Uso de Nicotiana benthamiana para produção do fragmento scFvBap1, um anticorpo antagonista a metaloproteinases de serpentes do gênero Bothrops

Abstract

Ophidian accidents are a global health problem due to its high incidence and gravity of its effects. In Brazil, the genus Bothrops is responsible for 85% of the cases of accidents. The main form of treatment for snake envenoming is serum therapy using equine antibodies, however, they are not able to neutralize the local effects of the toxin and may also cause adverse reactions. A new perspective for the treatment of snakebite envenoming has emerged with the use of recombinant antibodies, particularly the Fv fragment (scFv). The scFvBap1, is an efficient antibody capable of neutralizing the hemorrhagic effects and proteolytic activity caused by metalloproteinases. Currently the plants have been widely used in the production of recombinant proteins of pharmaceutical interest. In this study, we aimed the expression of the scFv fragment in Nicotiana benthamiana, in order to evaluate its potential as an antiophiidic serum. The transient expression of the scFvBap1 fragment in leaves of N. benthamiana, as well as the stable expression in the same plant, were evaluated.The fragments produced were able to recognize and neutralize the toxins BaP1 from B. asper, BnP1 from B. newidae and ATX from B. atrox, demonstrating their potential to be used in therapy against ophidian poisoning. The stable production system presented higher protein yield (270 μg / g) when compared to the transient production system (43 μg / g). Finally, the system proved to be a good alternative for producing the antibody fragment when compared to the bacterial system.