Anti-CTGF Single-Chain Variable Fragment Dimers Inhibit Human Airway Smooth Muscle

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 9; no. 12
• Main Authors: Gao, Wei, Cai, Liting, Xu, Xudong, Fan, Juxiang, Xue, Xiulei, Yan, Xuejiao, Qu, Qinrong, Wang, Xihua, Zhang, Chen, Wu, Guoqiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science 05.12.2014
• Subjects: Analysis; Asthma; Proteins; Smooth muscle
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113980

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) contributes to airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell hyperplasia in asthma. Humanized single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFv) was well characterized as a CTGF antagonist in the differentiation of fibroblast into myofibroblast and pulmonary fibrosis in our previous studies. To further improve the bioactivity of scFv, we constructed a plasmid to express scFv-linker-matrilin-6xHis fusion proteins that could self-assemble into the scFv dimers by disulfide bonds in matrilin under non-reducing conditions. An immunoreactivity assay demonstrated that the scFv dimer could highly bind to CTGF in a concentration-dependent manner. The MTT and EdU assay results revealed that CTGF ([greater than or equal to]10 ng/mL) promoted the proliferation of ASM cells, and this effect was inhibited when the cells were treated with anti-CTGF scFv dimer. The western blot analysis results showed that increased phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR induced by CTGF could be suppressed by this scFv dimer. Based on these findings, anti-CTGF scFv dimer may be a potential agent for the prevention of airway remodeling in asthma.