Antibodies for Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa

Abstract

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed recombinant antibodies (VHH or nanobodies) to diagnose and treat Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa infection.

Full Description

Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa is a leading cause of death in patients with pulmonary disease, pneumonia and cystic fibrosis. The pathogenic bacteria secretes a variety of virulence factors, altering the immune microenvironment and suppressing host immune defenses. The bacteria also forms a biofilm, making it very resistant to antibiotics. Currently, diagnosis of the infection itself requires invasive samples from painful sterile sites and treatments are limited to antibiotics. Therefore, there is a need for alternative methods to identify and treat P. aeruginosa infection.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed antibodies (polyclonal and nanobodies) that enable the diagnosis and treatment of Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa. These antibodies are recombinant single domain antibodies (VHHs) that recognize and inactivate the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator inhibitory factor (Cif) secreted by P. aeruginosa. These antibodies can be used as a diagnostic tool for sensitive, high throughput detection of the infection and as a selective Cif-enzyme activity inhibitor. Recombinant VHHs can also be used to perform highly sensitive screening assays for small molecule inhibitors of Cif catalytic activity.

Applications

• High throughput detection of P. aeruginosa infection
• Selective inhibitor of Cif-enzyme activity possibly useful in treatment
• Screening assay for small molecule inhibitors of Cif catalytic activity

Features/Benefits

• Sensitive
• Specific
• Recombinant single domain antibodies:
  • Allow unlimited supply
  • Cheap production of uniform reagent
  • Easy storage (bacterial stock vs mammalian cells or as a DNA sequence information)
  • Easy genetic manipulations
  • Low antigenicity

Patent Status