Preparation of biologically active single-chain variable antibody fragments that target the HIV-1 gp120 V3 loop

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2012 Dec 22;58(1):71-9.

Abstract

KD-247 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the third hypervariable (V3) loop of gp120. It can efficiently neutralize a broad panel of clade B, but not non-clade B, HIV-1 isolates. To overcome this limitation, we are seeking to prepare genetically-engineered single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) of KD-247 that will have broader neutralizing activity against both clade B and non-clade B HIV-1 isolates. Initial attempts of optimizing the expression of KD-247 scFv have resulted in the formation of insoluble protein. Therefore, we have established purification protocols to recover, purify, and refold the KD-247 scFv from inclusion bodies. The protocol involved step-wise refolding of denatured scFv by dilution, dialysis, and on-column nickel-affinity purification. Monomeric scFv was further purified by size-exclusion chromatography. Using far UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy we confirmed the expected beta-sheet profile of the refolded KD-247 scFv. Importantly, the refolded KD-247 scFv showed neutralizing activity against replication-competent HIV-1 BaL and JR-FL Env pseudotyped HIV-1, at potency comparable to that of the native full-size KD-247 antibody. Ongoing studies focus on the application of this system in generating KD-247 scFv variants with the ability to neutralize clade B and non-clade B HIV-1 isolates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / metabolism
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology*
  • HIV Antibodies / metabolism
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Protein Folding
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Single-Chain Antibodies