Dados do Trabalho

Título

Immunogenic mapping of potential epitopes from Tc-CTL-1 for the diagnosis of murine toxocariasis.

Introdução

Toxocariasis is a neglected global zoonosis. The immunological diagnosis has setbacks that hinder further knowledge about its pathology, epidemiology, and public control measures, and lack of financial support and attention prevents innovative research.  Although studies on synthetic peptides are common for several infectious pathologies, none evaluated chemically synthetic peptides for toxocariasis diagnosis.

Objetivo (s)

This study aimed to identify potential synthetic peptides from C-type lectin 1 (Tc-CTL-1) from Toxocara canis.

Material e Métodos

In silico analyses were made by five B-cell peptide prediction programs, 3-D modelling, BLASTp homology analysis, and signal-peptide identification. SPOT-synthesis was used for epitope mapping and assessed by dot-blot. Sera from non-infected and T. canis, Strongyloides venezuelensis, Ascaris suum or Schistosoma mansoni infected animals were used to assess the peptide's immunogenicity and cross-reactivity. The selection of potential immunogenic epitopes included the most immunogenic peptides with the least cross-reactivity.

Resultados e Conclusão

Fifty-five peptides were selected by in silico analysis. Dot-blot showed intense recognition by anti-Toxocara IgG and cross-reactivity with Ascaris suum infected mice. Selection criteria identified four epitopes with diagnostic potential. These findings demonstrate that synthetic peptides are a novel method to improve toxocarosis diagnosis but need additional investigation.

Palavras Chave

Toxocara canis; mice; immunodiagnosis; synthetic peptide