In silico design of a DNA vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii based on ROP35 antigen epitopes specific for murine B and CD4+ T lymphocytes

Authors

Keywords:

Toxoplasma gondii, ROP35, Genetic vaccine, In silico prediction, B and T epitopes

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a globally prevalent zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), with an incidence ranging from 30% to 70%. It primarily affects immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women, potentially leading to severe complications, including death. ROP proteins, which are located in the T. gondii rhoptries, are crucial for parasite invasion and persistence. Among them, ROP35 has been identified as a relevant antigen, making it a suitable target for the in silico development of a DNA vaccine to prevent T. gondii infection. Using the ROP35 sequence, B and T cell epitopes restricted to H2-IAd in BALB/c mice were predicted with MHC-II Binding and ElliPro software and further evaluated using VaxiJen 2.0 and MHCPred. The epitopes MPEQDLASGFL and WDDAHLVQVSTSHPD exhibited the highest antigenic properties for B and T CD4+ cells respectively. The corresponding genetic sequences were cloned into the pVAX1 expression vector, incorporating a start codon and the GSGGSG spacer sequence to ensure optimal expression. This construct, named pR35BT, enables the simultaneous synthesis of both epitopes, representing a significant step toward the development of a genetic vaccine against toxoplasmosis. It holds potential for in vitro and in vivo validation in murine models, contributing to the establishment of molecular foundations for toxoplasmosis prevention in humans.

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Author Biographies

  • Velázquez-Escobar F.M., Molecular Biomedicine Laboratory, FCQB, UAS

    She is a student at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Genomic Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences. She has participated in one national and international conference.

    Contact email: fridavelazquez.fcqb2020@uas.edu.mx

  • Beltrán-López E., Molecular Biomedicine Laboratory, FCQB, UAS

    She is a researcher at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and holds a Master's degree in Forensic Science from the Marist University of Guadalajara. She has published seven articles in peer-reviewed and refereed journals, earning 32 citations and an h-index of 4 to date. She has participated in 21 national and international conferences. Throughout her career, she has supervised two undergraduate theses and one master's thesis in the areas of Biology and Chemistry. She is also a doctoral student in Biomedical Sciences. Contact email: evabeltran@uas.edu.mx

  • Vega-Castillo U., Molecular Biomedicine Laboratory, FCQB, UAS

    Ulises Vega Castillo
    He is a student at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and holds a Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences (UAS). He has published one article in a peer-reviewed journal and one in a peer-reviewed journal, receiving three citations to date. He has participated in five national and international conferences. He is currently working on a doctoral thesis in the areas of Proteomics, Immunology, and Molecular Biology in the Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences program.
    Contact email: ulisesvega.fcqb@uas.edu.mx

  • López-Moreno H.M., Autonomous University of Sinaloa

    Ph.D. López-Moreno has a degree in Chemist, Pharmaceutical Biology from the Faculty of Chemical-Biological Sciences (FCQB) of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, and a Doctor of Science from the Direct Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences, UNAM. He is a “C” Senior Research Professor assigned to the FCQB-UAS since 2004. Member of the National System of Researchers (Level I); Name of QFB Generation 2012-2017; Evaluator of the Mexican Council for the Accreditation of Pharmaceutical Education (COMAEF) AC, from October 2010 to date; International Evaluator of the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama (CONEAUPA), from 2012 to date; PRODEP evaluator, SEP; CONAHCYT Project Evaluator; PROFAPI Project Evaluator, UAS; Technical Manager of 17 research projects (9 with external financing to the UAS); Peer reviewer of the journal “Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases”, the journal “Frontiers in Immunology” and the journal Biomedica of Colombia; Leader of the CAC Biomedical Biotechnology UAS-264; He cultivates two Lines of research: 1. Biomedical Biotechnology and 2. Apoptosis of Giardia lamblia; University Counselor of the UAS, from 2009-2010; Career Manager at QFB in 2008 and 2011; Honorary Member of the Sinaloense System of Researchers and Technologists; PRODEP Profile, SEP. He has supervised 55 Theses (4 Doctorates, 17 Master's, and 34 Bachelor's). He has published 38 Scientific Articles indexed in JCR, 18 Memoirs in Extenso, 13 Dissemination Publications, and 60 Presentations at National and International Congresses. He has 330 scientific citations.

     

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Velázquez Escobar

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Published

2025-06-13

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No. 3 (2025): QUIBIOUAS Revista de Ciencias Químico Biológicas

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How to Cite

Velázquez Escobar, F. M., Beltrán López, E., Vega Castillo, U., & LÓPEZ MORENO , H. S. . (2025). In silico design of a DNA vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii based on ROP35 antigen epitopes specific for murine B and CD4+ T lymphocytes. QUIBIOUAS, Journal of Biological Chemical Sciences, 3, 39-47. https://revistas.uas.edu.mx/index.php/QBU/article/view/1088

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