Development of a Multiepitope Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2: Immunoinformatics Study

Background

Since the first appearance of SARS-CoV-2 in China in December 2019, the world witnessed the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Due to the high transmissibility rate of the virus, there is an urgent need to design and develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 to prevent more cases affected by the virus.

Objective

A computational approach is proposed for vaccine design against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, as the key target for neutralizing antibodies, and envelope (E) protein, which contains a conserved sequence feature.

Methods

We used previously reported epitopes of S protein detected experimentally and further identified a collection of predicted B-cell and major histocompatibility (MHC) class II–restricted T-cell epitopes derived from E proteins with an identical match to SARS-CoV-2 E protein.

Results

The in silico design of our candidate vaccine against the S and E proteins of SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated a high affinity to MHC class II molecules and effective results in immune response simulations.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study, the multiepitope vaccine designed against the S and E proteins of SARS-CoV-2 may be considered as a new, safe, and efficient approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Network analysis reveals essential proteins that regulate sodium-iodide symporter expression in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most rare and lethal form of thyroid cancer and requires effective treatment. Efforts have been made to restore sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) expression in ATC cells where it has been downregulated, yet without complete success. Systems biology approaches have been used to simplify complex biological networks. Here, we attempt to find more suitable targets in order to restore NIS expression in ATC cells. We have built a simplified protein interaction network including transcription factors and proteins involved in MAPK, TGFβ/SMAD, PI3K/AKT, and TSHR signaling pathways which regulate NIS expression, alongside proteins interacting with them. The network was analyzed, and proteins were ranked based on several centrality indices. Our results suggest that the protein interaction network of NIS expression regulation is modular, and distance-based and information-flow-based centrality indices may be better predictors of important proteins in such networks. We propose that the high-ranked proteins found in our analysis are expected to be more promising targets in attempts to restore NIS expression in ATC cells.

An in-silico approach to develop of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein

Since the first appearance of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) in China on December 2019, the world has now witnessed the emergence of the SARS- CoV-2 outbreak. Therefore, due to the high transmissibility rate of virus, there is an urgent need to design and develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 to prevent more cases affected by the virus. In this study, a computational approach is proposed for vaccine design against the envelope (E) protein of SARS-CoV-2, which contains a conserved sequence feature. First, we sought to gain potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes for vaccine designing against SARS-CoV-2. Second, we attempted to develop a multi-epitope vaccine. Immune targeting of such epitopes could theoretically provide defense against SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we evaluated the affinity of the vaccine to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to stimulate the immune system response to this vaccine. We also identified a collection of B-cell and T-cell epitopes derived from E proteins that correspond identically to SARS-CoV-2 E proteins. The in-silico design of our potential vaccine against E protein of SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated a high affinity to MHC molecules, and it can be a candidate to make a protection against this pandemic event.

Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time

The worldwide dramatic increase in mobile phone use has generated great concerns about the detrimental effects of microwave radiations emitted by these communication devices. Reaction time plays a critical role in performing tasks necessary to avoid hazards. As far as we know, this study is the first survey that reports decreased reaction time after exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by a high specific absorption rate mobile phone. It is also the first study in which previous history of mobile phone use is taken into account. The aim of this study was to assess both the acute and chronic effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on reaction time in university students. Visual reaction time (VRT) of young university students was recorded with a simple blind computer-assisted-VRT test, before and after a 10 min real/sham exposure to electromagnetic fields of mobile phones. Participants were 160 right-handed university students aged 18-31. To assess the effect of chronic exposures, the reaction time in sham-exposed phases were compared among low level, moderate and frequent users of mobile phones. The mean ± SD reaction time after real exposure and sham exposure were 286.78 ± 31.35 ms and 295.86 ± 32.17 ms (P < 0.001), respectively. The age of students did not significantly alter the reaction time either in talk or in standby mode. The reaction time either in talk or in standby mode was shorter in male students. The students' VRT was significantly affected by exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by a mobile phone. It can be concluded that these exposures cause decreased reaction time, which may lead to a better response to different hazards. In this light, this phenomenon might decrease the chances of human errors and fatal accidents.