Peptide Tools to Study Monkeypox Virus

About Monkeypox Virus

Monkeypox virus (Orthopoxvirus simiae) belongs to the family of Poxviridae, which can cause a zoonotic disease commonly referred to Monkeypox. 83 species belong to this family of these double- stranded DNA viruses including the orthopox subfamily with

Though rodents appear to be the primary reservoir for the monkeypox virus, primates can carry the virus and can promote its transmission to humans. Monkeypox infection primarily occurs in central and west Africa and was first identified in a human in 1970. The recent outbreak in several non- endemic countries (with many cases in Europe) has sparked a new interest in the epidemiology, sources and mechanism of infection, transmission patterns and cross-reactivity of monkeypox virus.

Of note, the common chickenpox virus (varicella zoster virus) is a herpesvirus and does not belong to the poxviruses.

Cross-immunity within the Orthopox subfamily

Vaccination against smallpox seems to be quite effective (approx. 85%) in preventing monkeypox 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 Monkeypox, Smallpox and Vaccinia Peptide Formats

Cellular Immune Response Profiling

JPT offers custom peptide synthesis, peptide libraries, microarrays and pools for research and development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapy. We provide knowledgeable support, high quality, flexible and innovative formats combined with expert expertise to bring forward your research project.

PepMix™ Peptide Pools

efficient for antigen-specific stimulation in T cell assays such as ELISPOT and flow cytometry
highest quality and batch-to-batch consistency, whole production ISO 9001 certified
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 for your specific needs!

PepTrack™ Peptide Libraries

T-cell assays
High-throughput T-cell epitope discovery
Monitoring of cellular immune response

Custom Peptide Synthesis

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 of humoral responses
Profiling of monkeypox-specific samples or antibodies
Evaluation of co-infection * Detection of epitopes and 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, you define content and layout

Peptide ELISA

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 Peptides

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)