Human platelets glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is evidenced to be a platelet receptor of major importance in the occurrence of arterial thrombosis. Thus, it can be considered to be of great interest in diagnosis and therapeutic of atheriosclerotic diseases. Antibodies are powerful molecules which can be used in both diagnostic as well as for therapeutic purposes due to their unique characteristics. Monoclonal and recombinant antibodies have antigen restricted specificity, high affinity and can be used in various assays. Moreover, the good knowledge of their structure and molecular engineering facilities now allows the antibody modulation according to desired properties.Our group has already produced several monoclonal antibodies to human GPVI by gene gun immunization against the immunoadhesin hGPVI-Fc, which differ in fine epitopespecificity, affinity and other functional properties (Lecut et al. 2003). One, 3J24, with diagnostic potential while the other, 9O12, has a therapeutic potential because it blocks the binding of GPVI to collagen. Its Fab fragment has been extensively characterized in vitro,ex vivo and in vivo for its antithrombotic properties.Here, we designed and reshaped a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) based on 3J24variable domains for the quantification of GPVI with diagnostic potential. We were also involved in the design, production and functional evaluation of humanized anti-GPVI recombinant antibody fragments (scFvs and Fabs) with therapeutic properties.
