epitopspreading

Epitope spreading is a phenomenon observed in the immune system where the immune response shifts from targeting a single epitope on a pathogen to targeting multiple epitopes on the same pathogen. This shift occurs as the immune system adapts to the changing presentation of pathogens during infection or vaccination.

Epitope spreading is a result of the initial immune response targeting a single dominant epitope, typically the most conformationally accessible and immunodominant epitope. As the immune system generates antibodies or T cells against this initial epitope, the pathogen undergoes a process known as antigenic variation, leading to a change in the protein conformation. This conformational change exposes new epitopes to the immune system, which may have been previously hidden.

As the immune system is presented with these new epitopes, it may mount an immune response against them. This process can repeats several times, with the immune system switching between different epitopes as it attempts to target the pathogen from multiple angles. The primary epitope is often not eliminated by the immune response, but rather remains a target for antibodies and T cells, while the immune response becomes more effective at targeting additional epitopes.

Epitope spreading is a complex and multi-factorial process that can influence both vaccine efficacy and pathogen adaptation. A deeper understanding of this phenomenon is crucial for developing effective vaccines and antimicrobial therapies, and may also inform strategies to evade immune evasion by pathogens.