Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of shark variable new antigen receptor (VNAR) single domain antibody

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 147; pp. 369 - 375
• Main Authors: Cheong, Wei Shien, Leow, Chiuan Yee, Abdul Majeed, Abu Bakar, Leow, Chiuan Herng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.03.2020
• Subjects: Antigen; Biomarker; Immunodiagnostic; Immunotherapeutic; Review; Single domain antibody; Variable new antigen receptor (VNAR); Antigen; Biomarker; Immunodiagnostic; Single domain antibody; Immunotherapeutic; Variable new antigen receptor (VNAR)
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.039

Conventional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been widely used in research and diagnostic applications due to their high affinity and specificity. However, multiple limitations, such as large size, complex structure and sensitivity to extreme ambient temperature potentially weaken the performance of mAbs in certain applications. To address this problem, the exploration of new antigen binders is extensively required in relation to improve the quality of current diagnostic platforms. In recent years, a new immunoglobulin-based protein, namely variable domain of new antigen receptor (VNAR) was discovered in sharks. Unlike conventional mAbs, several advantages of VNARs, include small size, better thermostability and peculiar paratope structure have attracted interest of researchers to further explore on it. This article aims to first present an overview of the shark VNARs and outline the characteristics as an outstanding new reagent for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. •Antibodies are powerful tools due to their high affinity and specificity.•In tropical regions degradation of mAbs in test kits due to high temperatures is problematic.•Shark single domain antibody (VNAR) can have better thermostability than mAbs.•VNAR potentially provides new reagents for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.