United Kingdom (UK)
Recombinant monoclonal antibody to DPGA anthrax. Manufactured using AbAb’s Recombinant Platform with variable regions (i.e. specificity) from the hybridoma 4C.
Alternative Name(s) of Target: DPGA; capsular antigen; γDPGA; gamma DPGA; poly-gamma-d-glutamic acid; poly-γ-d-glutamic acid; antiphagocytic polypeptide capsule
Immunogen: The original antibody was generated by immunizing a chimpanzee with fragmented peptides of poly-γ-D-glutamic acid (γDPGA) capsule of B. anthracis conjugated with either B. anthracis recombinant protective antigen (rPA) or tetanus toxoid (TT).
Specificity: This antibody specifically binds the poly-γ-D-glutamic acid (γDPGA) capsule of Bacillus anthracis. Bacillus anthracis is surrounded by an antiphagocytic polypeptide capsule composed of poly γ-d-glutamic acid (γDPGA). The γDPGA capsule shields the vegetative form of B. anthracis from agglutination by monoclonal antibodies to its cell wall polysaccharide. γDPGA has been identified recently as a potential target for vaccine development. Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming bacterium and a causative agent for Anthrax, which is a highly lethal infectious disease in human and poses a great threat as an emerging bioterror agent.
Application Notes: The binding characterization of this antibody to γDPGA of Bacillus anthracis was done using ELISA. The binding affinity of the antibody was measured using surface plasmon resonance. It was reported that the IgG1 version of this antibody binds 10-mer peptide of γDPGA with a binding affinity of Kd= 0.2 nM. It was reported that a single 30-μg dose of this antibody when given to BALB/c mice 18 h before challenge conferred about 50% protection against a lethal intratracheal spore challenge by the virulent B. anthracis Ames strain. When given 8 h or 20 h after challenge, this antibody provided significant protection against lethal infection (PMID: 21187383). This antibody can be used in treatment of infections with antibiotic-resistant strains (PMID: 22069754).
Antibody first published in:
Chen et al. Pre- and postexposure protection against virulent anthrax infection in mice by humanized monoclonal antibodies to Bacillus anthracis capsule. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Jan 11; 108(2): 739–744. PMID:21187383
Note on publication:
Describes the generation of two antibodies against B. anthracis γDPGA and evaluates their capacity to protect mice against lethal intratracheal spore challenge.