Reverse immunization approach to trace back epitope-mimic to parental antigen. (A) Schematic diagram of the strategy used to immunize rats for the generation of THMWVWDVSPEL epitope-directed antisera used for target identification. (B-C) Reactivity of rat anti-THMWVWDVSPEL serum with GST-THMWVWDVSPEL by ELISA and western blot. (D) Antigen identification via SERPA technology. Antigen was identified from IM-9 myeloma cell lysate after 2D gel electrophoresis and blotting using rat anti-THMWVWDVSPEL serum as detection antibody. The detected spot was excised and identified by mass spectrometry.