In Silico-Based Vaccine Design Against Hepatopancreatic Microsporidiosis in Shrimp

Abstract

Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is a spore-forming intracellular parasite that produces an economically devastating disease in farmed shrimp called hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis (HPM), known to slow the growth of hosts in aquaculture. Spore wall proteins are implicated in the recognition of host cells in microsporidia. Many parasites have been demonstrated to detect heparin, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) molecule present on cell surfaces, as a host. The sequencing and characterization of several EHP strains started to reveal information regarding pathogen biology, pathogenicity, and spore wall proteins must bind to the shrimp cell surface to infect it, and failure to do so results in ineffective infection. Despite these devastating complications, there is still no cure or vaccine for the parasites. In this regard, an immunoinformatics method was used to generate an epitope-based vaccine against this pathogen. The immunodominant T-cell and B-cell epitopes were identified using the spore wall proteins of EHP. The final constructed vaccine sequence was developed to be immunogenic, non-allergenic as well as have better solubility. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed significant binding stability and structural compactness. Finally, using Escherichia coli K12 as a model, codon optimization yielded ideal GC content and a higher CAI value, which was then included in the cloning vector pET2+ (a). Altogether, our outcomes imply that the proposed peptide vaccine may be a good option for HPM prophylaxis. HIGHLIGHTS Hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis (HPM) is known to slow the growth of shrimp There are approved drugs or vaccines to control this disease In-silico approach and immunoinformatics has some advantage previously in fishes The design vaccine candidate would have some advantages to combat the disease for sustainable shrimp production GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Computational design of novel chimeric multiepitope vaccine against bacterial and viral disease in tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

“…Herein, the vaccine constructs were capable of clearly interacting within the pocket of the TLR4 receptors through several hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and hydrophobic interaction. As the previous reports on designing the epitope-based vaccine against Vibrio harveyi and TiLV, the Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) receptors were docked with the CMEVs to confirm the ligand-receptor interaction 11,14 . The TLR signaling pathway is significant in fish's innate immune response against infectious pathogens.…”

“…Correspondingly, several publications on the multiepitope vaccine-based computational design that represents potential docking with TLR receptors could induce antibody production after in vivo immunization 54 , 55 . Moreover, the RMSF profiles of the CMEV-TLR4 complexes with an average score of ≤ 4 Å might define their complex stability resulting in stimulating receptor response by fluctuating residues 11 , 14 – 56 .…”

“…Previously, several tilapia multiepitope vaccines based on in-silico design and immunoinformatic approach were reported against some pathogens such as Aeromonas veronii 11 , Edwardsiella ictaluri 12 , S. agalactiae 13 , and TiLV 14 . Nevertheless, prior currently reported chimeric vaccines were mostly constructed as monovalent and bivalent forms.…”

Computational design of novel chimeric multiepitope vaccine against bacterial and viral disease in tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

“…Herein, the vaccine constructs were capable of clearly interacting within the pocket of the TLR4 receptors through several hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and hydrophobic interaction. As the previous reports on designing the epitope-based vaccine against Vibrio harveyi and TiLV, the Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) receptors were docked with the CMEVs to con rm the ligand-receptor interaction 11,14 . The TLR signaling pathway is signi cant in sh's innate immune response against infectious pathogens.…”

Transforming Aquaculture Through Vaccination: A Review on Recent Developments and Milestones

“…In the realm of viral pathogens, attempts have been primarily focused on betanodaviruses [149][150][151][152], iridoviruses [153], and the tilapia lake virus (TiLV) [154,155]. The exploration efforts have also similarly been extended towards the direction of aquatic invertebrate vaccine development, as demonstrated by the endeavors of Momtaz et al [156], Shine et al [157], and Islam et al [158].…”