title: Phage display and Shiga toxin neutralizers.
abstract: The current work presents an overview of the use of phage display technology for the identification and characterization of potential neutralizing agents for Shiga toxins. The last major Shiga toxin-associated disease outbreak, which took place in Germany in 2011, showed the international community that Shiga toxins remain a serious threat to public health. This is also demonstrated by the lack of specific therapies against Shiga toxin-induced Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Since its inception, phage display technology has played a key role in the development of antigen-specific (poly)-peptides or antibody fragments with specific biological properties. Herein, we review the current literature regarding the application of phage display to identify novel neutralizing agents against Shiga toxins. We also briefly highlight reported discoveries of peptides and heavy chain antibodies (VHH fragments or nanobodies) that can neutralize the cellular damage caused by these potent toxins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil. Electronic address: alvinbn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Robert Alvin
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bernedo-Navarro
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tomomasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yano
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D061505:Cell Surface Display Techniques; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D054323:Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D010455:Peptides; D022603:Shiga Toxins
keywords: Escherichia coli; Phage display; STEC; Shiga toxins