High throughput screening of scFv antibodies against viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus by flow cytometry

Viral hemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) is an economically important disease that affects salmon and trout worldwide. In this study, a recombinant single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody library derived from rainbow trout immunized with purified viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was constructed. The library was subjected to three rounds of screening by flow cytometry (FCM) against VHSV through a bacteria display technology, resulting in the enrichment of scFv. Four scFv clones with different fluorescence intensity were obtained by colony pick up at random following three rounds of screening. The isolated scFv antibodies were expressed and purified. Relative affinity assay showed the four clones had different sensitivity to VHSV, in accordance with FCM. The potential use of the selected VHSV-specific scFv antibodies was demonstrated by the successful application in Western blotting assay, ELISA and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and one of the isolated scFv molecular showed excellent in vitro and in vivio blocking activities against VHSV. scFv isolated in this study can be promising diagnostic and/or therapeutic reagents for VHS. This study provides powerful strategies for screening antibodies against new diseases.