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Das S, Behera P, Shewale DJ, Bodele J, Das S, Karande AA. Development of an effective single-chain variable fragment recognizing a novel epitope in the hepatitis C virus E2 protein that restricts virus entry into hepatocytes. Arch Virol 2024; 169:112. [PMID: 38683226 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06024-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Previously, we reported a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, A8A11, raised against a novel conserved epitope within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein, that could significantly reduce HCV replication. Here, we report the nucleotide sequence of A8A11 and demonstrate the efficacy of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) protein that mimics the antibody, inhibits the binding of an HCV virus-like particle to hepatocytes, and reduces viral RNA replication in a cell culture system. More importantly, scFv A8A11 was found to effectively restrict the increase of viral RNA levels in the serum of HCV-infected chimeric mice harbouring human hepatocytes. These results suggest a promising approach to neutralizing-antibody-based therapeutic interventions against HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soma Das
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India.
| | - Padmanava Behera
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Dipeshwari J Shewale
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Janhavi Bodele
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Saumitra Das
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - Anjali A Karande
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
- Centre For Human Genetics, Biotech Park, Bangalore, 560012, India
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2
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Glab-Ampai K, Mahasongkram K, Chulanetra M, Saenlom T, Thueng-In K, Sookrung N, Chaicumpa W. Human super antibody to viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase produced by a modified Sortase self-cleave-bacteria surface display system. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:260. [PMID: 38110987 PMCID: PMC10726597 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02267-z] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a good target of anti-RNA virus agents; not only it is pivotal for the RNA virus replication cycle and highly conserved among RNA viruses across different families, but also lacks human homolog. Recently, human single-chain antibody (HuscFv) that bound to thumb domain of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (functionalized NS5B protein) was produced and engineered into cell-penetrating antibody (super antibody) in the form of cell-penetrating peptide (penetratin, PEN)-linked HuscFv (PEN-HuscFv34). The super antibody was produced and purified from inclusion body (IB) of a pen-huscfv34-vector-transformed Escherichia coli. The super antibody inhibited replication of alpha- and beta- coronaviruses, flaviviruses, and picornaviruses that were tested (broadly effective); thus, it has high potential for developing further towards a pan-anti-RNA virus agent. However, production, purification, and refolding of the super antibody molecules from the bacterial IB are laborious and hurdles to large-scale production. Therefore, in this study, Sortase-self-cleave method and bacteria surface display system were combined and modified for the super antibody production. METHODS AND RESULTS BL21 (DE3) ΔA E. coli, a strain lacking predominant outer membrane protein (OmpA) and ion and OmpT proteases, that displayed a membrane-anchored fusion protein, i.e., chimeric lipoprotein (Lpp')-OmpA', SUMO, Sortase protease, Sortase cleavage site (LPET↓G) and PEN-HuscFv34-6× His was generated. The soluble PEN-HuscFv34-6× His with glycine at the N-terminus could be released from the E. coli surface, simply by incubating the bacterial cells in a Sortase-cleavage buffer. After centrifugation, the G-PEN-HuscFv34-6× His could be purified from the supernatant. The purified G-PEN-HuscFv34-6× retained original cell-penetrating ability (being super antibody) and the broadly effective anti-RNA virus activity of the original IB-derived-PEN-HuscFv34. CONCLUSION The functionalized super antibody to RNA virus RdRp was successfully produced by using combined Sortase self-cleave and bacterial surface display systems with modification. The display system is suitable for downstream processing in a large-scale production of the super antibody. It is applicable also for production of other recombinant proteins in soluble free-folding form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kantaphon Glab-Ampai
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Kodchakorn Mahasongkram
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Monrat Chulanetra
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Thanatsaran Saenlom
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Kanyarat Thueng-In
- School of Pathology, Translational Medicine Program, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Nitat Sookrung
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Biomedical Research Incubation Unit, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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3
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Thongchot S, Aksonnam K, Thuwajit P, Yenchitsomanus PT, Thuwajit C. Nucleolin‑based targeting strategies in cancer treatment: Focus on cancer immunotherapy (Review). Int J Mol Med 2023; 52:81. [PMID: 37477132 PMCID: PMC10555485 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The benefits of treating several types of cancers using immunotherapy have recently been established. The overexpression of nucleolin (NCL) in a number of types of cancer provides an attractive antigen target for the development of novel anticancer immunotherapeutic treatments. NCL is a multifunctional protein abundantly distributed in the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane. It influences carcinogenesis, and the proliferation, survival and metastasis of cancer cells, leading to cancer progression. Additionally, the meta‑analysis of total and cytoplasmic NCL overexpression indicates a poor prognosis of patients with breast cancer. The AS1411 aptamers currently appear to have therapeutic action in the phase II clinical trial. The authors' research group has recently explored the anticancer function of NCL through the activation of T cells by dendritic cell‑based immunotherapy. The present review describes and discusses the mechanisms through which the multiple functions of NCL can participate in the progression of cancer. In addition, the studies that define the utility of NCL‑dependent anticancer therapies are summarized, with specific focus being paid to cancer immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyanee Thongchot
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
| | - Krittaya Aksonnam
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
| | - Peti Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
| | - Pa-Thai Yenchitsomanus
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
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4
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Glab-ampai K, Kaewchim K, Thavorasak T, Saenlom T, Thepsawat W, Mahasongkram K, Thueng-In K, Sookrung N, Chaicumpa W, Chulanetra M. Targeting Emerging RNA Viruses by Engineered Human Superantibody to Hepatitis C Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:926929. [PMID: 35935185 PMCID: PMC9355540 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.926929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a unique and highly conserved enzyme across all members of the RNA virus superfamilies. Besides, humans do not have a homolog of this protein. Therefore, the RdRp is an attractive target for a broadly effective therapeutic agent against RNA viruses. In this study, a formerly generated cell-penetrating human single-chain antibody variable fragment (superantibody) to a conformational epitope of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RdRp, which inhibited the polymerase activity leading to the HCV replication inhibition and the host innate immunity restoration, was tested against emerging/reemerging RNA viruses. The superantibody could inhibit the replication of the other members of the Flaviviridae (DENV serotypes 1−4, ZIKV, and JEV), Picornaviridae (genus Enterovirus: EV71, CVA16), and Coronaviridae (genus Alphacoronavirus: PEDV, and genus Betacoronavirus: SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan wild-type and the variants of concern), in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the reduction of intracellular viral RNAs and numbers of the released infectious particles. Computerized simulation indicated that the superantibody formed contact interfaces with many residues at the back of the thumb domain (thumb II site, T2) of DENV, ZIKV, JEV, EV71, and CVA16 and fingers and thumb domains of the HCV and coronaviruses (PEDV and SARS-CoV-2). The superantibody binding may cause allosteric change in the spatial conformation of the enzyme and disrupt the catalytic activity, leading to replication inhibition. Although the speculated molecular mechanism of the superantibody needs experimental support, existing data indicate that the superantibody has high potential as a non-chemical broadly effective anti-positive sense-RNA virus agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittirat Glab-ampai
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanasap Kaewchim
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Techit Thavorasak
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanatsaran Saenlom
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Watayagorn Thepsawat
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kodchakorn Mahasongkram
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanyarat Thueng-In
- School of Pathology, Translational Medicine Program, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Nitat Sookrung
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Biomedical Research Incubator Unit, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Monrat Chulanetra
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Monrat Chulanetra,
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Glab-ampai K, Kaewchim K, Saenlom T, Thepsawat W, Mahasongkram K, Sookrung N, Chaicumpa W, Chulanetra M. Human Superantibodies to 3CL pro Inhibit Replication of SARS-CoV-2 across Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126587. [PMID: 35743031 PMCID: PMC9223907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Broadly effective and safe anti-coronavirus agent is existentially needed. Major protease (3CLpro) is a highly conserved enzyme of betacoronaviruses. The enzyme plays pivotal role in the virus replication cycle. Thus, it is a good target of a broadly effective anti-Betacoronavirus agent. In this study, human single-chain antibodies (HuscFvs) of the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro were generated using phage display technology. The 3CLpro-bound phages were used to infect Escherichia coli host for the production the 3CLpro-bound HuscFvs. Computerized simulation was used to guide the selection of the phage infected-E. coli clones that produced HuscFvs with the 3CLpro inhibitory potential. HuscFvs of three phage infected-E. coli clones were predicted to form contact interface with residues for 3CLpro catalytic activity, substrate binding, and homodimerization. These HuscFvs were linked to a cell-penetrating peptide to make them cell-penetrable, i.e., became superantibodies. The superantibodies blocked the 3CLpro activity in vitro, were not toxic to human cells, traversed across membrane of 3CLpro-expressing cells to co-localize with the intracellular 3CLpro and most of all, they inhibited replication of authentic SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan wild type and α, β, δ, and Omicron variants that were tested. The superantibodies should be investigated further towards clinical application as a safe and broadly effective anti-Betacoronavirus agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittirat Glab-ampai
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Kanasap Kaewchim
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Thanatsaran Saenlom
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Watayagorn Thepsawat
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Kodchakorn Mahasongkram
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Nitat Sookrung
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
- Biomedical Research Incubator Unit, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Monrat Chulanetra
- Center of Research Excellence in Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.G.-a.); (K.K.); (T.S.); (W.T.); (K.M.); (N.S.); (W.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +662-419-2934
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Potential of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) in delivery of antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 169:106094. [PMID: 34896590 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.106094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Viral infections are a great threat to human health. Currently, there are no effective vaccines and antiviral drugs against the majority of viral diseases, suggesting the need to develop novel and effective antiviral agents. Since the intracellular delivery of antiviral agents, particularly the impermeable molecules, such as peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids, are essential to exert their therapeutic effects, using a delivery system is highly required. Among various delivery systems, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), a group of short peptides with the unique ability of crossing cell membrane, offer great potential for the intracellular delivery of various biologically active cargoes. The results of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies with CPP conjugates demonstrate their promise as therapeutic agents in various medical fields including antiviral therapy. The CPP-mediated delivery of various antiviral agents including peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and nanocarriers have been associated with therapeutic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. This review describes various aspects of viruses including their biology, pathogenesis, and therapy and briefly discusses the concept of CPP and its potential in drug delivery. Particularly, it will highlight a variety of CPP applications in the management of viral infections.
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7
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Roth KDR, Wenzel EV, Ruschig M, Steinke S, Langreder N, Heine PA, Schneider KT, Ballmann R, Fühner V, Kuhn P, Schirrmann T, Frenzel A, Dübel S, Schubert M, Moreira GMSG, Bertoglio F, Russo G, Hust M. Developing Recombinant Antibodies by Phage Display Against Infectious Diseases and Toxins for Diagnostics and Therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:697876. [PMID: 34307196 PMCID: PMC8294040 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.697876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are essential molecules for diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by pathogens and their toxins. Antibodies were integrated in our medical repertoire against infectious diseases more than hundred years ago by using animal sera to treat tetanus and diphtheria. In these days, most developed therapeutic antibodies target cancer or autoimmune diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic was a reminder about the importance of antibodies for therapy against infectious diseases. While monoclonal antibodies could be generated by hybridoma technology since the 70ies of the former century, nowadays antibody phage display, among other display technologies, is robustly established to discover new human monoclonal antibodies. Phage display is an in vitro technology which confers the potential for generating antibodies from universal libraries against any conceivable molecule of sufficient size and omits the limitations of the immune systems. If convalescent patients or immunized/infected animals are available, it is possible to construct immune phage display libraries to select in vivo affinity-matured antibodies. A further advantage is the availability of the DNA sequence encoding the phage displayed antibody fragment, which is packaged in the phage particles. Therefore, the selected antibody fragments can be rapidly further engineered in any needed antibody format according to the requirements of the final application. In this review, we present an overview of phage display derived recombinant antibodies against bacterial, viral and eukaryotic pathogens, as well as microbial toxins, intended for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Daniel Ralph Roth
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Esther Veronika Wenzel
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Abcalis GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maximilian Ruschig
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stephan Steinke
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nora Langreder
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Philip Alexander Heine
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Kai-Thomas Schneider
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rico Ballmann
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Viola Fühner
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Dübel
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Abcalis GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany.,YUMAB GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maren Schubert
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Federico Bertoglio
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Giulio Russo
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Abcalis GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Hust
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,YUMAB GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
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8
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Densumite J, Phanthong S, Seesuay W, Sookrung N, Chaisri U, Chaicumpa W. Engineered Human Monoclonal scFv to Receptor Binding Domain of Ebolavirus. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9050457. [PMID: 34064480 PMCID: PMC8147973 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Ebolavirus (EBOV) poses as a significant threat for human health by frequently causing epidemics of the highly contagious Ebola virus disease (EVD). EBOV glycoprotein (GP), as a sole surface glycoprotein, needs to be cleaved in endosomes to fully expose a receptor-binding domain (RBD) containing a receptor-binding site (RBS) for receptor binding and genome entry into cytoplasm for replication. RBDs are highly conserved among EBOV species, so they are an attractive target for broadly effective anti-EBOV drug development. (2) Methods: Phage display technology was used as a tool to isolate human single-chain antibodies (HuscFv) that bind to recombinant RBDs from a human scFv (HuscFv) phage display library. The RBD-bound HuscFvs were fused with cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), and cell-penetrating antibodies (transbodies) were made, produced from the phage-infected E. coli clones and characterized. (3) Results: Among the HuscFvs obtained from phage-infected E. coli clones, HuscFvs of three clones, HuscFv4, HuscFv11, and HuscFv14, the non-cell-penetrable or cell-penetrable HuscFv4 effectively neutralized cellular entry of EBOV-like particles (VLPs). While all HuscFvs were found to bind cleaved GP (GPcl), their presumptive binding sites were markedly different, as determined by molecular docking. (4) Conclusions: The HuscFv4 could be a promising therapeutic agent against EBOV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaslan Densumite
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (J.D.); (S.P.); (W.S.)
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Siratcha Phanthong
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (J.D.); (S.P.); (W.S.)
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Watee Seesuay
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (J.D.); (S.P.); (W.S.)
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nitat Sookrung
- Biomedical Research Incubation Unit, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Urai Chaisri
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Topical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +662-419-2936; Fax: +662-419-6470
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9
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A Nanobody Targeting Viral Nonstructural Protein 9 Inhibits Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Replication. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01888-18. [PMID: 30463975 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01888-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is of great concern to the swine industry due to pandemic outbreaks of the disease, current ineffective vaccinations, and a lack of efficient antiviral strategies. In our previous study, a PRRSV Nsp9-specific nanobody, Nb6, was successfully isolated, and the intracellularly expressed Nb6 could dramatically inhibit PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells. However, despite its small size, the application of Nb6 protein in infected cells is greatly limited, as the protein itself cannot enter the cells physically. In this study, a trans-activating transduction (TAT) peptide was fused with Nb6 to promote protein entry into cells. TAT-Nb6 was expressed as an inclusion body in Escherichia coli, and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and pulldown assays showed that E. coli-expressed TAT-Nb6 maintained the binding ability to E. coli-expressed or PRRSV-encoded Nsp9. We demonstrated that TAT delivered Nb6 into MARC-145 cells and porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and TAT-Nb6 efficiently inhibited the replication of several PRRSV genotype 2 strains as well as a genotype 1 strain. Using a yeast two-hybrid assay, Nb6 recognition sites were identified in the C-terminal part of Nsp9 and spanned two discontinuous regions (Nsp9aa454-551 and Nsp9aa599-646). Taken together, these results suggest that TAT-Nb6 can be developed as an antiviral drug for the inhibition of PRRSV replication and controlling PRRS disease.IMPORTANCE The pandemic outbreak of PRRS, which is caused by PRRSV, has greatly affected the swine industry. We still lack an efficient vaccine, and it is an immense challenge to control its infection. An intracellularly expressed Nsp9-specific nanobody, Nb6, has been shown to be able to inhibit PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells. However, its application is limited, because Nb6 cannot physically enter cells. Here, we demonstrated that the cell-penetrating peptide TAT could deliver Nb6 into cultured cells. In addition, TAT-Nb6 fusion protein could suppress the replication of various PRRSV strains in MARC-145 cells and PAMs. These findings may provide a new approach for drug development to control PRRS.
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Li Y, Yu J, Qi X, Yan H. Monoclonal antibody against EV71 3D pol inhibits the polymerase activity of RdRp and virus replication. BMC Immunol 2019; 20:6. [PMID: 30669993 PMCID: PMC6343263 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-019-0288-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enterovirus A 71 (EV71) is a neurotropic virus that may lead to acute flaccid paralysis, encephalitis, cardiopulmonary failure or even death. No vaccine and defensive drug controlling EV71 is currently available, novel and efficient antiviral drug or vaccine is therefore urgently needed. 3Dpol (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)) has been an important target for anti-EV71 drug development. METHODS A panel of monoclonal IgG antibodies (mAbs) against EV71 3Dpol were generated by traditional cell fusion methods. And the antibody affinity and specificity to EV71 3Dpol were evaluated by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Indirect Fluorescent Assay (IFA) and Western blotting. Antiviral activities of these antibodies were also determined in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Two mAbs towards EV71 3Dpol were able to effectively suppress EV71 replication in Vero-1008 cell when intracellarly delivered. And they also dampened the RNA polymerase activity of 3Dpol in vitro. More importantly, these mAbs provided partial protection in EV71-challenged neonatal murine challenge model. CONCLUSIONS These results showed that two of mAbs against EV71 3Dpol inhibited EV71 replication and could be utilized as promising therapeutic drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoming Li
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Yu
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiuwen Qi
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huimin Yan
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China.
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del Rio B, Redruello B, Fernandez M, Martin MC, Ladero V, Alvarez MA. Lactic Acid Bacteria as a Live Delivery System for the in situ Production of Nanobodies in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract. Front Microbiol 2019. [PMCID: PMC6346216 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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12
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Jittavisutthikul S, Seesuay W, Thanongsaksrikul J, Thueng-in K, Srimanote P, Werner RG, Chaicumpa W. Human Transbodies to HCV NS3/4A Protease Inhibit Viral Replication and Restore Host Innate Immunity. Front Immunol 2016; 7:318. [PMID: 27617013 PMCID: PMC4999588 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A safe and effective direct acting anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) agent is still needed. In this study, human single chain variable fragments of antibody (scFvs) that bound to HCV NS3/4A protein were produced by phage display technology. The engineered scFvs were linked to nonaarginines (R9) for making them cell penetrable. HCV-RNA-transfected Huh7 cells treated with the transbodies produced from four different transformed E. coli clones had reduced HCV-RNA inside the cells and in the cell spent media, as well as fewer HCV foci in the cell monolayer compared to the transfected cells in culture medium alone. The transbodies-treated transfected cells also had up-expression of the genes coding for the host innate immune response, including TRIF, TRAF3, IRF3, IL-28B, and IFN-β. Computerized homology modeling and intermolecular docking predicted that the effective transbodies interacted with several critical residues of the NS3/4A protease, including those that form catalytic triads, oxyanion loop, and S1 and S6 pockets, as well as a zinc-binding site. Although insight into molecular mechanisms of the transbodies need further laboratory investigation, it can be deduced from the current data that the transbodies blocked the HCV NS3/4A protease activities, leading to the HCV replication inhibition and restoration of the virally suppressed host innate immunity. The engineered antibodies should be tested further for treatment of HCV infection either alone, in combination with current therapeutics, or in a mixture with their cognates specific to other HCV proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surasak Jittavisutthikul
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Watee Seesuay
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jeeraphong Thanongsaksrikul
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum-thani, Thailand
| | - Kanyarat Thueng-in
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Pathology, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand
| | - Potjanee Srimanote
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum-thani, Thailand
| | - Rolf G. Werner
- Industrial Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum-thani, Thailand
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Kuhn P, Fühner V, Unkauf T, Moreira GMSG, Frenzel A, Miethe S, Hust M. Recombinant antibodies for diagnostics and therapy against pathogens and toxins generated by phage display. Proteomics Clin Appl 2016; 10:922-948. [PMID: 27198131 PMCID: PMC7168043 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201600002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies are valuable molecules for the diagnostic and treatment of diseases caused by pathogens and toxins. Traditionally, these antibodies are generated by hybridoma technology. An alternative to hybridoma technology is the use of antibody phage display to generate recombinant antibodies. This in vitro technology circumvents the limitations of the immune system and allows—in theory—the generation of antibodies against all conceivable molecules. Phage display technology enables obtaining human antibodies from naïve antibody gene libraries when either patients are not available or immunization is not ethically feasible. On the other hand, if patients or immunized/infected animals are available, it is common to construct immune phage display libraries to select in vivo affinity‐matured antibodies. Because the phage packaged DNA sequence encoding the antibodies is directly available, the antibodies can be smoothly engineered according to the requirements of the final application. In this review, an overview of phage display derived recombinant antibodies against bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic pathogens as well as toxins for diagnostics and therapy is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Kuhn
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Viola Fühner
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tobias Unkauf
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - André Frenzel
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Braunschweig, Germany.,YUMAB GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Miethe
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Hust
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Braunschweig, Germany.
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14
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Glab-Ampai K, Malik AA, Chulanetra M, Thanongsaksrikul J, Thueng-In K, Srimanote P, Tongtawe P, Chaicumpa W. Inhibition of HCV replication by humanized-single domain transbodies to NS4B. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:654-664. [PMID: 27240954 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
NS4B of hepatitis C virus (HCV) initiates membrane web formation, binds RNA and other HCV proteins for viral replication complex (RC) formation, hydrolyses NTP, and inhibits innate anti-viral immunity. Thus, NS4B is an attractive target of a novel anti-HCV agent. In this study, humanized-nanobodies (VHs/VHHs) that bound to recombinant NS4B were produced by means of phage display technology. The nanobodies were linked molecularly to a cell penetrating peptide, penetratin (PEN), for making them cell penetrable (become transbodies). Human hepatic (Huh7) cells transfected with HCV JFH1-RNA that were treated with transbodies from four Escherichia coli clones (PEN-VHH7, PEN-VHH9, PEN-VH33, and PEN-VH43) had significant reduction of HCV RNA amounts in their culture fluids and intracellularly when compared to the transfected cells treated with control transbody and medium alone. The results were supported by the HCV foci assay. The transbody treated-transfected cells also had upregulation of the studied innate cytokine genes, IRF3, IFNβ and IL-28b. The transbodies have high potential for testing further as a novel anti-HCV agent, either alone, adjunct of existing anti-HCV agents/remedies, or in combination with their cognates specific to other HCV enzymes/proteins.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/chemistry
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/genetics
- Antibodies, Viral/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Viral/chemistry
- Antibodies, Viral/genetics
- Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage
- Antiviral Agents/chemistry
- Carrier Proteins/administration & dosage
- Carrier Proteins/chemistry
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Cell Line
- Cell Surface Display Techniques
- Cell-Penetrating Peptides/administration & dosage
- Cell-Penetrating Peptides/chemistry
- Cell-Penetrating Peptides/genetics
- Computer Simulation
- Hepacivirus/genetics
- Hepacivirus/immunology
- Hepacivirus/physiology
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/genetics
- Models, Molecular
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/administration & dosage
- Single-Domain Antibodies/chemistry
- Single-Domain Antibodies/genetics
- Transfection
- Viral Nonstructural Proteins/genetics
- Viral Nonstructural Proteins/immunology
- Viral Nonstructural Proteins/physiology
- Virus Replication/genetics
- Virus Replication/immunology
- Virus Replication/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittirat Glab-Ampai
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Aijaz Ahmad Malik
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Monrat Chulanetra
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Jeeraphong Thanongsaksrikul
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Kanyarat Thueng-In
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; School of Pathology, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhonratchaseema Province 30000, Thailand
| | - Potjanee Srimanote
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Pongsri Tongtawe
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
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15
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Jittavisutthikul S, Thanongsaksrikul J, Thueng-In K, Chulanetra M, Srimanote P, Seesuay W, Malik AA, Chaicumpa W. Humanized-VHH transbodies that inhibit HCV protease and replication. Viruses 2015; 7:2030-56. [PMID: 25903832 PMCID: PMC4411689 DOI: 10.3390/v7042030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need for safe and broadly effective anti-HCV agents that can cope with genetic multiplicity and mutations of the virus. In this study, humanized-camel VHHs to genotype 3a HCV serine protease were produced and were linked molecularly to a cell penetrating peptide, penetratin (PEN). Human hepatic (Huh7) cells transfected with the JFH-1 RNA of HCV genotype 2a and treated with the cell penetrable nanobodies (transbodies) had a marked reduction of the HCV RNA intracellularly and in their culture fluids, less HCV foci inside the cells and less amounts of HCV core antigen in culture supernatants compared with the infected cells cultured in the medium alone. The PEN-VHH-treated-transfected cells also had up-regulation of the genes coding for the host innate immune response (TRIF, TRAF3, IRF3, IL-28B and IFN-β), indicating that the cell penetrable nanobodies rescued the host innate immune response from the HCV mediated-suppression. Computerized intermolecular docking revealed that the VHHs bound to residues of the protease catalytic triad, oxyanion loop and/or the NS3 N-terminal portion important for non-covalent binding of the NS4A protease cofactor protein. The so-produced transbodies have high potential for testing further as a candidate for safe, broadly effective and virus mutation tolerable anti-HCV agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surasak Jittavisutthikul
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
- Laboratory for Research and Technology Development, Department of Parasitology and Center of Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Jeeraphong Thanongsaksrikul
- Laboratory for Research and Technology Development, Department of Parasitology and Center of Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum-thani 12120, Thailand.
| | - Kanyarat Thueng-In
- Laboratory for Research and Technology Development, Department of Parasitology and Center of Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
| | - Monrat Chulanetra
- Laboratory for Research and Technology Development, Department of Parasitology and Center of Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Potjanee Srimanote
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum-thani 12120, Thailand.
| | - Watee Seesuay
- Laboratory for Research and Technology Development, Department of Parasitology and Center of Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Aijaz Ahmad Malik
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
- Laboratory for Research and Technology Development, Department of Parasitology and Center of Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Laboratory for Research and Technology Development, Department of Parasitology and Center of Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum-thani 12120, Thailand.
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