The isolation of single chain variable region fragments (scFvs) from a phage display library, and expression of the isolated scFvs in Nicotiana benthamiana

Ndlovu, Siphumelele

The isolation of single chain variable region fragments (scFvs) from a phage display library, and expression of the isolated scFvs in Nicotiana benthamiana

Master Thesis

2020

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are an important tool for both therapeutic and nontherapeutic applications. Their increased demand is due to their ability to recognize and bind specifically to a wide range of antigens. In addition to full-size antibodies, one can also utilise smaller antibody fragments, single chain variable region fragments (scFvs), which like full-size mAbs, are also capable of specific antigen-binding. The constant and rapidly expanding use of antibodies and their derivatives presents a need for a fast and effective method of production. Traditionally, antibodies have been produced using hybridoma technology. They have also been successfully produced in other expression hosts such as bacteria, yeasts, insect cells and mammalian cell lines. However, these expression systems come with a few disadvantages, some of which include high maintenance costs as well as lengthy and laborious production protocols. This dissertation describes the use of phage display technology to screen for and identify scFvs that bind to three different test antigens. Phage display library technology involving the expression and presentation of antibody or antibody derivatives on the coat surfaces of phage particles. It is considered to be a preferable alternative to hybridoma technology because it eliminates the requirement for immunization of animals, making it a more rapid and animal-friendly method for the production of antibodies compared to that of hybridoma technology. A naïve mouse scFv phage display library was screened with appropriate antigens to isolate scFvs which bind to rabbit IgG, human IgG and the Shuni virus (SHUV) N protein. Isolated scFvs were sequenced, cloned and tested for binding to their cognate antigens using phage ELISA, phage dot blots and phage western blots. ScFvs displaying the highest affinities for their respective antigens were selected for cloning and expression in plants, as this expression system is scalable, cheaper, safe and facilitates posttranslational modifications to recombinant proteins such as glycosylation. Rabbit IgG and human IgG scFvs were isolated successfully from the mouse scFv phage library, however, successful binding of the scFvs to the respective antigens by western blotting and ELISAs was not demonstrated. On further investigation, it appeared that the protocols were flawed, as the secondary anti-mouse AP conjugate, iv used in the western blots and ELISAs was found to cross-react with both rabbit and human IgG. Since we were not able to pinpoint scFvs with high binding affinity, the mouse phage display library was screened for scFvs that bound to SHUV N protein instead. This was more successful in that several scFvs with high binding affinity were isolated. Three scFvs with the highest binding affinity for the SHUV N protein were selected and their nucleotide sequences determined. Due to time constraints only 2 of the identified scFvs were selected for further cloning and expression in plants. Both scFvs were cloned into the pTRA-HRPB2SEKDEL plant expression vector that contains the gene sequence for a his6x tag to assist with downstream purification as well as a horse radish peroxidase (HRP) gene. Cloning scFvs into this vector allows their fusion to HRP, resulting in the production of potential reagents for use as secondary antibodies in western blots and ELISAs. The cloned scFvs were expressed transiently in tobacco plants using Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration. Plant expression of the HRP-fused scFvs was optimized; both were optimally expressed at 5 days post infiltration (dpi) when co-expressed with a silencing suppressor (pBIN-NSs). Extraction of the scFvs from the plants was most effective when a bicine buffer with a pH of 8.4 was used. Partial purification of the scFvs was achieved by isoelectric and ammonium sulphate precipitation. Preliminary tests were done to test functionality of the partially purified scFvs, in which the ability of the scFvs to recognize and bind to the SHUV N protein in a dot blot was tested. However, both were found to be non-functional in this regard. Further investigation into the reason for the demonstration of non-functionality showed that the HRP was being spontaneously cleaved from the scFv. This study demonstrates that it is possible to isolate antigen-specific scFvs from a phage display library. However, their binding capacity needs to be analysed fully prior to incorporating them into fusion proteins which can be used as potential diagnostic reagents.

Keywords

Molecular and Cell Biology

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