INVESTIGADORES
URRUTIA Mariela
artículos
Título:
Single domain antibodies: promising experimental and therapeutic tools in infection and immunity.
Autor/es:
WESOLOWSKI J, ALZOGARAY V, REYELT J, UNGER M, JUAREZ K, URRUTIA M, CAUERHFF A, DANQUAH W, RISSIEK B, SCHEUPLEIN F, SCHWARZ N, ADRIOUCH S, BOYER O, SEMAN M, LICEA A, SERREZE DV, GOLDBAUM FA, HAAG F, KOCH-NOLTE F.
Revista:
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
Editorial:
SPRINGER
Referencias:
Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2009 vol. 198 p. 157 - 174
ISSN:
0300-8584
Resumen:
Antibodies are important tools for
experimental research and medical applications. Most antibodies are composed of
two heavy and two light chains. Both chains contribute to the antigen-binding
site which is usually flat or concave. In addition to these conventional
antibodies, llamas, other camelids, and sharks also produce antibodies composed
only of heavy chains. The antigen-binding site of these unusual heavy chain
antibodies (hcAbs) is formed only by a single domain, designated VHH in camelid
hcAbs and VNAR in shark hcAbs. VHH and VNAR are easily produced as recombinant
proteins, designated single domain antibodies (sdAbs) or nanobodies. The CDR3
region of these sdAbs possesses the extraordinary capacity to form long
fingerlike extensions that can extend into cavities on antigens, e.g., the
active site crevice of enzymes. Other advantageous features of nanobodies
include their small size, high solubility, thermal stability, refolding
capacity, and good tissue penetration in vivo. Here we review the results of
several recent proof-of-principle studies that open the exciting perspective of
using sdAbs for modulating immune functions and for targeting toxins and
microbes.