Specific phage‐displayed peptides discriminate different forms of neurocysticercosis by antibody detection in the serum samples

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NC), caused by Taenia solium metacestode, infects the central nervous system and is a devastating parasitic infection. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, imaging, serology and epidemiology. Current markers present variable sensitivity and specificity, frequent cross-reactions and are not able to discriminate NC clinical forms. The aim of this study was to select mimotopes of T. solium metacestode antigens that may be used in NC immunodiagnosis, specifically to discriminate between active and inactive forms. A random peptide phage display library was screened against IgY from chickens immunized with total saline extract from T. solium metacestodes and validated against 110 serum samples, classified into active NC (18), inactive NC (22), cross-reactive parasitic diseases (40) and healthy controls (30). We have successfully selected seven peptides with significant immunoreactivity to IgG of NC patients, with sensitivity ranging from 95.5% to 100% to detect the inactive form and specificity varied from 85.7% to 94.3%. One phage-displayed peptide (Cc48) can be directly used as biomarker to distinguish inactive from active forms with an accuracy of 95.7%, and this novel mimotope may also be used as an auxiliary tool to neuroimaging tests and treatment follow-up.

Immunological and molecular diagnosis of cysticercosis

“…89 Initial promising results have been reported for two other peptides produced with this technique. 90,91 As proposed by EsquivelVelazquez et al, in 2011, new tools like phage display peptide selection, production of synthetic, and recombinant antigens, could permit us to shorten the path to identify specific antigens capable to distinguish not only the stages of the parasite, but also exposure from viable and non-viable infection. 92 In this way, a good alternative to distinguish exposure from infection could be the use of oncospheral antigens, which to date have mostly been used as vaccine candidates.…”

Subtractive Phage Display Selection from Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis Identifies Novel Epitopes That Mimic Leishmania infantum Antigens with Potential Serodiagnosis Applications

“…Since its first description (36) and introduction into laboratory practice (37), phage display technology has proven to be useful in selecting specific peptides that are highly reactive against many pathogen targets. Its biological applications have ranged from use in studies of vaccine candidates for rabies (38), hepatitis C (39), E. coli (40), Plasmodium vivax (23), and Schistosoma japonicum (41) to use with diagnostic antigens for the detection of antibodies to pneumonia (42), neurocysticercosis (43)(44)(45), equine viral arteritis (46), rabies (47), and anaplasmosis (48). These phage-displayed peptides, also called mimotopes, have shown either linear or conformational recognition with high affinity to paratope sequences of antibodies.…”

Theranostic applications of phage display to control leishmaniasis: selection of biomarkers for serodiagnostics, vaccination, and immunotherapy

“…In another study, three peptides expressed in reactive phage clones and selected against serum from leprosy patients were successfully validated as tools for serological diagnosis of leprosy (44) . A similar approach has been applied to develop diagnostics for other animal and human diseases, such as neurocysticercosis (27) , strongyloidiasis (28) , and bovine anaplasmosis (39) . Phage particles carrying antigenic determinants may be directly used for therapy.…”