Designing a Multi-Epitope Antigen for Serodiagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis Based on L3Nie.01 and IgG Immunoreactive Epitopes

Abstract

Background: Serological diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) is frequently challenging because of cross-reactivity with other parasitic nematodes. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce novel serological tests with high performance to properly diagnose this neglected parasitic infection. The purpose of the current study was to design a multi-epitope construct for the diagnosis of S. stercoralis.
 Methods: For the purpose of this study, first, highly antigenic segments and potential immunodominant epitopes of S. stercoralis were identified from two antigenic proteins, and then all of the selected parts were linked by an appropriate linker. Next, the physico-chemical features of the designed construct were analyzed. Then, tertiary structures of the construct were built and evaluated to find out the best one. Lastly, the amino acid sequence was reverse-translated and optimized for over-expression in Escherchia coli (E. coli).
 Results: The bioinformatic evaluation indicated that the designed protein construct could be hydrophilic, thermostable, and acidic and the estimated half-life was more than 10 hr in E. coli.
 Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the designed construct could be used as an efficient antigen in the ELISA system for serological diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.

Omics: Applications related to diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of parasitic diseases. Part II. Helminths

“…Diagnosis: Omics approaches were used for discovering a unique antigen specific for diagnosis of S. stercoralis either in serum [55] or stool samples [56] . In the first study, the investigators designed a multi-epitope antigen based on L3Nie.01 and IgG immunoreactive epitopes [55] .…”

“…Diagnosis: Omics approaches were used for discovering a unique antigen specific for diagnosis of S. stercoralis either in serum [55] or stool samples [56] . In the first study, the investigators designed a multi-epitope antigen based on L3Nie.01 and IgG immunoreactive epitopes [55] . Utilizing phylogenetic comparison, the second study identified five specific coproantigens for diagnosis in stool samples, SCP/TAPS proteins family, transthyretin-like, AChE, aspartic peptidase, and prolyl oligopeptidase [56] .…”