骆驼来源单域抗体在免疫治疗中的研究进展

近几年多种单克隆抗体药物已成功上市并用于治疗人类多种疾病,但因单克隆抗体的复杂结构和高昂的生产成本,限制了其在临床上的广泛应用。随着生物技术的进步,使抗体朝着小型化的基因工程单域抗体发展。20世纪末,在骆驼科动物(camelidae)和护士鲨(nurse shark)体内发现一种天然缺失轻链的重链抗体(heavy chain antibody,HCAb),这种特殊抗体的抗原结合位点仅由单一结构域构成。该结构域在骆驼中称为VHH,经基因重组修饰易于进行工程表达,产物即称为VHH单域抗体,具有分子量小,可溶性好,稳定性高及组织穿透力强等优势,在调节免疫功能方面的应用前景更加广阔。就目前国际上对骆驼来源的VHH单域抗体在免疫治疗应用研究的进展情况进行综述,为基因工程单域抗体改造提供新思路。     

抗脂多糖纳米抗体的筛选及其五聚体的制备

目的：筛选抗脂多糖（LPS）纳米单域抗体,并制备抗LPS纳米抗体五聚体。方法：以LPS为抗原,从驼源天然单域重链抗体库中筛选抗LPS纳米抗体,利用分子克隆技术将抗LPS单域抗体基因组装入志贺杆菌样毒素B亚基蛋白结构域（VTB）的五聚体特异性表达载体中进行可溶性表达,并用ELISA法鉴定所获抗体的抗原结合活性和特异性。结果：获得抗LPS纳米单域抗体及LPS纳米抗体五聚体;经鉴定,LPS纳米抗体五聚体的抗原结合活性优于抗LPS单域抗体。结论：利用驼源天然单域重链抗体库制备了抗LPS纳米单域抗体及抗LPS纳米抗体五聚体,为脓毒血症的分子诊断、预后判断及寻找生物治疗新靶点奠定了基础。     

EGFRvⅢ胞外区基因重组腺病毒的构建及单域抗体的制备北大核心CSCD

本研究旨在构建能够表达人表皮生长因子EGFRvⅢ胞外区基因的重组腺病毒,并通过免疫骆驼构建噬菌体单域抗体库,筛选和制备EGFRvⅢ胞外区特异性单域抗体并对其进行鉴定。从人前列腺癌细胞系PC-3细胞中提取总RNA,反转录为cDNA,以cDNA为模板扩增EGFRvⅢ胞外区基因,并连接pAdTrack-CMV质粒载体,转化含有pAdEasy-1的大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)BJ5183感受态细胞,获得同源重组质粒转染HEK293A细胞,得到表达EGFRvⅢ胞外区蛋白的重组腺病毒。利用重组腺病毒免疫双峰驼,构建EGFRvⅢ胞外区特异性噬菌体单域抗体库,并以EGFRvⅢ蛋白为筛选抗原,对其进行筛选,对筛选得到的单域抗体进行诱导表达、纯化及鉴定。结果表明获得了表达EGFRvⅢ胞外区基因的重组腺病毒。构建得到的EGFRvⅢ特异性噬菌体单域抗体库的库容为1.4×109;经过3轮富集和筛选,通过噬菌体ELISA筛选出31个与EGFRvⅢ胞外区蛋白结合的阳性克隆,并对OD450值较高的重组单域抗体E14进行了表达和纯化。经ELISA鉴定,重组单域抗体E14可与EGFRvⅢ胞外区蛋白产生抗原抗体结合反应,具有较高的亲和力。说明制备的EGFRvⅢ特异性噬菌体单域抗体库具有较高的库容和多样性,且筛选得到的单域抗体具有较高的抗原活性和免疫学反应性,为今后以EGFRvⅢ为靶点的恶性肿瘤的诊断和治疗提供新的实验依据。     

应用RAD多肽展示体系制备抗hCG类抗体分子

应用基于激烈火球菌Pyrococcus furiosus重组酶RadA的ATP酶结构域(RAD骨架)的多肽展示体系,通过嫁接人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)结合多肽,制备抗hCG类抗体分子。通过合成hCG结合多肽插入RAD多肽展示位点的类抗体基因,成功构建了pET30a-RAD/hCGBP-sfGFP原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌中诱导蛋白表达,分离、纯化获得类抗体蛋白,通过亲和吸附-GFP荧光检测方法测定类抗体对hCG的结合活性,并与应用单域抗体通用骨架制备的嫁接抗体比较活性差异。结果显示,RAD类抗体分子对hCG分子具有较高的亲和性和特异性,显著优于单域嫁接抗体,并与商业单克隆抗体的活性相当;同时,利用RAD多肽展示骨架制备的抗hCG类抗体,具有较高的生化稳定性,是一种具有应用潜力的抗体替代分子。     

利用抗原结合多肽嫁接抗体技术制备抗hCG单域抗体

本研究旨在人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)的结合多肽的基础上应用嫁接抗体技术制备抗hCG单域抗体,简化单域抗体制备过程,提高多肽生化稳定性。利用单域抗体通用骨架(cAbBCII10),以hCG结合多肽取代互补决定区CDR1或CDR3,合成cAb BCII10嫁接抗体全基因序列并与sfGFP基因序列融合后,插入到带有His标签的原核表达载体pET30a(+)中,成功构建了pET30a-(His6)-cAbBCII10-CDR1/hCGBP1-sfGFP与pET30a-(His6)-cAbBCII10-CDR3/hCGBP3-sfGFP融合蛋白表达质粒。将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),用IPTG诱导表达融合蛋白,得到高表达量的可溶性融合蛋白。利用Ni-NTA亲和柱纯化得到纯蛋白,应用SDS-PAGE鉴定纯化的蛋白为正确表达的目标蛋白。通过抗原抗体结合实验,发现hCG结合多肽嫁接到单域抗体通用骨架的互补决定区CDR1或CDR3后都有抗原结合活性,具有相似的抗体滴度,且嫁接到CDR3后的抗原结合活性比CDR1要高(2–3倍)。嫁接抗体基本保留了所用单域抗体框架较为稳定的生化特性,具有一定的热稳定性和较好的碱耐受性,同时,所接入的hCG结合片段对hCG具有较特异的结合活性,为进一步优化抗原结合多肽嫁接抗体技术制备抗hCG单域抗体提供了可靠的实验基础     

结核分枝杆菌Rv0733 6His抗原羊驼单域重链抗体的筛选与鉴定

单域重链抗体是目前中和胞内病原体抗原的重要分子之一,研究以结核分枝杆菌Rv0733-6His融合抗原为靶标,对羊驼非免疫单域重链抗体库进行了3轮淘洗,通过ELISA和测序方法,从1024个克隆中筛选出10个独立单域重链抗体序列,继而用原核表达并鉴定了1株Rv0733-VHH-Fe-6His抗体。免疫印迹和免疫荧光结果均显示Rv0733-VHH—Fe-6His抗体可以特异性地结合Rv0733抗原。提示Rv0733-VHH抗体可能具备结合胞内菌相关抗原的潜力。     

单域重链抗体的分子特征

源于软骨鱼或骆驼科动物的同型重链二聚体无轻链,用基因工程方法获得其单一重链可变区可保留完整的抗原结合活性,称为单域重链抗体。单域重链抗体具有分子小、稳定性高、体内组织渗透性好、可溶性好、易表达、抗原识别表位独特的结构特征,近年来在生物技术研究与诊断治疗应用领域得到广泛关注,取得了快速发展。     

纳米抗体在传染病的预防、诊断和治疗中的应用 *

传染病是一种由致病性微生物引起,能够影响人类身体健康甚至引发严重社会危机的传播性疾病。近年来,新冠、埃博拉等传染病的恶性暴发促使人们寻找更为高效便捷的防治手段以遏制疾病的进程。抗体在传染病防治中的应用引起了广泛关注,palivizumab是目前唯一被批准应用于呼吸道合胞病毒在免疫力低下人群的预防的单克隆抗体。纳米抗体(nano-antibody, Nb)是目前已知的能与抗原稳定结合的最小功能性单域抗体,具有稳定性高、亲水性强、易于表达和改造等优势。独特的分子特性使其在病毒、细菌、寄生虫等引发的传染病的预防、诊断和治疗中展现出良好的应用前景,相关研究显示纳米抗体对艾滋、流感、新型冠状病毒等都有很好的治疗效果。重点叙述纳米抗体的结构特点及其在传染性疾病中的研究进展。     

黑色素瘤细胞单域抗体文库的构建及鉴定

黑色素瘤作为一种多发于皮肤部位的恶性肿瘤,严重危害着动物和人们的健康。与传统抗体比较,单域抗体具有结构简单、分子量小、免疫原性弱等特点,使其在疾病的诊断及治疗方面具有广阔的应用空间。本研究以B16-F10细胞蛋白质为研究对象,通过反复冻融与超声破碎相结合的方式获得B16-F10蛋白质作为抗原,免疫成年雄性羊驼。采用噬菌体单域抗体展示技术,构建了质量优良的B16-F10细胞蛋白质单域抗体免疫文库,其库容为5.76 × 10¹⁰,VHH重组率为96%,文库丰度为3.00 × 10¹⁰个/mL。该结果为研究黑色素瘤的生物学特性提供了新思路,同时也为后续筛选B16-F10单域抗体奠定了基础。     

黑色素瘤细胞单域抗体文库的构建及鉴定

黑色素瘤作为一种多发于皮肤部位的恶性肿瘤,严重危害着动物和人们的健康。与传统抗体比较,单域抗体具有结构简单、分子量小、免疫原性弱等特点,使其在疾病的诊断及治疗方面具有广阔的应用空间。本研究以B16-F10细胞蛋白质为研究对象,通过反复冻融与超声破碎相结合的方式获得B16-F10蛋白质作为抗原,免疫成年雄性羊驼。采用噬菌体单域抗体展示技术,构建了质量优良的B16-F10细胞蛋白质单域抗体免疫文库,其库容为5.76 × 10¹⁰,VHH重组率为96%,文库丰度为3.00 × 10¹⁰个/mL。该结果为研究黑色素瘤的生物学特性提供了新思路,同时也为后续筛选B16-F10单域抗体奠定了基础。     

Analysis of the binding loops configuration and surface adaptation of different crystallized single‐domain antibodies in response to various antigens

Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the biomedical field through their ubiquitous utilization in different diagnostics and therapeutic applications. Despite this widespread use, their large size and structural complexity have limited their versatility in specific applications. The antibody variable region that is responsible for binding antigen is embodied within domains that can be rescued individually as single‐domain antibody (sdAb) fragments. Because of the unique characteristics of sdAbs, such as low molecular weight, high physicochemical stability, and the ability to bind antigens inaccessible to conventional antibodies, they represent a viable alternative to full‐length antibodies. Consequently, 149 crystal structures of sdAbs, originating from human (VH), camelids (VHH), or sharks (VNAR), were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank, and their structures were compared. The 3 types of sdAbs displayed complementarity determining regions (CDRs) with different lengths and configurations. CDR3 of the VHH and VNAR domains were dominated by pleated and extended orientations, respectively. Although VNAR showed the smallest average molecular weight and molecular surface area compared with VHH and VH antibodies. However, the solvent accessible surface area measurements of the 3 tested sdAbs types were very similar. All the antihapten VHH antibodies showed pleated CDR3, which were sufficient to create a binding pocket to accommodate haptens (methotrexate and azo dyes) in terms of shape and electrostatic potential. The sdAbs that recognized lysozyme showed more diversity in their CDR3 orientation to enable them to recognize various topographies of lysozyme. Subsequently, the three sdAb classes were different in size and surface area and have shown distinguishable ability to optimize their CDR length and orientation to recognize different antigen classes.     

Antigen recognition by single-domain antibodies: structural latitudes and constraints

Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), the autonomous variable domains of heavy chain-only antibodies produced naturally by camelid ungulates and cartilaginous fishes, have evolved to bind antigen using only three complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops rather than the six present in conventional V_H:V_L antibodies. It has been suggested, based on limited evidence, that sdAbs may adopt paratope structures that predispose them to preferential recognition of recessed protein epitopes, but poor or non-recognition of protuberant epitopes and small molecules. Here, we comprehensively surveyed the evidence in support of this hypothesis. We found some support for a global structural difference in the paratope shapes of sdAbs compared with those of conventional antibodies: sdAb paratopes have smaller molecular surface areas and diameters, more commonly have non-canonical CDR1 and CDR2 structures, and have elongated CDR3 length distributions, but have similar amino acid compositions and are no more extended (interatomic distance measured from CDR base to tip) than conventional antibody paratopes. Comparison of X-ray crystal structures of sdAbs and conventional antibodies in complex with cognate antigens showed that sdAbs and conventional antibodies bury similar solvent-exposed surface areas on proteins and form similar types of non-covalent interactions, although these are more concentrated in the compact sdAb paratope. Thus, sdAbs likely have privileged access to distinct antigenic regions on proteins, but only owing to their small molecular size and not to general differences in molecular recognition mechanism. The evidence surrounding the purported inability of sdAbs to bind small molecules was less clear. The available data provide a structural framework for understanding the evolutionary emergence and function of autonomous heavy chain-only antibodies.     

Orally delivered single-domain antibodies against gastrointestinal pathogens

Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) are exceptionally stable fragments derived from the antigen-binding domains of immunoglobulins. They can withstand extreme pH, high temperature, and proteolysis, making them suitable for controlling gastrointestinal (GI) infections in humans and animals. sdAbs may function in their native soluble form, although different derived protein formats and the use of delivery vehicles can be useful for improved oral delivery. We discuss selected examples of the use of orally delivered sdAbs for protecting humans and animals against GI infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites. We finally provide perspectives on how sdAbs may be applied industrially and what challenges should be overcome for orally delivered sdAbs to reach the market.     

Thermal stability of single‐domain antibodies estimated by molecular dynamics simulations

Single‐domain antibodies (sdAbs) function like regular antibodies, however, consist of only one domain. Because of their low molecular weight, sdAbs have advantages with respect to production and delivery to their targets and for applications such as antibody drugs and biosensors. Thus, sdAbs with high thermal stability are required. In this work, we chose seven sdAbs, which have a wide range of melting temperature (T_m) values and known structures. We applied molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to estimate their relative stability and compared them with the experimental data. High‐temperature MD simulations at 400 K and 500 K were executed with simulations at 300 K as a control. The fraction of native atomic contacts, Q, measured for the 400 K simulations showed a fairly good correlation with the T_m values. Interestingly, when the residues were classified by their hydrophobicity and size, the Q values of hydrophilic residues exhibited an even better correlation, suggesting that stabilization is correlated with favorable interactions of hydrophilic residues. Measuring the Q value on a per‐residue level enabled us to identify residues that contribute significantly to the instability and thus demonstrating how our analysis can be used in a mutant case study.     

Direct injection of functional single-domain antibodies from E. coli into human cells

Intracellular proteins have a great potential as targets for therapeutic antibodies (Abs) but the plasma membrane prevents access to these antigens. Ab fragments and IgGs are selected and engineered in E. coli and this microorganism may be also an ideal vector for their intracellular delivery. In this work we demonstrate that single-domain Ab (sdAbs) can be engineered to be injected into human cells by E. coli bacteria carrying molecular syringes assembled by a type III protein secretion system (T3SS). The injected sdAbs accumulate in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells at levels ca. 10⁵–10⁶ molecules per cell and their functionality is shown by the isolation of sdAb-antigen complexes. Injection of sdAbs does not require bacterial invasion or the transfer of genetic material. These results are proof-of-principle for the capacity of E. coli bacteria to directly deliver intracellular sdAbs (intrabodies) into human cells for analytical and therapeutic purposes.     

Structural Basis for Antibody Recognition in the Receptor-binding Domains of Toxins A and B from Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile infection is a serious and highly prevalent nosocomial disease in which the two large, Rho-glucosylating toxins TcdA and TcdB are the main virulence factors. We report for the first time crystal structures revealing how neutralizing and non-neutralizing single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) recognize the receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of TcdA and TcdB. Surprisingly, the complexes formed by two neutralizing antibodies recognizing TcdA do not show direct interference with the previously identified carbohydrate-binding sites, suggesting that neutralization of toxin activity may be mediated by mechanisms distinct from steric blockage of receptor binding. A camelid sdAb complex also reveals the molecular structure of the TcdB RBD for the first time, facilitating the crystallization of a strongly negatively charged protein fragment that has resisted previous attempts at crystallization and structure determination. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry measurements confirm the stoichiometries of sdAbs observed in the crystal structures. These studies indicate how key epitopes in the RBDs from TcdA and TcdB are recognized by sdAbs, providing molecular insights into toxin structure and function and providing for the first time a basis for the design of highly specific toxin-specific therapeutic and diagnostic agents.     

Role of the non‐hypervariable FR3 D‐E loop in single‐domain antibody recognition of haptens and carbohydrates

Single‐domain antibodies (sdAbs), the variable domains of camelid heavy chain‐only antibodies, are generally thought to poorly recognize nonproteinaceous small molecules and carbohydrates in comparison with conventional antibodies. However, the structures of anti‐methotrexate, anti‐triclocarban and anti‐cortisol sdAbs revealed unexpected contributions of the non‐hypervariable “CDR4” loop, formed between β‐strands D and E of framework region 3, in binding. Here, we investigated the potential role of CDR4 in sdAb binding to a hapten, 15‐acetyl‐deoxynivalenol (15‐AcDON), and to carbohydrates. We constructed and panned a phage‐displayed library in which CDR4 of the 15‐AcDON‐specific sdAb, NAT‐267, was extended and randomized. From this library, we identified one sdAb, MA‐232, bearing a 14‐residue insertion in CDR4 and showing improved binding to 15‐AcDON by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. On the basis of these results, we constructed a second set of phage‐displayed libraries in which the CDR4 and other regions of three hapten‐ or carbohydrate‐binding sdAbs were diversified. With the goal of identifying sdAbs with novel glycan‐binding specificities, we panned the library against four tumor‐associated carbohydrate antigens but were unable to enrich binding phages. Thus, we conclude that while CDR4 may play a role in binding of some rare hapten‐specific sdAbs, diversifying this region through molecular engineering is probably not a general solution to sdAb carbohydrate recognition in the absence of a paired V_L domain.     

Detection of carcinoembryonic antigen using single-domain or full-size antibodies stained with quantum dot conjugates

Compact single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) are nearly 13 times smaller than full-size monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and have a number of advantages for biotechnological applications, such as small size, high specificity, solubility, stability, and great refolding capacity. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor-associated glycoprotein expressed in a variety of cancers. Detection of CEA on the tumor cell surface may be carried out using anti-CEA antibodies and conventional fluorescent dyes. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are brighter and more photostable than organic dyes; they provide the possibility for labeling of different recognition molecules with QDs of different colors but excitable with the same wavelength of excitation. In this study, the abilities for specific detection of CEA expressed by tumor cells with anti-CEA sdAbs biotinylated in vitro and in vivo, as well as with anti-CEA mAbs biotinylated in vitro, were compared using flow cytometry and the conjugates of streptavidin with QDs (SA-QDs). The results demonstrated that either in vitro or in vivo biotinylated anti-CEA sdAbs are more sensitive for cell staining compared to biotinylated anti-CEA mAbs. The data also show that simultaneous use of biotinylated sdAbs with highly fluorescent SA-QDs can considerably improve the sensitivity of detection of CEA on tumor cell surfaces.     

Immunodiagnostic reagents using llama single domain antibody-alkaline phosphatase fusion proteins

Naive libraries of single domain antibodies (sdAbs) enable rapid isolation of binders to nearly any target. These binders, however, lack the benefits bestowed by in vivo affinity maturation and typically have low affinity toward their targets. We expressed five low-affinity toxin binding sdAbs, previously selected from a naive library derived from variable regions of llama heavy chain-only antibodies, as fusions with a hyperactive mutant Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (AP) and examined the impact on apparent affinity and utility. AP spontaneously dimerizes in solution, effectively dimerizing the fused sdAbs, imparting avidity in place of the lower affinity monomeric interactions. The sdAb-AP fusion also combines the target recognition domain with a signal transduction domain, commonly used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The functional affinity of the sdAb-AP fusions, often increased by a factor of 10 over unfused sdAbs, and their utility as tracer reagents in ELISAs was dramatically improved, giving limits of detection of 300 ng/ml or less, whereas parental sdAbs gave no discernible signal at the toxin concentrations tested. The fusion of sdAbs to AP presents a valuable route to facilitate the implementation of sdAb-based immunoreagents rapidly selected from existing naive libraries toward new or emerging threats.     

Contributions of the Complementarity Determining Regions to the Thermal Stability of a Single-Domain Antibody

Single domain antibodies (sdAbs) are the recombinantly-expressed variable domain from camelid (or shark) heavy chain only antibodies and provide rugged recognition elements. Many sdAbs possess excellent affinity and specificity; most refold and are able to bind antigen after thermal denaturation. The sdAb A3, specific for the toxin Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), shows both sub-nanomolar affinity for its cognate antigen (0.14 nM) and an unusually high melting point of 85°C. Understanding the source of sdAb A3’s high melting temperature could provide a route for engineering improved melting temperatures into other sdAbs. The goal of this work was to determine how much of sdAb A3’s stability is derived from its complementarity determining regions (CDRs) versus its framework. Towards answering this question we constructed a series of CDR swap mutants in which the CDRs from unrelated sdAbs were integrated into A3’s framework and where A3’s CDRs were integrated into the framework of the other sdAbs. All three CDRs from A3 were moved to the frameworks of sdAb D1 (a ricin binder that melts at 50°C) and the anti-ricin sdAb C8 (melting point of 60°C). Similarly, the CDRs from sdAb D1 and sdAb C8 were moved to the sdAb A3 framework. In addition individual CDRs of sdAb A3 and sdAb D1 were swapped. Melting temperature and binding ability were assessed for each of the CDR-exchange mutants. This work showed that CDR2 plays a critical role in sdAb A3’s binding and stability. Overall, results from the CDR swaps indicate CDR interactions play a major role in the protein stability.