1
|
Yu T, Zheng F, He W, Muyldermans S, Wen Y. Single domain antibody: Development and application in biotechnology and biopharma. Immunol Rev 2024. [PMID: 39166870 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs) are a unique type of antibodies devoid of light chains, and comprised of two heavy chains-only that recognize their cognate antigen by virtue of a single variable domain also referred to as VHH, single domain antibody (sdAb), or nanobody (Nb). These functional HCAbs, serendipitous discovered about three decades ago, are exclusively found in camelids, comprising dromedaries, camels, llamas, and vicugnas. Nanobodies have become an essential tool in biomedical research and medicine, both in diagnostics and therapeutics due to their beneficial properties: small size, high stability, strong antigen-binding affinity, low immunogenicity, low production cost, and straightforward engineering into more potent affinity reagents. The occurrence of HCAbs in camelids remains intriguing. It is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation, equipping camelids with a robust adaptive immune defense suitable to respond to the pressure from a pathogenic invasion necessitating a more profound antigen recognition and neutralization. This evolutionary innovation led to a simplified HCAb structure, possibly supported by genetic mutations and drift, allowing adaptive mutation and diversification in the heavy chain variable gene and constant gene regions. Beyond understanding their origins, the application of nanobodies has significantly advanced over the past 30 years. Alongside expanding laboratory research, there has been a rapid increase in patent application for nanobodies. The introduction of commercial nanobody drugs such as Cablivi, Nanozora, Envafolimab, and Carvykti has boosted confidence among in their potential. This review explores the evolutionary history of HCAbs, their ontogeny, and applications in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, focusing on approved and ongoing medical research pipelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yu
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, 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
| | - Wenbo He
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yurong Wen
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, 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
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rogers GL, Huang C, Mathur A, Huang X, Chen HY, Stanten K, Morales H, Chang CH, Kezirian EJ, Cannon PM. Reprogramming human B cells with custom heavy-chain antibodies. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01240-4. [PMID: 39039240 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01240-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
The immunoglobulin locus of B cells can be reprogrammed by genome editing to produce custom or non-natural antibodies that are not induced by immunization. However, current strategies for antibody reprogramming require complex expression cassettes and do not allow for customization of the constant region of the antibody. Here we show that human B cells can be edited at the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus to express heavy-chain-only antibodies that support alterations to both the fragment crystallizable domain and the antigen-binding domain, which can be based on both antibody and non-antibody components. Using the envelope protein (Env) from the human immunodeficiency virus as a model antigen, we show that B cells edited to express heavy-chain antibodies to Env support the regulated expression of B cell receptors and antibodies through alternative splicing and that the cells respond to the Env antigen in a tonsil organoid model of immunization. This strategy allows for the reprogramming of human B cells to retain the potential for in vivo amplification while producing molecules with flexibility of composition beyond that of standard antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey L Rogers
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chun Huang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Atishay Mathur
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoli Huang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hsu-Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kalya Stanten
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Heidy Morales
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chan-Hua Chang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eric J Kezirian
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paula M Cannon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Alpaca Colostrum during the First Four Days after Parturition. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12020167. [PMID: 35049790 PMCID: PMC8772574 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary During the first days after parturition, mammalian milk (colostrum) is specifically formulated to nourish newborns. Immunoglobulins are a particularly important component for newborn New World camelids, as their immune system is almost totally dependent on the intestinal transfer of colostral immunoglobulins to acquire passive immunity. In this study, colostrum samples were collected from 20 alpaca mares in the first four days after parturition and analyzed for their immunoglobulin concentration. Sampling started on the day of parturition. The associations of immunoglobulins with other components were determined. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations decreased significantly within the first four days after parturition. The correlation coefficients between IgG content and the content of various minerals were significant but variable. The correlation between IgG content and fat and lactose content was negative but between IgG content and protein content was highly positive. This strong association could be used for a brief estimation of the IgG content of the colostrum based on the measured protein concentration. The results of the present study can be used for the development of colostrum replacers where motherless rearing is required. Abstract Colostrum provides the newborn with nutrients and immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins and their intestinal transfer play a major role in the immune system of neonates since they are born agammaglobulinemic. In this study immunoglobulin G (IgG) content was determined in alpaca colostrum and the correlations of the IgG concentration by fat, protein, lactose and minerals were calculated. Colostrum samples were collected daily from 20 multiparous alpaca mares during the first four days after parturition. The IgG concentrations were determined by radial immunodiffusion using a Camelid IgG Test Kit. The IgG concentration decreased significantly from 26,319 mg/dL on day 1 to 3848.8 mg/dL on day 4. There were significant correlations between IgG concentration and the other components of the colostrum. While the correlations between IgG and fat (r = −0.69, p ≤ 0.001) and lactose (r = −0.64, p ≤ 0.001) were negative, the correlations with protein (r = 0.91, p ≤ 0.001), magnesium (r = 0.86, p ≤ 0.001) and cobalt (r = 0.87, p ≤ 0.001) were strongly positive. Due to the strong association, the colostrum protein concentration could be used for a brief estimation of the IgG content.
Collapse
|
4
|
Matamoros, Alcivar EI, González, Avilés MS. Study review of camelid and shark antibodies for biomedical and biotechnological applications. BIONATURA 2021. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/2021.06.04.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The antibodies of camelids and sharks are about one–half of the conventional ones while regular antibodies have four protein chains: two light and two heavy, these small antibodies studied have just two heavy chains; they lack a light chain. In recent years, nanobodies have been the focus of attention because they can recognize epitopes that are usually not antigenic (hidden) for conventional antibodies. On the clinical side, researchers are testing nanobodies (Nbs) in the fight against diseases and disease diagnosis. Nanobodies also are attractive because they can prevent protein aggregation and clear the already existing aggregates. Furthermore, new treatments using these Nbs can neutralize the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) for preventing COVID-19. In this review, we sum up recent findings of the proposed nanobodies for their potential application.
Collapse
|
5
|
Mößler M, Aichner J, Müller A, Albert T, Wittek T. Concentrations of Fat, Protein, Lactose, Macro and Trace Minerals in Alpaca Colostrum and Milk at Different Lactation Stages. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1955. [PMID: 34208867 PMCID: PMC8300271 DOI: 10.3390/ani11071955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Although alpacas are not used for milk production a detailed knowledge on the composition of the colostrum and milk is needed for development of colostrum and milk replacers. The aim of the present study was to measure the concentration of fat, protein, lactose, and minerals in alpaca colostrum and milk. Colostrum samples were taken daily over four days after parturition from 20 multiparous alpaca mares. Milk samples were obtained monthly, during the first four months of lactation from 17 alpacas. Composition of colostrum and milk differed in numerous indicators. The concentrations of fat and lactose increased from day 1 (0.5%, 4.0%) to day 4 (5.3%, 5.0%), protein decreased from 20.4% on day 1 to 8.3% on day 4. In milk these three indicators did not change during the lactation. Minerals have been little studied in alpaca colostrum and milk in the past, many of which had the highest concentrations in colostrum immediately after birth. The results of the present study do not support that goat's milk is the preferred substitute for feeding crias. This study contributes to the knowledge of the composition of alpaca colostrum and milk which can be of particular use in developing replacers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mößler
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.A.); (T.W.)
| | - Janina Aichner
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.A.); (T.W.)
| | - Anja Müller
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, IDEXX Laboratories, Mörikestraße 28/3, 71636 Ludwigsburg, Germany;
| | - Thiemo Albert
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Veterinary Faculty at Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Thomas Wittek
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.A.); (T.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Brooks CL, Rossotti MA, Henry KA. Immunological Functions and Evolutionary Emergence of Heavy-Chain Antibodies. Trends Immunol 2018; 39:956-960. [PMID: 30314850 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Homodimeric antibodies devoid of light chains have evolved multiple times through convergent evolution, yet their specific immunological functions remain poorly understood. We survey the molecular and structural features of these antibodies, their immunological functions in host defense, and reflect on the long-standing question of the evolutionary forces driving their emergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cory L Brooks
- Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, 2555 E. San Ramon Ave., Fresno, CA 93740, USA
| | - Martin A Rossotti
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Kevin A Henry
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mati A, Senoussi-Ghezali C, Si Ahmed Zennia S, Almi-Sebbane D, El-Hatmi H, Girardet JM. Dromedary camel milk proteins, a source of peptides having biological activities – A review. Int Dairy J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
8
|
Gonzalez-Sapienza G, Rossotti MA, Tabares-da Rosa S. Single-Domain Antibodies As Versatile Affinity Reagents for Analytical and Diagnostic Applications. Front Immunol 2017; 8:977. [PMID: 28871254 PMCID: PMC5566570 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With just three CDRs in their variable domains, the antigen-binding site of camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies (HcAbs) has a more limited structural diversity than that of conventional antibodies. Even so, this does not seem to limit their specificity and high affinity as HcAbs against a broad range of structurally diverse antigens have been reported. The recombinant form of their variable domain [nanobody (Nb)] has outstanding properties that make Nbs, not just an alternative option to conventional antibodies, but in many cases, these properties allow them to reach analytical or diagnostic performances that cannot be accomplished with conventional antibodies. These attributes include comprehensive representation of the immune specificity in display libraries, easy adaptation to high-throughput screening, exceptional stability, minimal size, and versatility as affinity building block. Here, we critically reviewed each of these properties and highlight their relevance with regard to recent developments in different fields of immunosensing applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Martín A Rossotti
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Instituto de Higiene, UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sofía Tabares-da Rosa
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Instituto de Higiene, UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Miyazaki N, Kiyose N, Akazawa Y, Takashima M, Hagihara Y, Inoue N, Matsuda T, Ogawa R, Inoue S, Ito Y. Isolation and characterization of antigen-specific alpaca (Lama pacos) VHH antibodies by biopanning followed by high-throughput sequencing. J Biochem 2015; 158:205-15. [DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvv038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
|
10
|
Pinn TL, Gagliardo LF, Purdy SR, Appleton JA, Stokol T. Comparison of three immunoglobulin G assays for the diagnosis of failure of passive transfer of immunity in neonatal alpacas. J Vet Diagn Invest 2013; 25:91-8. [PMID: 23345272 DOI: 10.1177/1040638712472182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurement of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) is used for the assessment of passive transfer of immunity in neonatal crias, with an IgG concentration <10 g/l being suggestive of failure of passive transfer (FPT). The purpose of the current study was to determine whether 3 commercially available immunologic assays yielded comparable results for IgG in alpacas. Serum samples from 91 alpacas were used and were stored frozen until batch analysis on the same day with the 3 assays. Immunoglobulin G was measured by radial immunodiffusion (RID) and 2 immunoturbidimetric (IT) assays (IT1, configured for automated chemistry analyzers; IT2, a point-of-care test). Median IgG concentrations were significantly different between the 3 assays, with the RID (median: 15 g/l) and IT1 (median: 16 g/l) assays, which used the same standard, yielding significantly higher IgG values than IT2 (median: 11 g/l). Results indicated a diagnostic discordance in 1-17% of samples at an IgG threshold of 10 g/l. Protein electrophoresis revealed that the RID and IT1 standard contained mostly albumin (>60%), whereas the IT2 standard consisted of beta and gamma globulins. The discrepant results between assays IT1 and IT2 were eliminated when the same standard was used (IT1: median 11 g/l; IT2: 10 g/l; n = 19 and 17, respectively). The IT1 assay had the highest precision, while the RID assay had the lowest. The results indicate that camelid IgG measurement is highly dependent on the assay standard and is not directly comparable between assays, potentially resulting in underdiagnosis of FPT in some crias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toby L Pinn
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Sera of camelids contain both conventional heterotetrameric antibodies and unique functional heavy (H)-chain antibodies (HCAbs). The H chain of these homodimeric antibodies consists of one antigen-binding domain, the VHH, and two constant domains. HCAbs fail to incorporate light (L) chains owing to the deletion of the first constant domain and a reshaped surface at the VHH side, which normally associates with L chains in conventional antibodies. The genetic elements composing HCAbs have been identified, but the in vivo generation of these antibodies from their dedicated genes into antigen-specific and affinity-matured bona fide antibodies remains largely underinvestigated. However, the facile identification of antigen-specific VHHs and their beneficial biochemical and economic properties (size, affinity, specificity, stability, production cost) supported by multiple crystal structures have encouraged antibody engineering of these single-domain antibodies for use as a research tool and in biotechnology and medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Muyldermans
- Research Group Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Analysis of heavy-chain antibody responses and resistance to Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in experimentally infected alpacas. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2012; 19:1019-26. [PMID: 22593238 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00178-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The parasitic nematode Parelaphostrongylus tenuis is an important cause of neurologic disease of camelids in central and eastern North America. The aim of this study was to determine whether alpacas develop resistance to disease caused by P. tenuis in response to a previous infection or a combination of controlled infection and immunization. Alpacas were immunized with a homogenate of third-stage larvae (L3) and simultaneously implanted subcutaneously with diffusion chambers containing 20 live L3. Sham-treated animals received adjuvant alone and empty chambers. The protocol was not effective in inducing resistance to oral challenge with 10 L3, and disease developed between 60 and 71 days following infection. Immediately following the onset of neurologic disease, affected animals were treated with a regimen of anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and all recovered. One year later, a subset of alpacas from this experiment was challenged with 20 L3 and the results showed that prior infection induced resistance to disease. Primary and secondary infections induced production of conventional and heavy-chain IgGs that reacted with soluble antigens in L3 homogenates but did not consistently recognize a recombinant form of a parasite-derived aspartyl protease inhibitor. Thus, the latter antigen may not be a good candidate for serology-based diagnostic tests. Antibody responses to parasite antigens occurred in the absence of overt disease, demonstrating that P. tenuis infection can be subclinical in a host that has been considered to be highly susceptible to disease. The potential for immunoprophylaxis to be effective in preventing disease caused by P. tenuis was supported by evidence of resistance to reinfection.
Collapse
|
13
|
Vanlandschoot P, Stortelers C, Beirnaert E, Ibañez LI, Schepens B, Depla E, Saelens X. Nanobodies®: New ammunition to battle viruses. Antiviral Res 2011; 92:389-407. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2011.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Revised: 08/30/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|