Protein-environment-sensitive computational epitope accessibility analysis from antibody dose-response data

Abstract

Antibodies are widely used in life-sciences and medical therapy. Yet, broadly applicable methods are missing to determine, in the biological system of choice, antibody specificity and its quantitative contribution to e.g. immunofluorescence stainings. Thereby, antibody-based data often needs to be seen with caution. Here, we present a simple-to-use approach to characterize and quantify antibody binding properties directly in the system of choice. We determine an epitope accessibility distribution in the system of interest based on a computational analysis of antibody-dilution immunofluorescence stainings. This allows the selection of specific antibodies, the choice of a dilution to maximize signal-specificity, and an improvement of signal quantification. It further expands the scope of antibody-based imaging to detect changes of the subcellular nano-environment and allows for antibody multiplexing.