SELECTION OF SPECIFIC HUMAN SINGLE CHAIN ANTIBODIES AGAINST A CONSERVED NEUTRALIZING EPITOPE OF HIVGLYCOPROTEIN 41

Abstract

Effective neutralization of different strains of HIV virus is shown by neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins. It has been demonstrated that gp41 is involved in virus mediated membrane fusion which results in HIV-entry into target cells. Recombinant single chain antibodies (scFvs) with high specificity and high affinity properties have been identified as useful agents in anti-viral targeted therapy. In this study we selected specific scFvs against a conserved neutralizing epitope of gp41. Four rounds of panning were performed to select the specific clones. The reactivity of the selected scFvs against the corresponding epitope was tested in ELISA. Results demonstrated that the specific clones were selected with the frequencies of 65% and 30%. The ELISA evaluation demonstrated significant higher OD of scFvs in reaction with the corresponding epitope than the negative control. Specific scFvs against conserved neutralizing epitope of gp41 of HIV has the potential to be considered for immunotherapy against HIV. Further evaluations are needed to determine the neutralizing effect and adequate safety margins of the selected scFvs.