Novel bifunctional single-chain variable antibody fragments to enhance virolysis by complement: generation and proof-of-concept.

ABSTRACT: When bound to the envelope of viruses, factor H (FH), a soluble regulator of complement activation, contributes to the protection against a potent immune defense mechanism, the complement-mediated lysis (CML). Thus, removing FH from the surface renders viruses, such as HIV, susceptible to CML. For a proof of concept, we developed a construct consisting of recombinant bifunctional single-chain variable fragment (scFv) based on a monoclonal antibody against Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) envelope protein gp70, which was coupled to specific binding domains (short consensus repeats 19-20; SCR1920) of FH. We used Pichia pastoris as expression system in common shake flasks and optimized expression in high density bench top fermentation. Specific binding of recombinant scFv was proven by f

SUBMITTER: Huber G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3913500 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature