Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Bacterial Peptide Display for the Selection of Novel Biotinylating Enzymes
Published on: October 3, 2019
IdeS: a bacterial proteolytic enzyme with therapeutic potential
Björn P Johansson1, Oonagh Shannon, Lars Björck
1Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Biomedical Center (BMC), Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Background:
IdeS, a proteinase from Streptococcus pyogenes, cleaves immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies with a unique degree of specificity. Pathogenic IgG antibodies constitute an important clinical problem contributing to the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune conditions and acute transplant rejection. To be able to effectively remove such antibodies is therefore an important clinical challenge.
Methodology/Principal Findings:
IdeS was found to specifically and efficiently cleave IgG in human blood in vitro (20 microg of IdeS caused a complete degradation of IgG in one ml of human whole blood in 15 minutes) and to clear IgG from the blood stream of rabbits in vivo (no IgG was detected six hours following an intravenous injection of 5 mg of IdeS) without any side effects. In a mouse model of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), polyclonal IgG antibodies against platelet surface antigens were used to induce a lethal disease. These profoundly thrombocytopenic animals were treated and cured by a single injection of IdeS.
Conclusions/Significance:
Novel information is provided concerning the IgG-cleaving activity of IdeS in vitro and in vivo. The highly specific and rapid elimination of IgG in vivo, the dramatic effect in a mouse model of ITP, and the lack of side effects in the treated animals, indicate that IdeS could also be used to treat IgG-driven diseases in humans.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Biological Methods for Microbial Control
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Bacterial Toxins

