Ysrafil Ysrafil
1 
, Arlan K. Imran
2, Prisca Syafriani Wicita
2, Vyani Kamba
2, Fihrina Mohamad
2, Ismail Ismail
3, Ayyub Harly Nurung
4, Noviyanty Indjar Gama
5, Sari Eka Pratiwi
6, Indwiani Astuti
7 , Firzan Nainu
8, Talha Bin Emran
91 Department of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Palangka Raya, Jekan Raya, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan 73111, Indonesia
2 Department of Pharmacy, Health Polytechnic of Gorontalo, Kota Timur, Gorontalo, Gorontalo 96135, Indonesia
3 Study Program of Pharmacy, Universitas Almarisah Madani, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan 90245, Indonesia.
4 Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Panakkukang, Makassar, South Sulawesi 90231, Indonesia
5 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mulawarman, Samarinda Ulu, Samarinda, East Kalimantan 75242, Indonesia
6 Department of Biology and Pathobiology Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak Tenggara, Pontianak, West Kalimantan 78124, Indonesia
7 Department of Pharmacology and Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
8 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
9 Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh
Abstract
Introduction: Presently, the development of effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 is absolutely necessary, especially regarding the emergence of new variants that cause increasing morbidity and fatalities.
Methods: In the present study we designed a mosaic vaccine targeting the mutational spike protein of COVID-19 using a bioinformatics approach. Various immunoinformatics tools were utilized to provide the highest potential for a mosaic vaccine that could activate immune responses against COVID-19.
Results: The evaluation of the constructed vaccine revealed that it is antigenic and immunogenic as well as nonallergenic. The physicochemical properties also show promising characteristics, including being highly stable and hydrophilic. As expected, the vaccine shows strong interactions with several important receptors including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR8 by the lowest energy level, docking score and binding free energy. The vaccine binds to receptors via certain amino acids using various types of binding including salt bridges, hydrogen bonds, and other means. As shown in computationally derived models, the interactions promote activation of the immune response by eliciting the release of various cytokines, antibodies, memory B and T cells, as well as increasing of natural killer cell and dendrite cell counts.
Conclusion: Therefore, the novel designed mosaic vaccine could be considered as a potential vaccine candidate for immediate production to stem the continuing and tragic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several advanced experimental studies should be conducted to ensure and verify the effectivity and safety against SARS‑CoV‑2 in vivo.