In Silico Characterization and Epitope Mapping of Echinococcus granu-losus  Annexin Protein: Novel Insights for Vaccine Design

Afsaneh  Khodadadi; Mohammad Hosein  Rastgoo; Elaheh  Ghiyasipour; Reza  Moradmandpaeinroudposhti; Mohammad Arad  Zandieh; Fatemeh  Zahirinia; Mahdi  Haghdadijoo; Ali  Esfandani; Romina  Rajabi; Amirohssein  Marashi; Mohammad Amin  Dadboud; Hamidreza  Majidiani; Parham  Rahmanian

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v20i3.19613

Afsaneh Khodadadi Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hosein Rastgoo Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Elaheh Ghiyasipour Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Reza Moradmandpaeinroudposhti Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Arad Zandieh Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Zahirinia Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Mahdi Haghdadijoo Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran
Ali Esfandani Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran
Romina Rajabi Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
Amirohssein Marashi Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Mohammad Amin Dadboud Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University of Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran
Hamidreza Majidiani Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
Parham Rahmanian Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i3.19613

Keywords: Immunoinformatics; Echinococcus granulosus; Annexin; Immunization

Abstract

Background: A neglected zoonosis, cystic echinococcosis (CE) is the most common diseas in the developing nations worldwide. Vaccination is helpful in preventing the disease. Predicting main biochemical properties of the E. granulosus annexin (ANX) and its possible B-cell and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-binding epitopes as a viable vaccine candidate was the goal of the current study.

Methods: This study was done in Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran. Predictions about transmembrane domain, subcellular localization, post-translational modification (PTM) sites, physico-chemical, antigenic, and allergenic profiles, secondary and 3D structure, tertiary model refinement, and validations were done using online servers.

Results: The cytoplasmic 79.05 kDa protein was non-allergenic, hydrophilic (GRAVY: -0.490), stable (instability: 39.30), with improved thermotolerance (aliphatic: 80.07) and 122 post-translational modification sites. The secondary structure mostly included helices and extended strands. The 3D model was generated using Robetta server (confidence: 0.59) and was refined and validated subsequently. Shared B-cell epitopes were discovered using ElliPro, ABCpred and SVMTriP servers with antigenicity, allergenicity, and solubility screening. Moreover, multiple human and mouse MHC-binding epitopes were predicted and screened in E. granulosus ANX.

Conclusion: This work offers a foundation for further investigation regarding designing an effective vaccination against CE. Further empirical research using examined protein alone or in conjunction with other antigens/epitopes is needed in the future.