UNAM
Revista Digital Universitaria
Revista Digital Universitaria ISSN: 1607 - 6079 | Publicación mensual | 1 de noviembre de 2014 vol.15, No.11

ABSTRACT

Libraries of recombinant antibodies of human origin, an ideal source of modern anti-venoms against scorpion stings



Baltazar Becerril Luján, Lidia Riaño y Lourival Possani


In this contribution, we provide a summary of the work made by our research consortium to develop a technology platform from which to obtain antibody fragments of human origin with high affinity against various targets. The basic components of the platform are the generation of repertoires of single chain antibodies (scFv, variable regions of the heavy and light chains), the rational screening of these repertoires and the in vitro affinity maturation of the selected antibodies. We comment on the fundamental concepts related to the structure of antibodies and the antibody format we work with. Additionally, we describe how we have enhanced the affinity of antibodies for their antigens. We describe the goals so far reached in relation to obtaining of a set of neutralizing antibodies against the main toxins and venoms of poisonous scorpions of Mexico. We discuss on the prospects of producing recombinant anti-venom of human origin against Mexican scorpions. Finally, we emphasize the importance of optimizing this technological platform to foster innovation in the Mexican pharmaceutical industry in the area of anti-venoms and antibodies in general.



Keywords: anti-venoms, directed evolution, phage display, recombinant antibody fragments, scorpion venom