Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against African Swine Fever Virus Designed Through Reverse Vaccinology and Genomic Analysis with Experimental Validation of Immunogenicity

This study employed whole-genome analysis of representative ASFV strains (genotypes I, II and recombinant variants) combined with reverse vaccinology to screen linear B-lymphocyte (LBL), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and helper T-lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes for multi-epitope vaccine development.

The designed vaccine comprised 36 antigenic epitopes derived from 18 consensus proteins across six representative ASFV strains, demonstrating high immunogenicity, non-toxicity, non-allergenicity and favorable physicochemical stability. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinity between the vaccine candidate and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Immunization experiments in mice demonstrated significant induction of specific antibodies alongside robust humoral and cellular immune responses.