Antibodies as specific chaperones.

Protein folding is often accompanied by formation of non-native conformations leading to protein aggregation. A number of reports indicate that antibodies can facilitate folding and prevent aggregation of protein antigens. The influence of antibodies on folding is strictly antigen specific. Chaperone-like antibody activity may be due to the stabilization of native antigen conformations or folding transition states, or screening of aggregating hydrophobic surfaces. Taking advantage of chaperone-like activity of antibodies for immunotherapy may prove to be a promising approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's and prion-related diseases. Antibody-assisted folding may enhance renaturation of recombinant proteins from inclusion bodies.