PLANTIBODIES , PLANTIBODY PRODUCTION AND ITS APPLICATION

plantibody is an antibody produced by genetically modified plants. Antibodies, originally derived from animals, are produced in plants by transforming the latter with animal antibody genes

1. VIVEKANANDHA
ARTS AND SCIENCE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
Veerachipalayam - 637 303, Sankagiri, Salem Dt., Tamil Nadu India.
Affiliated to Periyar University, Salem ; Recognised Under Section 2(f) & 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956 )
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
SUBJECT :
TITLE: PLANTIBODIES
SOIL & ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
SUBJECT INCHARGE :
SUBMITTED BY:
Dr. R. DINESHKUMAR,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Microbiology
VIAAS, Sankagiri.
SONIYA SREE SAKTHIVEL
II M.Sc., Microbiology,
Department of Microbiology,
VIAAS, Sankagiri.

3. H
OVERVIEW:
What are Antibody ?
Introduction about Plantibody
What are plantibody?
Historical background of plantibody
Why plants are suitable for antibody production?
Strategies of antibody production in plants
Methods of producing plantibodies
Conventional method of producing plantibody
Antibody gene transfer
Preference of tobacco for the production of plantibody
Mechanism of plantibody in host
Types of Plantibody
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics of plantibody
Application
Advantages & Disadvantages
Conclusion
Reference

4. What are Antibody ?
Antibodies (also known as an immunoglobulins) are antigen binding
glycoproteins present on B- cell membrane and secreted by plasma cells. These
Ab recognize antigens on pathogens and some dangerous compounds in order to
alert the adaptive immune system that there are pathogens within the body.

5. INTRODUCTION ABOUT PLANTIBODIES
Plantibodies, also known as plant-produced antibodies, are antibodies that are
produced in plants.
These plantibodies are generated by genetically modifying plants to produce
specific antibodies, usually for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
The use of plants to produce antibodies offers advantages such as cost-
effectiveness, scalability, and potentially lower risk of contamination.
Plantibodies have shown promise in the field of medicine, particularly in the
production of vaccines and treatments for various diseases.
This innovative approach harnesses the plant's natural ability to produce complex
proteins like antibodies, providing a sustainable and efficient alternative to
traditional antibody production methods.
Researchers are exploring the potential of plantibodies to revolutionize the
pharmaceutical industry by offering a more accessible and environmentally
friendly way to produce vital medical components.

6. Plants Anti body Plantibody
What are Plantibody ?
Plantibody is an antibody produced by introducing antibody genes (from mice or human) into a plant through the process
called genetic transformation.

7. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PLANTIBODY
The concept of plantibodies emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as scientists
explored using plants as biofactories for the production of complex proteins like
antibodies.
Plantibodies, were first demonstrated by Hiatt and colleagues and Duering and
colleagues.
Around 1990, plants were first considered as a potential host for producing
antibodies and the word “plantibody” was coined.
The first plantibody was a mouse antibody produced in tobacco plants in 1989.The
first approved therapeutic plantibody was CaroRx from Planet Biotechnology,
which binds to the bacteria Streptococcus mutans to prevent tooth decay in human
and was created from tobacco plants. More recently, LeafBio have been developing
Zmapp against Ebola, a mixture of three antibodies, again made in tobacco plants
This concept of using plants as heterologous expression system for recombinant
antibodies (plantibodies) is now more than two decades old.

8. Why plants are suitable for antibody production ?
1. Scalability: Plants offer the potential for large-scale production of antibodies due to their
ability to grow rapidly and in large quantities, making them suitable for industrial-scale
production.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: Producing antibodies in plants can be more cost-effective compared to
traditional mammalian cell culture systems, as plants require less expensive growth conditions
and maintenance.
3. Safety: Plant-based production systems are considered safer for antibody production than
using mammalian cells, as plants do not harbor human pathogens that could contaminate the
antibodies.
4. Ease of Production: Plant-based systems are relatively easy to establish and maintain,
requiring less complex infrastructure compared to traditional cell culture systems.
5. Post-Translational Modifications: Plants can perform post-translational modifications on
antibodies similar to mammalian cells, ensuring proper folding and functionality of the produced
antibodies.

9. Strategies of Antibody
production in plants
Two transgenic
plants
Two separate
vectors
Two transgenic
plants are obtained
with one expressing
heavy and one
expressing light
chain
One encoding heavy
chain and the other
encoding light chain
are introduced into
single transgenic
plants for the
production of
antibody
A single
vector
A single vector with
genes encoding both
the heavy and light
chain is introduced
into single transgenic
plant for the
production of
antibody.

10. Some key strategies...
The strategies for producing plantibodies involve utilizing plants as biofactories for the production of
antibodies. Some key strategies include:
1. Transgenic Plants :Introducing the gene encoding the antibody into the plant genome to enable the
production of antibodies in plant tissues. This method allows for the stable and continuous production
of plantibodies.
2. Agroinfiltration: Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens to deliver the antibody gene into plant tissues,
leading to transient expression of antibodies. This approach is rapid and efficient for producing
plantibodies.
3. Optimization of Expression Systems: Fine-tuning the expression systems in plants to enhance
antibody production, such as selecting appropriate promoters, signal peptides, and fusion partners to
improve protein yield and stability.
4. Purification Techniques: Implementing efficient purification methods to isolate and purify
plantibodies from plant extracts, ensuring high-quality antibodies for various applications.
5. Glycoengineering: Modifying plant glycosylation patterns to humanize plantibodies, making them
more compatible with human immune systems and reducing potential immunogenicity.

11. METHODS OF PRODUCING PLANTIBODY
1.One of the several methods for synthesizing plantibody is conventional method which uses transformation and
transient expression vector to introduce new genes into a host cell. The transformant cell is then introduced into
the plant embryo and propagation of the plant in the open field allows large-scale production of antibodies.
2.Plant tissue culture is the most economic and time-saving method for production of antibodies from plants.
To achieve this, plant cells in differentiated states are grown in bioreactors with foreign proteins harvested from
either the biomass or culture liquid. Cell cultures contain fewer biological proteins or molecules (along with
herbicides and pesticides) than open field plants or bacterial/yeast cell cultures, which may contaminate the
product
3.An experiment on tobacco plant established its breeding and sexual crossing as a method for production
of plantibody. In this experiment, transformation was used to introduce kappa type of light chain into
tobacco plants. The same was done with gamma heavy chains. Upon crossing one plant with kappa-chains
and another plant with gamma-chains, an antibody was produced that expressed both chains

12. CONVENTIONAL METHOD OF PRODUCING PLANTIBODY :
Isolation of antibody gene Transfer the Antibody
genes into plant cell
Insertion of transformed cell into
plant embryo
Plant developed with specific antibody
Plant propagation in field for producing antibody in
large-scale
1. 2.
3.
4.5.

13. TRANSFER ANTIBODY GENE INTO PLANT CELL
Biolistic
Electroporration
Physical method
Chemical method
1.
2.
Agrobacterium mediated
Transformation
Cationic Lipid-Mediated
Transfection
In plantibody production, there are physical and chemical methods used to transfer antibody genes into plant
cells. These methods are crucial for introducing the genetic material needed for the plant to produce
antibodies. Here are some common physical and chemical methods:

14. Biolistics (Particle Bombardment):
PHYSICAL METHOD
In this method, gold or tungsten particles coated with the
antibody gene are shot into plant cells using a gene gun. The
high-velocity particles penetrate the plant cell walls,
allowing the gene to enter the cell.
Electroporation
Plant cells are exposed to an electric field, creating
temporary pores in the cell membrane. The antibody gene is
then introduced into the cells, taking advantage of the
increased permeability caused by the electric field.

15. Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation
CHEMICAL METHOD
Cationic Lipid-Mediated Transfection
Liposomes containing the antibody gene
are mixed with plant cells. The cationic
lipids interact with the negatively
charged cell membrane, facilitating the
uptake of the gene into the cells.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a natural
genetic engineer, is used to transfer the
antibody gene into plant cells. The
bacterium carries a tumor-inducing plasmid
(Ti plasmid) containing the gene of interest,
which is then integrated into the plant
genome.

16. Several works have shown that soybeans, tobacco, potatoes, corn, alfalfa and
similar crops are promising alternative for the production of recombinant
therapeutic proteins.
Leafy crops such as tobacco and alfalfa generally have the greatest biomass
yields per hectare, because they can be cropped several times a year.
Nonetheless, tobacco has proven to be a favorite preference as it offers
numerous advantages over other plants as a host system.
Tobacco grows quickly and through numerous tests, has been shown to
produce comparatively large amounts of antibodies.
Additionally, tobacco is a non-food/non-feed crop, which means that if grown
in a greenhouse, the use of tobacco as a host would eliminate the small chance
of cross-contamination.
Being a non-food/non-feed crop would also mean that the use of tobacco for
antibody production would not remove any food staples from the industry or
contribute in the slightest to a food shortage.
PREFERENCE OF TOBACCO FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PLANTIBODY

17. Plantibodies or plant-produced antibodies, function similarly to antibodies produced in traditional
mammalian systems. The mechanism of action of plantibodies involves several key steps
1. Antigen Recognition: Plantibodies, like conventional antibodies, recognize specific antigens with high
specificity. The variable regions of the plantibody, derived from the antibody gene introduced into the plant,
bind to the target antigen.
2. Antigen Binding: Once the plantibody binds to the antigen, it forms an antigen-antibody complex. This
binding event is crucial for the plantibody to exert its effects on the target antigen.
3. Effector Functions: Plantibodies can trigger various effector functions to neutralize or eliminate the target
antigen. These functions include:
- Neutralization: Blocking the biological activity of the antigen, preventing it from exerting its effects.
- Opsonization: Marking the antigen for phagocytosis by immune cells, leading to the destruction of the
antigen.
- Complement Activation: Initiating the complement cascade, a series of immune responses that result in the
lysis of the target cell.
MECHANISM OF PLANTIBODY IN HOST

18. 4 .Modulation of Immune Responses:
Plantibodies can also modulate immune responses by interacting with immune cells and
signaling pathways. They can enhance or suppress immune reactions depending on the
context.
5. Therapeutic Applications:
Plantibodies have therapeutic potential in treating various diseases, including cancer,
infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders. They can be used for targeted therapy,
diagnostics, and vaccine development.
Overall, the mechanism of action of plantibodies involves antigen recognition, binding,
effector functions, and modulation of immune responses, making them valuable tools in
biotechnology and medicine.
MECHANISM OF PLANTIBODY IN HOST

19. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of plantibodies involve how these plant-
produced antibodies behave in the body and interact with their target antigens.
Pharmacokinetics of Plantibodies:
Absorption: Plantibodies can be administered via different routes such as oral, intravenous,
or subcutaneous. The absorption of plantibodies depends on the route of administration and
the characteristics of the plantibody.
Distribution: Once in the bloodstream, plantibodies can distribute to various tissues and
organs. The distribution pattern can affect the concentration of plantibodies at the target
site.
Metabolism: Plantibodies can undergo metabolism in the body, where they may be broken
down into smaller components. The metabolism of plantibodies can influence their duration
of action.
Excretion: Plantibodies are typically eliminated from the body through mechanisms like
renal excretion or degradation. The excretion process determines the clearance of
plantibodies from the body.

20. Pharmacodynamics of Plantibodies:
Target Binding:
Plantibodies bind to their specific target antigens, initiating the desired pharmacological
effect. The binding affinity and specificity of plantibodies to their targets play a crucial role
in their pharmacodynamics.
Effector Functions:
Once bound to the target antigen, plantibodies can exert effector functions such as
neutralization, opsonization, or complement activation. These functions contribute to the
therapeutic action of plantibodies.
Immune Modulation:
Plantibodies can modulate immune responses by interacting with immune cells and
signaling pathways. This modulation can enhance or suppress immune reactions, depending
on the intended therapeutic outcome.

21. TYPES OF
PLANTIBODY
Monoclonal
Plantibodies:
Recombinant
Plantibodies
These plantibodies are
derived from a single
clone of plant cells and
recognize a specific
antigen. Monoclonal
plantibodies are highly
specific and can be used
for targeted therapy and
diagnostics.
These plantibodies are
produced by
introducing
recombinant DNA
encoding antibody
genes into plant cells.
Recombinant
plantibodies offer
flexibility in design
and can be customized
for different
applications
Chimeric
Plantibodies
Chimeric plantibodies contain
components from both plant
and non-plant sources. For
example, they may have plant-
derived constant regions and
human-derived variable
regions. Chimeric plantibodies
combine the advantages of
plantibodies with the
functionality of other
antibody formats.

22. TYPES OF
PLANTIBODY
Humanized
Plantibodies
Bispecific
Plantibodies
Humanized plantibodies are
engineered to reduce
immunogenicity by incorporating
human antibody sequences into the
plantibody structure. This
modification helps to minimize
immune responses when the
plantibody is used in human
applications.
Bispecific plantibodies can bind
to two different antigens
simultaneously. This property
allows them to target multiple
pathways or antigens,
enhancing their therapeutic
potential in treating complex
diseases.

23. APPLICATIONS OF PLANTIBODY
Plantibodies have various applications in the field of biotechnology and medicine due to their
unique properties and benefits. Here are some common applications of plantibodies:
Therapeutic Use:
Plantibodies can be developed as therapeutic agents to treat various diseases, including cancer,
autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and inflammatory conditions. They can target specific
antigens or pathogens, providing a more targeted and personalized treatment approach.
Diagnostic Tools:
Plantibodies can be utilized in diagnostic tests to detect specific biomarkers or antigens. They are
used in techniques like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry
for accurate and sensitive detection of diseases.

24. APPLICATIONS OF PLANTIBODY
Research and Development:
Plantibodies serve as valuable tools in research laboratories for studying protein-protein
interactions, cellular processes, and disease mechanisms. They are used in experiments to
understand disease pathways and develop new therapeutic strategies.
Diagnostic Tools:
Bioremediation:** Plantibodies can be engineered to target environmental contaminants or toxins,
offering a potential solution for bioremediation. They can help in the cleanup of pollutants in soil,
water, and air by binding to and neutralizing harmful substances.
Agricultural Applications:
Plantibodies can be used in agriculture to protect crops from pests and diseases. By expressing
plantibodies in genetically modified crops, plants can be made resistant to pathogens, reducing the
need for chemical pesticides.

25. APPLICATIONS OF PLANTIBODY
Vaccines:
Plantibodies can also play a role in vaccine
development. They can be used to design novel vaccines
that target specific pathogens or antigens, enhancing
the immune response and providing long-lasting
protection against infectious diseases.
Overall, the versatility and specificity of plantibodies
make them valuable tools in various fields, ranging from
medicine to agriculture, research, and environmental
protection. Their unique characteristics offer promising
opportunities for innovation and advancement in
multiple industries.

26. ADVANTAGE OF PLANTIBODY
1. Cost-effective production.
2. Scalability for demand.
3. Safety from plant sourcing.
4. Customization for specific targets.
5. Stability under various conditions.
6. Low immunogenicity risk.
7. Versatile applications.
8. Environmentally friendly production.
9. Rapid development compared to traditional methods.
10. Potential for oral delivery in some cases.

27. DISADVANTAGE OF PLANTIBODY
1.Limited expression levels in plants.
2. Potential contamination with plant-specific allergens.
3. Complex purification processes.
4. Challenges in glycosylation patterns.
5. Short shelf life compared to traditional antibodies.
6. Difficulty in engineering certain complex antibody
structures.
7. Limited capacity for post-translational modifications.
8. Risk of plant-specific toxins or impurities.
9. Regulatory hurdles for plant-derived therapeutics.
10. Variable yields and consistency in production.

28. CONCLUSION
Transgenic plants have been shown to be the most productive and economical system for making antibodies
for human use as they play a key role in providing therapeutics and edible vaccines, which are cheap and
easy to administer.
This is true considering that not only tobacco, but also many other common plants such as corn, moss and
soybeans have become hosts for antibodies and have the capacity to cure, treat or lessen the detrimental
effects of multiple diseases. The low-cost, high-scalability, and safety characteristics of a plant-based
production system offer an attractive alternative for both commercial pharmaceutical production and for
manufacturing products for the developing world.
Furthermore, adoption of plants as bioreactors on a larger scale would reduce the cost of antibody therapy
and increase the number of patients with access to these treatments. In light of their numerous advantages, it
seems likely that plantibodies are the potential panacea for human and animal health challenges in the
foreseeable future. As their use in solving human health problems seem to be increasing, we advocate that
their application should also be exploited in the field of veterinary medicine.
Lastly, this important biotechnological breakthrough should be embraced in Africa where there is great
diversity of crops and plants that can be readily explored by the pharmaceutical industry for therapeutic,
immunoprophylactic, improved livestock productivity and other purposes.

29. REFERENCE:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02648725.2006.10648087
https://www.blopig.com/blog/2022/01/what-is-a-plantibody/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4994546/
https://youtu.be/VoeRa8Tcw38?si=EWamzpUDc96HE3tw
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantibody
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30. Thank You!