Scientific Reports (May 2024)

Development of multi epitope subunit vaccines against emerging carp viruses Cyprinid herpesvirus 1 and 3 using immunoinformatics approach

  • Nurul Amin Rani,
  • Tanjin Barketullah Robin,
  • Anindita Ash Prome,
  • Nadim Ahmed,
  • Abu Tayab Moin,
  • Rajesh B. Patil,
  • Mohammad Nurul Azim Sikder,
  • Md Nazmul Islam Bappy,
  • Dilruba Afrin,
  • Ferdaus Mohd Altaf Hossain,
  • Tofazzal Islam,
  • Kazi Md. Ali Zinnah

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61074-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 22

Abstract

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Abstract Cyprinid herpesvirus is a causative agent of a destructive disease in common and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio), which leads to substantial global financial losses in aquaculture industries. Among the strains of C. herpesvirus, C. herpesvirus 1 (CyHV-1) and C. herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) are known as highly pathogenic to carp fishes in Europe, Asia, and Africa. To date, no effective vaccine has been developed to combat these viruses. This study aimed to develop unique multi-epitope subunit vaccines targeting the CyHV-1 and CyHV-3 using a reverse vaccinology approach. The study began with a comprehensive literature review to identify the most critical proteins, which were then subjected to in silico analyses to predict highly antigenic epitopes. These analyses involved assessing antigenicity, transmembrane topology screening, allergenecity, toxicity, and molecular docking approaches. We constructed two multi-epitope-based vaccines incorporating a suitable adjuvant and appropriate linkers. It revealed that both the vaccines are non-toxic and immunogenic. The tertiary structures of the vaccine proteins were generated, refined, and validated to ensure their suitability. The binding affinity between the vaccine constructs and TLR3 and TLR5 receptors were assessed by molecular docking studies. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that vaccine construct V1 exhibited greater stability with both TLR3 and TLR5 based on RMSD analysis. Hydrogen bond analysis revealed a stronger binding affinity between the vaccine constructs and TLR5 compared to TLR3. Furthermore, MM-PBSA analysis suggested that both vaccine constructs exhibited a better affinity for TLR5. Considering all aspects, the results suggest that in silico development of CyHV vaccines incorporating multiple epitopes holds promise for management of diseases caused by CyHV-1 and CyHV-3. However, further in vivo trials are highly recommended to validate the efficacies of these vaccines.