Generation of a naïve/synthetic antibody specific to botulinum neurotoxin via motif-grafting

In this study, we describe a new approach to the production of naïve/synthetic human antibodies against the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). First, peptides that bind to BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A) were screened from a phage display of a combinatorial peptide library. One peptide, designated ANT 12-2 (TLPSPLALLTVH), was determined to interact with BoNT/A, as well as with other serotypes of BoNT. This peptide specifically reacted with the native form of BoNT/A, but not with its formalin-inactivated form. Next, a hybrid naïve/synthetic human Fab library was generated via the grafting of a peptide motif from ANT 12-2 into HCDR3 with randomized flanking residues. Through biopanning, the Fab clone, ANTHU-1, which harbors the HCDR3 sequence of VRIQRSPLALLSWGDV, was selected and confirmed in order to retain the same BoNT-binding characteristics as ANT 12-2.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]