Affiliations: Merck Research Labs, Merck and Co. Inc., West Point, PA, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Tessie McNeely, Merck and Co. Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, WP26-253, West Point, PA 19486, USA. Tel.: +1 215 652 6752; Fax: +1 215 993 1540; E-mail: tessie_mcneely@merck.com.
Abstract: A fully human monoclonal antibody (CS-D7, IgG1) specific for the iron regulated surface determinant B (IsdB) of Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) scFv antibody library. As compared to previously described IsdB specific murine monoclonals, CS-D7 has a unique, non-overlapping binding site on IsdB, and exhibits increased in vivo activity. The antibody recognizes a conformational epitope spanning amino acids 50 to 285 and has a binding affinity of 340 (± 75) pM for IsdB. CS-D7 bound to a wide variety of S. aureus strains, but not to an isdB deletion mutant. The antibody mediated opsonophagocytic (OP) killing in vitro and mediated significant protection in vivo. In a murine lethal sepsis model, the antibody conferred protection from death when dosed prior to challenge, but not when dosed after challenge. Importantly, in a central venous catheter (CVC) model in rats, the antibody reduced bacteremia and prevented colonization of indwelling catheters. Protection was observed when rats were dosed with CS-D7 prior to challenge as well as post challenge. IsdB is currently being investigated for clinical efficacy against S. aureus infection, and the activity of this human IsdB specific antibody supplements the growing body of evidence to support targeting this antigen for vaccine development.
Keywords: Staphylococcus, monoclonal antibody, iron regulated surface determinant, rodent models, indwelling catheter model, biofilm, survival model
