Exploring Adenylate Kinase 8 (ADK8) of Echinococcus granulosus as a Novel Immunogen Against Cystic Echinococcosis: A Computational Perspective

Authors

  • Bahareh Bahadori Mazidi School of Paramedical Sciences, Darab, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Darab, Iran
  • Zabihullah Fasehi Department of Paraclinic, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Kunduz University, Kunduz province, Afghanistan
  • Hamed Abdollahi Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran
  • Mehrnoosh Naderizadeh Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
  • Alireza Najafi D.V.M. Graduated, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
  • Shadan Ghiabi Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
  • Ali Asghari Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
  • Mohammad Fathollahzadeh Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
  • Hamidreza Majidiani Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
  • Leyli Shabani Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i3.22590

Keywords:

In silico analysis; E. granulosus; Adenylate kinase 8; Vaccine candidate

Abstract

Background: Vaccination represents a promising strategy for preventing hydatidosis. We aimed to characterize the physicochemical properties of adenylate kinase 8 from Echinococcus granulosus (EgADK8) and identify potential B- and T-cell epitopes as vaccine candidates.

Methods: Multiple web-based servers were employed to predict immunogenic epitopes and evaluate the physicochemical, antigenic, structural, and subcellular characteristics of EgADK8.

Results: EgADK8 was predicted to be an extracellular protein with a molecular weight of 38.78 kDa. The protein showed no allergenic potential and exhibited high hydrophilicity, predicted thermal stability, and 36 potential post-translational modification sites. The secondary structure was mainly composed of alpha helices and random coils. The highest-quality three-dimensional model generated by the Robetta server achieved a confidence score of 0.79. Three independent prediction servers identified 16 linear and 9 conformational B-cell epitopes. Furthermore, two helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes with predicted IFN-γ-inducing potential were identified after comprehensive screening. Additionally, five immunogenic human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes with predicted IFN-γ-inducing potential and three murine CTL epitopes were identified.

Conclusion: These findings provide preliminary computational evidence supporting further investigation of EgADK8 as a potential component of a multiepitope vaccine against CE. The main limitation of this study was its reliance on computational analyses. Therefore, experimental validation using the whole protein and/or selected epitopes, either individually or in combination with other antigens, is required.

Published

2026-09-12

Issue

Volume (21) issue (3)

Section

Articles