Akbar Oghalaei - Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Feriedon Mahbudi - Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Rahimi Jamnani - Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Somayeh Piri-Gavgani - Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht - Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Aida Hassanzadeh-Eskafi - Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Delavar Shahbazzadeh - Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Adeli - Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Yeganeh Talebkhan - Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Mahdi Behdani - Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

Objective(s): One of the important interactions in controlling the human immune system is the reaction between checkpoint proteins such as programmed cell death-۱ (PD-۱) and its ligand, PD-L۱. These are negative immunoregulatory molecules that promote immune evasion of tumor cells. PD-L۱ expression is an immune-mediated mechanism used by various malignant cells in order to down-regulate the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) are a new class of anti-cancer agents that stimulate immune cells to elicit an antitumor response by blocking the ligand and receptor interactions. Nanobody (Nb) as a new type of antibody fragment, has some potential as CPI.Materials and Methods: A female camel was immunized with recombinant PD-L۱ protein, nanobody library was constructed and PD-L۱ specific Nb was selected. The selected Nb was characterized in terms of affinity, specificity, and binding potency in ELISA, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. Results: Developed nanobody, A۲۲ binds to its cognate target with high specificity and affinity. Western blot and flow cytometry techniques showed that nanobody A۲۲ was able to specifically detect and attach to human PD-L۱ protein on the cell surface and in the cell lysate. MTT assay showed the inhibitory effect of PD-L۱ by specific Nb on A۴۳۱ and HEK۲۹۳ cells, with no cytotoxic effect on cell growth.Conclusion: The results highlighted the potential of anti-PD-L۱ Nb as a novel therapeutic in cancer therapy without undesirable cytotoxicity.

Cancer, Checkpoint inhibitors, Nanobody, Programmed cell death - ligand-۱, Single domain antibody