Computational Prediction of Usutu Virus E Protein B Cell and T Cell Epitopes for Potential Vaccine Development

Usutu virus (family Flaviviridae ), once confined to Africa, has emerged in Europe a decade ago. The virus has been spreading throughout Europe at a greater pace mostly affecting avian species. While most bird species remain asymptomatic carriers of this virus, few bird species are highly susceptible. Lately, Usutu virus ( USUV ) infections in humans were reported sporadically with severe neuroinvasive symptoms like meningoencephalitis. As so much is unknown about this virus, which potentially may cause severe diseases in humans, there is a need for more studies of this virus. In this study, we have used computational tools to predict potential B cell and T cell epitopes of USUV envelope (E) protein. We found that amino acids between positions 68 and 84 could be a potential B cell epitope, while amino acids between positions 53 and 69 could be a potential major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I‐ and class II ‐restricted T cell epitope. By homology 3D modeling of USUV E protein, we found that the predicted B cell epitope was predominantly located in the coil region, while T cell epitope was located in the beta‐strand region of the E protein. Additionally, the potential MHC class I T cell epitope ( LAEVRSYCYL ) was predicted to bind to nearly 24 human leucocyte antigens ( HLA s) ( IC 50 ≤5000 n m ) covering nearly 86.44% of the Black population and 96.90% of the Caucasoid population. Further in vivo studies are needed to validate the predicted epitopes.