Escherichia coli Surface Display of Single-Chain Antibody VRC01 against HIV-1 infection

Authors

Lin-Xu Wang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Michael Mellon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dane Bowder, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Meghan Quinn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Danielle Shea, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Charles Wood, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Shi-Hua Xiang, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Virology. 2015 January 15; 475: 179–186.

Comments

© 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission and infection occur mainly via the mucosal surfaces. The commensal bacteria residing in these surfaces can potentially be employed as a vehicle for delivering inhibitors to prevent HIV-1 infection. In this study, we have employed a bacteria-based strategy to display a broadly neutralizing antibody VRC01, which could potentially be used to prevent HIV-1 infection. The VRC01 antibody mimics CD4-binding to gp120 and has broadly neutralization activities against HIV-1. We have designed a construct that can express the fusion peptide of the scFv-VRC01 antibody together with the autotransporter β-barrel domain of IgAP gene from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which enabled surface display of the antibody molecule. Our results indicate that the scFv-VRC01 antibody molecule was displayed on the surface of the bacteria as demonstrated by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. The engineered bacteria can capture HIV-1 particles via surface-binding and inhibit HIV-1 infection in cell culture.