The role of structural proteomics in vaccine development: recent advances and future prospects

Abstract

Vaccines are the most effective way to fight infectious diseases saving countless lives since their introduction. Their evolution during the last century made use of the best technologies available to continuously increase their efficacy and safety. Mass spectrometry (MS) and proteomics are already playing a central role in the identification and characterization of novel antigens. Over the last years, we have been witnessing the emergence of structural proteomics in vaccinology, as a major tool for vaccine candidate discovery, antigen design and life cycle management of existing products. In this review, we describe the MS techniques associated to structural proteomics and we illustrate the contribution of structural proteomics to vaccinology discussing potential applications.

Keywords:

• Structural proteomics
• vaccines
• mass spectrometry
• ion mobility
• hydrogen deuterium exchange
• limited proteolysis
• covalent labeling
• cross-linking

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge Matthew J. Bottomley, Massimiliano Biagini and Catherine Mallia for critical reading of the manuscript.