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
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Sette also has developed new methods to identify and even predict T cell epitopes on emerging viruses — an important step in the development of new therapies and vaccines that harness T cells to defend the body.
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Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Using data on known CD8+ T cell epitopes – small fragments of viral proteins the immune cell can identify – the researchers found that around 60% of people would likely have some degree of pre-existing immunity to H5N1 due to CD8+ T cell virus recognition.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2025
Another mouse study produced similar results but was focused on targeting a different region of the HIV surface known as the V3 glycan epitope.
—Annalisa Merelli and Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 17 May 2024
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
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Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Using data on known CD8+ T cell epitopes – small fragments of viral proteins the immune cell can identify – the researchers found that around 60% of people would likely have some degree of pre-existing immunity to H5N1 due to CD8+ T cell virus recognition.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2025
Another mouse study produced similar results but was focused on targeting a different region of the HIV surface known as the V3 glycan epitope.
—Annalisa Merelli and Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 17 May 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for epitope
Cite this Entry
“Epitope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epitope. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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
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