Identification of naturally immunogenic B-cell epitopes in Leptospira secreted metalloproteases: novel and promising targets to multi-epitopes vaccines against leptospirosis

Abstract

and virulence-associated proteins. These proteins presented two (LIC13321-E1; LIC13321-E2) and four (LIC10715-E1, LIC10715-E2, LIC10715-E3, LIC10715-E4) predicted B-cell linear epitopes. Regarding the natural immunogenicity of predicted epitopes, about 8% and 25% of LG presented antibodies against LIC13321-E1 and LIC13321-E2, respectively. Moreover, while only 6% of LG presented antibodies against LIC10715-E2, other LIC10715 epitopes were specifically recognized by more than 25% of studied individuals. Conclusion: Four naturally immunogenic B-cell epitopes were identified in Leptospira thermolysins and will be evaluated about their protective potential to further compose novel multi-epitopes vaccines.