Novel neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies against tetanus neurotoxin

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 9;11(1):12134. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91597-2.

Abstract

Tetanus is a fatal disease caused by tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT). TeNT is composed of a light chain (Lc) and a heavy chain, the latter of which is classified into two domains, N-terminus Hn and C-terminus Hc. Several TeNT-neutralizing antibodies have been reported, but it remains unclear which TeNT domains are involved in neutralization. To further understand the mechanism of these antibodies, we isolated TeNT-reactive human antibody clones from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We then analyzed the reactivity of the isolated antibody clones to each protein domain and their inhibition of Hc-ganglioside GT1b binding, which is critical for TeNT toxicity. We also investigated the TeNT-neutralizing ability of isolated antibody clones and showed that an Hn-reactive clone protected strongly against TeNT toxicity in mice. Furthermore, combination treatment of Hn-reactive antibody clones with both Hc-reactive and TeNT mix (the mixture of Hc, Hn, and Lc proteins)-reactive antibody clones enhanced the neutralizing effect. These results indicated that antibody clones targeting Hn effectively neutralized TeNT. In addition, the use of a cocktail composed of Hc-, Hn-, and TeNT mix-reactive antibodies provided enhanced protection compared to the use of each antibody alone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / blood
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Clostridium tetani / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
  • Metalloendopeptidases / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Tetanus / blood
  • Tetanus / immunology*
  • Tetanus / microbiology
  • Tetanus Toxin / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Tetanus Toxin
  • tetanospasmin
  • Metalloendopeptidases