Affiliation:
1. Bankura University
2. Parimal Mitra Smriti Mahavidyalaya
Abstract
Human rhinovirus C (HRV-C) is an RNA virus infecting human
respiratory tract. It is associated with complexities like asthma, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory damage. HRV-C has many
serotypes. Till date there is no vaccine. Despite some limitations,
corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and common cold medicines are used to
treat HRV-C infections. Here, we have used immunoinformatics approach to
predict suitable cytotoxic T-cell, helper T-cell and linear B-cell epitopes
from the most antigenic protein. VP2 protein of Rhinovirus C53 strain
USA/CO/2014-20993 was found to be most antigenic. The multi-epitope
construct was designed using the best CTL, HTL and linear B-cell epitopes
and attaching them with adjuvant and linkers. Interferon-gamma inducing
epitopes and conformational B-cell epitopes were also predicted from the
construct. Physicochemical and structural properties of the construct were
satisfactory. Binding pockets were identified that could be the targets for
designing effective inhibitors. Molecular docking revealed strong binding
affinity of the construct with human Toll-like receptors 2 and 4. Normal
mode analysis divulged stability of the docked complex. Codon optimization,
in silico cloning and immune simulation analysis demonstrated suitability
of the construct. These findings are likely to aid in vitro studies for
developing vaccine against HRV-C.
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology