Open AccessA synthetic biology approach for consistent production of plant‐made recombinant polyclonal antibodies against snake venom toxins
Author(s) -
Julve Parreño Jose Manuel,
Huet Estefanía,
FernándezdelCarmen Asun,
Segura Alvaro,
Venturi Micol,
Gandía Antoni,
Pan Weisong,
Albaladejo Irene,
Forment Javier,
Pla Davinia,
Wigdorovitz Andrés,
Calvete Juan J.,
Gutiérrez Carlos,
Gutiérrez José María,
Granell Antonio,
Orzáez Diego
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.12823
Subject(s) - biology , antivenom , venom , polyclonal antibodies , snake venom , recombinant dna , antiserum , neutralization , antibody , toxin , hyperimmunization , immunology , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene
Abstract Antivenoms developed from the plasma of hyperimmunized animals are the only effective treatment available against snakebite envenomation but shortage of supply contributes to the high morbidity and mortality toll of this tropical disease. We describe a synthetic biology approach to affordable and cost‐effective antivenom production based on plant‐made recombinant polyclonal antibodies (termed pluribodies). The strategy takes advantage of virus superinfection exclusion to induce the formation of somatic expression mosaics in agroinfiltrated plants, which enables the expression of complex antibody repertoires in a highly reproducible manner. Pluribodies developed using toxin‐binding genetic information captured from peripheral blood lymphocytes of hyperimmunized camels recapitulated the overall binding activity of the immune response. Furthermore, an improved plant‐made antivenom (plantivenom) was formulated using an in vitro selected pluribody against Bothrops asper snake venom toxins and has been shown to neutralize a wide range of toxin activities and provide protection against lethal venom doses in mice.