Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (May 2024)

Exploring the S Protein of SARS-CoV-2 to Design a Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine against COVID-19 Based on Immunoinformatics Approaches

  • Zhuanqing Huang,
  • Haoyuan Shi,
  • Hui Gong,
  • Qi Sun,
  • Sen Yang,
  • Ying Zhang,
  • Zhenwei Shi,
  • Zhifa Xia,
  • Songtao Huang,
  • Shusen Yao,
  • Fenghua Xu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2905196
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 5
p. 196

Abstract

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Background: Developing a novel COVID-19 multi-epitope vaccine (CoVMEV) is essential to containing the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: The virus’s immunodominant B and T cell epitopes from the S protein were found and joined to create the CoVMEV. Bioinformatics techniques were used to investigate the secondary and tertiary structures, as well as the physical and chemical properties of CoVMEV. Results: CoVMEV exhibited high antigenicity and immunogenicity scores, together with good water solubility and stability. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor4 (TLR4), which are critical in triggering immunological responses, were also strongly favoured by CoVMEV. Molecular dynamics simulation and immune stimulation studies revealed that CoVMEV effectively activated T and B lymphocytes, and increased the number of active CD8+ T cells than similar vaccines. Conclusion: CoVMEV holds promise as a potential vaccine candidate for COVID-19, given its robust immunogenicity, stability, antigenicity, and capacity to stimulate a strong immune response. This study presents a significant design concept for the development of peptidyl vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2. Further investigation and clinical trials will be crucial in assessing the efficacy and safety of CoVMEV as a potential vaccine for COVID-19.

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