Pathogen surface glycan and protein epitopes on biothreat agents

Pathogen surface glycan and protein epitopes on biothreat agents represent a broad class of molecular structures essential for the virulence of high-consequence pathogens, including Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Ebola virus (CDC, 2023). These targets include protein-based epitopes like the Protective Antigen (PA) of anthrax, which mediates the cellular entry of lethal and edema toxins, and viral glycoproteins (GP) required for host cell attachment and membrane fusion (NCBI, 2021). Additionally, surface glycans such as the capsular polysaccharides of Francisella tularensis or Burkholderia pseudomallei act as critical shields against host immune recognition and phagocytosis (PubMed, PMID: 30254164). Therapeutic strategies targeting these epitopes primarily utilize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to neutralize toxins or block viral entry, as seen with the FDA-approved drugs Raxibacumab and Inmazeb (FDA, 2020). These molecular sites are also the focus of vaccine development, serving as the primary antigens for eliciting protective humoral and cellular immune responses (NIAID, 2022).

Other names

Biodefense antigensSelect agent epitopesSurface antigens of Tier 1 pathogensPathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in biothreats

Neutralization of pathogen-derived toxins, inhibition of viral attachment or entry, and blockade of viral egress from host cells.