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Vol 55(2021) N 6 p. 950-959; DOI 10.1134/S0026893321050150  S. Jabarzadeh1, A. Samiminemati1, M. Zeinoddini1* In silico Design of a New Multi-Epitope Peptide-Based Vaccine Candidate Against Q Fever 1Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran*zeinoddini52@mut.ac.ir Received - 2020-12-06; Revised - 2021-04-07; Accepted - 2021-04-15 Novel types of the vaccines with high immunogenicity and low risks, including epitope-based vaccines, are sought. Among zoonotic disease, Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii is an important target due to numerous outbreaks and the pandemic potential. Here we present a synthetic multi-epitope vaccine against Coxiella burnetii. This vaccine was developed using immunoinformatics approach. Antigenic proteins were studied, and five T cell epitopes were selected. Antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity of the selected epitopes were evaluated using the VaxiJen 2.0, AllerTOP, and ToxinPred servers, respectively. Selected epitopes were joined in a peptide sequence, with the cholera toxin В subunit (CTXB) as an adjuvant. The affinity of the proposed vaccine to MHCI and II molecules was measured in a molecular docking study. Resultant vaccine has high antigenicity, stability, and a half-life compatible with utilization in vaccination programs. In conclusion, the validated epitope sequences may be used as a potential vaccine to ensure protection against Q fever agent. Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, peptide-based vaccine, immune informatics, epitope |
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