Peptide Tools for Mpox Virus Research

Mpox Virus: Overview and Impact

Monkeypox virus (Orthopoxvirus simiae), commonly referred to as Mpox, belongs to the Poxviridae family. This family includes 83 species of double-stranded DNA viruses, such as:

While rodents are the primary reservoir, primates can also carry and transmit the virus to humans. Mpox primarily occurs in Central and West Africa, with the first human case identified in 1970. The recent outbreak in several non-endemic countries, especially in Europe, has renewed interest in studying Mpox’s epidemiology, transmission, and cross-reactivity with other orthopoxviruses.

Note: The chickenpox virus (varicella zoster) is a herpesvirus and is not related to poxviruses.

Mpox Cross-Immunity within the Orthopox Subfamily

Vaccination against smallpox seems to be quite effective (approx. 85%) in preventing Mpox as shown in several observational studies. This could be because many of the viral proteins show great levels of homology within different orthopoxviridae as shown in belows table.

Uniprot ID	Protein name	PepMix Product Code	Homology (%)*
O57206	IMV heparin binding surface protein (MVA093L)	PM-MVA-093L	96.6
O57211	Cell surface-binding protein (MVA105L)	PM-MVA-105L	97
O57196	Putative 49.8k protein (MVA 074R)	PM-MVA-074R	98.8
P68598	Host range protein 2 (MVA018L)	PM-MVA-018L	99.3
O57223	Major core protein P4a (MVA 121L)	PM-MVA-121L	98.3
P07614	Protein L3	PM-VACV-L3L	97.4
O57265	Putative 21.7k protein (MVA189R)	PM-MVA-189R	63.5

* defined as the percentage of residues with a positive BLOSUM50 score (gap is score -5) in a comparison of aligned sequences.

Table 1: Homology of different vaccinia antigens that are represented in JPT’s proprietary PepMix peptide pools with the respective monkeypox antigens.

JPT's products to study Smallpox, Vaccinia and Monkeypox

JPT's Mpox, Smallpox and Vaccinia Peptide Formats

Cellular Immune Response Profiling

At JPT, we offer a comprehensive range of peptide tools tailored for the study of Mpox, smallpox, and vaccinia virus. Our products are designed to assist in the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies, as well as in cellular and humoral immune response profiling.

PepMix™ Peptide Pools for Mpox and Monkeypox

Our PepMix™ Peptide Pools are highly efficient for antigen-specific stimulation in T cell assays, such as ELISPOT and flow cytometry. Key features include:

High Quality & Consistency: ISO 9001 certified, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency.
PepMix Pan-Poxviridae Select: 127 immunodominant peptide epitopes combining all major antigens of Monkeypox virus (MPXV), Smallpox virus (VARV), Vaccinia virus (VACV), Variola virus (VARV)
PepMix peptide pools for various virus antigens: e.g. Protein L3, IMV heparin binding surface protein, cell surface-binding protein and more
Custom PepMix™ Peptide Pools: tailored to your specific research needs, including various virus antigens like Protein L3 and IMV heparin binding surface protein.

PepTrack™ Peptide Libraries for Mpox Research

Our PepTrack™ Peptide Libraries are ideal for:

T-Cell Assays: Facilitating high-throughput T-cell epitope discovery.
Immune Response Monitoring: Enabling precise tracking of cellular immune responses to Mpox and other poxviruses.

Custom Peptide Synthesis for Mpox and Monkeypox Studies

We are the experts for peptide synthesis with highest quality optimized for many applications. Our peptide synthesis service has a very high success rate (over 99%) as we optimize the appropriate peptide synthesis method for each peptide. If you would like to order a quality peptide synthesis using regulated processes, choose JPT!

Humoral Immune Response Profiling

PepStar™ Peptide Microarrays

Immune monitoring: Profiling humoral responses in Mpox-specific samples or antibodies.
Co-Infection Evaluation: Detecting epitopes and monitoring epitope spreading.
PepStar peptide microarrays: for various Vaccinia virus antigens: e.g. Protein L3, IMV heparin binding surface protein, cell surface-binding protein and more
Custom PepStar Peptide Microarrays: Tailor the content and layout to meet your research needs.

Peptide ELISA Development

In addition to high-content peptide microarrays, JPT offers the development of peptide based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). This common analytical and highly sensitive immunological assay is well established for proteins but requires detailed experimental expertise for peptides.

Clinical Grade Peptides for Mpox and Monkeypox Virus

Production of JPT’s Clinical Peptides product lines Clinical Grade and ISO Plus is regulated by an enhanced ISO 9001:2015 quality management system for the stringent product requirements of immunotherapy as well as vaccine and drug development.

References

T Cell Responses against Orthopoxviruses in HIV-Positive Patients
Stefanie et al., Vaccines (2024) - PMID: 38400115
Product used: PepMix Pan-Poxviridae Select
Early evaluation of the safety, reactogenicity, and immune response after a single dose of modified vaccinia Ankara–Bavaria Nordic vaccine against mpox in children: a national outbreak response
Ladhani et al., The Lancet (2023) - PMID: 37336224
Immunological signature in human cases of monkeypox infection in 2022 outbreak: an observational study
Agrati et al., The Lancet (2022)
Safety and Immunogenicity of a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Vector Vaccine Candidate for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: an Open-Label, Phase 1 Trial
Koch et al, Lancet (2020)
A Vaccine Based on Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara Containing the Nucleoprotein from Lassa Virus Protects Against Disease Progression in a Guinea Pig Model
Kennedy et al, Vaccine (2019)
Characterization of the Immune Response Elicited by the Vaccinia Virus L3 Protein Delivered as Naked DNA
Ramìres et al, Vaccine (2018)
Systems kinomics demonstrates Congo Basin monkeypox virus infection selectively modulates host cell signaling responses as compared to West African monkeypox virus
Kindrachuk et a., Mol Cell Proteomics (2012)