Aim: To construct an eukaryotic expression vector containing the gene of anti-keratin antibody and express it in CHO(dhfr(-)) cells.
Methods: Both the V(L) and V(H) genes of an anti-keratin Fab from a phage display library were amplified by PCR. Using PCR product as the template, the V(kappa) and V(H) genes with the leader sequences (named L(kappa) and L(H) respectively) were amplified by overlapping PCR. After digested with endonuclease Xba I/BamH I and Xho I/Hind III, L(kappa) and L(H) genes were inserted into pWD digested with Xba I/BamH I and Xho I/Hind III, respectively to construct pWDkappaH. After PCR and sequencing, the expression plasmid pWDkappaH was transfected into CHO (dhfr(-)) cells. The culture supernatant of the transfected cells was collected and assayed for IgG activity.
Results: The eukaryotic expression vector pWDkappaH was constructed successfully and expressed in CHO(dhfr(-)) cells. The expression of intact IgG against keratin was identified by ELISA and RT-PCR.
Conclusion: The successful expression of intact IgG against keratin lays the foundation for its clinical application.