Ressource pédagogique : Dr Francisco Evangelista - A bioinformatics approach to the discovery of vaccination targets in Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum.

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Background: Ascariasis remains the most prevalent zoonotic helminthic disease affecting both humans and pigs and preventive chemotherapy continues to be the most widespread control method. With recent reports pointing to possible resistance to the commonly used drugs, the development of a vaccine as a complementary control method could be a viable alternative.<br>Methods: Three Ascaris proteomes predicted from whole-genome sequencing data were analysed for potential vaccination targets. Vaccination targets were identified using free and open-access bioinformatic tools (e.g. Vacceed, VaxiJen, Bepipred 2.0) which tested for different characteristics such as sub-cellular location, T-cell and B-cell molecular binding, antigenicity, allergenicity and phylogenetic relationship with other nematode proteins. Results: From the initial 100,000 protein sequences analysed, four transmembrane proteins were predicted to be potential vaccine candidates. These targets were predicted to be non-allergen antigens and are expressed by both Ascaris species. The four proteins were identified as a Piezo protein, two voltage-dependent calcium channels and a protocadherin-like protein, expressed in either the muscle or ovaries of Ascaris and all contained high affinity epitopes for human T-cells and B-cells. Conclusions: The use of a bioinformatics approach allowed the discovery of four new potential vaccination targets against ascariasis in humans and pigs.

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• Sciences de la vie. Biologie (570)

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