In Silico Design and Evaluation of TcGAPDH as a Vaccine Against Chagas Disease: A Reverse Vaccinology Approach

Abstract

Purpose The current treatment for Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi , presents significant limitations due to its variable efficacy depending on the stage of the disease and its associated adverse effects. This issue has driven research and the development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies, with a particular emphasis on vaccine design. Materials and methods In the present study, a bioinformatics approach was employed to evaluate T. cruzi glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TcGAPDH) as a potential vaccine candidate by analysing its physicochemical and immunogenic properties. Results In this analysis, epitopes for B and T lymphocytes were predicted, and a predictive immune response determined that TcGAPDH has the capacity to induce a Th1-type response driven by IFN-γ and IL-2. Finally, molecular docking and dynamics simulation demonstrated favourable interaction between TcGAPDH and TLR2/TLR4 receptors, which remained constant throughout a 300 ns simulation. Conclusions These findings highlight the immunogenic potential of TcGAPDH and support its feasibility as a promising candidate for the development of a vaccine against Chagas disease.

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