Phage display selection of human single domain antibodies towards karilysin, a metalloproteinase and secreted virulence factor from Tannerella forsythia

Metalloproteases derived from microbial pathogens are important virulence factors contributing to evasion of antimicrobial mechanisms of the innate immune system. Karilysin is a metalloprotease recently discovered in the periodonto-pathogen Tanneralla forsythia and currently no monoclonal antibodies exist against karilysin, which is a gap in the molecular toolbox for structure-function studies of karilysin. In this study we have used phage display for fast selection of single domain antibodies (VHs) towards the karilysin catalytic domain (Kly18) using a human domain library based on a VH framework. Following five panning rounds, phage clones were sequenced, and three unique sequences were identified (termed Kly18-VHI-III). Initial screens identified Kly18-VHII-phage as capable of inhibiting Kly18 proteolytic activity. The free Kly18-VHII was expressed in the periplasmic space of BL21 E. coli using the pET22b (+) vector and purified by IMAC and the inhibition capacity of purified Kly18-VHII was confirmed. The data presented in this study provides input to the molecular toolbox for the study of karilysin and Kly18-VHII could serve as a lead molecule for development of a karilysin-specific inhibitor.