knowledge on antibodies targeting viruses within the Orthopoxvirus genus.
• To analyze the landscape of orthopoxvirus-binding antibodies and identify research gaps.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Orthopoxvirus Antibody Database (Pox-AbDab).
• Data curation and standardization of antibody-binding and neutralization information.
• Exploratory analysis of antibody properties, cross-reactivity, immunodominance, immune escape, and epitope coverage.

Main Results:

• The Pox-AbDab database provides a centralized resource for orthopoxvirus antibody data.
• Analysis revealed challenges in knowledge translation across orthopoxviruses, including the lack of functional antigen nomenclature.
• The antibody landscape analysis highlighted aggregate molecular properties, cross-binding/neutralization profiles, immunodominance/escape, and coverage gaps.

Conclusions:

• Pox-AbDab facilitates research on orthopoxvirus-binding antibodies.
• Standardization and analysis of antibody data are essential for advancing therapeutic development.
• Identifying knowledge gaps in the orthopoxvirus antibody landscape will guide future research efforts.