RESUMO
Previously cloned recombinant A116 single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody gene has been re-engineered for enhanced reactivity to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) successfully. A PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis approach was adopted to re-introduce the three single-base deletions in the 5' region of the V(L) gene of A116, corresponding to the framework-1 region. The mutagenized A116 was designated as MA116. The introduction of these three bases corrected a localized frame-shift to a consensus framework-1 amino acid sequence. Four MA116 clones (MA116-4, MA116-14, MA116-15, and MA116-16) have been analysed in detail for their reactivity to VEE antigen, and all showed varying degrees of reactivity to VEE antigen. ScFv antibody expressed by MA116-14, MA116-15, and MA116-16 clones showed three to five-fold enhanced enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay reactivity to VEE antigen over the parental A116 clone, while scFv antibody from MA116-4 was less reactive than A116 clone. MA116-15 purified scFv protein showed comparable reactivity to the parental 1A4A-1 monoclonal antibody in recognizing VEE antigen. Sequence analysis revealed that only MA116-15 had incorporated the three intended base insertions. The varying degrees of reactivity of MA116 clones are discussed in light of their molecular changes.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/genética , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Vírus da Encefalite Equina Venezuelana/imunologia , Fragmentos de Imunoglobulinas/genética , Região Variável de Imunoglobulina/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/genética , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Clonagem Molecular , Genes de Imunoglobulinas , Engenharia Genética/métodos , Fragmentos de Imunoglobulinas/imunologia , Região Variável de Imunoglobulina/imunologia , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Mutagênese Sítio-Dirigida , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Murine monoclonal antibody 1A4A1 has been shown to recognize a conserved neutralizing epitope of envelope glycoprotein E2 of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. It is a potential candidate for development of a second generation antibody for both immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy. In order to minimize the immunogenicity of murine antibodies and to confer human immune effector functions on murine antibodies, a recombinant gene fusion was constructed. It encoded a human IgG1 heavy chain constant region and a single-chain fragment variable antibody of 1A4A1. After expression in bacteria as inclusion bodies, the recombinant antibody was purified and refolded in vitro. The recombinant soluble antibody was demonstrated to retain high antigen-binding affinity to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and to possess some human IgG crystallizable fragment domain functions, such as recognition by protein G and human complement C1q binding. On non-reducing and reducing gel electrophoresis analysis of proteolytic fragments of the recombinant antibody, disulfide bond formation was found in the hinge region of the antibody. From these data, it was concluded that the recombinant antibody was capable of antigen recognition, and retained several functional activities. This work forms the basis for characterization of the recombinant antibody as to efficacy in vivo.