In Silico Study of Antigenicity and Immunogenicity of the D7 Protein from Salivary Glands of Aedes aegypti

Abstract

The Aedes aegypti mosquito has been known as the primary vector in the transmission of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). D7 protein has been reported as a protein expressed in the salivary glands of mosquito vectors that can increase the transmission of the pathogen because of its ability to immunosuppress the host immune response (immunogenic). This study aimed to perform an in-silico analysis of the antigenicity and immunogenicity of D7 protein from the salivary glands of the Aedes aegypti vector. The results showed that the D7 Ae. aegypti (accession number: P18153 (UNIPROT)) could be recognized as an antigenic and immunogenic protein by finding its predicted protein epitopes on B cell as well as T cell. The YYKCLVESS peptide was identified as a suitable candidate as a linear B cell epitope. The peptides KGLYEKLGKDI and KNQAYSKPAVMEIDGKQCPQ were identified as epitopes of conformational B cells. The LYDPVAQKF peptide has a high affinity; thus, it was identified as a T cell potential epitope. The identified epitope could be further evaluated at in vivo study to be developed as a potential transmission-blocking vaccine candidate for DHF.