Selection of single chain variable fragments specific for the human-inducible costimulator using ribosome display

We applied a ribosome display technique to a mouse single chain variable fragment (scFv) library to select scFvs specific for the inducible costimulator (ICOS). mRNA was isolated from the spleens of BALB/c mice immunized with ICOS protein. Heavy and κ chain genes (VH and κ) were amplified separately by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and the anti-ICOS VH/κ chain ribosome display library was constructed with a special flexible linker by overlap extension PCR. The VH/κ chain library was transcribed and translated in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Then, antibody-ribosome-mRNA complexes were produced and panned against ICOS protein under appropriate conditions. However, in order to isolate specific scFvs for ICOS, negative selection using CD28 was carried out before three rounds of positive selection on ICOS. After three rounds of panning, the selected scFv DNAs were cloned into pET43.1a and detected by SDS-PAGE. Then, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that we successfully constructed a native ribosome display library, and among seven clones, clone 5 had the highest affinity for the ICOS and low for the CD28. Anti-ICOS scFvs are assessed for binding specificity and affinity and may provide the potential for development of the humanized and acute and chronic allograft rejection.