Synthesis, LC-MS/MS analysis, and biological evaluation of two vaccine candidates against ticks based on the antigenic P0 peptide from R. sanguineus linked to the p64K carrier protein from Neisseria meningitidis

A peptide from the P0 acidic ribosomal protein (pP0) of ticks conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin from Megathura crenulata has shown to be effective against different tick species when used in host vaccination. Turning this peptide into a commercial anti-tick vaccine will depend on finding the appropriate, technically and economically feasible way to present it to the host immune system. Two conjugates (p64K-Cys 1 pP0 and p64K-βAla 1 pP0) were synthesized using the p64K carrier protein from Neisseria meningitidis produced in Escherichia coli , the same cross-linking reagent, and two analogues of pP0. The SDS-PAGE analysis of p64K-Cys 1 pP0 showed a heterogeneous conjugate compared to p64K-βAla 1 pP0 that was detected as a protein band at 91kDa. The pP0/p64K ratio determined by MALDI-MS for p64K-Cys 1 pP0 ranged from 1 to 8, being 3-5 the predominant ratio, while in the case of p64K-βAla 1 pP0 this ratio was 5-7. Cys 1 pP0 was partially linked to 35 out of 39 Lys residues and the N-terminal end, while βAla 1 pP0 was mostly linked to the six free cysteine residues, to the N-terminal end, and, in a lesser extent, to Lys residues. The assignment of the conjugation sites and side reactions were based on the identification of type 2 peptides. Rabbit immunizations showed the best anti-pP0 titers and the highest efficacy against Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks when the p64K-Cys 1 pP0 was used as vaccine antigen. The presence of high molecular mass aggregates observed in the SDS-PAGE analysis of p64K-Cys 1 pP0 could be responsible for a better immune response against pP0 and consequently for its better efficacy as an anti-tick vaccine. Graphical abstract