Designing B- and T-cell multi-epitope based subunit vaccine using immunoinformatics approach to control Zika virus infection

J Cell Biochem. 2018 Sep;119(9):7631-7642. doi: 10.1002/jcb.27110. Epub 2018 Jun 14.

Abstract

The Zika virus is a rapidly spreading Aedes mosquito-borne sickness, which creates an unanticipated linkage birth deformity and neurological turmoil. This study represents the use of the combinatorial immunoinformatics approach to develop a multiepitope subunit vaccine using the structural and nonstructural proteins of the Zika virus. The designed subunit vaccine consists of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and helper T-lymphocyte epitopes accompanied by suitable adjuvant and linkers. The presence of humoral immune response specific B-cell epitopes was also confirmed by B-cell epitope mapping among vaccine protein. Further, the vaccine protein was characterized for its allergenicity, antigenicity, and physiochemical parameters and found to be safe and immunogenic. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies of the vaccine protein with the toll-like receptor-3 were performed to ensure the binding affinity and stability of their complex. Finally, in silico cloning was performed for the effective expression of vaccine construct in the microbial system (Escherichia coli K12 strain). Aforementioned approaches result in the multiepitope subunit vaccine which may have the ability to induce cellular as well as humoral immune response. Moreover, this study needs the experimental validation to prove the immunogenic and protective behavior of the developed subunit vaccine.

Keywords: Zika virus (ZKV); adjuvant; epitope; subunit vaccine; vaccine.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology
  • Vaccines, Subunit / pharmacology
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology
  • Viral Vaccines / pharmacology*
  • Zika Virus / immunology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / immunology
  • Zika Virus Infection / metabolism
  • Zika Virus Infection / prevention & control

Substances

  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • Viral Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines