Peptide Epitope Composition for Bullous Pemphigoid Autoantibody Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for bullous pemphigoid rely on intact BP180 and BP230 recombinant proteins, which are costly and complex to produce, and there is a need for cost-effective and sensitive alternatives using peptides containing continuous epitopes.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic composition comprising specific peptide sequences derived from the C-terminal regions of BP180 and/or BP230, which can interact with autoantibodies, is developed using a unique peptide array and immobilized on streptavidin microtiter plates, eliminating the need for recombinant protein purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If intact BP180 and BP230 recombinant proteins are used for diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but production cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the intact BP180 and BP230 proteins into smaller peptide fragments (15-20 amino acids). These peptide fragments are synthesized independently and then used in diagnostic assays, eliminating the need for complex recombinant protein production while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through epitope-specific detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the immunodominant epitopes from the full-length BP180 and BP230 proteins. By identifying and isolating the specific peptide sequences (such as NC16A domain epitopes) that are recognized by pathogenic autoantibodies, the invention creates simplified diagnostic reagents that retain diagnostic accuracy without requiring production of entire recombinant proteins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If intact BP180 and BP230 recombinant proteins are used for diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs synthetic peptide fragments instead of expensive recombinant proteins. These short peptides are chemically synthesized using standard peptide synthesis methods, making them significantly cheaper to produce. The peptides are stable enough for diagnostic use but do not require the expensive purification and quality control processes needed for recombinant proteins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the full proteins into smaller peptide fragments, the patent enables use of simpler and less expensive chemical synthesis methods rather than expensive recombinant protein expression systems. This segmentation dramatically reduces production costs while preserving the diagnostic epitopes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If peptide fragments are used instead of recombinant proteins, then production cost and complexity are reduced, but diagnostic sensitivity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoiddiagnostic sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating diagnostic capability in specific high-value regions (epitopes) rather than using entire proteins. The peptide fragments are specifically designed to contain the immunodominant epitopes that are most strongly recognized by pathogenic autoantibodies, optimizing diagnostic sensitivity in the critical detection zones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the diagnostic antigens by using short synthetic peptides instead of large recombinant proteins. This parameter change includes reduced molecular weight, increased chemical stability, and simplified purification characteristics, all of which enhance manufacturability while maintaining epitope recognition capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The peptide-based diagnostic composition offers high sensitivity and specificity comparable to commercial ELISA, reducing production costs and complexity while providing accurate detection of bullous pemphigoid.

Implementation Method 1

A diagnostic composition comprising specific peptide sequences derived from the C-terminal regions of BP180 and/or BP230, which can interact with autoantibodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody interaction:

Implementation Method 2

A diagnostic composition comprising specific peptide sequences derived from the C-terminal regions of BP180 and/or BP230, which can interact with autoantibodies, is developed using a unique peptide array and immobilized on streptavidin microtiter plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiotin-streptavidin binding:

Data Source

PatentEP4703371A1Diagnostic and therapeutic properties of peptide epitopes derived from bullous pemphigoid extracellular matrix adhesion proteins
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 NON-PROFIT SALZBURG LANDESKLINIKEN BETRIEBS GMBH
  • EP4703371A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4703371A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4703371A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

The present invention relates to a diagnostic composition comprising at least one peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 (VDELERIRRSILPYGDSMDRIEKDR), SEQ ID NO: 2 (GGAGSLGAGGAFGEA), SEQ ID NO: 3 (GPAGPPGHPGPPGPR), SEQ ID NO: 4 (EGLITLTELADSLLS), SEQ ID NO: 5 (EFQYLTGGLIEPQVH), SEQ ID NO: 6 (SSHMLTDTKTGLHFN), SEQ ID NO: 7 (FIPGPPGPPGPPGPR), SEQ ID NO: 8 (INEAIEQGTIDKALV), SEQ ID NO: 9 (AFGEAAGDRGPYGTDI) and SEQ ID NO: 10 (LITLTELADSLLSRL). Furthermore, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for detecting the presence or absence of a disease selected from the group of bullous pemphigoid, Parkinson's disease, and a neurological disorder comprising testing the binding of at least one peptide as identified in any of the preceding claims for binding to autoantibodies obtained from a subject suspected of suffering from one of said diseases.