Selection of phage-displayed human antibody fragments specific for CD1b presenting the Mycobacterium tuberculosis glycolipid Ac[2]SGL

ABSTRACT

Objective/background: the development of new tools capable of targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis [Mtb]-infected cells have potential applications in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis. In Mtb-infected cells, CD1b molecules present Mtb lipids to the immune system [Mtb lipid-CD1b complexes]. Because of the lack of CD1b polymorphism, specific Mtb lipid-CD1b complexes could be considered as universal Mtb infection markers. 2-Stearoyl-3-hydroxyphthioceranoyl-2' -sulfate-alpha-alpha'-o-trehalose [Ac[2]SGL] is specific for Mtb, and is not present in other mycobacterial species. The CD1b-Ac[2]SGL complexes are expressed on the surface of human cells infected with Mtb. The aim of this study was to generate ligands capable of binding these CD1b-Ac[2]SGL complexes