A novel design of chimeric multi-epitope vaccine based on moonlighting proteins of Anaplasma marginale is identified by protective antibodies

Bovine anaplasmosis is a disease caused by Anaplasma marginale that affects cattle. To date, vaccines have not been effective against the A. marginale strains circulating in Mexico, and efforts based on immunodominant proteins or SSTIV proteins have not been successful. Given this challenge, designing new immunogens is essential. Therefore, we selected several moonlighting proteins from A. marginale as potential targets for designing a multi-epitope vaccine candidate (Am15MEV). Using a rational immunoinformatic approach, we present its design and recombinant expression. We also evaluated its antigenic and immunogenic potential using iELISA assays. The results demonstrate the protective potential of the Am15MEV protein, as it is recognized by antibodies related to animal protection against A. marginale infection. These findings demonstrate that vaccinology has identified promising moonlighting protein candidates to combat tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis. Furthermore, the reduction in time and cost of obtaining the vaccine candidate is a significant advantage.