Targeting ‘immunogenic hotspots’ in Dengue and Zika virus: an in silico approach to a common vaccine candidate

Abstract

Aim: Dengue and Zika viruses cause significant mortality globally. Considering high sequence similarity between the viral proteins, we designed common multi-epitope vaccine candidates against these pathogens. Methods: We identified multiple T and B cell epitope-rich conserved ‘immunogenic hotspots’ from highly antigenic and phylogenetically related viral proteins and used these to design the multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) candidates, ensuring high global population coverage. Results: Four MEV candidates containing conserved immunogenic hotspots from E and NS5 proteins with the highest structural integrity could favorably interact with TLR4-MD2 complex in molecular docking studies, indicating activation of TLR-mediated immune responses. MEVs also induced memory responses in silico, hallmarks of a good vaccine candidate. Conclusion: Conserved immunogenic hotspots can be utilized to design cross-protective MEV candidates.