In silico formulation of a next-generation multiepitope vaccine for use as a prophylactic candidate against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Abstract

Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease transmitted to humans and livestock animals through the bite of infected ticks or close contact with infected persons’ blood, organs, or other bodily fluids. The virus is responsible for severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of up to 40%. Despite having the highest fatality rate of the virus, a suitable treatment option or vaccination has not been developed yet. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate a multiepitope vaccine against CCHF through computational vaccine design approaches. Methods The glycoprotein, nucleoprotein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of CCHF were utilized to determine immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes. Subsequently, an integrative computational vaccinology approach was used to formulate a multi-epitopes vaccine candidate against the virus. Results After rigorous assessment, a multiepitope vaccine was constructed, which was antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergenic with desired physicochemical properties. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the vaccinereceptor complex show strong stability of the vaccine candidates to the targeted immune receptor. Additionally, the immune simulation of the vaccine candidates found that the vaccine could trigger real-life-like immune responses upon administration to humans. Conclusions Finally, we concluded that the formulated multiepitope vaccine candidates would provide excellent prophylactic properties against CCHF. Keywords CCHF, Multiepitope vaccine, Immunoinformatics, Immune simulation, Molecular dynamics simulation, Molecular docking.