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Design and Expression of Fasciola hepatica Multiepitope Constructs Using mRNA Vaccine Technology
Javier Sánchez-Montejo1, Tania Strilets2, Raúl Manzano-Román1
1Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca Research Centre for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
This study identifies potential vaccine peptides against the parasite Fasciola hepatica. These peptides, when combined into multi-epitope constructs using mRNA technology, show efficient expression, paving the way for novel peptide vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Vaccinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Fasciola hepatica causes fascioliasis, a widespread zoonotic disease in livestock and humans.
- Effective vaccines are needed to control Fasciola hepatica infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and validate peptides for a potential Fasciola hepatica vaccine.
- To develop and test multi-epitope peptide constructs using mRNA technology.
Main Methods:
- Genome and transcriptomic data integration to prioritize Fasciola hepatica proteins.
- Bioinformatic tools (DeepLoc 2.0, IEDB MHC II) for selecting extracellular proteins and high-affinity peptides.
- In vitro transcription and cell transfection to express and analyze multi-epitope mRNA constructs.
Main Results:
- 55 high-priority vaccine candidate peptides were identified based on expression, localization, binding affinity, toxicity, immunogenicity, and allergenicity.
- SP6 RNA polymerase with CleanCapAG enabled efficient mRNA capping and transcription of peptide constructs.
- Peptides fused with eGFP demonstrated efficient expression, especially at the 3' terminus.
Conclusions:
- This research presents a novel approach for developing peptide-based vaccines against Fasciola hepatica using mRNA technology.
- The findings highlight the potential of mRNA-based expression systems for creating effective multi-epitope peptide vaccines.
