DNA-protein alignment of V gene segments and anti-HIV VHHs

Abstract

Species of the Camelidae family possess a class of antibodies consisting only of heavy chains. The variable domains of these heavy chain antibodies (VHHs) can be used as process aids, as diagnostic tool or in a wide variety of therapeutic applications, such as prevention of HIV infection. The maturation of antibodies processes through a series of steps all aimed at optimizing the functionality. In this paper we describe new Lama glama V gene segments and discuss how the maturation of Camelid IgV and IgD VHHs differs from what is known for human and mouse VHs. Knowledge of this maturation pathway will eventually assist the selection and design of better VHHs against HIV.