Functional expression of single-chain variable fragment antibody against c-Met in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli

c-Met, a high affinity receptor for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, shown to be overexpressed in a variety of malignant cells, is a potential biomarker as well as a therapeutic target. Thus, single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) specific for c-Met is expected to be efficiently employed in the clinical treatment or imaging of many cancer cells. Here, we constructed the expression system for anti-c-Met scFv fused with T7 tag at its N-terminus using pET vector and investigated the expression conditions to achieve a functional and soluble expression of the scFv in the cytoplasm of recombinant Escherichia coli. The redox potential of E. coli cytoplasm was the most critical factor for the functional expression of anti-c-Met scFv. The employment of a host with oxidizing cytoplasm, E. coli trxB/gor double mutant, improved the productivity of functional anti-c-Met scFv by approximately 10-fold compared to the production of anti-c-Met scFv in the reducing cytoplasm of wild type E. coli. Productivity of functional anti-c-Met scFv could be further enhanced by co-expressing molecular chaperones such as GroELS, trigger factor, and DsbC with the scFv. Coexpression of DsbC increased the yield of functional anti-c-Met scFv about 2.5-fold in the cytoplasm of E. coli trxB/gor mutant compared to the production of scFv without DsbC coexpression. Lowering the IPTG concentration from 1 to 0.05 mM led to the slight enhancement, approximately 1.6-fold, of productivity of functional scFv. Although the use of low temperature for anti-c-Met scFv expression increased the ratio of soluble scFv fraction to insoluble fraction, productivity of soluble scFv decreased owing to the significant reduction of expression rate. The addition of 0.5 M sucrose in the medium inhibited the formation of intracellular insoluble anti-c-Met scFv. To purify the anti-c-Met scFv simply, we fused hexahistidine at the C-terminus of scFv and purified the scFv showing 98% of purity through the interaction between Ni2+ and histidine.     

Stability engineering of anti-EGFR scFv antibodies by rational design of a lambda-to-kappa swap of the VL framework using a structure-guided approach

Phage-display technology facilitates rapid selection of antigen-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies from large recombinant libraries. ScFv antibodies, composed of a V_H and V_L domain, are readily engineered into multimeric formats for the development of diagnostics and targeted therapies. However, the recombinant nature of the selection strategy can result in V_H and V_L domains with sub-optimal biophysical properties, such as reduced thermodynamic stability and enhanced aggregation propensity, which lead to poor production and limited application. We found that the C10 anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) scFv, and its affinity mutant, P2224, exhibit weak production from E. coli. Interestingly, these scFv contain a fusion of lambda3 and lambda1 V-region (LV3 and LV1) genes, most likely the result of a PCR aberration during library construction. To enhance the biophysical properties of these scFvs, we utilized a structure-based approach to replace and redesign the pre-existing framework of the V_L domain to one that best pairs with the existing V_H. We describe a method to exchange lambda sequences with a more stable kappa3 framework (KV3) within the V_L domain that incorporates the original lambda DE-loop. The resulting scFvs, C10KV3_LV1DE and P2224KV3_LV1DE, are more thermodynamically stable and easier to produce from bacterial culture. Additionally, C10KV3_LV1DE and P2224KV3_LV1DE retain binding affinity to EGFR, suggesting that such a dramatic framework swap does not significantly affect scFv binding. We provide here a novel strategy for redesigning the light chain of problematic scFvs to enhance their stability and therapeutic applicability.     

Improving the productivity of single-chain Fv antibody against c-Met by rearranging the order of its variable domains

Single-chain Fv (scFv) antibody against c-Met is expected to be employed in clinical treatment or imaging of cancer cells owing to the important biological roles of c-Met in the proliferation of malignancies. Here, we show that the productivity of scFv against c-Met in Escherichia coli is significantly influenced by the orientation of its variable domains. We generated anti-c-Met scFv antibodies with two different domain orders (i.e., VL-linker-VH and VHlinker- VL), expressed them in the cytoplasm of E. coli trx/ gor deleted mutant, and compared their specific activities as well as their productivities. Productivity of total and functional anti-c-Met scFv with VH/VL orientation was more than five times higher than that with VL/VH format. Coexpression of DsbC enhanced the yield of soluble amounts of anti-c-Met scFv protein for both constructs. The purified scFv antibodies of the two different formats exhibited almost the same antigen-binding activities. We also compared the productivities and specific activities of anti-c-Met diabodies with VH/VL or VL/VH formats and obtained similar results to the case of scFv antibodies.     

Stability engineering of anti-EGFR scFv antibodies by rational design of a lambda-to-kappa swap of the VL framework using a structure-guided approach

Phage-display technology facilitates rapid selection of antigen-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies from large recombinant libraries. ScFv antibodies, composed of a V_H and V_L domain, are readily engineered into multimeric formats for the development of diagnostics and targeted therapies. However, the recombinant nature of the selection strategy can result in V_H and V_L domains with sub-optimal biophysical properties, such as reduced thermodynamic stability and enhanced aggregation propensity, which lead to poor production and limited application. We found that the C10 anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) scFv, and its affinity mutant, P2224, exhibit weak production from E. coli. Interestingly, these scFv contain a fusion of lambda3 and lambda1 V-region (LV3 and LV1) genes, most likely the result of a PCR aberration during library construction. To enhance the biophysical properties of these scFvs, we utilized a structure-based approach to replace and redesign the pre-existing framework of the V_L domain to one that best pairs with the existing V_H. We describe a method to exchange lambda sequences with a more stable kappa3 framework (KV3) within the V_L domain that incorporates the original lambda DE-loop. The resulting scFvs, C10KV3_LV1DE and P2224KV3_LV1DE, are more thermodynamically stable and easier to produce from bacterial culture. Additionally, C10KV3_LV1DE and P2224KV3_LV1DE retain binding affinity to EGFR, suggesting that such a dramatic framework swap does not significantly affect scFv binding. We provide here a novel strategy for redesigning the light chain of problematic scFvs to enhance their stability and therapeutic applicability.     

Phage-Derived Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody Fragments to Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Block Its Interaction with VEGF Receptor-2 and 3

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is a key mediator of lymphangiogenesis, acting via its receptors VEGF-R2 and VEGF-R3. High expression of VEGF-C in tumors correlates with increased lymphatic vessel density, lymphatic vessel invasion, sentinel lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. Recently, we found that in a chemically induced skin carcinoma model, increased VEGF-C drainage from the tumor enhanced lymphangiogenesis in the sentinel lymph node and facilitated metastatic spread of cancer cells via the lymphatics. Hence, interference with the VEGF-C/VEGF-R3 axis holds promise to block metastatic spread, as recently shown by use of a neutralizing anti-VEGF-R3 antibody and a soluble VEGF-R3 (VEGF-C/D trap). By antibody phage-display, we have developed a human monoclonal antibody fragment (single-chain Fragment variable, scFv) that binds with high specificity and affinity to the fully processed mature form of human VEGF-C. The scFv binds to an epitope on VEGF-C that is important for receptor binding, since binding of the scFv to VEGF-C dose-dependently inhibits the binding of VEGF-C to VEGF-R2 and VEGF-R3 as shown by BIAcore and ELISA analyses. Interestingly, the variable heavy domain (V_H) of the anti-VEGF-C scFv, which contains a mutation typical for camelid heavy chain-only antibodies, is sufficient for binding VEGF-C. This reduced the size of the potentially VEGF-C-blocking antibody fragment to only 14.6 kDa. Anti-VEGF-C V_H-based immunoproteins hold promise to block the lymphangiogenic activity of VEGF-C, which would present a significant advance in inhibiting lymphatic-based metastatic spread of certain cancer types.     

Construction and high cytoplasmic expression of a tumoricidal single-chain antibody against hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hep27 monoclonal (Hep27 Mab) is an antibody against hepatocellular carcinoma. Hep27 Mab itself can inhibit the growth of a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HCC-S102). We attempted to produce a single-chain fragment (scFv), a small fragment containing an antigen-binding site of Hep27 Mab, by using DNA-recombinant techniques.

Results

The sequences encoding the variable regions of heavy (V_H) and light (V_L) chains of a murine Hep27 Mab were linked together by a linker peptide (Gly4Ser)₃ and tagged with a hexa-histidine at the C-terminal; the resultant DNA construct was expressed in E. coli as an insoluble protein. The denatured scFv was refolded and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (12 mg/l with a molecular weight of 27 kDa). Hep27scFv exhibited a tumoricidal activity against the HCC-S102 cell as its parental antibody (Hep27 Mab).

Conclusion

This scFv may be a potential candidate for a targeting agent in HCC immunodiagnosis or immunotherapy.     

Redesigning of anti‐c‐Met single chain Fv antibody for the cytoplasmic folding and its structural analysis

Typically, single chain Fv antibodies are unable to fold properly under a reducing cytoplasm because of the reduction of disulfide bonds. The inability to fold limits both the production of the functional scFvs and their targeting against antigens, which are generally executed in a reducing cytoplasm. In this study, the target scFv CDR was grafted with stable human consensus framework sequences, which enabled the generation of a foldable scFv in a reducing cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Additionally, the structural features affecting the folding efficiency of the engineered scFv were identified by analyzing the predicted structure. An anti‐c‐Met scFv, which was a cytoplasmic non‐foldable protein, was redesigned as the model system. This study confirmed that the engineered anti‐c‐Met scFv was folded into its native form in the cytoplasm of E. coli BL21(DE3) without a significant loss in the specific binding activity against c‐Met antigen. The structures of the wild‐type anti‐c‐Met scFv and the engineered scFv were predicted using homology modeling. A comparative analysis based on the sequence and structure showed that the hydrophobicity of 12 solvent exposed residues decreased, and two newly formed salt bridges might have improved the folding efficiency of the engineered scFv under the reducing condition. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 106: 367–375. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Single Mutation in Framework 2 of the Heavy Variable Domain Improves the Properties of a Diabody and a Related Single-Chain Antibody

Excellent results regarding improved therapeutic properties have been often obtained through the conversion of a single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) into a noncovalent dimeric antibody (diabody) via peptide linker shortening. We utilized this approach to obtain a dimeric version of the human scFv 6009F, which was originally engineered to neutralize the Cn2 toxin of Centruroides noxius scorpion venom. However, some envenoming symptoms remained with diabody 6009F. Diabody 6009F was subjected to directed evolution to obtain a variant capable of eliminating envenoming symptoms. After two rounds of biopanning, diabody D4 was isolated. It exhibited a single mutation (E43G) in framework 2 of the heavy‐chain variable domain. Diabody D4 displayed an increase in T_m (thermal transition midpoint temperature) of 6.3 °C compared with its dimeric precursor. The importance of the E43G mutation was tested in the context of the human scFv LR, a highly efficient antibody against Cn2, which was previously generated by our group [Riaño-Umbarila, L., Contreras-Ferrat, G., Olamendi-Portugal, T., Morelos-Juárez, C., Corzo, G., Possani, L. D. and Becerril, B. (2011). J. Biol. Chem. 286, 6143–6151]. The new variant, scFv LER, displayed an increase in T_m of 3.4 °C and was capable of neutralizing 2 LD₅₀ of Cn2 toxin with no detectable symptoms when injected into mice at a 1:1 toxin-to-antibody molar ratio. These results showed that the E43G mutation might increase the therapeutic properties of these antibody fragments. Molecular modeling and dynamics results suggest that the rearrangement of the hydrogen-bonding network near the E43G mutation could explain the improved functional stability and neutralization properties of both the diabody D4 and scFv LER.     

Phage-derived fully human antibody scFv fragment directed against human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 blocked its interaction with VEGF

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) plays a critical role in tumor angiogenesis. None therapeutic antibodies targeting VEGFR‐2 are available in clinical use. Herein, we describe the screening of a new single‐chain antibody fragment (scFv) targeting extracellular domain 3 of human VEGFR‐2 (kinase insert domain‐containing receptor [KDR]3) from Griffin phage display scFv library. A comprehensive sequence analysis was performed to assign the framework and complementary‐determining regions. The scFv exerted particular binding sites to KDR3 on molecular docking, and the binding affinity was further convinced by binding analysis both in quantitative ELISA and real‐time kinetic determination by biosensors (K_D = 40 nM). Finally, the scFv was revealed to inhibit VEGF‐stimulated proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs; IC₅₀ = 5 nM) and to inhibit HUVEC migration significantly at 17 nM. Taken together, our results indicate that we have successfully isolated a scFv which differentially recognizes KDR3 and has potential clinical applications in the treatment of angiogenesis related diseases. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 28: 981–989, 2012     

Specificity tuning of antibody fragments to neutralize two human chemokines with a single agent

Chemokines are important mediators of the immune response that are responsible for the trafficking of immune cells between lymphoid organs and migration towards sites of inflammation. Using phage display selection and a functional screening approach, we have isolated a panel of single-chain fragment variable (scFv) capable of neutralizing the activity of the human chemokine CXCL10 (hCXCL10). One of the isolated scFv was weakly cross-reactive against another human chemokine CXCL9, but was unable to block its biological activity. We diversified the complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of the light chain variable domain (VL) of this scFv and combined phage display with high throughput antibody array screening to identify variants capable of neutralizing both chemokines. Using this approach it is therefore possible to engineer pan-specific antibodies that could prove very useful to antagonize redundant signaling pathways such as the chemokine signaling network.Key words: cross-reactive antibody, antibody arrays, chemotaxis, multiple targeting, affinity maturation, phage display     

Engineering stable cytoplasmic intrabodies with designed specificity

Many attempts have been made to develop antibody fragments that can be expressed in the cytoplasm ("intrabodies") in a stable and functional form. The recombinant antibody fragment scFv(F8) is characterised by peculiarly high in vitro stability and functional folding in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cytoplasm. To dissect the relative contribution of different scFv(F8) regions to cytoplasmic stability and specificity we designed and constructed five chimeric molecules (scFv-P1 to P5) in which several groups of residues important for antigen binding in the poorly stable anti-hen egg lysozyme (HEL) scFv(D1.3) were progressively grafted onto the scFv(F8) scaffold. All five chimeric scFvs were expressed in a soluble form in the periplasm and cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. All the periplasmic oxidised forms and the scFv(P3) extracted from the cytoplasm in reducing conditions had HEL binding affinities essentially identical (K(d)=15nM) to that of the cognate scFv(D1.3) fragment (K(d)=16nM). The successful grafting of the antigen binding properties of D1.3 onto the scFv(F8) opens the road to the exploitation of this molecule as a scaffold for the reshaping of intrabodies with desired specificities to be targeted to the cytoplasm.     

In vitro evolution of single-chain antibodies using mRNA display

Here we describe the application of the in vitro virus mRNA display method, which involves covalent linkage of an in vitro-synthesized antibody (phenotype) to its encoding mRNA (genotype) through puromycin, for in vitro evolution of single-chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments. To establish the validity of this approach to directed antibody evolution, we used random mutagenesis by error-prone DNA shuffling and off-rate selection to improve the affinity of an anti-fluorescein scFv as a model system. After four rounds of selection of the library of mRNA-displayed scFv mutants, we obtained six different sequences encoding affinity-matured mutants with five consensus mutations. Kinetic analysis of the mutant scFvs revealed that the off-rates have been decreased by more than one order of magnitude and the dissociation constants were improved ~30-fold. The antigen-specificity was not improved by affinity maturation, but remained similar to that of the wild type. Although the five consensus mutations of the high-affinity mutants were scattered over the scFv sequence, analysis by site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the critical mutations for improving affinity were the two that lay within the complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Thus, mRNA display is expected to be useful for rapid artificial evolution of high-affinity diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies by optimizing their CDRs.     

Efficient amplification of light and heavy chain variable regions and construction of a non-immune phage scFv library

Non-immune phage scFv library is one of the most attractive resources for therapeutics, diagnostics and basic research. As a matter of fact, quality of the library is limited by inefficient PCR cloning of antibody genes using degenerated primers. PCR using this type of primers is difficult to optimize conditions for efficient amplification, and therefore causes loss of antibody diversities. To overcome this problem, we described a novel two-step amplification of V_κ and V_H genes with newly designed primer sets. Initially, we amplified V_κ and V_H genes from their signal sequences to the joining region to keep antibody diversity as large as possible. Thereafter, highly degenerated primers were used to amplify the V_κ and V_H genes from the framework region 1 to the joining region. The V_κ and V_H genes from the second PCR then were linked by PCR overlapping extension to generate the scFv library. Fifteen clones from the library were randomly picked and sequenced, and the diversity of full-length scFvs was confirmed. Expression capability of clones in the library was 80% after confirmation using colony hybridization. The results demonstrated the efficiency of this strategy and the primer sets for construction of the scFv library.     

Production and characterization of a CD25-specific scFv-Fc antibody secreted from Pichia pastoris

Antibodies against CD25 would be novel tools for the diagnosis and treatment of adult T cell leukemia lymphoma (ATLL) and many other immune disorders. In our previous work, we successfully produced the single-chain fragment of a variable antibody against CD25, the Dmab(scFv) antibody, using Pichia pastoris. Here, we describe a novel form of an antibody against CD25, the Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody, also produced by P. pastoris. To construct the Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody, the Dmab(scFv) antibody was genetically fused to the Fc fragment of a human IgG1 antibody. A fusion gene encoding Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody was cloned into the pPIC9K plasmid and expressed at high levels, 60–70 mg/l, by P. pastoris under optimized conditions. The Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody was similar to the Dmab(scFv) antibody in its binding specificity but different in its molecular form and Fc-mediated effector functions. The Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody and the Dmab(scFv) antibody both bound to CD25-positive MJ cells but not to CD25-negative K562 cells. The Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody existed as a dimer whereas the Dmab(scFv) antibody was a monomer because it lacks the Fc fragment. The Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody enhanced the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of CD25-positive cancer cells, whereas the Dmab(scFv) antibody was inactive in the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays. In addition, compared to the Dmab(scFv) antibody, the Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody showed stronger immunosuppressive activity in the Con A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation system and in the mixed lymphocyte reaction system. These results demonstrate that the Dmab(scFv)-Fc antibody produced in P. pastoris is functional, and therefore it might be developed as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic tool for ATLL and other immune disorders.     

A Novel Human scFv Library with Non-Combinatorial Synthetic CDR Diversity

The present work describes the construction and validation of a human scFv library with a novel design approach to synthetic complementarity determining region (CDR) diversification. The advantage of synthetic antibody libraries includes the possibility of exerting fine control over factors like framework sequences, amino acid and codon usage, and CDR diversity. However, random combinatorial synthesis of oligonucleotides for CDR sequence diversity also produces many clones with unnatural sequences and/or undesirable modification motifs. To alleviate these issues, we designed and constructed a novel semi-synthetic human scFv library with non-combinatorial, pre-designed CDR diversity and a single native human framework each for heavy, kappa, and lambda chain variable domains. Next-generation sequencing analysis indicated that the library consists of antibody clones with highly nature-like CDR sequences and the occurrence of the post-translational modification motifs is minimized. Multiple unique clones with nanomolar affinity could be isolated from the library against a number of target antigens, validating the library design strategy. The results demonstrate that it is possible to construct a functional antibody library using low, non-combinatorial synthetic CDR diversity, and provides a new strategy for the design of antibody libraries suitable for demanding applications.     

“Cleavable” hapten-biotin conjugates: Preparation and use for the generation of anti-steroid single-domain antibody fragments

Antibody engineering technology has the potential to provide artificial antibodies with higher performance than conventional antibodies. Filamentous phage particles are often used to express a vast diversity of mutated antibody fragments from which clones displaying improved fragments can be isolated. We recently showed that hapten-biotin conjugates, combined via a linker involving a reductively cleavable disulfide bond, are useful for isolating phage clones displaying high-affinity anti-hapten antibody fragments. Here we prepare cleavable hapten-biotin conjugates and use them to isolate anti-hapten antibody fragments with relatively low affinities. Three diagnostically important steroids (estradiol-17β [E₂], cortisol, and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone) were each coupled with a biotin derivative containing a disulfide bond. These conjugates could be bound simultaneously by their relevant anti-steroid antibody and NeutrAvidin, and their linkers were easily cleaved by dithiothreitol (DTT) treatment. The E₂-biotin conjugate was used to generate anti-E₂ single-domain antibody fragments (sdAbs). Random point mutations were introduced by error-prone PCR into the gene fragment encoding the V_H domain of a mouse anti-E₂ antibody, and these products were expressed as phagemid particles that were reacted with the E₂-biotin conjugates that had already been immobilized on a solid-phase via NeutrAvidin. Thorough washing off of nonspecific phages and subsequent DTT treatment provided a phagemid clone that displayed a mutated sdAb with improved binding properties.     

Single-chain Fv with Fc fragment of the human IgG1 tag: construction, Pichia pastoris expression and antigen binding characterization

We report two expression vectors in Pichia pastoris that direct the synthesis of recombinant single chain antibody variable region (scFv), derived from anti-Z-DNA monoclonal antibody Z22. The first vector codes for a scFv fused to the Ig binding domain of staphylococcal Protein A. The second vector codes for the scFv fused to the Fc fragment of the human IgG1. The fusion partner simplified the detection and purification of the secreted protein. These constructs yielded high level expression of an scFv with specific binding activity toward a Z form of DNA, with binding activity comparable to that of the scFv molecule produced in an Escherichia coli expression system and the original monoclonal antibody.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a single-chain variable fragment antibody specific for benzoylecgonine expressed in Escherichia coli

Benzoylecgonine is a major metabolite of cocaine. We generated hybridoma cells (C1303) producing anti-benzoylecgonine monoclonal antibody (mAb) with a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and an antigen-binding domain from the C1303 cells. Genes encoding an scFv antibody and constant region (Fc) were amplified from a cDNA library of C1303 cells using PCR. The two frameworks built for scFv and scFv-Fc consisted of HL [(heavy chain variable region, V_H) — linker — (light chain variable region, V_L)] and HL-Fc, respectively. A 45 base-pair-long sequence encoding (Gly₄-Ser)₃ was used as the linker, and the mouse IgG1 constant region sequence (225 amino acids) was used as the Fc domain. These two types of recombinant Abs were determined to be 750 bp in length (which corresponds to a 30 kDa protein) in the HL and 1,432 bp in length (which corresponds to a 65 kDa protein) in the HL-Fc, respectively. The parental Ab and HL-Fc affinities against benzoylecgonine were measured by ELISA and found to be nearly equal to the Ab concentration. We were also able to measure HL affinity using an agarose diffusion assay (Ouchterlony test). The affinity of the recombinant single-chain antibody against benzoylecgonine was sufficiently comparable to that of the parent antibodies to be used for the immunodetection of specific drug compounds or the detoxification of drug abusers by immunotherapy.     

A new human catalytic antibody Se‐scFv‐2D8 and its selenium‐containing single domains with high GPX activity

Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is a well‐known antioxidant selenoenzyme, which can catalyze the reduction of a variety of hydroperoxides and consequently protect cells and other biological tissues against oxidative damage. Many attempts have been made to mimic its function, and a human catalytic antibody Se‐scFv‐B3 with GPX activity has been prepared in our previous study. This time, a new clone 2D8 that bound specifically to the glutathione analog GSH‐S‐DNPBu was selected again by using the technology of phage display antibody library, and then scFv‐2D8 was successfully expressed in soluble form and purified using Ni²⁺‐immobilized metal affinity chromatography. After being converted into selenium‐containing scFv by chemically modification, it showed higher GPX activity than previous abzyme Se‐scFv‐B3. The heavy chain variable fragment of scFv‐2D8 was also prepared and converted into selenium‐containing protein using the same method. This selenium‐containing single‐domain antibody showed some GPX activity and, to the best of our knowledge, is the first human single‐domain abzyme with GPX activity, which lays a foundation for preparing GPX abzyme with human origin, lower molecular weight and higher activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Specificity tuning of antibody fragments to neutralize two human chemokines with a single agent

Chemokines are important mediators of the immune response that are responsible for the trafficking of immune cells between lymphoid organs and migration towards sites of inflammation. Using phage display selection and a functional screening approach, we have isolated a panel of single-chain fragment variable (scFv) capable of neutralizing the activity of the human chemokine CXCL10 (hCXCL10). One of the isolated scFv was weakly cross-reactive against another human chemokine CXCL9, but was unable to block its biological activity. We diversified the complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of the light chain variable domain (VL) of this scFv and combined phage display with high throughput antibody array screening to identify variants capable of neutralizing both chemokines. Using this approach it is therefore possible to engineer pan-specific antibodies that could prove very useful to antagonize redundant signaling pathways such as the chemokine signaling network.