Abstract
Pegivirus, HPgV, which was earlier known as Gb virus and hepatitis G virus, is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA and lymphotropic virus classified into the Flaviviridae family. The transmission routes primarily involve blood products, and infections are worldwide, leading up to 25% of persistent infections. To date, no effective therapeutic means are available to clear Pegivirus infections. Effective vaccine therapeutics is the best alternative to manage this disease and any associated potential pandemic. Thus, whole proteome-based mining of immunogenic peptides, i.e., CTL (cytotoxic T lymphocytes), HTL (helper T lymphocytes), and B cell epitopes, was mapped to design a vaccine ensemble. Our investigation revealed that 29 different epitopes impart a critical role in immune response induction, which was also validated by exploring its physiochemical properties and experimental feasibility. In silico expression and host immune simulation were examined using an agent-based modeling approach and confirmed the induction of both primary and secondary immune factors such as IL, cytokines, and antibodies. The current study warrants further lab experiments to demonstrate its efficacy and safety.
Highlights
Pegivirus, HPgV, which was earlier known as Gb virus and hepatitis G virus, is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA and lymphotropic virus classified into the Flaviviridae family
The whole polyprotein of Pegivirus was retrieved from the NCBI database and scanned for potential B cell and T cell epitopes to be subsequently used in the design of a multi-epitope peptide vaccine
Computational modelling and integrated immunoinformatics methodologies were used to develop a multi-epitope vaccine to help the development of immunity against the emerging Pegivirus
Summary
HPgV, which was earlier known as Gb virus and hepatitis G virus, is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA and lymphotropic virus classified into the Flaviviridae family. It has a genome of approximately 94,000 nucleotides. HPgV codes for the basic proteins enriched with arginine and leucine amino acids It comprises C, E1, and E2 as structural proteins that are believed to be involved in creating an envelope for the virus and NS3–NS5B as nonstructural proteins similar in function to helicase and polymerase proteins of other related viruses of the Flaviviridae family [3]. Individuals with prior arthritis (RA), primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pose higher risk of development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) [10]
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