VHH ANTIBODY FOR YOUR PROJECT

Although being very specific and versatile, full-length monoclonal antibodies are not suitable for certain pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases where the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) prevents their passage. Indeed, their size is too large (around 150 kDa) which does not allow them to cross it. The recent emergence of small antibodies is promising in diagnosis, in veterinary health and more recently in human health as well, especially in the fight against brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. For example, a patented anti-Tau V_HH, binds to the pathological forms of the Tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ^[1]. We can also mention two other V_HH – effective in AD too – which are specific to protofibrils ^[2] and Aβ40 oligomers ^[3].

Their low molecular weight and good water solubility allow them to diffuse well through biological barriers such as the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) and to reach intracellular components. V_HH are thus a tool of choice in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative pathologies such as brain imaging techniques: V_HH are usually coupled with a radioelement (for example 11C or 18F isotopes) and used as radio-pharmaceutical agents. Moreover, due to these physical and chemical characteristics, V_HH are very rapidly eliminated molecules (fast renal clearance) ^[4].