Designing of Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Trichomonas vaginalis Using Immuno-informatics

Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections around the world. Given the importance of this infection in public health, extensive efforts have been made to develop vaccines. Previous research has been limited to the inactivated vaccine or using an adhesion protein as a vaccine candidate, and no effective vaccine for the disease has been suggested until now.  This study aimed to design a vaccine based on epitopes of parasite adhesion proteins to be used as an immunogenic protein using immune-informatics tools.

First, AP33, AP51 and AP65 protein sequences were retrieved. Epitopes of B and T lymphocytes were then predicted. Antigenicity, non-allergenicity and non-toxicity of epitopes were evaluated and vaccine structure was designed. Then the physical, chemical and structural properties of the vaccine were determined and finally, the ability of the vaccine to bind to TLRs was investigated.

A total of 9 lymphocytes B and T epitopes were selected and a vaccine construct was designed based on them. Immuno-informatics evaluations showed that the designed vaccine is safe, hydrophilic and stable at different temperatures and conditions, that can bind to TLRs and activate innate immunity.

Based on the results, the polypeptide construct can be a suitable candidate for Trichomoniasis vaccine.