Expression of Single Chain Variable Fragment (scFv) Molecules in Plants: A Comprehensive Update.

Single chain variable fragments (scFvs) are generated by joining together the variable heavy and light chain of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) via a peptide linker. They offer some advantages over the parental mAb such as low molecular weight, heterologous production, multimeric form, and multivalency. The scFvs were produced against more than 50 antigens till date using 10 different plant species as the expression system. There were considerable improvements in the expression and purification strategies of scFv in the last 24 years. With the growing demand of scFv in therapeutic and diagnostic fields, its biosynthesis needs to be increased. The easiness in development, maintenance, and multiplication of transgenic plants make them an attractive expression platform for scFv production. The review intends to provide comprehensive information about the use of plant expression system to produce scFv. The developments, advantages, pitfalls, and possible prospects of improvement for the exploitation of plants in the industrial level are discussed.

Expression, purification, and partial in vitro characterization of biologically active human coagulation factor VIII light chain (A3-C1-C2) in Pichia pastoris.

Recombinant coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) expressed in mammalian expression systems is used extensively in the treatment of hemophilia A. It is reported that the heavy (A1-A2) and light chains (A3-C1-C2) of factor VIII purified from plasma regained the coagulation activity by dimerization in vitro. In this work, cDNA coding for the light chain of human coagulation factor VIII (FVIII-LC) was cloned into pPICZα-A expression vector downstream of alcohol oxidase promoter and α-mating signal sequence from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in order to express the protein with a native N-terminus. The methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris X-33, was transformed with this cassette, and transformants were selected for production of human factor VIII light chain into culture media. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of factor VIII light chain protein. The expressed protein was purified to near homogeneity using histidine ligand affinity chromatography (2.342 mg/L). The biological activity of FVIII-LC was confirmed by analyzing the interaction between FVIII-LC and phospholipid vesicles. The data presented here indicate the possibilities of exploring cost-effective systems to express complex proteins of therapeutic value.

Antioxidant rich Morus alba leaf extract induces apoptosis in human colon and breast cancer cells by the downregulation of nitric oxide produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Morus species had been used widely in the traditional medicines for various diseases. In this study we report the in vitro antiproliferative activity of the methanol extract of Morus alba. The extract is capable of inducing cytotoxicity in human colon cancer (HCT-15) cells (IC(50) = 13.8 µg/ml) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells (IC(50) = 9.2 µg/ml), resulted in significant morphological changes of the cells, fragmentation of DNA, and caspase-3 activation- characteristics of apoptosis. It downregulated the amount of nitric oxide (NO) produced as a result of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) activation. The HPLC analysis of the extract showed epicatechin (20%), myricetin (10%), quercetin hydrate (12%), luteolin (12%), and kaempferol (6%) as the major active components and ascorbic acid, gallic acid, pelargonidine, and p-coumaric acid as the minor components. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the downregulation of iNOS and induction of apoptosis by M. alba extract.

Purified mulberry leaf lectin (MLL) induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer and colon cancer cells.

Medicinal values of mulberry are known to humans from ancient ages. The white mulberry, Morus alba L. is a rich source of many bioactive phytochemicals. Earlier investigations in our laboratory lead to the purification and characterization of an anti-proliferative lectin (MLL) from the leaves of this plant. Further to that, here we have investigated the mechanism of cell death induction by MLL on human breast cancer (MCF-7) and colon cancer (HCT-15) cells. Cells were treated with GI(50) concentration (concentration of lectin required for 50% inhibition of cell growth) of MLL (8.5 µg/ml for MCF-7 and 16 µg/ml for HCT-15) for 24 h to induce cell death. The induction of apoptosis was studied by morphological analysis, DNA fragmentation, apoptotic cell staining and caspase 3 activity assay. Apoptotic cells in sub G0-G1 phase were monitored using flow cytometry. MLL induced significant morphological changes and DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis in MCF-7 and HCT-15 cells. Positive annexin V and acridine orange/ethidium bromide stained cells indicated apoptosis induction by MLL. Up-regulation of caspase 3 activity was also found in cells treated with MLL. Flow cytometry analysis showed an increase in the percentage of cells in sub G0-G1 phase confirming the MLL induced apoptosis. In conclusion, MLL induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and HCT-15 cells in a caspase dependent manner.

Recovery of active anti TNF-α ScFv through matrix-assisted refolding of bacterial inclusion bodies using CIM monolithic support.

Anti TNF-α molecules are important as therapeutic agents for many of the autoimmune diseases in chronic stage. Here we report the expression and purification of a recombinant single chain variable fragment (ScFv) specific to TNF-α from inclusion bodies. In contrast to the conventional on column refolding using the soft gel supports, an efficient methodology using monolithic matrix has been employed. Nickel (II) coupled to convective interaction media (CIM) support was utilized for this purpose with 6M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) as the chaotropic agent. The protein purified after solubilization and refolding proved to be biologically active with an IC50 value of 15 µg. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the application of methacrylate based chromatographic supports for matrix-assisted refolding and purification of Escherichia coli inclusion bodies. The results are promising to elaborate the methodology further to exploit the potential positive features of monoliths in protein refolding science.

Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of a single chain variable fragment specific to tumor necrosis factor alpha in Escherichia coli.

Anti TNF-α molecules have been used as therapeutic agents in a variety of human diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Chron's diseases, Psoriasis, etc., where high levels of TNF-α plays a destructive role. The limitations of the present TNF-α inhibitors in terms of size, tissue penetration and immunogenicity, etc., provoked the search for small anti TNF-α molecules. In the present study, a single chain variable fragment (ScFv) construct was made from a monoclonal antibody of the class IgG raised against TNF-α was used. The anti TNF-α ScFv was well expressed as soluble form in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), which was purified to homogeneity by commercial methacrylate monolith-convective interaction media (CIM) supports using two different chemistries, immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) with copper ions followed by anion exchange chromatography. The anti TNF-α ScFv found to be inhibiting the TNF-α mediated cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells with an IC(50) of 8µg. Data presented here are promising and encouraging to further optimize anti TNF-α ScFv production in larger scale with higher recovery at a cheaper price for therapeutic purposes.