X‐Ray Crystallography Based Epitope Mapping of Glycoproteins and <scp>RNA</scp> in Chandipura Vesiculovirus for Vaccine Design

This study investigates potential epitopes in the glycoprotein and RNA of Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV) using MHC Class I (HLA-A0201) and MHC Class II (DRB1_0101) molecules with 3D structures derived from x-ray crystallography. Computationally derived peptides were mapped and subjected to in silico docking, revealing promising targets for CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ helper T cells. Key factors analysed include solvent accessible surface area (SASA), Debye-Waller factor (B-factor), and polar bond interactions. Post-docking, removal of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) increased peptide stability and reduced B-factors, while SO4 presence had minimal impact. SASA values increased by up to 237.5% with MHC Class I, and RNA docking with MHC Class II displayed mixed SASA changes. Polar bond interactions also increased post-docking, indicating the strong potential of identified CHPV epitopes.