# Pox-AbDab: the orthopoxvirus antibody database

## TL;DR

Pox-AbDab is a database of antibodies that bind or neutralize orthopoxviruses, aiming to improve understanding and therapeutic development.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the creation of a centralized database and analysis of orthopoxvirus-binding antibodies.

## Key findings

- The database highlights challenges in translating knowledge across orthopoxviruses due to lack of standardized antigen nomenclature.
- An exploratory analysis reveals molecular properties and cross-binding profiles of orthopoxvirus antibodies.
- The study identifies gaps in antibody coverage and potential for immune escape from epitopes.

## Abstract

In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared the mpox orthopoxvirus to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the second time in three years, emphasising the need for continued studies into its microbiology and potential therapeutic interventions. Here, we presented the Orthopoxvirus Antibody Database (Pox-AbDab), a repository of data on antibodies known to bind or neutralise viruses from the same genus as mpox (https://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/poxabdab). Beyond standardising and centralising the data, we highlighted challenges in translating knowledge across orthopoxviruses, such as the absence of a function-based nomenclature for virion surface antigens. We also performed an exploratory analysis of the known orthopoxvirus-binding antibody landscape, highlighting their aggregate molecular properties, cross-binding/cross-neutralisation profiles, evidence for immunodominance or immune escape from their epitopes, and gaps in coverage to help orient future research.

Code available at: https://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/poxabdab.