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Rizk SS, Moustafa DM, ElBanna SA, Nour El-Din HT, Attia AS. Nanobodies in the fight against infectious diseases: repurposing nature's tiny weapons. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:209. [PMID: 38771414 PMCID: PMC11108896 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Nanobodies are the smallest known antigen-binding molecules to date. Their small size, good tissue penetration, high stability and solubility, ease of expression, refolding ability, and negligible immunogenicity in the human body have granted them excellence over conventional antibodies. Those exceptional attributes of nanobodies make them promising candidates for various applications in biotechnology, medicine, protein engineering, structural biology, food, and agriculture. This review presents an overview of their structure, development methods, advantages, possible challenges, and applications with special emphasis on infectious diseases-related ones. A showcase of how nanobodies can be harnessed for applications including neutralization of viruses and combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria is detailed. Overall, the impact of nanobodies in vaccine design, rapid diagnostics, and targeted therapies, besides exploring their role in deciphering microbial structures and virulence mechanisms are highlighted. Indeed, nanobodies are reshaping the future of infectious disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soha S Rizk
- Microbiology and Immunology Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Dina M Moustafa
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The British University in Egypt, El Sherouk City, Cairo, 11837, Egypt
| | - Shahira A ElBanna
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Hanzada T Nour El-Din
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Attia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
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2
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De Greve H, Fioravanti A. Single domain antibodies from camelids in the treatment of microbial infections. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1334829. [PMID: 38827746 PMCID: PMC11140111 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1334829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases continue to pose significant global health challenges. In addition to the enduring burdens of ailments like malaria and HIV, the emergence of nosocomial outbreaks driven by antibiotic-resistant pathogens underscores the ongoing threats. Furthermore, recent infectious disease crises, exemplified by the Ebola and SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, have intensified the pursuit of more effective and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. Among the promising options, antibodies have garnered significant attention due to their favorable structural characteristics and versatile applications. Notably, nanobodies (Nbs), the smallest functional single-domain antibodies of heavy-chain only antibodies produced by camelids, exhibit remarkable capabilities in stable antigen binding. They offer unique advantages such as ease of expression and modification and enhanced stability, as well as improved hydrophilicity compared to conventional antibody fragments (antigen-binding fragments (Fab) or single-chain variable fragments (scFv)) that can aggregate due to their low solubility. Nanobodies directly target antigen epitopes or can be engineered into multivalent Nbs and Nb-fusion proteins, expanding their therapeutic potential. This review is dedicated to charting the progress in Nb research, particularly those derived from camelids, and highlighting their diverse applications in treating infectious diseases, spanning both human and animal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri De Greve
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Fondazione ParSeC – Parco delle Scienze e della Cultura, Prato, Italy
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3
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Liu ML, Liang XM, Jin MY, Huang HW, Luo L, Wang H, Shen X, Xu ZL. Food-Borne Biotoxin Neutralization in Vivo by Nanobodies: Current Status and Prospects. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:10753-10771. [PMID: 38706131 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c02257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Food-borne biotoxins from microbes, plants, or animals contaminate unclean, spoiled, and rotten foods, posing significant health risks. Neutralizing such toxins is vital for human health, especially after food poisoning. Nanobodies (Nbs), a type of single-domain antibodies derived from the genetic cloning of a variable domain of heavy chain antibodies (VHHs) in camels, offer unique advantages in toxin neutralization. Their small size, high stability, and precise binding enable effective neutralization. The use of Nbs in neutralizing food-borne biotoxins offers numerous benefits, and their genetic malleability allows tailored optimization for diverse toxins. As nanotechnology continues to evolve and improve, Nbs are poised to become increasingly efficient and safer tools for toxin neutralization, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding human health and environmental safety. This review not only highlights the efficacy of these agents in neutralizing toxins but also proposes innovative solutions to address their current challenges. It lays a solid foundation for their further development in this crucial field and propels their commercial application, thereby contributing significantly to advancements in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Ling Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiao-Min Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ming-Yu Jin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- School of Life and Health Technology, Dongguan, University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Hui-Wei Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lin Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xing Shen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhen-Lin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Research Center for Green Development of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Yamazaki T, Nagatoishi S, Yamawaki T, Nozawa T, Matsunaga R, Nakakido M, Caaveiro JMM, Nakagawa I, Tsumoto K. Anti-InlA single-domain antibodies that inhibit the cell invasion of Listeria monocytogenes. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105254. [PMID: 37716701 PMCID: PMC10582769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeriosis, caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes, is a severe disease with a high mortality rate. The L. monocytogenes virulence factor, internalin family protein InlA, which binds to the host receptor E-cadherin, is necessary to invade host cells. Here, we isolated two single-domain antibodies (VHHs) that bind to InlA with picomolar affinities from an alpaca immune library using the phage display method. These InlA-specific VHHs inhibited the binding of InlA to the extracellular domains of E-cadherin in vitro as shown by biophysical interaction analysis. Furthermore, we determined that the VHHs inhibited the invasion of L. monocytogenes into host cells in culture. High-resolution X-ray structure analyses of the complexes of VHHs with InlA revealed that the VHHs bind to the same binding site as E-cadherin against InlA. We conclude that these VHHs have the potential for use as drugs to treat listeriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Yamazaki
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Nagatoishi
- Medical Device Development and Regulation Research Center, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Tsukushi Yamawaki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Nozawa
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Matsunaga
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakakido
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jose M M Caaveiro
- Laboratory of Global Healthcare, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakagawa
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Medical Device Development and Regulation Research Center, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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Breine A, Van Holsbeeck K, Martin C, Gonzalez S, Mannes M, Pardon E, Steyaert J, Remaut H, Ballet S, Van der Henst C. Bypassing the Need for Cell Permeabilization: Nanobody CDR3 Peptide Improves Binding on Living Bacteria. Bioconjug Chem 2023. [PMID: 37418494 PMCID: PMC10360062 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Membrane interaction constitutes to be an essential parameter in the mode of action of entities such as proteins, as well as cell-penetrating and antimicrobial peptides, resulting in noninvasive or lytic activities depending on the membrane compositions and interactions. Recently, a nanobody able to interact with the top priority, multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii was discovered, although binding took place with fixed cells only. To potentially overcome this limitation, linear peptides corresponding to the complementarity-determining regions (CDR) were synthesized and fluorescently labeled. Microscopy data indicated clear membrane interactions of the CDR3 sequence with living A. baumannii cells, indicating both the importance of the CDR3 as part of the parent nanobody paratope and the improved binding ability and thus avoiding the need for permeabilization of the cells. In addition, cyclization of the peptide with an additionally introduced rigidifying 1,2,3-triazole bridge retains its binding ability while proteolytically protecting the peptide. Overall, this study resulted in the discovery of novel peptides binding a multidrug-resistant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Breine
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Van Holsbeeck
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Martin
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Gonzalez
- CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - M Mannes
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - E Pardon
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - J Steyaert
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - H Remaut
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Van der Henst
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Yu S, Zhang L, Wang A, Jin Y, Zhou D. Nanobodies: the Potential Application in Bacterial Treatment and Diagnosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023:115640. [PMID: 37315818 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An infection caused by bacteria is one of the main factors that poses a threat to human health. A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that bacteria that cause blood infections have become increasingly drug-resistant. Therefore, it is crucial to research and develop new techniques for detecting and treating these infections. Since their discovery, nanobodies have exhibited numerous outstanding biological properties. They are easy to express, modify, and have high stability, robust permeability and low immunogenicity, all of which indicate their potential as a substitute. Nanobodies have been utilized in a variety of studies on viruses and cancer. This article primarily focuses on nanobodies and introduces their characteristics and application in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Northwest A&F University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; Department of Animal Engineering, Yangling Vocational&Technical College, Xianyang, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Yaping Jin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Northwest A&F University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Dong Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
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7
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Jin BK, Odongo S, Radwanska M, Magez S. NANOBODIES®: A Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5994. [PMID: 36983063 PMCID: PMC10057852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
NANOBODY® (a registered trademark of Ablynx N.V) molecules (Nbs), also referred to as single domain-based VHHs, are antibody fragments derived from heavy-chain only IgG antibodies found in the Camelidae family. Due to their small size, simple structure, high antigen binding affinity, and remarkable stability in extreme conditions, nanobodies possess the potential to overcome several of the limitations of conventional monoclonal antibodies. For many years, nanobodies have been of great interest in a wide variety of research fields, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This culminated in the approval of the world's first nanobody based drug (Caplacizumab) in 2018 with others following soon thereafter. This review will provide an overview, with examples, of (i) the structure and advantages of nanobodies compared to conventional monoclonal antibodies, (ii) methods used to generate and produce antigen-specific nanobodies, (iii) applications for diagnostics, and (iv) ongoing clinical trials for nanobody therapeutics as well as promising candidates for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-kyung Jin
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon 21985, Republic of Korea
| | - Steven Odongo
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon 21985, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biotechnical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda
- Center for Biosecurity and Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda
| | - Magdalena Radwanska
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon 21985, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon 21985, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Liu C, Lin H, Cao L, Wang K, Sui J. Research progress on unique paratope structure, antigen binding modes, and systematic mutagenesis strategies of single-domain antibodies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1059771. [PMID: 36479130 PMCID: PMC9720397 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1059771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) showed the incredible advantages of small molecular weight, excellent affinity, specificity, and stability compared with traditional IgG antibodies, so their potential in binding hidden antigen epitopes and hazard detection in food, agricultural and veterinary fields were gradually explored. Moreover, its low immunogenicity, easy-to-carry target drugs, and penetration of the blood-brain barrier have made sdAbs remarkable achievements in medical treatment, toxin neutralization, and medical imaging. With the continuous development and maturity of modern molecular biology, protein analysis software and database with different algorithms, and next-generation sequencing technology, the unique paratope structure and different antigen binding modes of sdAbs compared with traditional IgG antibodies have aroused the broad interests of researchers with the increased related studies. However, the corresponding related summaries are lacking and needed. Different antigens, especially hapten antigens, show distinct binding modes with sdAbs. So, in this paper, the unique paratope structure of sdAbs, different antigen binding cases, and the current maturation strategy of sdAbs were classified and summarized. We hope this review lays a theoretical foundation to elucidate the antigen-binding mechanism of sdAbs and broaden the further application of sdAbs.
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Immunopeptidomics-based design of mRNA vaccine formulations against Listeria monocytogenes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6075. [PMID: 36241641 PMCID: PMC9562072 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33721-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne intracellular bacterial pathogen leading to human listeriosis. Despite a high mortality rate and increasing antibiotic resistance no clinically approved vaccine against Listeria is available. Attenuated Listeria strains offer protection and are tested as antitumor vaccine vectors, but would benefit from a better knowledge on immunodominant vector antigens. To identify novel antigens, we screen for Listeria peptides presented on the surface of infected human cell lines by mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics. In between more than 15,000 human self-peptides, we detect 68 Listeria immunopeptides from 42 different bacterial proteins, including several known antigens. Peptides presented on different cell lines are often derived from the same bacterial surface proteins, classifying these antigens as potential vaccine candidates. Encoding these highly presented antigens in lipid nanoparticle mRNA vaccine formulations results in specific CD8+ T-cell responses and induces protection in vaccination challenge experiments in mice. Our results can serve as a starting point for the development of a clinical mRNA vaccine against Listeria and aid to improve attenuated Listeria vaccines and vectors, demonstrating the power of immunopeptidomics for next-generation bacterial vaccine development.
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Qin Q, Liu H, He W, Guo Y, Zhang J, She J, Zheng F, Zhang S, Muyldermans S, Wen Y. Single Domain Antibody application in bacterial infection diagnosis and neutralization. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1014377. [PMID: 36248787 PMCID: PMC9558170 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1014377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing antibiotic resistance to bacterial infections causes a serious threat to human health. Efficient detection and treatment strategies are the keys to preventing and reducing bacterial infections. Due to the high affinity and antigen specificity, antibodies have become an important tool for diagnosis and treatment of various human diseases. In addition to conventional antibodies, a unique class of “heavy-chain-only” antibodies (HCAbs) were found in the serum of camelids and sharks. HCAbs binds to the antigen through only one variable domain Referred to as VHH (variable domain of the heavy chain of HCAbs). The recombinant format of the VHH is also called single domain antibody (sdAb) or nanobody (Nb). Sharks might also have an ancestor HCAb from where SdAbs or V-NAR might be engineered. Compared with traditional Abs, Nbs have several outstanding properties such as small size, high stability, strong antigen-binding affinity, high solubility and low immunogenicity. Furthermore, they are expressed at low cost in microorganisms and amenable to engineering. These superior properties make Nbs a highly desired alternative to conventional antibodies, which are extensively employed in structural biology, unravelling biochemical mechanisms, molecular imaging, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this review, we summarized recent progress of nanobody-based approaches in diagnosis and neutralization of bacterial infection and further discussed the challenges of Nbs in these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Future Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Wenbo He
- Department of General Surgery, Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yucheng Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Junjun She
- Department of General Surgery, Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Sicai Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Future Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yurong Wen
- Department of General Surgery, Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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11
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Mei Y, Chen Y, Sivaccumar JP, An Z, Xia N, Luo W. Research progress and applications of nanobody in human infectious diseases. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:963978. [PMID: 36034845 PMCID: PMC9411660 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.963978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases, caused by pathogenic microorganisms, are capable of affecting crises. In addition to persistent infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, the vicious outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Neocon, Ebola and SARS-CoV-2 in recent years have prompted the search for more efficient and convenient means for better diagnosis and treatment. Antibodies have attracted a lot of attention due to their good structural characteristics and applications. Nanobodies are the smallest functional single-domain antibodies known to be able to bind stably to antigens, with the advantages of high stability, high hydrophilicity, and easy expression and modification. They can directly target antigen epitopes or be constructed as multivalent nanobodies or nanobody fusion proteins to exert therapeutic effects. This paper focuses on the construction methods and potential functions of nanobodies, outlines the progress of their research, and highlights their various applications in human infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxian Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuanzhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jwala P. Sivaccumar
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wenxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Wenxin Luo,
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Higashida R, Matsunaga Y. Enhanced Conformational Sampling of Nanobody CDR H3 Loop by Generalized Replica-Exchange with Solute Tempering. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121428. [PMID: 34947959 PMCID: PMC8706460 DOI: 10.3390/life11121428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The variable domains of heavy-chain antibodies, known as nanobodies, are potential substitutes for IgG antibodies. They have similar affinities to antigens as antibodies, but are more heat resistant. Their small size allows us to exploit computational approaches for structural modeling or design. Here, we investigate the applicability of an enhanced sampling method, a generalized replica-exchange with solute tempering (gREST) for sampling CDR-H3 loop structures of nanobodies. In the conventional replica-exchange methods, temperatures of only a whole system or scaling parameters of a solute molecule are selected for temperature or parameter exchange. In gREST, we can flexibly select a part of a solute molecule and a part of the potential energy terms as a parameter exchange region. We selected the CDR-H3 loop and investigated which potential energy term should be selected for the efficient sampling of the loop structures. We found that the gREST with dihedral terms can explore a global conformational space, but the relaxation to the global equilibrium is slow. On the other hand, gREST with all the potential energy terms can sample the equilibrium distribution, but the structural exploration is slower than with dihedral terms. The lessons learned from this study can be applied to future studies of loop modeling.
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Habib I, Mohamed MYI, Khan M. Current State of Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria in the Food Chain across the Arab Countries: A Descriptive Review. Foods 2021; 10:2369. [PMID: 34681418 PMCID: PMC8535026 DOI: 10.3390/foods10102369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Foodborne infections caused by bacterial pathogens are a common cause of human illness in the Middle East, with a substantial burden of economic loss and public health consequences. This review aims at elucidating recent literature on the prevalence of Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS), Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogens in the food chain in the Arab countries, and to consolidate available evidence on the public health burden and the status of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among the concerned three pathogens. The reviewed evidence points to a scarcity of understanding of the magnitude of NTS in the food chain in the Arab countries. Additionally, not much work has been done at the molecular characterization level to address the source-attribution of NTS in the Arab World. Very few surveys have been done on Campylobacter in the food chain in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. There is a gap in quantitative (counts/numbers) surveillance efforts for Campylobacter in the chicken meat supply across all Arab countries, despite the availability of some qualitative (presence/absence) surveillance data. While there are several reports on L. monocytogenes in animal-sourced foods, notably in North African Arab countries, fewer are published on L. monocytogenes in plant-sourced foods. Information on the L. monocytogenes serotypes and strain diversity circulating in the Arab region is widely lacking. Antibiotic resistance in the three pathogens is not fully understood across the Arab region, despite some reports indicating varying trends at the human-food interface. The literature evidence presented in this review stresses that Salmonella, Campylobacter and L. monocytogenes continue to challenge food safety and public health in the Arab countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihab Habib
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates;
- Department of Environmental Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria P.O. Box 21221, Egypt
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia
| | - Mohamed-Yousif Ibrahim Mohamed
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Mushtaq Khan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
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14
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Chin-Fatt A, Menassa R. A V HH-Fc Fusion Targeted to the Chloroplast Thylakoid Lumen Assembles and Neutralizes Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:686421. [PMID: 34122494 PMCID: PMC8193579 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.686421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric fusion proteins comprising a single domain antibody (VHH) fused to a crystallizable fragment (Fc) of an immunoglobulin are modular glycoproteins that are becoming increasingly in demand because of their value as diagnostics, research reagents and passive immunization therapeutics. Because ER-associated degradation and misfolding may potentially be limiting factors in the oxidative folding of VHH-Fc fusion proteins in the ER, we sought to explore oxidative folding in an alternative sub-compartment, the chloroplast thylakoid lumen, and determine its viability in a molecular farming context. We developed a set of in-house expression vectors for transient transformation of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves that target a VHH-Fc to the thylakoid lumen via either secretory (Sec) or twin-arginine translocation (Tat) import pathways. Compared to stromal [6.63 ± 3.41 mg/kg fresh weight (FW)], cytoplasmic (undetectable) and Tat-import pathways (5.43 ± 2.41 mg/kg FW), the Sec-targeted VHH-Fc showed superior accumulation (30.56 ± 5.19 mg/kg FW), but was less than that of the ER (51.16 ± 9.11 mg/kg FW). Additionally, the introduction of a rationally designed de novo disulfide bond enhances in planta accumulation when introduced into the Sec-targeted Fc fusion protein from 50.24 ± 4.08 mg/kg FW to 110.90 ± 6.46 mg/kg FW. In vitro immunofluorescent labeling assays on VHH-Fc purified from Sec, Tat, and stromal pathways demonstrate that the antibody still retains VHH functionality in binding Escherichia coli O157:H7 and neutralizing its intimate adherence to human epithelial type 2 cells. These results overall provide a proof of concept that the oxidative folding environment of the thylakoid lumen may be a viable compartment for stably folding disulfide-containing recombinant VHH-Fc proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Chin-Fatt
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rima Menassa
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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15
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Lopes-Luz L, Mendonça M, Bernardes Fogaça M, Kipnis A, Bhunia AK, Bührer-Sékula S. Listeria monocytogenes: review of pathogenesis and virulence determinants-targeted immunological assays. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 47:647-666. [PMID: 33896354 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1911930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most invasive foodborne pathogens and is responsible for numerous outbreaks worldwide. Most of the methods to detect this bacterium in food require selective enrichment using traditional bacterial culture techniques that can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. Moreover, molecular methods are expensive and need specific technical knowledge. In contrast, immunological approaches are faster, simpler, and user-friendly alternatives and have been developed for the detection of L. monocytogenes in food, environmental, and clinical samples. These techniques are dependent on the constitutive expression of L. monocytogenes antigens and the specificity of the antibodies used. Here, updated knowledge on pathogenesis and the key immunogenic virulence determinants of L. monocytogenes that are used for the generation of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for the serological assay development are summarised. In addition, immunological approaches based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, lateral flow immunochromatographic assays, and immunosensors with relevant improvements are highlighted. Though the sensitivity and specificity of the assays were improved significantly, methods still face many challenges that require further validation before use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Lopes-Luz
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Mendonça
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brasil
| | | | - André Kipnis
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brasil
| | - Arun K Bhunia
- Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Samira Bührer-Sékula
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brasil
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16
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Mendoza MN, Jian M, King MT, Brooks CL. Role of a noncanonical disulfide bond in the stability, affinity, and flexibility of a VHH specific for the Listeria virulence factor InlB. Protein Sci 2020; 29:1004-1017. [PMID: 31981247 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A distinguishing feature of camel (Camelus dromedarius) VHH domains are noncanonical disulfide bonds between CDR1 and CDR3. The disulfide bond may provide an evolutionary advantage, as one of the cysteines in the bond is germline encoded. It has been hypothesized that this additional disulfide bond may play a role in binding affinity by reducing the entropic penalty associated with immobilization of a long CDR3 loop upon antigen binding. To examine the role of a noncanonical disulfide bond on antigen binding and the biophysical properties of a VHH domain, we have used the VHH R303, which binds the Listeria virulence factor InlB as a model. Using site directed mutagenesis, we produced a double mutant of R303 (C33A/C102A) to remove the extra disulfide bond of the VHH R303. Antigen binding was not affected by loss of the disulfide bond, however the mutant VHH displayed reduced thermal stability (Tm = 12°C lower than wild-type), and a loss of the ability to fold reversibly due to heat induced aggregation. X-ray structures of the mutant alone and in complex with InlB showed no major changes in the structure. B-factor analysis of the structures suggested that the loss of the disulfide bond elicited no major change on the flexibility of the CDR loops, and revealed no evidence of loop immobilization upon antigen binding. These results suggest that the noncanonical disulfide bond found in camel VHH may have evolved to stabilize the biophysical properties of the domain, rather than playing a significant role in antigen binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N Mendoza
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, Fresno, California
| | - Mike Jian
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, Fresno, California
| | - Moeko T King
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, Fresno, California
| | - Cory L Brooks
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, Fresno, California
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17
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Hoey RJ, Eom H, Horn JR. Structure and development of single domain antibodies as modules for therapeutics and diagnostics. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:1568-1576. [PMID: 31594404 PMCID: PMC6920669 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219881129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery just over 25 years ago, the single variable domain from heavy-chain-only antibodies plays a role in an increasing number of antibody-based applications. Structural and biophysical studies have revealed that the small, ∼15 kDa, single variable domain found in camelids displays versatility in target recognition. Such insight has served as the foundation to develop and engineer VHH domains with enhanced properties capable of targeting a range of therapeutically relevant protein antigens or low-molecular weight haptens. Furthermore, the modular nature of VHH domains allows them to be introduced into constructs that are simply not possible with conventional antibodies. Here, we review the structural and biophysical properties of VHH domains, highlight recent VHH-based therapeutics and diagnostics, and provide insight into VHH engineering that may pave the way to next-generation single domain antibody applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hoey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115,
USA
| | - Hyeyoung Eom
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115,
USA
| | - James R Horn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115,
USA
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18
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White B, Huh I, Brooks CL. Structure of a V HH isolated from a naïve phage display library. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:154. [PMID: 30890176 PMCID: PMC6425610 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the X-ray structure and biophysical properties of a Camelid VHH isolated from a naïve phage display library. RESULTS Single domain antibodies (VHH) derived from the unique immune system of the Camelidae family have gained traction as useful tools for biotechnology as well as a source of potentially novel therapeutics. Here we report the structure and biophysical characterization of a VHH originally isolated from a naïve camelid phage display library. VHH R419 has a melting temperate of 66 °C and was found to be a monomer in solution. The protein crystallized in space group P6522 and the structure was solved by molecular replacement to a resolution of 1.5 Å. The structure revealed a flat paratope with CDR loops that could be classified into existing canonical loop structures. A combination of high expression yield, stability and rapid crystallization might make R419 into a candidate scaffold for CDR grafting and homology modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandy White
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, 2555 E San Ramon Ave, Fresno, CA, 93740, USA
| | - Ian Huh
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, 2555 E San Ramon Ave, Fresno, CA, 93740, USA
| | - Cory L Brooks
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, 2555 E San Ramon Ave, Fresno, CA, 93740, USA.
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Lafaye P, Li T. Use of camel single-domain antibodies for the diagnosis and treatment of zoonotic diseases. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 60:17-22. [PMID: 30396425 PMCID: PMC7112682 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
VHHs provide many advantages over complete IgG in diagnostics and therapy. Toxins and viruses are more efficiently neutralized by multivalent VHHs. Camelids could be a source of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) to treat zoonotic diseases.
Camelids produce both conventional heterotetrameric antibodies and homodimeric heavy-chain only antibodies. The antigen-binding region of such homodimeric heavy-chain only antibodies consists of one single domain, called VHH. VHHs provide many advantages over conventional full-sized antibodies and currently used antibody-based fragments (Fab, scFv), including high specificity, stability and solubility, and small size, allowing them to recognize unusual antigenic sites and deeply penetrate tissues. Since their discovery, VHHs have been used extensively in diagnostics and therapy. In recent decades, the number of outbreaks of diseases transmissible from animals to humans has been on the rise. In this review, we evaluate the status of VHHs as diagnostic and therapeutic biomolecular agents for the detection and treatment of zoonotic diseases, such as bacterial, parasitic, and viral zoonosis. VHHs show great adaptability to inhibit or neutralize pathogenic agents for the creation of multifunctional VHH-based diagnostic and therapeutic molecules against zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Lafaye
- Institut Pasteur, Plate forme d'Ingénierie des Anticorps, C2RT, Paris, France.
| | - Tengfei Li
- Université Paris Diderot, Paris 7, France
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