Mimotopes of ara h 2 and uses of the same to diagnose peanut allergies

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for predicting or assessing the presence and/or severity of IgE-mediated peanut allergy in a subject using peptides and or mimotopes that bind as well or better than naturally occurring sequences. The disclosed methods and compositions may comprise one or more peptides or mimotopes of Ara h 2, specifically Epitope 3, or a portion thereof. In many embodiments, the peptides and mimotopes may comprise at least one DPY_P sequence, and in many cases the second proline, “P,” in the sequence may be hydroxylated (i.e. “h”) and may be represented by h. In many embodiments, substituting a P->h within the disclosed peptide and mimotope sequences may increase binding of IgE from the subject. In many embodiments, enhanced binding of IgE from a subject indicates that the subject suffers from an IgE-mediated peanut allergy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.