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Deng Y, Chen JY, Wang Y, Wang YL, Liu J, Peng Z, Zhou J, Lu K, Wen X, Chen X, Pang S, Wang D, Li M, Du S, Cao SJ, Zhao Q. Evaluating the Immunogenic Potential of ApxI and ApxII from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: An Immunoinformatics-Driven Study on mRNA Candidates. Vet Sci 2025; 12:414. [PMID: 40431507 PMCID: PMC12115502 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12050414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2025] [Revised: 04/17/2025] [Accepted: 04/24/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Porcine infectious pleuropneumonia (PCP) caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) leads to severe economic losses in swine production. Commercial vaccines offer limited cross-protection for the 19 serotypes, while APP mRNA vaccines remain unexplored. This study evaluated eight candidate APP proteins (ApxI-IV, OlmA, TbpB, GalT, and GalU) using immunobioinformatics tools, and their immunogenicity and cross-protection were assessed in a mouse model. The results revealed that ApxI and ApxII excel due to their stability, strong antigenicity, non-sensitization, and high immune receptor affinity. Compared to the PBS group, both ApxI and ApxII induced higher serum IgG, IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ levels. Following challenge with the two most prevalent APP strains in Mainland China, APP 5b and APP 1, the survival rates for ApxI (71.4% and 62.5%) and ApxII (75% and 71.4%) were measured, with notably reduced lung lesions and neutrophil infiltration. These findings highlight ApxI and ApxII's potential in mRNA vaccine development as a promising approach to overcome current vaccine limitations. Future research should focus on creating APP mRNA vaccines and testing their efficacy in swine. This study is the first to combine immunoinformatics with experimental validation for APP mRNA vaccine antigens, representing a novel contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Deng
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Jia-Yong Chen
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Yuhan Wang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Yu-Luo Wang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Jiale Liu
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Zhiling Peng
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Jiayu Zhou
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Kun Lu
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Xin Wen
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Xizhu Chen
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Siyu Pang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Dan Wang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Miaohan Li
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
| | - Senyan Du
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu 611130, China
- International Joint Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - San-Jie Cao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu 611130, China
- International Joint Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.D.); (J.-Y.C.); (Y.W.); (Y.-L.W.); (J.L.); (Z.P.); (J.Z.); (K.L.); (X.W.); (X.C.); (S.P.); (D.W.); (M.L.); (S.D.)
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu 611130, China
- International Joint Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
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Motamedi H, Shoja S, Abbasi M. Immunoinformatic evaluation for the development of a potent multi-epitope vaccine against bacterial vaginosis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis. PLoS One 2025; 20:e0316699. [PMID: 40014550 PMCID: PMC11867334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2024] [Accepted: 12/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal dysbiosis in fertile women, which is associated with side effects including the risk of premature birth. Gardnerella vaginalis (G. vaginalis) is a facultative anaerobic bacillus known as the main pathogen responsible for BV. In this study, using bioinformatics and immunoinformatics methods, a multi-epitope vaccine with optimal population coverage against BV caused by G. vaginalis was designed. METHODS Amino acid sequences of two important virulence factors (Vaginolysin and Sialidase) of G. vaginalis were retrieved from NCBI and UniProt databases. At first, three online servers ABCpred, BCPREDS and LBtope were used to predict linear B-cell epitopes (BCEs) and IEDB server was used for T cells. Then the antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity were evaluated using bioinformatics tools. After modeling the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the vaccine by Robetta Server, molecular docking and molecular dynamics were performed. Finally, immune simulation and in silico cloning were considered effective for the design of vaccine production strategy. RESULTS In total, six epitopes of BCEs, eight epitopes from CD4+ and seven epitopes from CD8+ were selected. The designed multi-epitope vaccine was non-allergenic and non-toxic and showed high levels of antigenicity and immunogenicity. After the 3D structure was predicted, it was refined and validated, which resulted in an optimized model with a Z-score of -7.4. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation of the designed vaccine revealed stable and strong binding interactions. Finally, the results of vaccine immunity simulation showed a significant increase in immunoglobulins, higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-2. CONCLUSION According to the findings, the candidate multi-epitope vaccine has stable structural features. It also has the potential to stimulate long-term immunity in the host, but wet-lab validation is needed to justify it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saeed Shoja
- Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran
| | - Maryam Abbasi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
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Xie D, Tian Y, Cao L, Guo P, Cai Z, Zhou J. 3D-QSAR, design, molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies of novel 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamides as potentially potent and selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Front Pharmacol 2025; 16:1545791. [PMID: 39981188 PMCID: PMC11841475 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1545791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2025] [Indexed: 02/22/2025] Open
Abstract
Background 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamide is a novel, potent and specific inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), which can be used to study the molecular structure and develop new neuroprotective strategies. Objective The aim of this study was to create an effective predictive model from 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamide derivatives to provide a reliable predictive basis for the development of neuroprotective MAO-B inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Methods First, the compounds were constructed and optimized using ChemDraw and Sybyl-X software. Subsequently, QSAR modeling was performed using the COMSIA method in Sybyl-X to predict the IC50 values of a set of novel 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamide derivatives. The ten most promising compounds were screened based on the IC50 values and tested for molecular docking. Finally, the binding stability and dynamic behavior of these compounds with MAO-B receptors were analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation (MD). Results The 3D-QSAR model showed good predictive ability, with a q2 value of 0.569, r2 value of 0.915, SEE of 0.109 and F value of 52.714 for the COMSIA model. Based on the model, we designed a series of novel 6-HBC derivatives and predicted their IC50 values by the QSAR model. Among them, compound 31.j3 exhibited the highest predicted IC50 value and obtained the highest score in the molecular docking test. MD simulation results showed that compound 31.j3 was stable in binding to the MAO-B receptor, and the RMSD values fluctuated between 1.0 and 2.0 Å, indicating its conformational stability. In addition, energy decomposition analysis revealed the contribution of key amino acid residues to the binding energy, especially Van der Waals interactions and electrostatic interactions play an important role in stabilizing the complex. Conclusion In this study, the potential of 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamide derivatives as MAO-B inhibitors was systematically investigated by 3D-QSAR, molecular docking and MD simulations. The successfully designed compound 31.j3 not only demonstrated efficient inhibitory activity, but also verified its stable binding to MAO-B receptor by MD simulation, which provides strong support for the development of novel therapeutic drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. These findings provide important theoretical basis and practical guidance for future drug design and experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou, China
- Department of First Clinical College of Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongzheng Tian
- Department of First Clinical College of Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou, China
| | - Penghang Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou, China
- Department of First Clinical College of Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhibiao Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou, China
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Rodrigues Rodrigues R, Alves MLF, Bilhalva MA, Kremer FS, Junior CM, Ferreira MRA, Galvão CC, Quatrin PHDN, Conceição FR. Large Clostridial Toxins: A Brief Review and Insights into Antigen Design for Veterinary Vaccine Development. Mol Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12033-024-01303-6. [PMID: 39472390 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01303-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 10/08/2024] [Indexed: 12/18/2024]
Abstract
The group of large clostridial toxins (LCTs) includes toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB) from Clostridioides difficile, hemorrhagic and lethal toxins from Paeniclostridium sordellii, alpha toxin from Clostridium novyi (TcnA), and cytotoxin from Clostridium perfringens. These toxins are associated with severe pathologies in livestock, including gas gangrene (P. sordellii and C. novyi), infectious necrotic hepatitis (C. novyi), avian necrotic enteritis (C. perfringens), and enterocolitis (C. difficile). Immunoprophylaxis is crucial for controlling these diseases, but traditional vaccines face production challenges, such as labor-intensive processes, and often exhibit low immunogenicity. This has led to increased interest in recombinant vaccines. While TcdA and TcdB are well-studied for human immunization, other LCTs remain poorly characterized and require further investigation. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of understanding lesser-explored toxins and proposes using immunoinformatics to identify their immunodominant regions. By mapping these regions using silico tools and considering their homology with TcdA and TcdB, the study aims to guide future research in veterinary vaccinology. It also explores alternatives to overcome the limitations of conventional and recombinant vaccines, offering guidelines for developing more effective vaccination strategies against severe infections in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Rodrigues Rodrigues
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil.
| | - Mariliana Luiza Ferreira Alves
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
- Instituto Federal Sul-Rio-Grandense, IFSul, Campus Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil
| | - Miguel Andrade Bilhalva
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Frederico Schmitt Kremer
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Clóvis Moreira Junior
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Marcos Roberto Alves Ferreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Cleideanny Cancela Galvão
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Dala Nora Quatrin
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Fabricio Rochedo Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, CEP 96160-000, Brazil
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