Immunoinformatics studies and design of a novel multi-epitope peptide vaccine against based on calcium-dependent protein kinases antigens through an analysis.

PURPOSE

Infection by the intracellular apicomplexan parasite has serious clinical consequences in humans and veterinarians around the world. Although about a third of the world's population is infected with , there is still no effective vaccine against this disease. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a multimeric vaccine against using the proteins calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK)1, CDPK2, CDPK3, and CDPK5.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Top-ranked major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II binding as well as shared, immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were predicted and linked using appropriate linkers. Moreover, the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 (adjuvant) was mixed with the construct's N-terminal to increase the immunogenicity. Then, the vaccine's physicochemical characteristics, antigenicity, allergenicity, secondary and tertiary structure were predicted.

RESULTS

The finally-engineered chimeric vaccine had a length of 680 amino acids with a molecular weight of 74.66 kDa. Analyses of immunogenicity, allergenicity, and multiple physiochemical parameters indicated that the constructed vaccine candidate was soluble, non-allergenic, and immunogenic, making it compatible with humans and hence, a potentially viable and safe vaccine candidate against parasite.

CONCLUSION

, the vaccine construct was able to trigger primary immune responses. However, further laboratory studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.