基于CDR2和CDR3区随机突变筛选抗黄曲霉毒素B1单域重链抗体的研究

基于抗原-抗体特异性反应的免疫学方法是黄曲霉毒素B1的常用检测方法。为制备针对AFB1的抗体,综合参考已报道的噬菌体文库筛选的抗AFB1单域重链抗体（variable domain of heavy chain of heavy chain antibody,VHH）序列,合成一条经密码子优化[适于大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli,E. coli）表达]的高同源性序列。在抗AFB1 VHH的CDR2和CDR3区引入部分随机突变,构建噬菌体抗体库。采用phage-ELISA技术,以AFB1O-OVA为包被抗原,淘选单域重链抗体库,经过4轮筛选,获得15株能与AFB1特异性结合的阳性克隆。以结合力最高的1株克隆为材料,扩增相应的VHH基因,构建表达质粒pET-22b-VHH。在E. coli BL21（DE3）中表达VHH,经间接竞争ELISA分析,获得的抗AFB1 VHH的灵敏度约为10μg/mL。     

Generation of human single-chain variable fragment antibodies specific to dengue virus non-structural protein 1 that interfere with the virus infectious cycle

Severe forms of dengue virus (DENV) infection frequently cause high case fatality rate. Currently, there is no effective vaccine against the infection. Clinical cases are given only palliative treatment as specific anti-DENV immunotherapy is not available and it is urgently required. In this study, human single-chain variable fragment (HuScFv) antibodies that bound specifically to the conserved non-structural protein-1 (NS1) of DENV and interfered with the virus replication cycle were produced by using phage display technology. Recombinant NS1 (rNS1) of DENV serotype 2 (DENV2) was used as antigen in phage bio-panning to select phage clones that displayed HuScFv from antibody phage display library. HuScFv from two phagemid transformed E. coli clones, i.e., clones 11 and 13, bound to the rNS1 as well as native NS1 in both secreted and intracellular forms. Culture fluids of the HuScFv11/HuScFv13 exposed DENV2 infected cells had significant reduction of the infectious viral particles, implying that the antibody fragments affected the virus morphogenesis or release. HuScFv epitope mapping by phage mimotope searching revealed that HuScFv11 bound to amino acids 1–14 of NS1, while the HuScFv13 bound to conformational epitope at the C-terminal portion of the NS1. Although the functions of the epitopes and the molecular mechanism of the HuScFv11 and HuScFv13 require further investigations, these small antibodies have high potential for development as anti-DENV biomolecules.     

Generation of human single-chain variable fragment antibodies specific to dengue virus non-structural protein 1 that interfere with the virus infectious cycle

Severe forms of dengue virus (DENV) infection frequently cause high case fatality rate. Currently, there is no effective vaccine against the infection. Clinical cases are given only palliative treatment as specific anti-DENV immunotherapy is not available and it is urgently required. In this study, human single-chain variable fragment (HuScFv) antibodies that bound specifically to the conserved non-structural protein-1 (NS1) of DENV and interfered with the virus replication cycle were produced by using phage display technology. Recombinant NS1 (rNS1) of DENV serotype 2 (DENV2) was used as antigen in phage bio-panning to select phage clones that displayed HuScFv from antibody phage display library. HuScFv from two phagemid transformed E. coli clones, i.e., clones 11 and 13, bound to the rNS1 as well as native NS1 in both secreted and intracellular forms. Culture fluids of the HuScFv11/HuScFv13 exposed DENV2 infected cells had significant reduction of the infectious viral particles, implying that the antibody fragments affected the virus morphogenesis or release. HuScFv epitope mapping by phage mimotope searching revealed that HuScFv11 bound to amino acids 1–14 of NS1, while the HuScFv13 bound to conformational epitope at the C-terminal portion of the NS1. Although the functions of the epitopes and the molecular mechanism of the HuScFv11 and HuScFv13 require further investigations, these small antibodies have high potential for development as anti-DENV biomolecules.     

Specific determination of influenza H7N2 virus based on biotinylated single-domain antibody from a phage-displayed library

The unpredicted spread of avian influenza virus subtype H7N2 in the world is threatening animals and humans. Specific and effective diagnosis and supervision are required to control the influenza. However, the existing detecting methods are laborious, are time-consuming, and require appropriate laboratory facilities. To tackle this problem, we isolated VHH antibodies against the H7N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) and performed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the H7N2 virus. To obtain VHH antibodies with high affinity and specificity, a camel was immunized. A VHH antibody library was constructed in a phage display vector pMECS with diversity of 2.8 × 10⁹. Based on phage display technology and periplasmic extraction ELISA, H7N2-specific VHH antibodies were successfully isolated. According to a pairing test, two VHH antibodies (Nb79 and Nb95) with good thermal stability and specificity can recognize different epitopes of H7N2 virus. The capture antibody (Nb79) was biotinylated in vivo, and the detection antibody (Nb95) was coupled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Based on biotin–streptavidin interaction, a novel sandwich immune ELISA was performed to detect H7N2. The immunoassay exhibited a linear range from 5 to 100 ng/ml. Given the above, the newly developed VHH antibody-based double sandwich ELISA (DAS–ELISA) offers an attractive alternative to other diagnostic approaches for the specific detection of H7N2 virus.     

驼源天然单域重链抗体库的构建与鉴定

从未经主动免疫的健康羊驼(Lama pacos)外周血淋巴细胞中提取总RNA,反转录后作为第一轮PCR的模板。根据重链抗体保守区域设计引物,经巢式PCR法扩增获得了全套重链抗体可变区基因,将其克隆至噬菌粒pHEN1,电转化大肠杆菌TG1得到初级抗体库NAL,含有2×10⁷个独立克隆,菌落PCR和Hinf I酶切分析结果显示,克隆效率大于97%,文库的多样性良好。辅助噬菌体救援后,得到噬菌体展示文库命名为NA-PDL,滴度达10¹³CFU/ml。以真菌毒素人工抗原DON-MBSA为目标抗原,对NA-PDL进行了淘选,第二轮洗脱物中,阳性克隆率达36.4%,提示针对目标抗原的噬菌体颗粒得到了有效富集,文库NA-PDL多样性较好,为后续淘选针对特定抗原的单域重链抗体奠定了基础。     

Design, construction, and characterization of a large synthetic human antibody phage display library

Advances in proteomic research allow the identification of several hundred protein components in complex biological specimens. Structural information is typically lost during proteomic investigations. For this reason, the rapid isolation of monoclonal antibodies specific to proteins of interest would allow the study of structurally intact biological specimens, thus providing complementary proteomic information. Here, we describe the design, construction, characterization, and use of a large synthetic human antibody phage display library (ETH-2-Gold) containing three billion individual antibody clones. A large repertoire of antibodies with similar biochemical properties was produced by appending short variable complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) onto three antibody germline segments (DP47, DPK22, and DPL16), which are frequently found in human antibodies. The ETH-2-Gold library exhibits efficient display of antibody fragments on filamentous phage, as assessed by immunoblot. Furthermore, the library is highly functional, since >90% of clones express soluble antibodies in bacteria and since good quality monoclonal antibodies have been isolated against 16 different antigens. The usefulness of the library as a tool for generating monoclonal antibodies for biomedical applications was tested using the C-domain of tenascin-C (a marker of angiogenesis) as antigen and showing that specific antibodies to this target were able to stain vascular structures in tumor sections.     

绵羊肌肉生长抑制素MSTN原核表达及其纳米抗体文库的构建与鉴定

克隆绵羊肌肉生长抑制素（myostatin,MSTN）基因并在大肠杆菌中诱导表达,纯化重组蛋白免疫健康的双峰驼（Bactrian camel）,分离其外周血淋巴细胞提取总RNA,利用RT-PCR扩增骆驼重链抗体IgG2、IgG3的可变区（VHH）基因片段,将VHH片段与pCANTAB5E连接后电转入大肠杆菌TG1构建纳米抗体文库。结果显示,纳米抗体文库容量为9.5×10⁵,挑取部分克隆进行测序分析,所获得的纳米抗体文库具有良好的多态性,为进一步筛选绵羊MSTN的高特异性纳米抗体片段奠定了基础。     

Expression and immunoaffinity purification of recombinant dengue virus 2 NS1 protein as a cleavable SUMOstar fusion

Dengue virus (DENV) encoded nonstructural one (NS1) is a 352 amino acid protein that exists in multiple oligomeric states and is conserved within the flavivirus family. Although NS1 has been heavily researched for its diagnostic utility, there is a gap in the understanding of its role in a range of viral processes, including replication and development of clinical pathologies such as vascular leakage. Many of these functions involve unknown interactions with viral and host proteins. This study describes the generation of a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb 56.2) that reacts with NS1 from DENV1 and 2, and the expression of recombinant SUMOstar-tagged DENV2 NS1 (DENV2 S^∗-NS1) in baculovirus. This is the first time dengue NS1 has been produced as a SUMOstar fusion with the S^∗-tag increasing protein solubility and secretion compared with a non-S^∗-tagged NS1 construct. The protein was readily purified using a mAb 56.2 immunoaffinity column and untagged NS1 was obtained by treatment with tobacco etch virus protease to remove the S^∗-tag. Size exclusion chromatography and glycosylation assays showed that both secreted S^∗-NS1, and cleaved NS1, are hexameric and glycosylated, and will be useful tools in elucidating dengue NS1 protein interactions and functions.     

A novel synthetic na?ve human antibody library allows the isolation of antibodies against a new epitope of oncofetal fibronectin

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can routinely be isolated from phage display libraries against virtually any protein available in sufficient purity and quantity, but library design can influence epitope coverage on the target antigen. Here we describe the construction of a novel synthetic human antibody phage display library that incorporates hydrophilic or charged residues at position 52 of the CDR2 loop of the variable heavy chain domain, instead of the serine residue found in the corresponding germline gene. The novel library was used to isolate human mAbs to various antigens, including the alternatively-spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of tumor angiogenesis. In particular, the mAb 2H7 was proven to bind to a novel epitope on EDA, which does not overlap with the one recognized by the clinical-stage F8 antibody. F8 and 2H7 were used for the construction of chelating recombinant antibodies (CRAbs), whose tumor-targeting properties were assessed in vivo in biodistribution studies in mice bearing F9 teratocarcinoma, revealing a preferential accumulation at the tumor site.Key words: human antibody library, phage display, oncofetal fibronectin, vascular tumor targeting, scFv antibody fragments, chelating recombinant antibody (CRAb)     

Identification and characterization of species-specific nanobodies for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in milk

Listeria monocytogenes (LM), one of the eight species belonging to the genus Listeria, is pathogenic for both humans and animals. In this study, two novel LM-specific clones, designated L5-78 and L5-79, were isolated from a phage display antibody library that was derived from the variable domain of heavy-chain antibodies (VHHs) of non-immunized alpaca. These two clones were expressed, purified, and characterized. Results showed that both isolated VHHs recognize three serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b), which are responsible for more than 95% of documented human listeriosis cases. The recombinant VHHs possess high thermal stability, pH tolerance, and urea resistance. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the VHH clone L5-79 and a monoclonal antibody was developed to detect LM in pasteurized milk, with a detection limit of 1 × 10⁴ colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. These findings indicated that the species-specific VHHs could be directly isolated from the non-immunized library with a properly designed panning strategy and VHH could be a new source for possible diagnosis/detection of foodborne pathogens in food because it was shown to be highly specific and stable.     

Validation and Application of a Commercial Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase-PCR Assay in Investigation of a Large Dengue Virus Outbreak in Southern Taiwan

BackgroundAccurate, rapid, and early diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) infections is essential for optimal clinical care. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)-LightMix dengue virus EC kit for DENV detection using samples from a dengue outbreak in Taiwan in 2015.MethodsSera from patients with suspected DENV infection were analyzed and compared using the LightMix kit, a Dengue NS1 Ag + Ab Combo kit for detection of NS1 antigen and DENV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies, and an “in-house” qualitative DENV-specific RT-PCR assay.ResultsA total of 8,989, 8,954, and 1581 samples were subjected to NS1 antigen detection, IgM and IgG detection, and LightMix assays, respectively. The LightMix assay yielded a linear curve for viral loads (VL) between 10² and 10⁶ copies/reaction, and the minimum detection limits for DENV serotype 1 (DENV1) and DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4 were 1, 10, and 100 focus forming units (FFU)/mL, respectively. There was 88.9% concordance between the results obtained using the NS1 antigen combo kit and by LightMix analysis, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the two methods were 89.4 and 100%, and 84.7 and 100%, respectively. Notably, fatal cases were attributed to DENV2 infection, and 79.5% (27/34) of these cases occurred in patients ≥ 71 years of age. Among these older patients, 82.3% (14/17) were NS1/IgM/IgG (+/-/-), exhibiting VLs between 10⁶–10⁹ copies/mL, which was markedly higher than the rate observed in the other age groups.ConclusionsThe LightMix assay was effective for early diagnosis of DENV infection. Our data indicate that high VLs during primary infection in elderly patients may be a positive predictor for severe illness, and may contribute to high mortality rates.     

Comprehensive Mapping Antigenic Epitopes of NS1 Protein of Japanese Encephalitis Virus with Monoclonal Antibodies

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1) contributes to virus replication and elicits protective immune responses during infection. JEV NS1-specific antibody responses could be a target in the differential diagnosis of different flavivirus infections. However, the epitopes on JEV NS1 are poorly characterized. The present study describes the full mapping of linear B-cell epitopes in JEV NS1. We generated eleven NS1-specific monoclonal antibodies from mice immunized with recombinant NS1. For epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies, a set of 51 partially-overlapping peptides covering the entire NS1 protein were expressed with a GST-tag and then screened using monoclonal antibodies. Through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), five linear epitope-containing peptides were identified. By sequentially removing amino acid residues from the carboxy and amino terminal of peptides, the minimal units of the five linear epitopes were identified and confirmed using monoclonal antibodies. Five linear epitopes are located in amino acids residues ⁵AIDITRK¹¹, ⁷²RDELNVL⁷⁸, ²⁵¹KSKHNRREGY²⁶⁰, ²⁶⁹DENGIVLD²⁷⁶, and ³⁴¹DETTLVRS³⁴⁸. Furthermore, it was found that the epitopes are highly conserved among JEV strains through sequence alignment. Notably, none of the homologous regions on NS1 proteins from other flaviviruses reacted with the MAbs when they were tested for cross-reactivity, and all five epitope peptides were not recognized by sera against West Nile virus or Dengue virus. These novel virus-specific linear B-cell epitopes of JEV NS1 would benefit the development of new vaccines and diagnostic assays.     

A broad set of different llama antibodies specific for a 16 kDa heat shock protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background

Recombinant antibodies are powerful tools in engineering of novel diagnostics. Due to the small size and stable nature of llama antibody domains selected antibodies can serve as a detection reagent in multiplexed and sensitive assays for M. tuberculosis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Antibodies for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) recognition were raised in Alpaca, and, by phage display, recombinant variable domains of heavy-chain antibodies (VHH) binding to M. tuberculosis antigens were isolated. Two phage display selection strategies were followed: one direct selection using semi-purified protein antigen, and a depletion strategy with lysates, aiming to avoid cross-reaction to other mycobacteria. Both panning methods selected a set of binders with widely differing complementarity determining regions. Selected recombinant VHHs were produced in E. coli and shown to bind immobilized lysate in direct Enzymelinked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) tests and soluble antigen by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. All tested VHHs were specific for tuberculosis-causing mycobacteria (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis) and exclusively recognized an immunodominant 16 kDa heat shock protein (hsp). The highest affinity VHH had a dissociation constant (KD) of 4×10⁻¹⁰ M.

Conclusions/Significance

A broad set of different llama antibodies specific for 16 kDa heat shock protein of M. tuberculosis is available. This protein is highly stable and abundant in M. tuberculosis. The VHH that detect this protein are applied in a robust SPR sensor for identification of tuberculosis-causing mycobacteria.     

Antibodies against non-immunizing antigens derived from a large immune scFv library

Target-specific antibodies can be rapidly enriched and identified from an antibody library using phage display. Large, naïve antibody libraries derived from synthetic or unimmunized sources can yield antibodies against virtually any antigen, whereas libraries from immunized sources tend to be smaller and are used exclusively against the antigen of immunization. In this study, 25 scFv libraries made from the spleens of immunized rabbits, each with a size ranging from 10⁸ to higher than 10⁹, were combined into a single large library with > 10¹⁰ individual clones. Panning of this combined library yielded target-specific rabbit scFv clones against many non-immunizing antigens, including proteins, peptides, and a small molecule. Notably, specific scFv clones against a rabbit self-antigen (rabbit serum albumin) and a phosphorylated protein (epidermal growth factor receptor pTyr1173) could be isolated from the library. These results suggest that the immune library contained a significant number of unimmunized clones and that a sufficiently large immune library can be utilized similarly to a naïe library, i.e., against various non-immunizing antigens to yield specific antibodies.     

Antibodies against Venom of the Snake Deinagkistrodon acutus

Snake venom protein from Deinagkistrodon acutus (DA protein), one of the major venomous species in Taiwan, causes hemorrhagic symptoms that can lead to death. Although horse-derived antivenin is a major treatment, relatively strong and detrimental side effects are seen occasionally. In our study, yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) was purified from eggs, and DA protein was recognized using Western blotting and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), similar to therapeutic horse antivenin. The ELISA also indicated that specific IgY antibodies were elicited after the fifth booster, plateaued, and lasted for at least 3 months. To generate monoclonal single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies, we used phage display technology to construct two libraries with short or long linkers, containing 6.24 × 10⁸ and 5.28 × 10⁸ transformants, respectively. After four rounds of biopanning, the eluted phage titer increased, and the phage-based ELISA indicated that the specific clones were enriched. Nucleotide sequences of 30 individual clones expressing scFv were analyzed and classified into four groups that all specifically recognized the DA venom protein. Furthermore, based on mass spectrometry, the scFv-bound protein was deduced to be snake venom metalloproteinase proteins. Most importantly, both IgY and mixed scFv inhibited the lethal effect in mice injected with the minimum lethal dosage of the DA protein. We suggest that together, these antibodies could be applied to the development of diagnostic agents or treatments for snakebite envenomation in the future.     

The human combinatorial antibody library HuCAL GOLD combines diversification of all six CDRs according to the natural immune system with a novel display method for efficient selection of high-affinity antibodies

This article describes the generation of the Human Combinatorial Antibody Library HuCAL GOLD. HuCAL GOLD is a synthetic human Fab library based on the HuCAL concept with all six complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) diversified according to the sequence and length variability of naturally rearranged human antibodies. The human antibody repertoire was analyzed in-depth, and individual CDR libraries were designed and generated for each CDR and each antibody family. Trinucleotide mixtures were used to synthesize the CDR libraries in order to ensure a high quality within HuCAL GOLD, and a β-lactamase selection system was employed to eliminate frame-shifted clones after successive cloning of the CDR libraries. With these methods, a large, high-quality library with more than 10 billion functional Fab fragments was achieved. By using CysDisplay, the antibody fragments are displayed on the tip of the phage via a disulfide bridge between the phage coat protein pIII and the heavy chain of the antibody fragment. Efficient elution of specific phages is possible by adding reducing agents. HuCAL GOLD was challenged with a variety of different antigens and proved to be a reliable source of high-affinity human antibodies with best affinities in the picomolar range, thus functioning as an excellent source of antibodies for research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. Furthermore, the data presented in this article demonstrate that CysDisplay is a robust and broadly applicable display technology even for high-throughput applications.     

A novel synthetic naïve human antibody library allows the isolation of antibodies against a new epitope of oncofetal fibronectin

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can routinely be isolated from phage display libraries against virtually any protein available in sufficient purity and quantity, but library design can influence epitope coverage on the target antigen. Here we describe the construction of a novel synthetic human antibody phage display library that incorporates hydrophilic or charged residues at position 52 of the CDR2 loop of the variable heavy chain domain, instead of the serine residue found in the corresponding germline gene. The novel library was used to isolate human mAbs to various antigens, including the alternatively-spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of tumor angiogenesis. In particular, the mAb 2H7 was proven to bind to a novel epitope on EDA, which does not overlap with the one recognized by the clinical-stage F8 antibody. F8 and 2H7 were used for the construction of chelating recombinant antibodies (CRAbs), whose tumor-targeting properties were assessed in vivo in biodistribution studies in mice bearing F9 teratocarcinoma, revealing a preferential accumulation at the tumor site.     

Screening and identification of human ZnT8-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) from type 1 diabetes phage display library

Zinc transporter 8(ZnT8) is a major autoantigen and a predictive marker in type 1 diabetes(T1D). To investigate ZnT8-specific antibodies, a phage display library from T1 D was constructed and single-chain antibodies against ZnT 8 were screened and identified. Human T1 D single-chain variable fragment(sc Fv) phage display library consists of approximately 1í10~8 clones. After four rounds of bio-panning, seven unique clones were positive by phage ELISA. Among them, C27 and C22, which demonstrated the highest affinity to ZnT8, were expressed in Escherichia coli Top10F' and then purified by affinity chromatography. C27 and C22 specifically bound ZnT8 N/C fusion protein and ZnT8 C terminal dimer with one Arg325 Trp mutation. The specificity to human islet cells of these sc Fvs were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, we have successfully constructed a T1 D phage display antibody library and identified two ZnT8-specific sc Fv clones, C27 and C22. These ZnT8-specific sc Fvs are potential agents in immunodiagnostic and immunotherapy of T1 D.     

Identification of phage-displayed peptides which bind to the human HnRNPA1 protein-specific monoclonal antibody.

We have screened a peptide phage display library to examine if monoclonal antibody-binding phages could be isolated from the library and thereby predict the antigenic epitopes of the antibodies from the isolated phages. The library was screened for high-avidity binding to monoclonal antibodies by an affinity purification technique called biopanning. Among the monoclonal antibodies examined, the human hnRNPA1 protein-specific monoclonal antibody 9H10 showed selective binding of phages. After two rounds of the biopanning, twelve clones of high-avidity-binding phages were chosen and their inserts were sequenced. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the 12 clones showed that there were 5 different species, with two species containing four members, implying that they were predominantly selected by the biopanning. The amino acid sequences of the inserts of the 12 clones were compared with that of the human hnRNPA1 protein in order to find the putative epitope of the human hnRNPA1 protein for 9H10. The C-terminal region of the human hnRNPA1 protein shows significant homology with the peptide sequences of the selected phage clones. These results show that this peptide phage display library can be useful in defining the epitope of some monoclonal antibodies.     

Generation of VHH antibodies against the Arabidopsis thaliana seed storage proteins

Antibodies and antibody derived fragments are excellent tools for the detection and purification of proteins. However, only few antibodies targeting Arabidopsis seed proteins are currently available. Here, we evaluate the process to make antibody libraries against crude protein extracts and more particularly to generate a VHH phage library against native Arabidopsis thaliana seed proteins. After immunising a dromedary with a crude Arabidopsis seed extract, we cloned the single-domain antigen-binding fragments from their heavy-chain only antibodies in a phage display vector and selected nanobodies (VHHs) against native Arabidopsis seed proteins. For 16 VHHs, the corresponding antigens were identified by affinity purification and MS/MS analysis. They were shown to bind the major Arabidopsis seed storage proteins albumin and globulin (14 to albumin and 2 to globulin). All 16 VHHs were suitable primary reagents for the detection of the Arabidopsis seed storage proteins by ELISA. Furthermore, several of the anti-albumin VHHs were used successfully for storage protein localisation via electron microscopy. The easy cloning, selection and production, together with the demonstrated functionality and applicability, strongly suggest that the VHH antibody format will play a more prominent role in future protein research, in particular for the study of native proteins.