Bivalent Fv antibody fragments obtained by substituting the constant domains of a fab fragment with heterotetrameric molybdopterin synthase

The antibody Fv fragment is the smallest functional unit of an antibody but for practical use, the VH/VL interface requires stabilization, which is usually accomplished by a peptide linker that joins the two variable domains to form a single chain Fv fragment (scFv). An alternative format to scFv is proposed that (i) allows stabilization of the Fv fragment, and (ii) restores the bivalency of the antibody as a pseudo-F(ab')2 format. This new antibody fragment was constructed by replacing the CHI and CL domains of the Fab fragment with heterotetrameric molybdopterin synthase (MPTS). We found that this format, named MoaFv, improved significantly the cytoplasmic expression of the Fv as a soluble protein in BL21 or Origami Escherichia coli strains. This MoaFv format is expressed as a homogeneous heterotetrameric protein with a Mr value of 110 kDa containing two functional binding sites as revealed by active site titration. In its native condition at 37 degrees C or in the presence of urea, this format was nearly as stable as the corresponding scFv, indicating that non-covalent interactions between the MPTS subunits can replace the covalent peptide linker in scFv. Finally, this MoaFv construct could be a useful format when bivalency is desirable to improve the functional avidity.     

Generation and characterization of C305, a murine neutralizing scFv antibody that can inhibit BLyS binding to its receptor BCMA

B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family and a key regulator of B cell response. Neutralizing single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody against BLyS binding to its receptor BCMA has the potential to play a prominent role in autoimmune disease therapy. A phage display scFv library constructed on pill protein of MI 3 filamentous phage was screened using BLyS.After five rounds of panning, their binding activity was characterized by phage-ELISA. Nucleotide sequencing revealed that at least two different scFv gene fragments (C305 and D416) were obtained. The two different scFv gene fragments were expressed to obtain the soluble scFv antibodies, then the soluble scFv antibodies were characterized by means of competitive ELISA and in vitro neutralization assay. The results indicated that C305 is the neutralizing scFv antibody that can inhibit BLyS binding to its receptor BCMA.     

抗ErbB2嵌合抗体chA21聚集现象的鉴定和分析

聚集现象是目前基因重组抗体面临的挑战之一.采用高效排阻色谱(HPSEC)、动态光散射(DLS)、SDS-PAGE和间接ELISA鉴定抗ErbB2嵌合抗体chA21聚集的形式和性质,并比较温度和添加剂对抗体聚集程度,抗原结合活性的影响,用圆二色谱(CD)检测不同聚集条件下蛋白构象的变化,最后将抗体酶解分离分析聚集的部位.结果表明:chA21在溶液中可形成二聚和更高形式的聚集,聚集体是通过非共价键相互作用形成,并仍保留抗原结合活性,聚集程度和活性受温度和添加剂影响,而蛋白质的构象相对稳定,抗体可变区的相互作用可能是引起聚集的主要原因之一.对抗体聚集现象的分析有助于建立稳定的抗体保存条件,并为今后抗体进一步改造提供依据.     

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.     

Production and characterization of a bacterial single-chain antibody fragment specific to B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family

An active form of a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) from the murine monoclonal antibody ABL-1, which is specific for B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family, was produced in Escherichia coli. The complementary DNAs encoding the variable regions of the heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL) were connected by a (Gly4Ser)3 linker, using an assembly polymerase chain reaction. The construct VH-linker-VL was placed under the control of highly efficient T7 promoter system. The cloned scFv was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) as inclusion bodies. After extraction from the E. coli cells, the inclusion bodies were solubilized and denatured in the presence of 8M urea. The expressed scFv fusion proteins were purified by Ni(2+)-IDA His-bind resin and finally renatured by dialysis. The purity and activity of the purified scFv were confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The result revealed that the ABL-1 scFv retains the specific binding activity to BAFF with an affinity constant of 0.9x10(-8)molL(-1).     

Expression of single-chain antibody against RgpA protease of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Lactobacillus

AIMS: The monoclonal antibody 61BG1.3, recognizing the RgpA protease, has been reported to confer protection against recolonization by the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis in humans. The aim of this study was to express a functional scFv derived from the monoclonal antibody 61BG1.3 on the surface of Lactobacillus paracasei for potential use in the prevention or treatment of periodontal diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: The scFv was fused to an E-tag and cloned in the Escherischia coli/Lactobacillus shuttle vector pLP501, which mediates surface expression of the scFv. FACS analysis using an anti-E-tag antibody revealed that the scFv was expressed on the surface of the transformed lactobacilli and binding of the scFv to RgpA was shown by ELISA. Lact. paracasei expressing the scFv against RgpA was able to agglutinate P. gingivalis whereas the Lact. paracasei expressing an irrelevant scFv fragment did not. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated efficient binding of the lactobacilli expressing the scFv anti-RgpA to P. gingivalis. CONCLUSIONS: We have expressed a functional scFv antibody directed against the RgpA protease of P. gingivalis in Lactobacillus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results suggest a potential of Lactobacillus expressing scFvs against P. gingivalis to be used to combat periodontal disease.     

Substantial energetic improvement with minimal structural perturbation in a high affinity mutant antibody

Here, we compare an antibody with the highest known engineered affinity (K(d)=270 fM) to its high affinity wild-type (K(d)=700 pM) through thermodynamic, kinetic, structural, and theoretical analyses. The 4M5.3 anti-fluorescein single chain antibody fragment (scFv) contains 14 mutations from the wild-type 4-4-20 scFv and has a 1800-fold increase in fluorescein-binding affinity. The dissociation rate is approximately 16,000 times slower in the mutant; however, this substantial improvement is offset somewhat by the association rate, which is ninefold slower in the mutant. Enthalpic contributions to binding were found by calorimetry to predominate in the differential binding free energy. The crystal structure of the 4M5.3 mutant complexed with antigen was solved to 1.5A resolution and compared with a previously solved structure of an antigen-bound 4-4-20 Fab fragment. Strikingly, the structural comparison shows little difference between the two scFv molecules (backbone RMSD of 0.6A), despite the large difference in affinity. Shape complementarity exhibits a small improvement between the variable light chain and variable heavy chain domains within the antibody, but no significant improvement in shape complementarity of the antibody with the antigen is observed in the mutant over the wild-type. Theoretical modeling calculations show electrostatic contributions to binding account for -1.2 kcal/mol to -3.5 kcal/mol of the binding free energy change, of which -1.1 kcal/mol is directly associated with the mutated residue side-chains. The electrostatic analysis reveals several mechanistic explanations for a portion of the improvement. Collectively, these data provide an example where very high binding affinity is achieved through the cumulative effect of many small structural alterations.     

A Tat-grafted anti-nucleic acid antibody acquires nuclear-localization property and a preference for TAR RNA

The 3D8 single chain variable fragment (3D8 scFv) is an anti-nucleic acid antibody that can hydrolyze nucleic acids and enter the cytosol of cells without reaching the nucleus. The Tat peptide, derived from the basic region of the HIV-1 Tat protein, translocates to cell nuclei and has TAR RNA binding activity. In this study, we generated a Tat-grafted antibody (_H3Tat-3D8) by replacing complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) within the VH domain of the 3D8 scFv with a Tat_48–60 peptide (GRKKRRQRRRPPQ). _H3Tat-3D8 retained the DNA-binding and DNA-hydrolyzing activity of the scFv, and translocated to the nuclei of HeLa cells and preferentially recognized TAR RNA. Thus, the properties associated with the Tat peptide were transferred to the antibody via Tat-grafting without loss of the intrinsic DNA-binding and hydrolyzing activities of the 3D8 scFv antibody.     

The influence of antibody fragment format on phage display based affinity maturation of IgG

Today, most approved therapeutic antibodies are provided as immunoglobulin G (IgG), whereas small recombinant antibody formats are required for in vitro antibody generation and engineering during drug development. Particularly, single chain (sc) antibody fragments like scFv or scFab are well suited for phage display and bacterial expression, but some have been found to lose affinity during conversion into IgG.

In this study, we compared the influence of the antibody format on affinity maturation of the CD30-specific scFv antibody fragment SH313-F9, with the overall objective being improvement of the IgG. The variable genes of SH313-F9 were randomly mutated and then cloned into libraries encoding different recombinant antibody formats, including scFv, Fab, scFabΔC, and FabΔC. All tested antibody formats except Fab allowed functional phage display of the parental antibody SH313-F9, and the corresponding mutated antibody gene libraries allowed isolation of candidates with enhanced CD30 binding. Moreover, scFv and scFabΔC antibody variants retained improved antigen binding after subcloning into the single gene encoded IgG-like formats scFv-Fc or scIgG, but lost affinity after conversion into IgGs. Only affinity maturation using the Fab-like FabΔC format, which does not contain the carboxy terminal cysteines, allowed successful selection of molecules with improved binding that was retained after conversion to IgG. Thus, affinity maturation of IgGs is dependent on the antibody format employed for selection and screening. In this study, only FabΔC resulted in the efficient selection of IgG candidates with higher affinity by combination of Fab-like conformation and improved phage display compared with Fab.     

Generation of high-affinity fully human anti-interleukin-8 antibodies from its cDNA by two-hybrid screening and affinity maturation in yeast

We have developed a technology for rapidly generating novel and fully human antibodies by simply using the antigen DNA. A human single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody library was constructed in a yeast two‐hybrid vector with high complexity. After cloning cDNA encoding the mature sequence of human interleukin‐8 (hIL8) into the yeast two‐hybrid system vector, we have screened the human scFv antibody library and obtained three distinct scFv clones that could specifically bind to hIL8. One clone was chosen for further improvement by a novel affinity maturation process using the error‐prone PCR of the scFv sequence followed by additional rounds of yeast two‐hybrid screening. The scFv antibodies of both primary and affinity‐matured scFv clones were expressed in E. coli. All purified scFvs showed specific binding to hIL8 in reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation and ELISA assays. All scFvs, as well as a fully human IgG antibody converted from one of the scFv clones and expressed in the mammalian cells, were able to effectively inhibit hIL8 in neutrophil chemotaxis assays. The technology described can generate fully human antibodies with high efficiency and low cost.     

Synthesis, cloning and expression of the single-chain Fv gene of the HPr-specific monoclonal antibody, Jel42. Determination of binding constants with wild-type and mutant HPrs.

The monoclonal antibody Jel42 is specific for the Escherichia coli histidine-containing protein, HPr, which is an 85 amino acid phosphocarrier protein of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system. The binding domain (Fv) has been produced as a single chain Fv (scFv). The scFv gene was synthesized in vitro and coded for pelB leader peptide-heavy chain-linker-light chain-(His)(5) tail. The linker is three repeats from the C-terminal repetitive sequence of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. This linker acts as a tag; it is the antigen for the monoclonal antibody Jel352. The codon usage was maximized for E.coli expression, and many unique restriction endonuclease sites were incorporated. The scFv gene incorporated into pT7-7 was highly expressed, yielding 10-30% of the cell protein as the scFv, which was found in inclusion bodies with the leader peptide cleaved. Jel42 scFv was purified by denaturation/renaturation yielding preparations with K(d) values from 20 to 175 nM. However, based upon an assessment of the amount of active refolded scFv, the binding dissociation constant was estimated to be 2.7 +/- 2.0 nM compared with 2.8 +/- 1.6 and 3.7 +/- 0.3 nM previously determined for the Jel42 antibody and Fab fragment respectively. The effect of mutation of the antigen HPr on the binding constant of the scFv was very similar to the properties determined for the antibody and the Fab fragment. It was concluded that the small percentage ( approximately 6%) of refolded scFv is a true mimic of the Jel42 binding domain and that the incorrectly folded scFv cannot be detected in the binding assay.     

Expression of a single-chain antibody against indole-3-acetic acid in Escherichia coli

A hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody specific for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was prepared. The DNA fragments coding the variable regions of the light and the heavy chains of the antibody were prepared by PCR using the cDNA of the antibody as a template. A chimera DNA for a single chain variable fragment (scFv) was constructed, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The scFv antibody expressed in E. coli as well as the original monoclonal antibody showed a specific binding to IAA.     

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.     

Structural and functional characterization of the single-chain Fv fragment from a unique HCV E1E2-specific monoclonal antibody

The nucleotide sequence of the unique neutralizing monoclonal antibody D32.10 raised against a conserved conformational epitope shared between E1 and E2 on the serum-derived hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope was determined. Subsequently, the recombinant single-chain Fv fragment (scFv) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and its molecular characterization was assessed using multi-angle laser light scattering. The scFv mimicked the antibody in binding to the native serum-derived HCV particles from patients, as well as to envelope E1E2 complexes and E1, E2 glycoproteins carrying the viral epitope. The scFv D32.10 competed with the parental IgG for binding to antigen, and therefore could be a promising candidate for therapeutics and diagnostics.     

The influence of antibody fragment format on phage display based affinity maturation of IgG

Today, most approved therapeutic antibodies are provided as immunoglobulin G (IgG), whereas small recombinant antibody formats are required for in vitro antibody generation and engineering during drug development. Particularly, single chain (sc) antibody fragments like scFv or scFab are well suited for phage display and bacterial expression, but some have been found to lose affinity during conversion into IgG.   In this study, we compared the influence of the antibody format on affinity maturation of the CD30-specific scFv antibody fragment SH313-F9, with the overall objective being improvement of the IgG. The variable genes of SH313-F9 were randomly mutated and then cloned into libraries encoding different recombinant antibody formats, including scFv, Fab, scFabΔC, and FabΔC. All tested antibody formats except Fab allowed functional phage display of the parental antibody SH313-F9, and the corresponding mutated antibody gene libraries allowed isolation of candidates with enhanced CD30 binding. Moreover, scFv and scFabΔC antibody variants retained improved antigen binding after subcloning into the single gene encoded IgG-like formats scFv-Fc or scIgG, but lost affinity after conversion into IgGs. Only affinity maturation using the Fab-like FabΔC format, which does not contain the carboxy terminal cysteines, allowed successful selection of molecules with improved binding that was retained after conversion to IgG. Thus, affinity maturation of IgGs is dependent on the antibody format employed for selection and screening. In this study, only FabΔC resulted in the efficient selection of IgG candidates with higher affinity by combination of Fab-like conformation and improved phage display compared with Fab.     

具有谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性的含硒单链抗体酶制备

 利用RT PCR从分泌有谷胱甘肽结合部位的单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞株 2F3中 ,扩增出单抗重链可变区和轻链可变区基因 .经DNA测序后 ,用Linker(Gly4 Ser1) 3 构建成单链抗体 (scFv)表达载体pTMF scFv ,将重组质粒pTMF scFv转化到大肠杆菌BL2 1(DE3) ,实现了单链抗体的高效表达 .表达的单链抗体占菌体总蛋白 2 5%～ 30 % .该重组蛋白以包涵体形式存在 ,分子量为 30kD .经过金属螯合亲和层析纯化、复性和凝胶过滤纯化 ,得到电泳均一的单链抗体 .再经化学诱变 ,得到含硒单链抗体酶 ,其谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性为 330 0U μmol.采用荧光滴定法测定了单链抗体对谷胱甘肽的结合常数     

Construction and characterization of an enhanced GFP-tagged anti-BAFF scFv antibody

Elevated levels of B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases in human. In this study, an anti-BAFF single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) was genetically linked to the C terminus of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to generate an EGFP/scFv fusion protein. The EGFP/scFv fusion protein had an apparent molecular weight of 52 kDa and was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis. After being purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography, the fusion protein exhibited similar fluorescence spectra with native EGFP. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescence-activated cell sorting showed the EGFP/scFv could bind to human soluble BAFF and BAFF positive cell lines in vitro. The binding of EGFP/scFv can also be visualized under laser scanning confocal microscopy. Furthermore, the results of the competition assay indicated its antigen binding specificity. Therefore, the fusion protein EGFP/scFv has several characteristics including high sensitivity, stability and convenience for manipulation, and can be a powerful tool for the study of the underlying pathology of BAFF relevant to autoimmune diseases.     

单链抗体展示系统研究进展

单链抗体(single chain antibody fragment,scFv)是由抗体重链可变区(variable region of heavy chain,VH)和轻链可变区(variable region of light chain,VL)通过柔性短肽连接组成的小分子,是具有完整抗原结合活性的最小功能片段,包含抗体识别及抗原结合部位。相比于其他抗体,scFv具有分子量小、穿透性强、免疫原性弱、易构建表达等优点。目前,scFv最常用的展示系统主要有噬菌体展示系统、核糖体展示系统、mRNA展示系统、酵母细胞表面展示系统和哺乳动物细胞展示系统等。近年来,随着scFv在医学、生物学、食品安全学等领域的发展,使得其在生物合成和应用研究方面备受关注。本文对近年来scFv展示系统的研究进展作一综述,以期为scFv的筛选及应用提供理论基础。     

抗乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原T7噬菌体抗体库的构建

构建T7噬菌体单链抗体(scFv)库筛选抗乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原抗体.从抗-HBs阳性患者外周血淋巴细胞中提取总RNA,反转录合成cDNA第1条链,PCR分别扩增抗体重链可变区基因(VH)和轻链可变区基因(VL),经重叠延伸拼接(SOE)PCR组成scFv基因,并将其与T7噬菌体载体的2个臂相连接.体外包装后,在宿主菌BLT5403中,扩增重组噬菌体抗体库.以乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原进行4轮“吸附-洗脱-扩增”的筛选,酶免疫实验检测抗体活性.所建抗体库库容为1.53×107,扩增后初级库滴度为2.42×1010pfu/mL.以乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原筛选后抗体出现特异性富集,经酶免疫实验鉴定,得到2株与HBsAg抗原特异结合的噬菌体抗体,成功构建了抗HBsAg蛋白T7噬菌体抗体库.     

一株针对人EGFR的单链抗体克隆与哺乳细胞表达

目的:制备特异性抗人表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)的单链抗体(sc Fv),鉴定其生物学活性,为进一步研究基于单链抗体的免疫治疗奠定基础。方法:从分泌抗人EGFR单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞系提取总RNA,利用5'RACE技术扩增轻链和重链可变区(VL、VH)基因,构建具有VL、VH基因的单链抗体基因,并将构建的单链抗体基因克隆到真核细胞表达载体pc DNA3.1中进行表达和鉴定。ELISA鉴定单链抗体对抗原的特异性;Fortebio检测抗原抗体间的亲和力,流式细胞术检测单链抗体结合肺癌细胞系天然EGFR的功能活性。结果:获得唯一的轻重链可变区序列VL、VH,成功构建EGFR-sc Fv,特异性与天然EGFR蛋白结合,亲和力达3.22×10-9mol/L。结论:成功构建了抗人EGFR单链抗体,为肺癌免疫导向治疗研究奠定了基础。