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Lim CP, Leow CH, Lim HT, Kok BH, Chuah C, Oliveira JIN, Jones M, Leow CY. Insights into structural vaccinology harnessed for universal coronavirus vaccine development. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2024; 13:202-217. [PMID: 39144127 PMCID: PMC11319108 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2024.13.3.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Structural vaccinology is pivotal in expediting vaccine design through high-throughput screening of immunogenic antigens. Leveraging the structural and functional characteristics of antigens and immune cell receptors, this approach employs protein structural comparison to identify conserved patterns in key pathogenic components. Molecular modeling techniques, including homology modeling and molecular docking, analyze specific three-dimensional (3D) structures and protein interactions and offer valuable insights into the 3D interactions and binding affinity between vaccine candidates and target proteins. In this review, we delve into the utilization of various immunoinformatics and molecular modeling tools to streamline the development of broad-protective vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 variants. Structural vaccinology significantly enhances our understanding of molecular interactions between hosts and pathogens. By accelerating the pace of developing effective and targeted vaccines, particularly against the rapidly mutating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and other prevalent infectious diseases, this approach stands at the forefront of advancing immunization strategies. The combination of computational techniques and structural insights not only facilitates the identification of potential vaccine candidates but also contributes to the rational design of vaccines, fostering a more efficient and targeted approach to combatting infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Peng Lim
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Chiuan Herng Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Hui Ting Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Boon Hui Kok
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Candy Chuah
- Faculty of Medicine, Asian Institute of Medical Science and Technology University, Bedong, Malaysia
| | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Malcolm Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
| | - Chiuan Yee Leow
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
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2
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Chen Q, Liu L, Guo S, Li L, Yu Y, Liu Z, Tan C, Chen H, Wang X. Characterization of the monoclonal antibody and the immunodominant B-cell epitope of African swine fever virus pA104R by using mouse model. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0140123. [PMID: 38305163 PMCID: PMC10913377 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01401-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The African swine fever virus (ASFV) structural protein pA104R is the only histone-like protein encoded by eukaryotic viruses. pA104R is an essential DNA-binding protein required for DNA replication and genome packaging of ASFV, which are vital for pathogen survival and proliferation. pA104R is an important target molecule for diagnosing, treating, and immune prevention of ASFV. This study characterized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against pA104R and found them to recognize natural pA104R in ASFV strains with different genotypes, showing high conservation. Confirmation analyses of pA104R epitopes using mAbs indicated the presence of immunodominant B-cell epitopes, and further characterization showed the high antigenic index and surface accessibility coefficients of the identified epitope. Furthermore, the pA104R protein functions through the polar interactions between the binding amino acid sites; however, these interactions may be blocked by the recognition of generated mAbs. Characterizing the immunodominant B-cell epitope of the ASFV critical proteins, such as pA104R, may contribute to developing sensitive diagnostic tools and vaccine candidate targets.IMPORTANCEAfrican swine fever (ASF) is a highly pathogenic, lethal, and contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. As no effective vaccine or other treatments have been developed, the control of African swine fever virus (ASFV) relies heavily on virus detection and diagnosis. A potential serological target is the structural protein pA104R. However, the molecular basis of pA104R antigenicity remains unclear, and a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) against this protein is still unavailable. In this study, mAbs against pA104R were characterized and found to recognize natural pA104R in ASFV strains with different genotypes. In addition, confirmation analyses of pA104R epitopes using mAbs indicated the presence of immunodominant B-cell epitopes, and further characterization showed the high antigenic index and surface accessibility coefficients of the identified epitope. Characteristics of the immunodominant B-cell epitope of ASFV proteins, such as pA104R, may contribute to developing sensitive diagnostic tools and identifying vaccine candidate targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qichao Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Lixinjie Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Shibang Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifeng Yu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhankui Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Tan
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention & Control for African Swine Fever and Other Major Pig Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuhan, China
- International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention & Control for African Swine Fever and Other Major Pig Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuhan, China
- International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangru Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention & Control for African Swine Fever and Other Major Pig Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuhan, China
- International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
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3
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Wang W, Bi Z, Liu Y, Xia X, Qian J, Tan Y, Zhu Y, Song S, Yan L. Development of a monoclonal antibody recognizing novel linear neutralizing epitope on H protein of canine distemper virus vaccine strains (America-1 genotype). Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 246:125584. [PMID: 37391002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is an economically important virus responsible for canine distemper (CD), a highly contagious disease that afflicts various animal species worldwide. The hemagglutinin (H) protein is the major neutralizing target of virus. Therefore, it is often considered as immunogen to prepare neutralizing antibodies. The accurate identification of neutralizing epitope will provide important antigenic information and extend the knowledge of mechanisms of virus neutralization. In this study, we generated a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4C6 against CDV H protein, and defined the minimal linear epitope 238DIEREFDT245, which was highly conserved in America-1 genotype of CDV strains (vaccines). The mAb 4C6 could not react with a CDV strain that had two substitutions of D238Y and R241G in the epitope, which appeared in most CDV strains of the other genotypes. Besides, a few different amino acid mutations in the epitope were also included. Collectively, the epitope 238DIEREFDT245 was variable in the other genotypes of CDV strains. The epitope 238DIEREFDT245 was exposed to the surface of CDV H protein, showing good antigenicity. These data will provide insights into structure, function and antigenicity of H protein and lay the foundation for the development of diagnostic technologies and vaccine design for CDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wang
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Zhenwei Bi
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China; GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biologicals, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, China.
| | - Yakun Liu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Xingxia Xia
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Jing Qian
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Yeping Tan
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Yumei Zhu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Suquan Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Liping Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
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Novel Epitopes Mapping of African Swine Fever Virus CP312R Protein Using Monoclonal Antibodies. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020557. [PMID: 36851771 PMCID: PMC9963768 DOI: 10.3390/v15020557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and lethal pig disease and poses a huge threat to the pig industry worldwide. ASF virus (ASFV) encodes more than 150 different proteins, but the biological properties of most viral proteins are still unknown. ASFV CP312R protein has been proven to be one of the most immunogenic proteins during ASFV infection in pigs; however, its specific epitopes have yet to be identified. In this study, we verified the immunogenicity of CP312R protein in the sera from attenuated ASFV-inoculated pigs. We generated seven anti-ASFV CP312R mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from mice immunized with recombinant CP312R protein (rCP312R). All seven mAbs are the IgG2b-Kappa isotype and specifically interacted with the CP312R protein expressed in various cells that were infected by ASFVs or transfected with plasmid CP312R. The epitope mapping was performed by using these characterized mAbs and the peptide scanning (Pepscan) method followed by Western blot. As a result, two antigenic determinant regions were identified: two of the seven mAbs recognized the 122KNEQGEEIYP131 amino acids, and the remaining five mAbs recognized the 78DEEVIRMNAE87 amino acids of the CP312R protein. These antigenic determinants of CP312R are conserved in different ASFV strains of seven genotypes. By using the characterized mAb, confocal microscopy observation revealed that the CP312R was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and, to some extent, in nuclei and on the nuclear membrane of infected host cells. In summary, our results benefit our understanding on the antigenic regions of ASFV CP312R and help to develop better serological diagnosis of ASF and vaccine research.
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Identification of B-Cell Epitopes on Capsid Protein Reveals Two Potential Neutralization Mechanisms in Red-Spotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus. J Virol 2023; 97:e0174822. [PMID: 36633407 PMCID: PMC9888288 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01748-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nervous necrosis virus (NNV), a formidable pathogen in marine and freshwater fish, has inflicted enormous financial tolls on the aquaculture industry worldwide. Although capsid protein (CP) is the sole structural protein with pathogenicity and antigenicity, public information on immunodominant regions remains extremely scarce. Here, we employed neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for red-spotted grouper NNV (RGNNV) CNPgg2018 in combination with partially overlapping truncated proteins and peptides to identify two minimal B-cell epitope clusters on CP, 122GYVAGFL128 and 227SLYNDSL233. Site-directed mutational analysis confirmed residues Y123, G126, and L128 and residues L228, Y229, N230, D231, and L233 as the critical residues responsible for the direct interaction with ligand, respectively. According to homologous modeling and bioinformatic evaluation, 122GYVAGFL128 is harbored at the groove of the CP junction with strict conservation among all NNV isolates, while 227SLYNDSL233 is localized in proximity to the tip of a viral protrusion having relatively high evolutionary dynamics in different genotypes. Additionally, 227SLYNDSL233 was shown to be a receptor-binding site, since the corresponding polypeptide could moderately suppress RGNNV multiplication by impeding virion entry. In contrast, 122GYVAGFL128 seemed dedicated only to stabilizing viral native conformation and not to assisting initial virus attachment. Altogether, these findings contribute to a novel understanding of the antigenic distribution pattern of NNV and the molecular basis for neutralization, thus advancing the development of biomedical products, especially epitope-based vaccines, against NNV. IMPORTANCE NNV is a common etiological agent associated with neurological virosis in multiple aquatic organisms, causing significant hazards to the host. However, licensed drugs or vaccines to combat NNV infection are very limited to date. Toward the advancement of broad-spectrum prophylaxis and therapeutics against NNV, elucidating the diversity of immunodominant regions within it is undoubtedly essential. Here, we identified two independent B-cell epitopes on NNV CP, followed by the confirmation of critical amino acid residues participating in direct interaction. These two sites were distributed on the shell and protrusion domains of the virion, respectively, and mediated the neutralization exerted by MAbs via drastically distinct mechanisms. Our work promotes new insights into NNV antigenicity as well as neutralization and, more importantly, offers promising targets for the development of antiviral countermeasures.
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Watanabe Y, Hosokawa N, Yoshida M, Miura T, Kawano M. Identification of Closed Linear Epitopes in S1-RBD and S2-HR1/2 of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Able to Induce Neutralizing Abs. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020287. [PMID: 36851165 PMCID: PMC9966687 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has evolved as several variants. Immunization to boost the Ab response to Spike antigens is effective, but similar vaccines could not enhance Ab efficacy enough. Effective Ab responses against the human ACE2 (hACE2)-mediated infection of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed. We identified closed linear epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike molecule that induced neutralizing Abs (nAbs) against both S1-RBD, responsible for attachment to hACE2, and S2-HR1/2, in convalescents and vaccine recipients. They inhibited a pseudo-virus infection mediated by the hACE2 pathway. The epitope sequences included epitopes #7 (aa411-432), #11 (aa459-480) and #111 (aa1144-1161), in S1-RBD and S2-HR2. Epitope #111 was conserved in Wuhan and variant strains, whereas #7 and #11 were conserved in Wuhan carried mutations K417N and S477N/T478K in Omicron BA.4/5. These mutations were recognized by the original epitope-specific Abs. These epitopes in RBD and HR2 neither contained, nor overlapped with, those responsible for the antibody-dependent enhancement of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sublingual administration of multiple epitope-conjugated antigens increased the IgG and IgA Abs specific to the neutralizing epitopes in mice pre-immunized subcutaneously. The findings indicated that S1-RBD and S2-HR2 epitopes were responsible for pseudo-virus SARS-CoV-2 infections and that sublingual boosts with multiple epitope-conjugated antigens could enhance the protection by nAbs of IgG and IgA against infection by a wide range of variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Watanabe
- Innovative Clinical Research Center of Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-76-265-2871
| | - Natsuko Hosokawa
- Rheumatology of Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Misaki Yoshida
- Rheumatology of Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Miura
- Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Kawano
- Rheumatology of Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
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Yin D, Geng R, Shao H, Ye J, Qian K, Chen H, Qin A. Identification of novel linear epitopes in P72 protein of African swine fever virus recognized by monoclonal antibodies. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1055820. [PMID: 36406452 PMCID: PMC9666363 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1055820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is one of the highly contagious and lethal diseases among domestic pigs and wild boars. The capsid protein P72 of African swine fever virus (ASFV) is very important for the diagnosis and vaccine development. However, the epitope of the protein is not clear. In this study, capsid protein P72 was expressed in Sf9 cells along with its chaperone B602L. A total of ten monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to P72 protein were developed by fusions between SP2/0 cells and spleen cells of mice immunized with the recombinant-P72&B602L proteins expressed in Sf9 cells. Four linear B cell epitopes 31SNIKNVNKSY40, 41GKPDP45, 56HLVHFNAH63 and 185ERLYE189 were identified. Biological information analysis illustrated that epitopes 31SNIKNVNKSY40, 41GKPDP45 and 185ERLYE189 were highly conserved within different ASFV strains. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the antibody-antigen interaction and provide new insights into the vaccine research and serological diagnosis of ASF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yin
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Renhao Geng
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Shao
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Ye
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kun Qian
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai, China
| | - Aijian Qin
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
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8
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Salod Z, Mahomed O. Mapping Potential Vaccine Candidates Predicted by VaxiJen for Different Viral Pathogens between 2017-2021-A Scoping Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1785. [PMID: 36366294 PMCID: PMC9695814 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse vaccinology (RV) is a promising alternative to traditional vaccinology. RV focuses on in silico methods to identify antigens or potential vaccine candidates (PVCs) from a pathogen's proteome. Researchers use VaxiJen, the most well-known RV tool, to predict PVCs for various pathogens. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an overview of PVCs predicted by VaxiJen for different viruses between 2017 and 2021 using Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. We used the term 'vaxijen' to search PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest One Academic. The protocol was registered at the Open Science Framework (OSF). We identified articles on this topic, charted them, and discussed the key findings. The database searches yielded 1033 articles, of which 275 were eligible. Most studies focused on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), published between 2020 and 2021. Only a few articles (8/275; 2.9%) conducted experimental validations to confirm the predictions as vaccine candidates, with 2.2% (6/275) articles mentioning recombinant protein expression. Researchers commonly targeted parts of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, with the frequently predicted epitopes as PVCs being major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I T cell epitopes WTAGAAAYY, RQIAPGQTG, IAIVMVTIM, and B cell epitope IAPGQTGKIADY, among others. The findings of this review are promising for the development of novel vaccines. We recommend that vaccinologists use these findings as a guide to performing experimental validation for various viruses, with SARS-CoV-2 as a priority, because better vaccines are needed, especially to stay ahead of the emergence of new variants. If successful, these vaccines could provide broader protection than traditional vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakia Salod
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4051, South Africa
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9
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Wang A, Tian Y, Liu H, Ding P, Chen Y, Liang C, Du Y, Jiang D, Zhu X, Yin J, Zhang G. Identification of three conserved linear B cell epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:2120-2131. [PMID: 35916768 PMCID: PMC9487943 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2109515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spike (S) glycoproteins is the most significant structural protein of SARS-CoV-2 and a key target for neutralizing antibodies. In light of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, identification and screening of epitopes of spike glycoproteins will provide vital progress in the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic tools. In the present study, NTD, RBD and S2 gene were inserted to the pcDNA3.1(+) vector and designed with N-terminal 6×His-tag for fusion expression in HEK293F cells by transient transfection. Six monoclonal antibodies (4G, 9E, 4B, 7D, 8F, 3D) were prepared using the expressed proteins by cell fusion technique. The characterization of mAbs were performed by indirect -ELISA, western blot and IFA. We designed 49 overlapping synthetized peptides cover the extracellular region of S protein which 6 amino acid residues were offset between adjacent (S1-S49). Peptides S12, S19 and S49 were identified as the immunodominant epitopes regions by the mAbs. These regions were further truncated and the peptides S12.2 286TDAVDCALDPLS297, S19.2 464FERDISTEIYQA475 and S49.4 1202ELGKYEQYIKWP1213 were identified as B- cell linear epitopes for the first time. Alanine scans showed that, the D467, I468, E471, Q474, A475 of the epitope S19.2 and K1205, Q1208, Y1209 of the epitope S49.4 were the core sites involved in the mAbs binding. Multiple sequence alignment analysis showed that these three epitopes were highly conserved among the variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs). Taken together, the findings provide a potential material for rapid diagnosis methods of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Hongliang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Peiyang Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Yumei Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Chao Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Yongkun Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China
| | - Dawei Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China
| | - Xifang Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Jiajia Yin
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China
| | - Gaiping Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,Longhu laboratory of advanced immunology, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunobiology, Zhengzhou 450001, P.R. China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R. China
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10
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Tajuelo A, López-Siles M, Más V, Pérez-Romero P, Aguado JM, Briz V, McConnell MJ, Martín-Galiano AJ, López D. Cross-Recognition of SARS-CoV-2 B-Cell Epitopes with Other Betacoronavirus Nucleoproteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062977. [PMID: 35328398 PMCID: PMC8955325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The B and T lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system are important for the control of most viral infections, including COVID-19. Identification of epitopes recognized by these cells is fundamental for understanding how the immune system detects and removes pathogens, and for antiviral vaccine design. Intriguingly, several cross-reactive T lymphocyte epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 with other betacoronaviruses responsible for the common cold have been identified. In addition, antibodies that cross-recognize the spike protein, but not the nucleoprotein (N protein), from different betacoronavirus have also been reported. Using a consensus of eight bioinformatic methods for predicting B-cell epitopes and the collection of experimentally detected epitopes for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, we identified four surface-exposed, conserved, and hypothetical antigenic regions that are exclusive of the N protein. These regions were analyzed using ELISA assays with two cohorts: SARS-CoV-2 infected patients and pre-COVID-19 samples. Here we describe four epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 N protein that are recognized by the humoral response from multiple individuals infected with COVID-19, and are conserved in other human coronaviruses. Three of these linear surface-exposed sequences and their peptide homologs in SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 were also recognized by antibodies from pre-COVID-19 serum samples, indicating cross-reactivity of antibodies against coronavirus N proteins. Different conserved human coronaviruses (HCoVs) cross-reactive B epitopes against SARS-CoV-2 N protein are detected in a significant fraction of individuals not exposed to this pandemic virus. These results have potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tajuelo
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
| | - Mireia López-Siles
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
| | - Vicente Más
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
| | - Pilar Pérez-Romero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
| | | | - Verónica Briz
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
| | - Michael J. McConnell
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
- Correspondence: (M.J.M.); (D.L.)
| | - Antonio J. Martín-Galiano
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
| | - Daniel López
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (A.T.); (M.L.-S.); (V.M.); (P.P.-R.); (V.B.); (A.J.M.-G.)
- Correspondence: (M.J.M.); (D.L.)
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11
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Shahin K, Zhang L, Mehraban MH, Collard JM, Hedayatkhah A, Mansoorianfar M, Soleimani-Delfan A, Wang R. Clinical and experimental bacteriophage studies: Recommendations for possible approaches for standing against SARS-CoV-2. Microb Pathog 2022; 164:105442. [PMID: 35151823 PMCID: PMC8830156 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In 2019, the world faced a serious health challenge, the rapid spreading of a life-threatening viral pneumonia, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a betacoronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of January 2022 WHO statistics shows more than 5.6 million death and about 350 million infection by SARS-CoV-2. One of the life threatening aspects of COVID-19 is secondary infections and reduced efficacy of antibiotics against them. Since the beginning of COVID-19 many researches have been done on identification, treatment, and vaccine development. Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) could offer novel approaches to detect, treat and control COVID-19. Phage therapy and in particular using phage cocktails can be used to control or eliminate the bacterial pathogen as an alternative or complementary therapeutic agent. At the same time, phage interaction with the host immune system can regulate the inflammatory response. In addition, phage display and engineered synthetic phages can be utilized to develop new vaccines and antibodies, stimulate the immune system, and elicit a rapid and well-appropriate defense response. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 new variants like delta and omicron has proved the urgent need for precise, efficient and novel approaches for vaccine development and virus detection techniques in which bacteriophages may be one of the plausible solutions. Therefore, phages with similar morphology and/or genetic content to that of coronaviruses can be used for ecological and epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 behavior and future generations of coronavirus, and in general new viral pathogens. This article is a comprehensive review/perspective of potential applications of bacteriophages in the fight against the present pandemic and the post-COVID era.
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12
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Tian Y, Zhang G, Liu H, Ding P, Jia R, Zhou J, Chen Y, Qi Y, Du J, Liang C, Zhu X, Wang A. Screening and identification of B cell epitope of the nucleocapsid protein in SARS-CoV-2 using the monoclonal antibodies. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:1151-1164. [PMID: 35037999 PMCID: PMC8762450 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-11769-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It is confirmed that nucleocapsid (N) protein is closely related to viral pathogenesis, modulation of host immune response, RNA transcription, and replication and virus packaging. Therefore, the N protein is a preponderant antigen target for virus detection. The codon-optimized N gene was designed according to the encoding characteristics of insect cells and inserted into pFastBacTM1 vector with 6 × His-tag-fused N protein for expression in insect sf21 cells. Six anti-N mAbs (4G3, 5B3, 12B6, 18C7-A2, 21H10-A3, 21H10-E9) were prepared by recombinant N protein. The mAbs showed high titers, antibody affinity, and reactivity with the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. Then, fourteen overlapped peptides that covered the intact N protein were synthesized (N1-N14). Peptide N14 was identified as the main linear B-cell epitope region via peptide-ELISA and dot-blot assay, and this region was truncated gradually until mapping the peptide 401-DFSKQLQQ-408. Simultaneously, compared with the sequence of variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs) strains among the several countries, epitope 401-DFSKQLQQ-408 is very conservative among them. The findings provide new guidance for the design and detection of COVID-19 targets. KEY POINTS: • The N protein was optimized according to the insect cell codon preference and was highly expressed. • The monoclonal antibodies prepared in this study were shown high antibody titers and high affinity. • Monoclonal antibodies were used to map the epitope 401-408 amino acids of N protein for the first time in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Gaiping Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongliang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiyang Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingming Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yumei Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhua Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinran Du
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xifang Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiping Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Correia AM, Borges V, Isidro J, Lima AR, Fernandes A, Godinho ML, Duarte S, Ferrão J, Vieira L, Gomes JP. Potential recurrence of COVID-19 in a healthcare professional: SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing confirms contagiousness after re-positivity. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 112:318-320. [PMID: 34547489 PMCID: PMC8450161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Re-positivity of SARS-CoV-2 tests is widely reported, raising discussion about guidance for patient discharge and ending isolation. The unsuccessful recovery of replication-competent virus and/or absence of secondary cases has suggested that re-positive patients are not contagious. This study reports SARS-CoV-2 re-positivity in a healthcare professional 16 days after three negative tests, with viral genome sequencing supporting contagiousness leading to secondary cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Correia
- Northern Regional Health Administration, Cávado I - Braga Primary Healthcare Centres Group, Public Health Unit, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Vítor Borges
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Isidro
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana R Lima
- Northern Regional Health Administration, Cávado I - Braga Primary Healthcare Centres Group, Public Health Unit, Braga, Portugal
| | - Alberto Fernandes
- Northern Regional Health Administration, Cávado I - Braga Primary Healthcare Centres Group, Public Health Unit, Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria Leonor Godinho
- Northern Regional Health Administration, Cávado I - Braga Primary Healthcare Centres Group, Public Health Unit, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Duarte
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Ferrão
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Vieira
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João P Gomes
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
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14
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McConnell MJ, Martín-Galiano AJ. Designing Multi-Antigen Vaccines Against Acinetobacter baumannii Using Systemic Approaches. Front Immunol 2021; 12:666742. [PMID: 33936107 PMCID: PMC8085427 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.666742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are promising approaches for preventing and treating infections caused by multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. However, only partial protection has been achieved with many previously tested protein antigens, which suggests that vaccines incorporating multiple antigens may be necessary in order to obtain high levels of protection. Several aspects that use the wealth of omic data available for A. baumannii have not been fully exploited for antigen identification. In this study, the use of fractionated proteomic and computational data from ~4,200 genomes increased the number of proteins potentially accessible to the humoral response to 8,824 non-redundant proteins in the A. baumannii panproteome. Among them, 59% carried predicted B-cell epitopes and T-cell epitopes recognized by two or more alleles of the HLA class II DP supertype. Potential cross-reactivity with human proteins was detected for 8.9% of antigens at the protein level and 2.7% at the B-cell epitope level. Individual antigens were associated with different infection types by genomic, transcriptomic or functional analyses. High intra-clonal genome density permitted the identification of international clone II as a “vaccitype”, in which 20% of identified antigens were specific to this clone. Network-based centrality measurements were used to identify multiple immunologic nodes. Data were formatted, unified and stored in a data warehouse database, which was subsequently used to identify synergistic antigen combinations for different vaccination strategies. This study supports the idea that integration of multi-omic data and fundamental knowledge of the pathobiology of drug-resistant bacteria can facilitate the development of effective multi-antigen vaccines against these challenging infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J McConnell
- Intrahospital Infections Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Antonio J Martín-Galiano
- Intrahospital Infections Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain
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15
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Wang A, Jiang M, Liu H, Liu Y, Zhou J, Chen Y, Ding P, Wang Y, Pang W, Qi Y, Zhang G. Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against the N-terminal domain of African swine fever virus structural protein, p54. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 180:203-211. [PMID: 33737177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV), a re-emerging DNA virus, causes a highly contagious disease for domestic pigs. It is running rife worldwide and threatening the global swine industry. Protein p54 is an attractive candidate for ASFV diagnostic and vaccine design. In this work, we designed a peptide to mimic the N-terminal domain (NTD) of ASFV p54 and pretested it with sera from ASFV-infected pigs. The peptide could be well recognized by the sera, implying that the NTD of p54 contained some potential linear B cell epitopes. Then, the conjugates of the peptide with bovine serum albumin were used as the immunogen to generate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A total of six mAbs specific to the NTD of ASFV p54 protein were developed. Five of them well reacted with ASFV HLJ/18 strain and recognized a same linear B cell epitope 5FFQPV9. Furthermore, epitope 5FFQPV9 could be well recognized by ASFV-positive sera from natural infected pigs, suggesting that it was a natural linear B-cell epitope. Conservation analysis indicated that epitope 5FFQPV9 were highly conserved among ASFV epidemic isolates belonging to genotype I and II. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis further revealed that the residues (6F to 9V) of epitope 5FFQPV9 were the core binding sites for antibody recognition. This is the first research to characterize specific mAbs against NTD of p54 protein. These findings may help further understand the function of p54 protein and the improvement of ASFV diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Min Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Hongliang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yankai Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jingming Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yumei Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Peiyang Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yanwei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Weisheng Pang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yanhua Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Gaiping Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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