Antibody Fragments

What is an Antibody Fragment?

Protein engineering techniques provide a means for minimizing the size of antibodies into Fab fragments, scFv or even single-domain antibody fragments such as VH, VL or VHH. These genetically engineered antibody fragments provide new opportunities for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, unlike full-chain monoclonal antibodies where Protein A based affinity adsorbents provide a convenient platform for capture and purification, antibody fragments which lack an Fc region frequently require purification by using a combination of non-affinity-based chromatography methods.

What is the function of an Antibody Fragment?

F(ab) and F(ab’)2 fragment antibodies eliminate non-specific binding between Fc portions of antibodies and Fc receptors on cells (such as macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, NK cells and B cells). They can penetrate tissues more efficiently due to their smaller size and they do not interfere with anti-Fc mediated antibody detection.

Fabsorbent™ F1P HF

Astrea Bioseparations has developed an affinity adsorbent for the capture and purification of a wide range of antibody fragments. Fabsorbent™ F1P HF is a synthetic-ligand light-chain binding adsorbent which can be used as a superior alternative to Protein L for the capture and purification of antibody fragments including monovalent antibody fragments (e.g. Fab, scFv), engineered antibody variants and single domain antibodies.

Key Features of Fabsorbent™ F1P HF:

  • Fab’ expressed in E.coli
  • Mammalian Fab fragments from papain catalysed antibody digests
  • Mammalian F(ab’)2 fragments from pepsin catalysed antibody digests
  • Human antibody λ and κ light chains
  • ScFv expressed in E.coli
  • Single domain antibody fragments expressed in E. coli
  • Human, bovine, ovine and murine antibodies and antibody fragments

Fabsorbent™ F1P HF for Purification of Antibody Fragments