Use of Phage Display Antibodies for Monitoring Cytokine‐Induced Priming of Granulocytes in Human Peripheral Blood

Use of phage display antibodies for monitoring cytokine-induced priming of granulocytes in human peripheral blood E. Fortunatia,∗, D. Kantersa, J.W.J. Lammersa, J. de Kruifb,c, T. Logtenbergb,c and L. Koendermana Dept. Pulmonary Disease and Immunology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands Utrecht Biotechnology Systems, Utrecht, The Netherlands The development of the phage display technique has led to the possibility of in vitro production of human antibodies. The most challenging medical application is their use in the identification of associated disease proteins. Our research interest is focused on the understanding of human granulocyte pre-activation (priming) in vivo. This process is extremely important in the control of host defence against pathogenic microorganisms. However, uncontrolled activation may lead to diseases such as adult respiratory stress syndrome and septic shock [1]. Granulocyte activation can be induced in vitro by the addition of pre-activating (priming) substances like cytokines, chemokines and/or bacterial products. After screening of a semi-synthetic phage antibody library of human scFv fragments, two human phage antibodies named MoPhab A17 and A27, were selected for ∗Correspondence to: Elisabetta Fortunati, Department Pulmonary Diseases, University Medical Centre, Heidelberglaan 100, Post G.03.550, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. Fax: +31 3