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Definition of "epitope" [epitope]

  • A localized region on the surface of an antigen that is capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with a specific antibody to counter that response. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "epitope" in a sentence
  • "This recombinant protein was used since deletion of the internal epitope between amino acids 433 and 447, called epitope 1443, increases the production of neutralizing antibodies in mouse models of infection"
  • "T cell mimicry and epitope specificity of cross-reactive T cell clones from rheumatic heart disease."
  • "Taking into account the circulating B cells and calculating the quantity of antibody per immunologically-distinct epitope, the conclusion was that an infant could mount a response to the antigens present in “10 000 vaccines”."