In silico vaccine design: Targeting highly epitopic regions of Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin and Clostridium novyi type B alpha toxin for optimal immunogenicity

Abstract

Livestock infections caused by highly toxic bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens type D and Clostridium novyi type B, present significant challenges in veterinary medicine. Such infections often require complex and elusive treatment regimens. Developing effective vaccines tailored to combat these specific pathogens remains a pressing need within the field. These bacteria are notorious for their extreme toxicity and the difficulty in culturing them for vaccine production. To address this challenge, we engineered a new potential vaccine candidate capable of neutralizing the virulence of both bacterial strains. Leveraging computational techniques, we identified epitopic regions within C. perfringens Epsilon Toxin (ETX) and C. novyi Alpha Toxin (ATX). Through fusion gene design, we integrated these epitopic regions alongside the PADRE-peptide sequence. The PADRE-peptide serves as a universal adjuvant to induce an immune response. The culmination of our efforts materialized in a Recombinant Fusion Protein D (rFPD), a novel vaccine construct designed to elicit robust and specific immune defenses against both bacterial species. By combining in-silico design and molecular engineering, our study represents a promising stride toward combating the impact of these pathogenic bacteria in livestock.