Multi-Epitope-Based Vaccine Design Against Newcastle Disease Virus: Targeting Nucleoprotein Using Immunoinformatic: Multi-Epitope-Based Vaccine and Newcastle Disease Virus: Targeting Nucleoprotein

Laraib Afzal Cheema; Areebah Iftikhar; Umaima Fazal Lodhi

doi:10.54393/fbt.v6i1.232

Authors

Laraib Afzal Cheema Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Areebah Iftikhar Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Umaima Fazal Lodhi Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/fbt.v6i1.232

Keywords:

Avian Paramyxovirus-1, Multi-epitope Vaccine, Epitope Prediction, Immunoinformatic, Newcastle Disease Virus, Nucleoprotein

Abstract

Avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1) is the virus that causes Newcastle disease (ND), a highly infectious chicken illness that causes substantial financial losses globally. Objectives: To retrieve the amino acid sequence of the nucleoprotein of APMV-1, identify immunogenic B-cell and T-cell epitopes, design a multi-epitope vaccine using suitable linkers and an adjuvant, and evaluate its interaction with chicken immune receptors along with immune response simulation. Methods: The nucleoprotein sequence of NDV was retrieved from public databases. Immunoinformatic tools were used to predict B-cell and T-cell epitopes binding to MHC-I and MHC-II molecules. Selected epitopes were evaluated for antigenicity and allergenicity. The construct of the vaccine was designed by using the most antigenic 5 MHC-1, 4MHC-II, and all predicted B-cell epitopes of the NDV Nucleoprotein, along with suitable linkers, and by incorporating the B-subunit of the heat-labile enterotoxin (LTB) as an adjuvant. Interaction analysis with chicken immune receptors showed highly negative scores, which suggests strong and favorable binding between the vaccine construct and the TLR 4 receptor. Immune simulation was performed to assess the immunogenic potential of the construct. Results: Several B-cell and T-cell epitopes with high antigenicity and favorable immunological properties were identified. These epitopes were assembled into a multi-epitope vaccine construct with suitable linkers and an adjuvant. Interaction analysis indicated stable binding with chicken immune receptors, and immune simulation predicted a strong immune response. Conclusions: The designed multi-epitope vaccine shows potential as a candidate against Newcastle Disease, although experimental validation is required.

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