In silico formulation of a next-generation multiepitope vaccine for use as a prophylactic candidate against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Abstract

Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease transmitted to humans and livestock animals through the bite of infected ticks or close contact with infected persons’ blood, organs, or other bodily fluids. The virus is responsible for severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of up to 40%. Despite having the highest fatality rate of the virus, a suitable treatment option or vaccination has not been developed yet. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate a multiepitope vaccine against CCHF through computational vaccine design approaches. Methods The glycoprotein, nucleoprotein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of CCHF were utilized to determine immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes. Subsequently, an integrative computational vaccinology approach was used to formulate a multi-epitopes vaccine candidate against the virus. Results After rigorous assessment, a multiepitope vaccine was constructed, which was antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergenic with desired physicochemical properties. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the vaccine-receptor complex show strong stability of the vaccine candidates to the targeted immune receptor. Additionally, the immune simulation of the vaccine candidates found that the vaccine could trigger real-life-like immune responses upon administration to humans. Conclusions Finally, we concluded that the formulated multiepitope vaccine candidates would provide excellent prophylactic properties against CCHF.

In silico designed novel multi-epitope mRNA vaccines against Brucella by targeting extracellular protein BtuB and LptD

“…As antigenicity is a crucial factor in vaccine development, we initially predicted antigenicity. As antigenicity is a crucial factor in vaccine development, we initially predicted the antigenicity 52 . The ANTIGENpro ( https://scratch.proteomics.ics.uci.edu/ ) website was conducted to confirm the antigenicity of the selected protein,which is a part of Scratch protein predicter.…”

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“…Furthermore, the immunological simulation of the vaccine candidates revealed that the vaccine has the potential to induce immune responses in people that closely resemble those seen in real-life situations. In conclusion, researchers determined that the developed multiepitope vaccine candidates will provide exceptional preventive characteristics against CCHF [ 217 ].…”

“…Antibodies produced in response to this vaccine by immunized individuals have minimal neutralizing activities. [ 217 ] CCVax and MBVax vaccines Inactivated vaccines The humoral IgG responses showed that the MBVax and CCVax candidates, which were more robustly elicited in all CCVax groups than in MBVax animals, improved the IgG endpoint titers dose-dependent manner. [ 39 ] Experimental vaccines Recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSV) vaccine The vector was well tolerated and exhibited complete efficacy when tested against a clinical strain of CCHFV.…”

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“…The front of the adjuvant was attached with a bifunctional linker EAAAK. Subsequently, CTL, HTL, and LBL epitopes were linked together through AAY, GPGPG, and KK linkers, respectively ( 66 ). Initially, the vaccine adjuvant was attached to the front of the vaccine using the EAAAK linker, which consists of helix-forming peptides of various lengths.…”