Detection of human serum antibodies against type-specifically reactive peptides from the N-terminus of glycoprotein B of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 by surface plasmon resonance

A single-step surface plasmon resonance protocol for the detection of antib odies against herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) in huma n sera was established using the BIAcore system. Two peptides from correspo nding segments of the N-terminus of HSV-1 and HSV-2 glycoprotein B (gB), i. e. peptide gB-1 (60-73) (GAAPTGDPKPKKNK) and peptide gB-2 (55-68) (SPATTKAR KRKTKK), were identified as immunogenic. Employing both peptides as diagnos tic antigens in the surface plasmon resonance assay, a sensitivity for the detection of HSV-I and HSV-2 type-specific antibodies of 83 and 86%, respec tively, was achieved as compared with immunoblotting as a reference method. Peptide gB-1 (60-73) allowed the discrimination between HSV-1 and HSV-2 ty pe-specific antibodies with a specificity of 67%, whereas peptide gB-2 (55- 68) reacted in a strictly HSV-2 type-specific manner. It is concluded that peptides from the N-terminus of gB-1 and gB-2 are recognized predominantly by human sera in an HSV-specific manner. Peptide gB-2 (55-68) can be employ ed successfully for the determination of type-specific antibodies against H SV-2. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.