Vaccine Design against Fusobacterium nucleatum FadA Protein in Periodontal Infections.

Abstract

Objectives: A common inflammatory condition affecting oral health is periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated early, as it destroys the supporting structures of the teeth. Fusobacterium nucleatum is an orange-pigmented bacterium commonly referred to as "the bridging species" between early and late colonizers in the oral microbiota, and it is associated with the progression of periodontal disease. This study aimed to develop an effective and precise multi-epitope vaccine against F. nucleatum, as there is currently no approved vaccine for periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: This study employed a computational method to design a multiple epitope-based vaccine against F. nucleatum using an immunoinformatics reverse vaccinology approach. FadA, a novel adhesin unique to F. nucleatum, was a suitable peptide for vaccine development. B- and T-cell epitopes were identified and assessed to design a multi-epitope vaccine. The developed vaccine construct was analyzed for potency based on its allergenicity, antigenicity, solubility, and stability. Results: The vaccine structure was non-allergenic and exhibited high antigenicity, stability, and solubility. This vaccine may be a candidate for eradicating F. nucleatum, based on predictions of immunogenicity responses. Conclusion: The designed vaccine construct could generate an effective immune response against F. nucleatum, owing to its high antigenicity and non-allergenicity.