In silico prediction of B-cell and T-cell epitope of Ves g 5 and Vesp m 5 allergens

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hymenoptera venom allergy is one of the leading insect allergies in which allergens that promote IgE-mediated immune responses cause mild-to-severe reactions. Vespula germanica has a high spread rate and invades many regions of the world, while Vespa mandarinia has caused many fatalities in Asian countries including India. Ves g 5 and Vesp m 5 are important allergens of V. germanica and V. mandarinia, respectively, which cause allergenic reactions. AIM: This study aimed to predict the B- and T-cell epitopes of allergens Ves g 5 and Vesp m 5 using computational tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ProtParam, Jalview, and Swiss-Model analyzed the physiochemical, allergen sequence and 3D model. BepiPred-2.0, ABCPred, and ElliPro predicted B-cell epitopes, while Immune Epitope Database major histocompatibility complex-II binding prediction tool and CD4+ T-cell immunogenicity prediction tool were used to predict and confirm immunogenic T-cell epitopes RESULTS: Nine linear and four discontinuous B-cell epitopes were predicted for the Ves g 5 allergen and ten linear and five discontinuous B-cell epitopes were predicted for the Vesp m 5 allergen. Four and three T-cell epitopes were predicted for the allergens Ves g 5 and Vesp m 5, showing efficient binding and immunogenicity, respectively. CONCLUSION: Venom immunotherapy used as a treatment for HVA shows few fatal reactions and side effects, hence epitope-based vaccines or therapies are necessary. These results can be further used in the process of better immunotherapy and peptide-based vaccine design as well as to understand the etiology of Ves g 5 and Vesp m 5 allergens.