Volume 29, Issue 3 (Iran South Med J 2026)
Iran South Med J 2026, 29(3): 123-139 |
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Vaez H, Shahrakimojahed L. Design of A Multi-epitope Vaccine Candidate against Q Fever based on the Outer Mem-brane Proteins OMP1 and LolB: An Immunoinformatic Study. Iran South Med J 2026; 29 (3) :123-139
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2590-en.html
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2590-en.html
1- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran ,h_vaez@zbmu.ac.ir
2- Veterinary organization, Sistan and Baluchistan, Zabol, Iran
Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran ,
2- Veterinary organization, Sistan and Baluchistan, Zabol, Iran
Abstract: (13 Views)
Background: Q fever—caused by Coxiella burnetii—is a zoonotic disease reported worldwide. It can cause severe complications in the host, manifesting with conditions such as liver, heart, and vascular failure, pneumonia, and long-term chronic fatigue. Given the significant impact of C. burnetii on public health and the limitations of previously designed vaccines, this study aimed to design a Q fever vaccine based on C. burnetii outer membrane proteins using bioinformatics methods.
Materials and Methods: Epitopes that stimulate B- and T-lymphocytes were identified using the ABCpred and IEDB servers. After evaluating various properties—such as non-toxicity (ToxinPred server), lack of allergenicity (AllerTOP server), and immunogenicity (VaxiJen server)—a recombinant vaccine was designed. The characteristics of the vaccine candidate were evaluated using different servers (ProtParam, Solpro, PSIPRED, Cluspro, and C-ImmSim).
Results: Following comprehensive evaluations, three B-lymphocyte-stimulating epitopes and 17 T-lymphocyte-stimulating epitopes were selected for the OMP1 and LolB proteins, respectively. In addition, 17 and 9 T-lymphocyte-stimulating epitopes were identified for OMP1 and LolB, respectively. Various properties of the designed vaccine candidate, including physicochemical properties, secondary structure, expression levels, non-toxicity, and ability to elicit a positive immune system, were predicted.
Conclusion: Based on the computational findings of this study, the designed vaccine may effectively stimulate the immune system and provide immunity against Q fever. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the designed vaccine.
Materials and Methods: Epitopes that stimulate B- and T-lymphocytes were identified using the ABCpred and IEDB servers. After evaluating various properties—such as non-toxicity (ToxinPred server), lack of allergenicity (AllerTOP server), and immunogenicity (VaxiJen server)—a recombinant vaccine was designed. The characteristics of the vaccine candidate were evaluated using different servers (ProtParam, Solpro, PSIPRED, Cluspro, and C-ImmSim).
Results: Following comprehensive evaluations, three B-lymphocyte-stimulating epitopes and 17 T-lymphocyte-stimulating epitopes were selected for the OMP1 and LolB proteins, respectively. In addition, 17 and 9 T-lymphocyte-stimulating epitopes were identified for OMP1 and LolB, respectively. Various properties of the designed vaccine candidate, including physicochemical properties, secondary structure, expression levels, non-toxicity, and ability to elicit a positive immune system, were predicted.
Conclusion: Based on the computational findings of this study, the designed vaccine may effectively stimulate the immune system and provide immunity against Q fever. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the designed vaccine.
Original: Original |
Subject:
Microbiology and Immunology
Received: 2026/05/17 | Accepted: 2026/07/28 | Published: 2026/08/23
Received: 2026/05/17 | Accepted: 2026/07/28 | Published: 2026/08/23
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