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Kibria MG, Shiwaku Y, Brindha S, Kuroda Y. Biophysical and biochemical nature of amorphous protein oligomers determines the strength of immune response and the generation of T-cell memory. FEBS J 2023; 290:4712-4725. [PMID: 37287403 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Here, we used domain 3 of dengue virus serotype 3 envelope protein (D3ED3), a natively folded globular low-immunogenicity protein, to ask whether the biophysical nature of amorphous oligomers can affect immunogenicity. We prepared nearly identical 30 ~ 50 nm-sized amorphous oligomers in five distinct ways and looked at any correlation between their biophysical properties and immunogenicity. One oligomer type was produced using our SCP tag (solubility controlling peptide) made of 5 isoleucines (C5I). The others were prepared by miss-shuffling the SS bonds (Ms), heating (Ht), stirring (St) and freeze-thaw (FT). Dynamic light scattering showed that all five formulations contained oligomers of approximately identical sizes with hydrodynamic radii (Rh) between 30 and 55 nm. Circular dichroism (cd) indicated that the secondary structure content of oligomers formed by stirring and freeze-thaw was essentially identical to that of the native monomeric D3ED3. The secondary structure content of the Ms showed moderate changes, whereas the C5I and heat-induced (Ht) oligomers exhibited a significant change. The Ms contained D3ED3 with intermolecular SS bonds as assessed by nonreducing size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Immunization in JcL:ICR mice showed that both C5I and Ms significantly increased the anti-D3ED3 IgG titre. Ht, St and FT were only mildly immunogenic, similar to the monomeric D3ED3. Cell surface CD marker analysis by flow cytometry confirmed that immunization with Ms generated a strong central and effector T-cell memory. Our observations indeed suggest that controlled oligomerization can provide a new, adjuvant-free method for increasing a protein's immunogenicity, yielding a potentially powerful platform for protein-based (subunit) vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Yukari Shiwaku
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Subbaian Brindha
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-Shi, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
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2
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Yoshizue T, Brindha S, Wongnak R, Takemae H, Oba M, Mizutani T, Kuroda Y. Antisera Produced Using an E. coli-Expressed SARS-CoV-2 RBD and Complemented with a Minimal Dose of Mammalian-Cell-Expressed S1 Subunit of the Spike Protein Exhibits Improved Neutralization. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10583. [PMID: 37445760 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
E. coli-expressed proteins could provide a rapid, cost-effective, and safe antigen for subunit vaccines, provided we can produce them in a properly folded form inducing neutralizing antibodies. Here, we use an E. coli-expressed SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein as a model to examine whether it yields neutralizing antisera with effects comparable to those generated by the S1 subunit of the spike protein (S1 or S1 subunit, thereafter) expressed in mammalian cells. We immunized 5-week-old Jcl-ICR female mice by injecting RBD (30 µg) and S1 subunit (5 µg) according to four schemes: two injections 8 weeks apart with RBD (RBD/RBD), two injections with S1 (S1/S1), one injection with RBD, and the second one with S1 (RBD/S1), and vice versa (S1/RBD). Ten weeks after the first injection (two weeks after the second injection), all combinations induced a strong immune response with IgG titer > 105 (S1/RBD < S1/S1 < RBD/S1 < RBD/RBD). In addition, the neutralization effect of the antisera ranked as S1/RBD~RBD/S1 (80%) > S1/S1 (56%) > RBD/RBD (42%). These results indicate that two injections with E. coli-expressed RBD, or mammalian-cell-produced spike S1 subunit alone, can provide some protection against SARS-CoV-2, but a mixed injection scheme yields significantly higher protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Yoshizue
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Japan
| | - Subbaian Brindha
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8538, Japan
| | - Rawiwan Wongnak
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Takemae
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8538, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8509, Japan
| | - Mami Oba
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8538, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8509, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mizutani
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8538, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8509, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi 184-8588, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8538, Japan
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Heidarpanah S, Thibodeau A, Parreira VR, Quessy S, Segura M, Meniaï I, Gottschalk M, Gaudreau A, Juette T, Gaucher ML. Immunization of broiler chickens with five newly identified surface-exposed proteins unique to Clostridium perfringens causing necrotic enteritis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5254. [PMID: 37002317 PMCID: PMC10063949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32541-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the ban or reduction on the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in commercial broiler chickens in many countries, avian necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens has re-emerged as one of the biggest threats for the poultry industry worldwide. While the toolbox for controlling NE in the absence of antibiotics consists of a limited number of alternatives for which the overall effectiveness has yet proven to be suboptimal, an effective vaccine would represent the best control strategy for this often-deadly disease. Using a comparative and subtractive reverse vaccinology approach, we previously identified 14 putative antigenic proteins unique to NE-causing strains of C. perfringens. In the current work, the in silico findings were confirmed by PCR and sequencing, and five vaccine candidate proteins were produced and purified subsequently. Among them, two candidates were hypothetical proteins, two candidates were prepilin proteins which are predicted to form the subunits of a pilus structure, and one candidate was a non-heme iron protein. Western blotting and ELISA results showed that immunization of broiler chickens with five of these proteins raised antibodies which can specifically recognize both the recombinant and native forms of the protein in pathogenic C. perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Heidarpanah
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes (CRSV), Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Alexandre Thibodeau
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes (CRSV), Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche Sur les Maladies Infectieuses en Production Animale (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Valeria R Parreira
- Food Science Department, Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety (CRIFS), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sylvain Quessy
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes (CRSV), Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Mariela Segura
- Groupe de Recherche Sur les Maladies Infectieuses en Production Animale (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Ilhem Meniaï
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes (CRSV), Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Marcelo Gottschalk
- Groupe de Recherche Sur les Maladies Infectieuses en Production Animale (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Annie Gaudreau
- Groupe de Recherche Sur les Maladies Infectieuses en Production Animale (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Tristan Juette
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Marie-Lou Gaucher
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes (CRSV), Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
- Groupe de Recherche Sur les Maladies Infectieuses en Production Animale (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRIPA), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
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The Immunogenicity of DENV1-4 ED3s Strongly Differ despite Their Almost Identical Three-Dimensional Structures and High Sequence Similarities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032393. [PMID: 36768719 PMCID: PMC9916489 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of a dengue (DENV) vaccine remains challenging due to the heteroserotypic infection, which can result in a potentially deadly hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, and only a tetravalent vaccine can overcome this issue. Here, we report the immunogenicity of DENV envelope protein domain 3 (ED3) from all four DENV serotypes (DENV1-4) in Swiss albino and BALB/c mice models. Firstly, we observed that despite having very similar sequences and structures, both the humoral and cellular immunogenicity of ED3s varied significantly, with strength ranging from DENV2 ED3 (2ED3)~3ED3 > 1ED3 > 4ED3, which was assessed through anti-ED3 IgG titers, and DENV1 ED3 (1ED3) > 2ED3~3ED3 > 4ED3 as determined by monitoring T-cell memory (CD44+CD62L+ T cells with IL-4 and IFN-γ expression). Secondly, anti-1ED3 sera cross-reacted with 2ED3 and 3ED3; anti-2ED3 and anti-3ED3 sera cross-reacted with each other, but anti-4ED3 was completely serotype-specific. The lack of reciprocity of anti-1ED3's cross-reaction was unanticipated. Such disparity in the ED3 responses and cross-reaction might underlie the appearance of hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Hence, the development of an ED3-based tetravalent subunit vaccine would require understanding the aforementioned disparities.
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Koga H, Yamano T, Betancur J, Nagatomo S, Ikeda Y, Yamaguchi K, Nabuchi Y, Sato K, Teranishi-Ikawa Y, Sato M, Hirayama H, Hayasaka A, Torizawa T, Haraya K, Sampei Z, Shiraiwa H, Kitazawa T, Igawa T, Kuramochi T. Efficient production of bispecific antibody by FAST-Ig TM and its application to NXT007 for the treatment of hemophilia A. MAbs 2023; 15:2222441. [PMID: 37339067 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2222441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient production of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) in single mammalian cells is essential for basic research and industrial manufacturing. However, preventing unwanted pairing of heavy chains (HCs) and light chains (LCs) is a challenging task. To address this, we created an engineering technology for preferential cognate HC/LC and HC/HC paring called FAST-Ig (Four-chain Assembly by electrostatic Steering Technology - Immunoglobulin), and applied it to NXT007, a BsAb for the treatment of hemophilia A. We introduced charged amino-acid substitutions at the HC/LC interface to facilitate the proper assembly for manufacturing a standard IgG-type BsAb. We generated CH1/CL interface-engineered antibody variants that achieved > 95% correct HC/LC pairing efficiency with favorable pharmacological properties and developability. Among these, we selected a design (C3) that allowed us to separate the mis-paired species with an unintended pharmacological profile using ion-exchange chromatography. Crystal structure analysis demonstrated that the C3 design did not affect the overall structure of both Fabs. To determine the final design for HCs-heterodimerization, we compared the stability of charge-based and knobs into hole-based Fc formats in acidic conditions and selected the more stable charge-based format. FAST-Ig was also applicable to stable CHO cell lines for industrial production and demonstrated robust chain pairing with different subclasses of parent BsAbs. Thus, it can be applied to a wide variety of BsAbs both preclinically and clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Koga
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamano
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Juan Betancur
- API Process Development Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Ukima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoko Nagatomo
- Analytical Development Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ukima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yousuke Ikeda
- Analytical Development Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ukima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Yamaguchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nabuchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sato
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Motohiko Sato
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hirayama
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akira Hayasaka
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Torizawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenta Haraya
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Zenjiro Sampei
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hirotake Shiraiwa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takehisa Kitazawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Igawa
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taichi Kuramochi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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Kuroda Y. Biophysical studies of amorphous protein aggregation and in vivo immunogenicity. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:1495-1501. [PMID: 36465085 PMCID: PMC9684872 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-022-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Amorphous protein aggregates are oligomers that lack specific, high-order structures. Soluble amorphous aggregates are smaller than ~1 µm. Despite their lack of high-order structure, amorphous protein aggregates exhibit specific biophysical properties such as reversibility of formation, density, conformation, and biochemical stability. Our mutational analysis using a Solubility Controlling Peptide (SCP) tag strongly suggests that amorphous aggregation of small globular proteins can significantly increase in vivo immune response and that the magnitude of enhanced immune responses depends on the aggregates' biophysical and biochemical properties. We propose that SCP tags might help develop subunit (protein) adjuvant-free (immunostimulant-free) vaccines by controlling the aggregation propensity of target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-Shi, Tokyo, 184-8588 Japan
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Rahman N, Miura S, Okawa M, Kibria MG, Islam MM, Kuroda Y. Solubility Controlling Peptide Tags of Opposite Charges Generate a Bivalent Immune Response Against Dengue ED3 Serotypes 3 and 4. Front Immunol 2021; 12:671590. [PMID: 34177912 PMCID: PMC8226127 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.671590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that a protein’s immunogenicity could be substantially increased by attaching a hydrophobic solubility controlling peptide tag (SCP-tag) producing small sub-visible aggregates. Here, we report the oligomerization of Dengue envelop protein domain 3 (ED3), and consequently, its immunogenicity increase by mixing ED3s attached with SCP-tags of opposite charges at equimolar concentration. We used ED3 of serotype 3 (D3ED3) and serotype 4 (D4ED3), which are, respectively, moderately and poorly immunogenic, and their SCP tagged variants constructed by attaching either a C-termini 5-Aspartic acid (C5D) or a 5-Lysine (C5K) tag. Light scattering indicated that the isolated tagged ED3s remained monomeric, but mixing the C5D and C5K tagged ED3s at equimolar concentration generated sub-visible aggregates or oligomers of ~500 nm through electrostatic interaction. In addition, the oligomerized ED3s remained in a native-like state, as assessed by fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The in vivo immunogenicity of the D3ED3 and D4ED3 oligomers generated by the charged tags increased by 5 and 16 fold, respectively. Furthermore, injection of heterotypic ED3 oligomers (D3C5D+D4C5K) induced an immune response against both D3ED3 and D4ED3 in 3 of 4 responsive mice, and the IgG titer of the bivalent anti-D3C5D-D4C5K sera was over 100 times higher than that generated by co-injecting the untagged D3ED3 and D4ED3 (D3+D4). Altogether, these observations suggest that SCP-tags could be used as a platform for producing a long-sought tetravalent dengue vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsoon Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Miura
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Okawa
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohammad Monirul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Golam Kibria M, Akazawa-Ogawa Y, Hagihara Y, Kuroda Y. Immune response with long-term memory triggered by amorphous aggregates of misfolded anti-EGFR V HH-7D12 is directed against the native V HH-7D12 as well as the framework of the analogous V HH-9G8. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2021; 165:13-21. [PMID: 33971271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that amorphous aggregates of misfolded VHH-7D12 antibodies (VHH-Mis), a potential anti-EGFR drug, can generate a robust serum IgG response. Here we investigate the immunogenic nature, especially the specificity of the immune response induced by VHH-Mis. To this end, we used two natively folded and 77% identical anti-EGFR VHHs (VHH-7D12 and VHH-9G8) that possess a common framework but distinct complementarity determining regions (CDRs). In 60% of mice immunized with VHH-Mis, the anti-VHH-7D12 IgG titer was stronger than the anti-VHH-9G8 titer (Group-1). In the remaining mice (40%; Group-2), the anti-VHH-7D12 and anti-VHH-9G8 titer were almost identical. We rationalized these results by hypothesizing that mice in Group-1 produced IgG mostly against the VHH-7D12's CDRs, whereas in Group-2 mice, they targeted the VHH's framework. The IgG specificity against VHH-7D12 and VHH-9G8 was essentially unchanged over 17 weeks in both groups. Further, in all mice (Group-1&2) re-immunized with native VHH-7D12, the IgG titer against VHH-7D12 increased sharply but not against VHH-9G8. On the other hand, none of the three Group-1 mice re-immunized with native VHH-9G8 showed immunogenicity against VHH-7D12 nor VHH-9G8. Whereas, in Group-2 mice (three/three) re-immunized with VHH-9G8, the IgG titers against both VHHs increased but slowly. Flow-cytometric studies showed that VHH-Mis immunized mice generated a higher number of effector and central memory T-cells. Overall, these observations indicate that amorphous aggregates made of a misfolded VHH can induce serum IgG against its natively folded self and analogous VHHs having a similar framework but distinct CDRs. Furthermore, a robust long-term immune response with memory was established against its natively folded self but with a nil-to-moderate immune response against natively folded VHH analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yoko Akazawa-Ogawa
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-8-31, Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka 563-8577, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Hagihara
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-8-31, Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka 563-8577, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
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