Anti-SEMA4D antibodies and epitopes
The invention relates to epitopes of SEMA4D and to binding agents, such as antibodies, that specifically bind to SEMA4D.
1. An isolated synthetic scaffold peptide polypeptide comprising (i) a SEMA4D conformational epitope formed by the three amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:18, 20, and 22; and (ii) chemical linkers that join the amino acid sequences, wherein an anti-SEMA4D antibody binds the SEMA4D epitope polypeptide.
2. The synthetic scaffold peptide of claim 1 , wherein the anti-SEMA4D antibody is MAb 2503 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof.
3. A peptide vaccine comprising the synthetic scaffold peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide stimulates an antibody and/or cellular immune responses to SEMA4D.
4. The peptide vaccine of claim 3 , consisting essentially of: (i) the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:18, 20 and 22; and (ii)) the chemical linkers.
5. The synthetic scaffold polypeptide of claim 1 , consisting essentially of: (i) the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, 20 and 22; and (ii) the chemical linkers.
6. An isolated synthetic scaffold peptide that mimics a SEMA4D epitope that can be bound by MAb 2503, comprising at least two of the three amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, 20, and 22, wherein the amino acid sequences are chemically linked via a CLIPS™ (Chemical Linkage of Immunogenic Peptides on Scaffolds) scaffold.
7. The isolated synthetic scaffold peptide of claim 6 , wherein the synthetic scaffold peptide comprises the three amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, 20, and 22.