Expression of recombinant human anti-TNF-α scFv-Fc in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds.

Recombinant human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha scFv-Fc was expressed in TKO mutant Arabidopsis thaliana seeds using plant-specific codons. Immunoblotting using a human IgG1 antibody detected the expression of anti-TNF-alpha proteins in plants. Results from qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the time of harvest significantly affected the protein yield and quality. Our results indicate that the Phaseolus vulgaris beta-phaseolin promoter directed anti-TNF-alpha scFv-Fc expression in A. thaliana seeds, with a maximum yield obtained at 20-days of development. Although the yield of anti-TNF-alpha scFv-Fc protein was not very high, accumulation of recombinant proteins in seeds is an attractive and simple method that can be used to purify biologically active anti-TNF-alpha scFv-Fc.