# Characterization of a novel monoclonal antibody candidate that targets bacterial GAPDH and protects neonatal mice from infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Streptococcus agalactiae

## TL;DR

A new monoclonal antibody targeting a bacterial enzyme protects newborn mice from infections caused by two common pathogens.

## Contribution

The first high-affinity anti-GAPDH monoclonal antibody effective in both in vivo and ex vivo models of streptococcal infection.

## Key findings

- mAb01 binds bacterial GAPDH with high affinity, as shown by BLI and SPR.
- mAb01 significantly improves survival in neonatal mice infected with GBS or S. pneumoniae.
- mAb01 reduces bacterial replication in human blood cultures infected with GBS or S. pneumoniae.

## Abstract

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a highly conserved bacterial enzyme essential for glycolysis, yet it also plays important non-metabolic, “moonlighting” roles, including host immunomodulation. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (mAb01) that targets extracellular GAPDH from Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Using bio-layer interferometry (BLI) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), we demonstrate that mAb01 binds with high affinity, exhibiting dissociation constants in the low nanomolar range for both antigens. Functionally, mAb01 significantly improves survival in a neonatal murine model of sepsis caused by either GBS or S. pneumoniae, two relevant neonatal pathogens. The addition of mAb01 to ex vivo cultures of human peripheral blood infected with GBS or S. pneumoniae induced a significant decrease in bacterial replication, further supporting its protective potential. These results provide the first demonstration of a high-affinity anti-GAPDH monoclonal antibody that is effective in both in vivo and ex vivo models of streptococcal infection.