Broad-Spectrum Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against <em>Mycoplasma pneumoniae </em>Based on Reverse Vaccinology

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is the crucial factor of global acquired respiratory infections. Currently, there are no specific disease modification treatments or vaccines available, and the vaccine development for this pathogen delays behind due to the complexity and variability of its antigens. A novel vaccine designed with wide-spectrum characteristics is crucial to offer comprehensive safeguards against the continuously mutated wild-type strains. Here, a broad-spectrum T-cell epitope vaccine against M. pneumoniae was designed by using a consensus sequence approach. The multi-epitope vaccine incorporated 16 CTLs and 7 HTLs from the HMW1-3 and p1 proteins, which was comprised of 329 amino acids without adjuvant. It was predicted to be soluble and non-allergenic with high population coverage, high antigenicity and immunogenicity. This vaccine was predicted to effectively bind to the toll-like receptors in natural immunity. In addition, simulations created by computers suggested that the vaccine might trigger genuine immune responses in human immune system. To sum up, it could be a candidate vaccine guard against the infection of M. pneumoniae.