[Transient expression and characterization of intracellular single chain Fv against the nucleocapsid protein of Hantavirus].

AIM:To transiently express an intracellular single chain Fv of monoclonal antibody 1A8 against nucleocapsid protein of Hantavirus and characterize the immunological activities of the expressed products. METHODS:COS-7 cells were transfected with mammalian expression vector 1A8-scFv-Ckappa/pCI-neo via lipofectin. The expressed product was identified by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. RESULTS:A diffuse pattern fluorescence was observed in less than 1% cytoplasm of transfected COS-7 cells. The binding of intracellular antibody fragments to NP antigen was confirmed by immunoprecipitation analysis. CONCLUSION:Transiently expressed single chain intrabodies can effectively target NP antigen in the cytoplasm. The present study may provide a new approach for treatment of Hantavirus.