PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A HUMAN SINGLE-CHAIN FV TO COLLAGENASE IV

The over-expression of collagenase IV in tumor tissues was found to be closely related to tumor metastasis. Collagenase IV has been therefor e considered as one of the novel indicative molecules for tumor diagno sis and treatment. Based on phage display antibody library technique, a single-chain Fv specific for collagenase IV was successfully cloned. This antibody, referred to as hCo4, was mainly composed of variable r egions from heavy and light chains, with its molecular weight of 27 ku . The engineered antibody bound to collagenase IV specifically. The af finity of hCo4 was found to be the same as that of a single-chain anti body constructed from a monoclonal antibody to collagenase IV. Since h Co4 is the smallest among all the antibodies specific for collagenase IV and it is of human origin, it has a potential to be applied for tum or immunotherapy and for the study of the relationship between collage nase IV and tumor metastasis.