Structural basis of development of multi-epitope vaccine against Middle East respiratory syndrome using in silico approach

Srivastava, Sukrit; Kamthania, Mohit; Singh, Soni; Saxena, Ajay K; Sharma, Nishi

From the screened and shortlisted CTL and HTL epitopes, two MEVs were designed using EAAAK and GGGGS as short peptide rigid and flexible linkers, respectively ( Figure 1A and B). To enhance the immune response, hBD-2 (PDB ID: 1FD3, sequence: GIGDPVTCLKSGAICHPVFCPRRYKQIGTCG LPGTKCCKKP) and hBD-3 (PDB ID: 1KJ6, sequence: GII NTLQKYYCRVRGGRCAVLSCLPKEEQIGKCSTRGRK CCRRKK) were used as adjuvants for both MEVs at N and C terminals, respectively. 17, 18, [50] [51] [52] [53] Upon lung infection, the expression of hBD-2 and hBD-3 was found to be increased. β-Defensins are involved in chemotactic activity for memory T cells, monocytes, and immature dendritic cells as well as in degranulation of mast cells. Thus, hBDs enhance innate and adaptive immunity and therefore were chosen here as adjuvants for the design of MEVs.