RESUMEN

Senecavirus A (SVA) is a type of nonenveloped single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus. The VP2 protein is a structural protein that plays an important role in inducing early and late immune responses of the host. However, its antigenic epitopes have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, defining the B epitopes of the VP2 protein is of great importance to revealing its antigenic characterization. In this study, we analyzed B-cell immunodominant epitopes (IDEs) of the VP2 protein from the SVA strain CH/FJ/2017 using the Pepscan approach and a bioinformatics-based computational prediction method. The following four novel IDEs of VP2 were identified: IDE1, 41TKSDPPSSSTDQPTTT56; IDE2, 145PDGKAKSLQELNEEQW160; IDE3, 161VEMSDDYRTGKNMPF175; and IDE4, 267PYFNGLRNRFTTGT280. Most of the IDEs were highly conserved among the different strains. To our knowledge, the VP2 protein is a major protective antigen of SVA that can induce neutralizing antibodies in animals. Here, we analyzed the immunogenicity and neutralization activity of four IDEs of VP2. Consequently, all four IDEs showed good immunogenicity that could elicit specific antibodies in guinea pigs. A neutralization test in vitro showed that the peptide-specific guinea pig antisera of IDE2 could neutralize SVA strain CH/FJ/2017, and IDE2 was identified as a novel potential neutralizing linear epitope. This is the first time VP2 IDEs have been identified by using the Pepscan method and a bioinformatics-based computational prediction method. These results will help elucidate the antigenic epitopes of VP2 and clarify the basis for immune responses against SVA. IMPORTANCE The clinical symptoms and lesions caused by SVA are indistinguishable from those of other vesicular diseases in pigs. SVA has been associated with recent outbreaks of vesicular disease and epidemic transient neonatal losses in several swine-producing countries. Due to the continuing spread of SVA and the lack of commercial vaccines, the development of improved control strategies is urgently needed. The VP2 protein is a crucial antigen on the capsids of SVA particles. Furthermore, the latest research showed that VP2 could be a promising candidate for the development of novel vaccines and diagnostic tools. Hence, a detailed exploration of epitopes in the VP2 protein is necessary. In this study, four novel B-cell IDEs were identified using two different antisera with two different methods. IDE2 was identified as a new neutralizing linear epitope. Our findings will help in the rational design of epitope vaccines and further understanding of the antigenic structure of VP2.

Asunto(s)

Proteínas de la Cápside , Epítopos de Linfocito B , Animales , Cobayas , Proteínas de la Cápside/genética , Epítopos de Linfocito B/genética , Anticuerpos Antivirales , Sueros Inmunes

RESUMEN

Understanding antibody specificity and defining response profiles to antigens continue to be essential to both vaccine research and therapeutic antibody development. Peptide scanning assays enable mapping of continuous epitopes in order to delineate antibody-antigen interactions beyond traditional immunoassay formats. We have developed a relatively low-cost method to generate peptide microarray slides for antibody binding studies that allow for interrogation of up to 1536 overlapping peptides derived from the target antigens on a single microslide. Using an IntavisAG MultiPep RS peptide synthesizer and a Digilab MicroGrid II 600 microarray printer robot, each peptide is tagged with a polyethylene glycol aminooxy terminus to improve peptide solubility, orientation, and conjugation efficiency to the slide surface. Interrogation of the surface can then be performed using polyclonal immune sera or monoclonal antibodies, and sensitive detection using an InnoScan 1100 AL scanner with fluorescent-conjugated secondary reagents maximizes conservation of reagents.

Asunto(s)

Análisis por Matrices de Proteínas , Vacunas , Anticuerpos Monoclonales , Mapeo Epitopo/métodos , Epítopos , Sueros Inmunes , Péptidos , Polietilenglicoles , Análisis por Matrices de Proteínas/métodos

RESUMEN

In a previous study, we have shown that PEPscan can provide a cheap and rapid means to identify candidate interfering peptides (IPs), i.e., peptides able to disrupt a target protein-protein interaction. PEPscan was shown to be effective in identifying a limited number of candidate IPs specific to the target interaction. Here, we investigate the results of 14 new PEPscan experiments for protein complexes of known 3D structures. We show that for almost all complexes, PEPscan is able to identify candidate IPs that are located at the protein-protein interface. The information it provides about the binding site seems, however, too ambiguous to be exploited in a simple manner to assist the modeling of protein complexes. Moreover, these candidates are associated with false positives. For these, we suggest they could correspond to non-specific binders, which leaves room for further optimization of the PEPscan protocol. Another unexpected advance comes from the observation of the applicability of PEPscan for polysaccharides and labeled peptides, suggesting that PEPscan could become a large spectrum approach to investigate protein-binder interactions, the binder not necessarily being a protein.

Asunto(s)

Péptidos , Proteínas , Sitios de Unión , Fenómenos Biofísicos , Péptidos/química , Proteínas/química

RESUMEN

Given the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus as a life-threatening pandemic, identification of immunodominant epitopes of the viral structural proteins, particularly the nucleocapsid (NP) protein and receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike protein, is important to determine targets for immunotherapy and diagnosis. In this study, epitope screening was performed using a panel of overlapping peptides spanning the entire sequences of the RBD and NP proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in the sera from 66 COVID-19 patients and 23 healthy subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results showed that while reactivity of patients' sera with reduced recombinant RBD protein was significantly lower than the native form of RBD (P < 0.001), no significant differences were observed for reactivity of patients' sera with reduced and non-reduced NP protein. Pepscan analysis revealed weak to moderate reactivity towards different RBD peptide pools, which was more focused on peptides encompassing amino acids (aa) 181-223 of RBD. NP peptides, however, displayed strong reactivity with a single peptide covering aa 151-170. These findings were confirmed by peptide depletion experiments using both ELISA and western blotting. Altogether, our data suggest involvement of mostly conformational disulfide bond-dependent immunodominant epitopes in RBD-specific antibody response, while the IgG response to NP is dominated by linear epitopes. Identification of dominant immunogenic epitopes in NP and RBD of SARS-CoV-2 could provide important information for the development of passive and active immunotherapy as well as diagnostic tools for the control of COVID-19 infection.

Asunto(s)

Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , COVID-19/inmunología , Epítopos Inmunodominantes/inmunología , Nucleocápside/inmunología , Receptores Virales/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Anciano , Secuencias de Aminoácidos , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , COVID-19/virología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Epítopos Inmunodominantes/química , Irán , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pandemias , Péptidos/inmunología , Unión Proteica , SARS-CoV-2/química , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/química , Proteínas Virales/inmunología

RESUMEN

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00021.].

RESUMEN

Maedi-Visna-like genotype A strains and Caprine arthritis encephaltis-like genotype B strains are small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) which, for incompletely understood reasons, appear to be more virulent in sheep and goats, respectively. A 9-month in vivo infection experiment using Belgian genotype A and B SRLV strains showed that almost all homologous (genotype A in sheep; genotype B in goats) and heterologous (genotype A in goats; genotype B in sheep) intratracheal inoculations resulted in productive infection. No differences in viremia and time to seroconversion were observed between homologous and heterologous infections. Higher viral loads and more severe lesions in the mammary gland and lung were however detected at 9 months post homologous compared to heterologous infection which coincided with strongly increased IFN-γ mRNA expression levels upon homologous infection. Pepscan analysis revealed a strong antibody response against immune-dominant regions of the capsid and surface proteins upon homologous infection, which was absent after heterologous infection. These results inversely correlated with protection against virus replication in target organs and observed histopathological lesions, and thus require an in-depth evaluation of a potential role of antibody dependent enhancement in SRLV infection. Finally, no horizontal intra- and cross-species SRLV transmission to contact animals was detected.

Asunto(s)

Virus de la Artritis-Encefalitis Caprina/fisiología , Genotipo , Enfermedades de las Cabras/inmunología , Cabras , Inmunidad Humoral , Neumonía Intersticial Progresiva de los Ovinos/inmunología , Ovinos , Replicación Viral/inmunología , Virus Visna-Maedi/fisiología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Femenino , Enfermedades de las Cabras/genética , Enfermedades de las Cabras/patología , Enfermedades de las Cabras/virología , Cabras/inmunología , Cabras/virología , Pulmón/inmunología , Pulmón/patología , Pulmón/virología , Glándulas Mamarias Animales/inmunología , Glándulas Mamarias Animales/patología , Glándulas Mamarias Animales/virología , Neumonía Intersticial Progresiva de los Ovinos/genética , Neumonía Intersticial Progresiva de los Ovinos/patología , Neumonía Intersticial Progresiva de los Ovinos/virología , Ovinos/inmunología , Ovinos/virología , Especificidad de la Especie , Carga Viral/inmunología

RESUMEN

PEPscan is an old approach that has recently gained renewed interest for the identification of interfering peptides (IPs), i.e., peptides able to interfere with protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Its principle is to slice a protein sequence as a series of short overlapping peptides that are synthesized on a peptide array and tested for their ability to bind a partner, with positive spots corresponding to candidate IPs. PEPscan has been applied with a rather large success in various contexts, but the structural determinants underlying this success remain obscure. Here, we analyze the results of 14 PEPscan experiments, and confront the in vitro results with the available structural information. PEPscan identifies candidate IPs in limited numbers that in all cases correspond to solvent-accessible regions of the structures, their location at the protein-protein interface remaining to be further demonstrated. A strong point of PEPscan seems to be its ability to identify specific IPs. IPs identified from the same protein differ depending on the target PPI, and correspond to patches not frequently involved in the interactions seen in the 3D structures available. Overall, PEPscan seems to provide a cheap and rapid manner to identify candidate IPs, that also comes with room for improvement.

Asunto(s)

Modelos Moleculares , Péptidos/química , Mapeo de Interacción de Proteínas , Proteínas/química , Péptidos/metabolismo , Proteínas/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Several diagnostic tools have been developed for clinical and epidemiological assays. RT-PCR and antigen detection tests are more useful for diagnosis of acute disease, while antibody tests allow the estimation of exposure in the population. Currently, there is an urgent need for the development of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 that can be used for large-scale epidemiological sampling. Through a comprehensive strategy, potential 16 mer antigenic peptides suited for antibody-based SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis were identified. A systematic scan of the three structural proteins (S,N and M) and the non-structural proteins (ORFs) present in the SARS-CoV-2 virus was conducted through the combination of immunoinformatic methods, peptide SPOT synthesis and an immunoassay with cellulose-bound peptides (Pepscan). The Pepscan filter paper sheets with synthetic peptides were tested against pools of sera of COVID-19 patients. Antibody recognition showed a strong signal for peptides corresponding to the S, N and M proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus, but not for the ORFs proteins. The peptides exhibiting higher signal intensity were found in the C-terminal region of the N protein. Several peptides of this region showed strong recognition with all three immunoglobulins in the pools of sera. The differential reactivity observed between the different immunoglobulin isotypes (IgA, IgM and IgG) within different regions of the S and N proteins, can be advantageous for ensuring accurate diagnosis of all infected patients, with different times of exposure to infection. Few peptides of the M protein showed antibody recognition and no recognition was observed for peptides of the ORFs proteins.

Asunto(s)

Prueba Serológica para COVID-19/métodos , Proteínas M de Coronavirus/inmunología , Proteínas de la Nucleocápside de Coronavirus/inmunología , Informática/métodos , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Biología Computacional , Proteínas M de Coronavirus/genética , Proteínas de la Nucleocápside de Coronavirus/genética , Mapeo Epitopo , Epítopos de Linfocito B/genética , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina A/sangre , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Inmunoglobulina M/sangre , Péptidos/genética , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genética

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a major antigen that can induce protective antibodies in poultry. However, its antigenic epitopes have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, defining the linear epitopes of HN, especially neutralizing epitopes, will be useful for revealing its antigenic characterization. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed B-cell immunodominant epitopes (IDEs) of the HN protein from the vaccine strain LaSota using pepscan technology with LaSota-specific chicken hyperimmune antisera. We constructed IDEs-RFP plasmids and prepared anti-IDEs peptide mouse sera to identify IDEs through immunological tests. At last, the different diluted anti-IDE antisera were used in BHK-21 cells to perform the neutralization test. RESULTS: Five IDEs of the HN were screened and further verified by indirect immunofluorescence assays, dot blots and Western blots with NDV- and IDEs-specific antisera. All five IDEs showed good immunogenicity. IDE5 (328-342 aa) could recognize only class II NDV but did not react with the class I strain. Most of the IDEs are highly conserved among the different strains. A neutralization test in vitro showed that the peptide-specific mouse antisera of IDE4 (242-256 aa) and HN341-355, a reported neutralizing linear epitope, could partially neutralize avirulent LaSota as well as virulent strains at similar levels, suggesting that IDE4 might be a potential neutralizing linear epitope. CONCLUSION: The HN protein is a major protective antigen of NDV that can induce neutralizing antibodies in animals. We identified five IDEs of the HN using a pepscan approach with NDV-specific chicken hyperimmune antisera. The five IDEs could elicit specific antibodies in mice. IDE4 (242-256 aa) was identified as a novel potential neutralizing linear epitope. These results will help elucidate the antigenic epitopes of the HN and facilitate the development of NDV vaccines.

Asunto(s)

Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Proteína HN/inmunología , Epítopos Inmunodominantes/inmunología , Virus de la Enfermedad de Newcastle/inmunología , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Pollos , Secuencia Conservada , Epítopos de Linfocito B/química , Epítopos de Linfocito B/genética , Epítopos de Linfocito B/inmunología , Proteína HN/química , Proteína HN/genética , Epítopos Inmunodominantes/química , Epítopos Inmunodominantes/genética , Ratones , Modelos Moleculares , Pruebas de Neutralización , Virus de la Enfermedad de Newcastle/genética , Vacunas Virales/genética , Vacunas Virales/inmunología

RESUMEN

To face the continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, broadly protective therapeutic antibodies are highly needed. We here focused on the fusion peptide (FP) region of the viral spike antigen since it is highly conserved among alpha- and betacoronaviruses. First, we found that coronavirus cross-reactive antibodies are commonly formed during infection, being omnipresent in sera from COVID-19 patients, in ~50% of pre-pandemic human sera (rich in antibodies against endemic human coronaviruses), and even in feline coronavirus-infected cats. Pepscan analyses demonstrated that a confined N-terminal region of the FP is strongly immunogenic across diverse coronaviruses. Peptide-purified human antibodies targeting this conserved FP epitope exhibited broad binding of alpha- and betacoronaviruses, besides weak and transient SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity. Being frequently elicited by coronavirus infection, these FP-binding antibodies might potentially exhibit Fc-mediated effector functions and influence the kinetics or severity of coronavirus infection and disease.

Asunto(s)

Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Antígenos Virales/inmunología , COVID-19/inmunología , Coronavirus Felino/inmunología , Pandemias , Péptidos/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Adulto , Animales , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/sangre , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Donantes de Sangre , COVID-19/sangre , COVID-19/virología , Prueba Serológica para COVID-19/métodos , Gatos , Chlorocebus aethiops , Reacciones Cruzadas , Epítopos/inmunología , Humanos , Porcinos , Células Vero

RESUMEN

Broad and potent neutralizing llama single domain antibodies (VHH) against HIV-1 targeting the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) have previously been isolated upon llama immunization. Here we describe the epitopes of three additional VHH groups selected from phage libraries. The 2E7 group binds to a new linear epitope in the first heptad repeat of gp41 that is only exposed in the fusion-intermediate conformation. The 1B5 group competes with co-receptor binding and the 1F10 group interacts with the crown of the gp120 V3 loop, occluded in native Env. We present biophysical and structural details on the 2E7 interaction with gp41. In order to further increase breadth and potency, we constructed bi-specific VHH. The combination of CD4bs VHH (J3/3E3) with 2E7 group VHH enhanced strain-specific neutralization with potencies up to 1400-fold higher than the mixture of the individual VHHs. Thus, these new bivalent VHH are potent new tools to develop therapeutic approaches or microbicide intervention.

RESUMEN

Matrix (M) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an abundant protein that can induce a robust humoral immune response. However, its antigenic epitopes remain unknown. In this study, we used a pepscan approach to map linear B cell immunodominant epitopes (IDEs) of M protein with NDV-specific chicken antisera. The six epitopes with the highest reactivity by peptide scanning were obtained as IDE candidates. Among them, aa71-85 and aa349-363 were identified by immunological assays with NDV-specific or IDE-specific antisera. The minimal antigenic epitopes of the two IDEs were further characterized as 77MIDDKP82 and 354HTLAKYNPFK363. Moreover, an amino acid sequence alignment and immunoblot analysis revealed the conservation of the two IDEs in the M protein of strains of different genotypes. These two IDEs of M protein could be genetically eliminated as negative markers in recombinant NDV for serologically differential diagnosis in the development of marker vaccines.

Asunto(s)

Epítopos de Linfocito B/genética , Epítopos de Linfocito B/inmunología , Epítopos Inmunodominantes , Virus de la Enfermedad de Newcastle/inmunología , Proteínas de la Matriz Viral/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Pollos , Mapeo Epitopo , Genotipo , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Mutagénesis Sitio-Dirigida , Virus de la Enfermedad de Newcastle/clasificación

RESUMEN

The elongation factor Tu has been identified as one of the most immunoreactive proteins that was recognized by human sera of GBS (group B streptococcus) positive patients. In this paper, we present the polypeptide-specific epitopes of the bacterial protein that are recognized by human antibodies: 28LTAAITTVLARRLP41 (peptide no. 3) and 294GQVLAKPGSINPHTKF309 (peptide no. 21). To determine the shortest amino acid sequence recognized by antibodies, truncation peptide libraries were prepared using the PEPSCAN method. The analysis of immunoreactivity of peptides with sera of GBS positive and negative women revealed that the most immunoreactive sequence was 306HTKF309. Moreover, we observed that this sequence also showed the highest specificity which was based on ratio of reactivity with sera of GBS positive relative to sera of GBS negative patients. Epitope was synthetized on Wang resin with the Fmoc strategy. Our results open the possibility to use 306HTKF309 peptide in diagnostic assays to determine Streptococcus agalactiae infection in humans.

RESUMEN

Surface glycoproteins of enveloped virus are potent elicitors of both innate and adaptive host immune responses. Therefore, the identification of viral glycoprotein determinants directly implicated in the induction of these responses might be of special interest for designing new therapeutical/adjuvant molecules. In this work we review the contribution of the "pepscan" approach to the screening of viral functions in the sequence of glycoprotein G (gpG) of the fish rhabdovirus of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHSV). Among others, by scanning gpG peptides, it has been possible to identify and validate minimal determinants for gpG directly implicated in initiating the fish type I Interferon-associated immune responses as well as in the antiviral autophagy program. Further fine-tunning of the identified peptides in the gpG of VHSV has allowed designing novel adjuvants that decrease DNA vaccine requirements and identify possible innovative antiviral molecules. In addition, these results have also contributed to improve our knowledge on how to stimulate the fish immune system.

Asunto(s)

Peces/inmunología , Técnicas Genéticas , Interferones/inmunología , Novirhabdovirus/genética , Novirhabdovirus/inmunología , Animales , Autofagia/genética , Autofagia/inmunología , Enfermedades de los Peces/inmunología , Peces/virología , Glicoproteínas/genética , Glicoproteínas/inmunología , Interferones/genética , Infecciones por Rhabdoviridae

RESUMEN

With the increasing need for understanding antibody specificity in antibody and vaccine research, pepscan assays provide a rapid method for mapping and profiling antibody responses to continuous epitopes. We have developed a relatively low-cost method to generate peptide microarray slides for studying antibody binding. Using a setup of an IntavisAG MultiPep RS peptide synthesizer, a Digilab MicroGrid II 600 microarray printer robot, and an InnoScan 1100 AL scanner, the method allows the interrogation of up to 1536 overlapping, alanine-scanning, and mutant peptides derived from the target antigens. Each peptide is tagged with a polyethylene glycol aminooxy terminus to improve peptide solubility, orientation, and conjugation efficiency to the slide surface.

Asunto(s)

Anticuerpos/inmunología , Mapeo Epitopo/economía , Péptidos/inmunología , Análisis por Matrices de Proteínas/economía , Alanina/química , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Celulosa/química , Fluorenos/química , Humanos , Proteínas Inmovilizadas/síntesis química , Proteínas Inmovilizadas/química , Proteínas Inmovilizadas/inmunología , Membranas Artificiales , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Péptidos/síntesis química , Péptidos/química , Impresión

RESUMEN

It has not been elucidated whether or not autophagy is induced by rhabdoviral G glycoproteins (G) in vertebrate organisms for which rhabdovirus infection is lethal. Our work provides the first evidence that both mammalian (vesicular stomatitis virus, VSV) and fish (viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, VHSV, and spring viremia carp virus, SVCV) rhabdoviral Gs induce an autophagic antiviral program in vertebrate cell lines. The transcriptomic profiles obtained from zebrafish genetically immunized with either Gsvcv or Gvhsv suggest that autophagy is induced shortly after immunization and therefore, it may be an important component of the strong antiviral immune responses elicited by these viral proteins. Pepscan mapping of autophagy-inducing linear determinants of Gvhsv and Gvsv showed that peptides located in their fusion domains induce autophagy. Altogether these results suggest that strategies aimed at modulating autophagy could be used for the prevention and treatment of rhabdoviral infections such as rabies, which causes thousands of human deaths every year.

Asunto(s)

Autofagia/fisiología , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Novirhabdovirus/aislamiento & purificación , Péptidos/metabolismo , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/metabolismo , Proteínas Virales/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Línea Celular , Humanos , Pez Cebra

RESUMEN

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular pathogens that likely require type III secretion (T3S) to invade cells and replicate intracellularly within a cytoplasmic vacuole called an inclusion body. Chlamydia pneumoniae possess a YscL ortholog, CdsL, that has been shown to interact with the T3S ATPase (CdsN). In this report we demonstrate that CdsL down-regulates CdsN enzymatic activity in a dose-dependent manner. Using Pepscan epitope mapping we identified two separate binding domains to which CdsL binds viz. CdsN(221-229) and CdsN(265-270). We confirmed the binding domains using a pull-down assay and showed that GST-CdsN(221-270), which encompasses these peptides, co-purified with His-CdsL. Next, we used orthology modeling based on the crystal structure of a T3S ATPase ortholog from Escherichia coli, EscN, to map the binding domains on the predicted 3D structure of CdsN. The CdsL binding domains mapped to the catalytic domain of the ATPase, one in the central channel of the ATPase hexamer and one on the outer face. Since peptide mimetics have been used to disrupt essential protein interactions of the chlamydial T3S system and inhibit T3S-mediated invasion of HeLa cells, we hypothesized that if CdsL-CdsN binding is essential for regulating T3S then a CdsN peptide mimetic could be used to potentially block T3S and chlamydial invasion. Treatment of elementary body with a CdsN peptide mimetic inhibited C. pneumoniae invasion into HeLa cells in a dose-dependent fashion. This report represents the first use of Pepscan technology to identify binding domains for specific T3S proteins viz. CdsL on the ATPase, CdsN, and demonstrates that peptide mimetics can be used as anti-virulence factors to block bacterial invasion.