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VP30 vanguard: pioneering an in-silico multi-epitope vaccine against Marburg virus
Saba Beigh1, Mohit Sharma2, Inderjeet Bhogal3
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, 65431 Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Marburg virus (MARV) is classified as a risk group 4 pathogen by the WHO due to its high fatality rates, frequent person-to-person transmission, and lack of approved vaccines or treatments. This highlights the need for a universally effective MARV vaccine. In this study, we employed computational bioinformatics methods to analyze conserved sequences of the VP30 transcriptional activator, using databases and bioinformatics tools. Amino acid sequences were sourced from NCBI, and antigenicity was assessed using Kolaskar, Tongaonkar, and VaxiJen servers. B and T cell epitopes were identified using ABCPred and the Immune Epitope Database, providing insights into potential immunogenic regions. The VP30 protein, crucial in both physiological and pathological processes, emerged as a promising target for vaccine development. Key epitopes from VP30, including IGLPCTDGL and PCKIGLPCTIGLPCTD, showed efficacy as T and B cell epitopes. We designed a multi-epitope vaccine incorporating these epitopes, demonstrating favorable physicochemical and immunological properties. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that both mono- and multi-epitopes improve the vaccine's therapeutic potential. Our analysis suggests the proposed vaccine candidate could trigger an immune response against MARV. However, experimental validation is needed to confirm its immunomodulatory properties and effectiveness.
Insights
A novel Marburg virus (MARV) vaccine candidate was designed using bioinformatics. This multi-epitope vaccine targets conserved VP30 protein sequences to potentially elicit a protective immune response against MARV.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunoinformatics
- Vaccine Design
Background:
- Marburg virus (MARV) is a high-risk pathogen with no approved vaccines or treatments, necessitating urgent vaccine development.
- VP30 protein is essential for MARV replication and a potential target for vaccine strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To computationally design a universally effective MARV vaccine targeting conserved VP30 protein sequences.
- To identify and characterize immunogenic T and B cell epitopes within the MARV VP30 protein.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of MARV VP30 sequences from NCBI.
- Antigenicity prediction using Kolaskar, Tongaonkar, and VaxiJen servers.
- T and B cell epitope identification using ABCPred and the Immune Epitope Database.
- Design and in silico evaluation of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate.
Main Results:
- Conserved T and B cell epitopes, including IGLPCTDGL and PCKIGLPCTIGLPCTD, were identified in the VP30 protein.
- A multi-epitope vaccine construct incorporating these epitopes demonstrated favorable physicochemical and immunological properties.
- Molecular dynamics simulations indicated improved therapeutic potential for both mono- and multi-epitope designs.
Conclusions:
- The in silico designed multi-epitope vaccine candidate shows promise for eliciting an immune response against Marburg virus.
- Further experimental validation is required to confirm the immunomodulatory properties and efficacy of the proposed MARV vaccine.
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