Optimized plant expression systems for high level production of monoclonal antibodies and methods of production thereof

Abstract

Improved plant transient expression systems using optimized geminiviral vectors that efficiently produce heteromultimeric proteins are described herein. Examples of high yields are shown herein, including two, three, or four fluorescent proteins coexpressed simultaneously. Various antibodies were produced using the optimized vectors with special focus given to the creation and production of a chimeric broadly neutralizing anti-flavivirus antibody. The variable regions of this murine antibody, 2A10G6, were codon optimized and fused to a human IgG1. Analysis of the chimeric antibody showed that it was efficiently expressed in plants, can be purified to near homogeneity by a simple one-step purification process, retains its ability to recognize the Zika virus envelope protein, and induce an immune response against Zika virus. Two other monoclonal antibodies were produced at similar levels. This technology is versatile tool for the production of a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical multi-protein complexes in a fast, powerful, and cost-effective way.

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