epitope
noun
epi·tope
ˈe-pə-ˌtōp 
: a molecular region on the surface of an antigen capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with the specific antibody produced by such a response
called also determinant, antigenic determinant
Examples of epitope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The combination of gradually falling levels of antibodies plus reduced epitope recognition has led to breakthrough infections, but the immune response has been sufficient to prevent severe disease, especially when it has been boosted.
—
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022
The figure below compares the binding epitope of 12-19 to other neutralizing antibody epitopes from throughout the pandemic.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
If, because of past infection or vaccination, most people in a population have antibodies that recognize a specific epitope, then a change that alters the epitope and limits that recognition can allow the mutant virus to infect the population.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022
All 32 antibodies competed strongly for similar S2 stem-helix epitopes, targeting a similar region containing the hydrophobic core residues of the spike fusion machinery.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
The epitope previously described is highly conserved across betacoronaviruses.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
Researchers analyze the sample in a lab to identify antigens and epitopes associated with various diseases.
—Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2023
More detailed analysis, including binding to an isolated peptide corresponding to this region, reveals that the antibody recognizes a linear epitope.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021
B cells respond most strongly when each arm attaches to a different epitope.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 15 Apr. 2021
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022
The figure below compares the binding epitope of 12-19 to other neutralizing antibody epitopes from throughout the pandemic.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
If, because of past infection or vaccination, most people in a population have antibodies that recognize a specific epitope, then a change that alters the epitope and limits that recognition can allow the mutant virus to infect the population.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022
All 32 antibodies competed strongly for similar S2 stem-helix epitopes, targeting a similar region containing the hydrophobic core residues of the spike fusion machinery.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
The epitope previously described is highly conserved across betacoronaviruses.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
Researchers analyze the sample in a lab to identify antigens and epitopes associated with various diseases.
—Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2023
More detailed analysis, including binding to an isolated peptide corresponding to this region, reveals that the antibody recognizes a linear epitope.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021
B cells respond most strongly when each arm attaches to a different epitope.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 15 Apr. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epitope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Epitope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epitope. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
epitope
noun
epi·tope
ˈep-ə-ˌtōp
: a molecular region on the surface of an antigen capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with the specific antibody produced by such a response
called also determinant, antigenic determinant
More from Merriam-Webster on epitope
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about epitope
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