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Compte M, Sanz L, Álvarez-Vallina L. Applications of trimerbodies in cancer immunotherapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 369:71-87. [PMID: 35777865 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Trimerbodies, with their unique structural and functional properties, are the basis of a new generation of therapeutic antibodies, which due to their small size and plasticity are ideal for the generation of novel biological protein drugs with multiple competitive advantages over conventional full-length monoclonal antibodies. Since their emergence, trimerbodies have been used in preclinical cancer diagnosis and therapy. Trimerbodies are highly adaptable molecules, as they allow target-specific modulation of T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity to enhance preexisting responses or to generate de novo immune responses. In fact, a tumor-specific humanized 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody has shown a rather impressive safety and efficacy profile in preclinical studies making it a realistic option for clinical development. Moreover, thanks to the avidity effect they are endowed with considerable therapeutic potential as carriers to deliver cytotoxic payloads to tumors. In addition, molecular imaging studies could benefit from some intermediate-sized trivalent trimerbodies as promising candidates for targeted therapy and tumor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis S.L., Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Obeng EM, Dzuvor CKO, Danquah MK. Anti-SARS-CoV-1 and -2 nanobody engineering towards avidity-inspired therapeutics. NANO TODAY 2022; 42:101350. [PMID: 34840592 PMCID: PMC8608585 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, the emergence of coronavirus diseases has been dire distress on both continental and global fronts and has resulted in the search for potent treatment strategies. One crucial challenge in this search is the recurrent mutations in the causative virus spike protein, which lead to viral escape issues. Among the current promising therapeutic discoveries is the use of nanobodies and nanobody-like molecules. While these nanobodies have demonstrated high-affinity interaction with the virus, the unpredictable spike mutations have warranted the need for avidity-inspired therapeutics of potent inhibitors such as nanobodies. This article discusses novel approaches for the design of anti-SARS-CoV-1 and -2 nanobodies to facilitate advanced innovations in treatment technologies. It further discusses molecular interactions and suggests multivalent protein nanotechnology and chemistry approaches to translate mere molecular affinity into avidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene M Obeng
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Christian K O Dzuvor
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Michael K Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
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3
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Sanz L, Ibáñez-Pérez R, Guerrero-Ochoa P, Lacadena J, Anel A. Antibody-Based Immunotoxins for Colorectal Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1729. [PMID: 34829955 PMCID: PMC8615520 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are included among the treatment options for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, while these mAbs effectively target cancer cells, they may have limited clinical activity. A strategy to improve their therapeutic potential is arming them with a toxic payload. Immunotoxins (ITX) combining the cell-killing ability of a toxin with the specificity of a mAb constitute a promising strategy for CRC therapy. However, several important challenges in optimizing ITX remain, including suboptimal pharmacokinetics and especially the immunogenicity of the toxin moiety. Nonetheless, ongoing research is working to solve these limitations and expand CRC patients' therapeutic armory. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of targets and toxins employed in the design of ITX for CRC and highlight a wide selection of ITX tested in CRC patients as well as preclinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Ibáñez-Pérez
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
| | - Patricia Guerrero-Ochoa
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
| | - Javier Lacadena
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Anel
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
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4
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Güttler T, Aksu M, Dickmanns A, Stegmann KM, Gregor K, Rees R, Taxer W, Rymarenko O, Schünemann J, Dienemann C, Gunkel P, Mussil B, Krull J, Teichmann U, Groß U, Cordes VC, Dobbelstein M, Görlich D. Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by highly potent, hyperthermostable, and mutation-tolerant nanobodies. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107985. [PMID: 34302370 PMCID: PMC8420576 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021107985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins represent a treatment option for COVID-19. However, their production in mammalian cells is not scalable to meet the global demand. Single-domain (VHH) antibodies (also called nanobodies) provide an alternative suitable for microbial production. Using alpaca immune libraries against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, we isolated 45 infection-blocking VHH antibodies. These include nanobodies that can withstand 95°C. The most effective VHH antibody neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 at 17-50 pM concentration (0.2-0.7 µg per liter), binds the open and closed states of the Spike, and shows a tight RBD interaction in the X-ray and cryo-EM structures. The best VHH trimers neutralize even at 40 ng per liter. We constructed nanobody tandems and identified nanobody monomers that tolerate the K417N/T, E484K, N501Y, and L452R immune-escape mutations found in the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Epsilon, Iota, and Delta/Kappa lineages. We also demonstrate neutralization of the Beta strain at low-picomolar VHH concentrations. We further discovered VHH antibodies that enforce native folding of the RBD in the E. coli cytosol, where its folding normally fails. Such "fold-promoting" nanobodies may allow for simplified production of vaccines and their adaptation to viral escape-mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Güttler
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Metin Aksu
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Antje Dickmanns
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, GZMB, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kim M Stegmann
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, GZMB, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Gregor
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Renate Rees
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Waltraud Taxer
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oleh Rymarenko
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Schünemann
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Dienemann
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philip Gunkel
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bianka Mussil
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Krull
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Teichmann
- Animal facility, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uwe Groß
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Volker C Cordes
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Dobbelstein
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, GZMB, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Görlich
- Department of Cellular Logistics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
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Yao LW, Wu LL, Zhang LH, Zhou W, Wu L, He K, Ren JC, Deng YC, Yang DM, Wang J, Mu GG, Xu M, Zhou J, Xiang GA, Ding QS, Yang YN, Yu HG. MFAP2 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and promotes motility via the MFAP2/integrin α5β1/FAK/ERK pathway. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:17. [PMID: 32054827 PMCID: PMC7018958 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-0198-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies and its prognosis is extremely poor. This study identifies a novel oncogene, microfibrillar-associated protein 2 (MFAP2) in GC. With integrative reanalysis of transcriptomic data, we found MFAP2 as a GC prognosis-related gene. And the aberrant expression of MFAP2 was explored in GC samples. Subsequent experiments indicated that silencing and exogenous MFAP2 could affect motility of cancer cells. The inhibition of silencing MFAP2 could be rescued by another FAK activator, fibronectin. This process is probably through affecting the activation of focal adhesion process via modulating ITGB1 and ITGA5. MFAP2 regulated integrin expression through ERK1/2 activation. Silencing MFAP2 by shRNA inhibited tumorigenicity and metastasis in nude mice. We also revealed that MFAP2 is a novel target of microRNA-29, and miR-29/MFAP2/integrin α5β1/FAK/ERK1/2 could be an important oncogenic pathway in GC progression. In conclusion, our data identified MFAP2 as a novel oncogene in GC and revealed that miR-29/MFAP2/integrin α5β1/FAK/ERK1/2 could be an important oncogenic pathway in GC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Wen Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Lian-Lian Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Li-Hui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Lu Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Ke He
- Department of General Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510317, P.R. China.,Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Cai Ren
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Chao Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Mei Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Gang-Gang Mu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China
| | - Guo-An Xiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510317, P.R. China
| | - Qian-Shan Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China. .,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.
| | - Yan-Ning Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.
| | - Hong-Gang Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China. .,Hubei Key laboratory of Digestive System, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P.R. China.
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6
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A novel Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)-Targeted Trimeric Immunotoxin shows significantly enhanced Antitumor Activity in Human Colorectal Cancer Xenografts. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11680. [PMID: 31406218 PMCID: PMC6690998 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins are chimeric molecules, which combine antibody specificity to recognize and bind with high-affinity tumor-associated antigens (TAA) with the potency of the enzymatic activity of a toxin, in order to induce the death of target cells. Current immunotoxins present some limitations for cancer therapy, driving the need to develop new prototypes with optimized properties. Herein we describe the production, purification and characterization of two new immunotoxins based on the gene fusion of the anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody MFE23 to α-sarcin, a potent fungal ribotoxin. One construct corresponds to a conventional monomeric single-chain immunotoxin design (IMTXCEAαS), while the other one takes advantage of the trimerbody technology and exhibits a novel trimeric format (IMTXTRICEAαS) with enhanced properties compared with their monomeric counterparts, including size, functional affinity and biodistribution, which endow them with an improved tumor targeting capacity. Our results show the highly specific cytotoxic activity of both immunotoxins in vitro, which was enhanced in the trimeric format compared to the monomeric version. Moreover, the trimeric immunotoxin also exhibited superior antitumor activity in vivo in mice bearing human colorectal cancer xenografts. Therefore, trimeric immunotoxins represent a further step in the development of next-generation therapeutic immunotoxins.
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Rios X, Compte M, Gómez-Vallejo V, Cossío U, Baz Z, Morcillo MÁ, Ramos-Cabrer P, Alvarez-Vallina L, Llop J. Immuno-PET Imaging and Pharmacokinetics of an Anti-CEA scFv-based Trimerbody and Its Monomeric Counterpart in Human Gastric Carcinoma-Bearing Mice. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:1025-1035. [PMID: 30726099 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b01006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are currently used as therapeutic agents in different types of cancer. However, mAbs and antibody fragments developed so far show suboptimal properties in terms of circulation time and tumor penetration/retention. Here, we report the radiolabeling, pharmacokinetic evaluation, and determination of tumor targeting capacity of the previously validated anti-CEA MFE23-scFv-based N-terminal trimerbody (MFE23N-trimerbody), and the results are compared to those obtained for the monomeric MFE23-scFv. Dissection and gamma-counting studies performed with the 131I-labeled protein scaffolds in normal mice showed slower blood clearance for the trimerbody, and accumulation in the kidneys, the spleen, and the liver for both species. These, together with a progressive uptake in the small intestine, confirm a combined elimination scheme with hepatobiliary and urinary excretion. Positron emission tomography studies performed in a xenograft mouse model of human gastric adenocarcinoma, generated by subcutaneous administration of CEA-positive human MKN45 cells, showed higher tumor accumulation and tumor-to-muscle (T/M) ratios for 124I-labeled MFE23N-trimerbody than for MFE23-scFv. Specific uptake was not detected with PET imaging in CEA negative xenografts as indicated by low T/M ratios. Our data suggest that engineered intermediate-sized trivalent antibody fragments could be promising candidates for targeted therapy and imaging of CEA-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Rios
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
| | - Marta Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit , Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda , Manuel de Falla 1, 28222 Majadahonda, Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Unai Cossío
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
| | - Zuriñe Baz
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Morcillo
- Biomedical Applications of Radioisotopes and Pharmacokinetics Unit , CIEMAT , 28040 Madrid , Spain
| | - Pedro Ramos-Cabrer
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa Spain.,Ikerbasque, The Basque Foundation for Science , 48013 Bilbao , Spain
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Group, Department of Engineering , Aarhus University , Gustav WiedsVej 10 , 8000 C Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Jordi Llop
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
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Alam MK, Brabant M, Viswas RS, Barreto K, Fonge H, Ronald Geyer C. A novel synthetic trivalent single chain variable fragment (tri-scFv) construction platform based on the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase system. BMC Biotechnol 2018; 18:55. [PMID: 30200951 PMCID: PMC6131909 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-018-0466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Advances in antibody engineering provide strategies to construct recombinant antibody-like molecules with modified pharmacokinetic properties. Multermerization is one strategy that has been used to produce antibody-like molecules with two or more antigen binding sites. Multimerization enhances the functional affinity (avidity) and can be used to optimize size and pharmacokinetic properties. Most multimerization strategies involve genetically fusing or non-covalently linking antibody fragments using oligomerization domains. Recent studies have defined guidelines for producing antibody-like molecules with optimal tumor targeting properties, which require intermediates size (70–120 kDa) and bi- or tri-valency. Results We described a highly modular antibody-engineering platform for rapidly constructing synthetic, trivalent single chain variable fragments (Tri-scFv) using the SpyCatcher/SpyTag protein ligase system. We used this platform to construct an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) Tri-scFv. We generated the anti-HER3 Tri-scFv by genetically fusing a SpyCatcher to the C-terminus of an anti-HER3 scFv and ligating it to a synthetic Tri-SpyTag peptide. The anti-HER3 Tri-scFv bound recombinant HER3 with an apparent KD of 2.67 nM, which is approximately 12 times lower than the KD of monomeric anti-HER3 scFv (31.2 nM). Anti-HER3 Tri-scFv also bound endogenous cell surface expressed HER3 stronger than the monomer anti-HER3 scFv. Conclusion We used the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase system to ligate anti-HER3 scFv fused to a SpyCatcher at its C-termini to a Tri-SpyTag to construct Tr-scFv. This system allowed the construction of a Tri-scFv with all the scFv antigen-binding sites pointed outwards. The anti-HER3 Tri-scFv bound recombinant and endogenously expressed HER3 with higher functional affinity (avidity) than the monomeric anti-HER3 scFv. The Tri-scFv had the size, valency, and functional affinity that are desired for therapeutic and imaging applications. Use of the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase system allows Tri-scFvs to be rapidly constructed in a simple, modular manner, which can be easily applied to scFvs or other antibody fragments targeting other antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Kausar Alam
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Michelle Brabant
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | | | - Kris Barreto
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Humphrey Fonge
- Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - C Ronald Geyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W8, Canada.
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Fujii H, Tanaka Y, Nakazawa H, Sugiyama A, Manabe N, Shinoda A, Shimizu N, Hattori T, Hosokawa K, Sujino T, Ito T, Niide T, Asano R, Kumagai I, Umetsu M. Compact Seahorse‐Shaped T Cell–Activating Antibody for Cancer Therapy. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201700031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Fujii
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Graduate School of Life Sciences Tohoku University 2‐1‐1 Katahira Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8577 Japan
- JST PRESTO 2‐1‐1 Katahira Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8577 Japan
| | - Hikaru Nakazawa
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Aruto Sugiyama
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Manabe
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Akira Shinoda
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science Hokkaido University Sapporo 060–0810 Japan
| | - Nobutaka Shimizu
- Photon Factory Institute of Materials Structure Science High Energy Accelerator Research Organization 1‐1 Oho Tsukuba Ibaraki 305–0801 Japan
| | - Takamitsu Hattori
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Hosokawa
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Takuma Sujino
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ito
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Teppei Niide
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Ryutaro Asano
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Izumi Kumagai
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
| | - Mitsuo Umetsu
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Tohoku University Aoba 6‐6‐11 Aramaki Aoba‐ku Sendai 980–8579 Japan
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10
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Intramolecular trimerization, a novel strategy for making multispecific antibodies with controlled orientation of the antigen binding domains. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28643. [PMID: 27345490 PMCID: PMC4921811 DOI: 10.1038/srep28643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe a new strategy that allows the rapid and efficient engineering of mono and multispecific trivalent antibodies. By fusing single-domain antibodies from camelid heavy-chain-only immunoglobulins (VHHs) to the N-terminus of a human collagen XVIII trimerization domain (TIEXVIII) we produced monospecific trimerbodies that were efficiently secreted as soluble functional proteins by mammalian cells. The purified VHH-TIEXVIII trimerbodies were trimeric in solution and exhibited excellent antigen binding capacity. Furthermore, by connecting with two additional glycine-serine-based linkers three VHH-TIEXVIII modules on a single polypeptide chain, we present an approach for the rational design of multispecific tandem trimerbodies with defined stoichiometry and controlled orientation. Using this technology we report here the construction and characterization of a tandem VHH-based trimerbody capable of simultaneously binding to three different antigens: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and green fluorescence protein (GFP). Multispecific tandem VHH-based trimerbodies were well expressed in mammalian cells, had good biophysical properties and were capable of simultaneously binding their targeted antigens. Importantly, these antibodies were very effective in inhibiting the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Multispecific VHH-based trimerbodies are therefore ideal candidates for future applications in various therapeutic areas.
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Blanco-Toribio A, Álvarez-Cienfuegos A, Sainz-Pastor N, Merino N, Compte M, Sanz L, Blanco FJ, Álvarez-Vallina L. Bacterial secretion of soluble and functional trivalent scFv-based N-terminal trimerbodies. AMB Express 2015; 5:137. [PMID: 26239030 PMCID: PMC4523561 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-015-0137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant antibodies are used with great success in many different diagnostic and therapeutic applications. A variety of protein expression systems are available, but nowadays almost all therapeutic antibodies are produced in mammalian cell lines due to their complex structure and glycosylation requirements. However, production of clinical-grade antibodies in mammalian cells is very expensive and time-consuming. On the other hand, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is known to be the simplest, fastest and most cost-effective recombinant expression system, which usually achieves higher protein yields than mammalian cells. Indeed, it is one of the most popular host in the industry for the expression of recombinant proteins. In this work, a trivalent single-chain fragment variable (scFv)-based N-terminal trimerbody, specific for native laminin-111, was expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and in E. coli. Mammalian and bacterially produced anti-laminin trimerbody molecules display comparable functional and structural properties, although importantly the yield of trimerbody expressed in E. coli was considerably higher than in human cells. These results demonstrated that E. coli is a versatile and efficient expression system for multivalent trimerbody-based molecules that is suitable for their industrial production.
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Nuñez-Prado N, Compte M, Harwood S, Álvarez-Méndez A, Lykkemark S, Sanz L, Álvarez-Vallina L. The coming of age of engineered multivalent antibodies. Drug Discov Today 2015; 20:588-94. [PMID: 25757598 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology has had a profound impact on medicine. The therapeutic use of first-generation mAb achieved considerable success in the treatment of major diseases, including cancer, inflammation, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases. Next-generation antibodies have been engineered to further increase potency, improve the safety profile and acquire non-natural properties, and constitute a thriving area of mAb research and development. Currently, a variety of alternative antibody formats with modified architectures have been generated and are moving fast into the clinic. In fact, the bispecific antibody blinatumomab was the first in its class to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as recently as December 2014. Here, we outline the fundamental strategies used for designing the next generation of therapeutic antibodies, as well as the most relevant results obtained in preclinical studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Nuñez-Prado
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Simon Lykkemark
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Sino-Danish Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Blanco-Toribio A, Lacadena J, Nuñez-Prado N, Álvarez-Cienfuegos A, Villate M, Compte M, Sanz L, Blanco FJ, Álvarez-Vallina L. Efficient production of single-chain fragment variable-based N-terminal trimerbodies in Pichia pastoris. Microb Cell Fact 2014; 13:116. [PMID: 25112455 PMCID: PMC4249718 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-014-0116-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recombinant antibodies are highly successful in many different pathological conditions and currently enjoy overwhelming recognition of their potential. There are a wide variety of protein expression systems available, but almost all therapeutic antibodies are produced in mammalian cell lines, which mimic human glycosylation. The production of clinical-grade antibodies in mammalian cells is, however, extremely expensive. Compared to mammalian systems, protein production in yeast strains such as Pichia pastoris, is simpler, faster and usually results in higher yields. Results In this work, a trivalent single-chain fragment variable (scFv)-based N-terminal trimerbody, specific for the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), was expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and in Pichia pastoris. Mammalian- and yeast-produced anti-CEA trimerbody molecules display similar functional and structural properties, yet, the yield of trimerbody expressed in P. pastoris is about 20-fold higher than in human cells. Conclusions P. pastoris is an efficient expression system for multivalent trimerbody molecules, suitable for their commercial production. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-014-0116-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Li Y, Yu SM. Targeting and mimicking collagens via triple helical peptide assembly. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2013; 17:968-75. [PMID: 24210894 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2013.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As the major structural component of the extracellular matrix, collagen plays a crucial role in tissue development and regeneration. Since structural and metabolic abnormalities of collagen are associated with numerous debilitating diseases and pathologic conditions, the ability to target collagens of diseased tissues could lead to new diagnostics and therapeutics. Collagen is also a natural biomaterial widely used in drug delivery and tissue engineering, and construction of synthetic collagen-like materials is gaining interests in the biomaterials community. The unique triple helical structure of collagen has been explored for targeting collagen strands, and for engineering collagen-like functional assemblies and conjugates. This review focuses on the forefront of research activities in the use of the collagen mimetic peptide for both targeting and mimicking collagens via its triple helix mediated strand hybridization and higher order assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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15
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Turki I, Hammami A, Kharmachi H, Mousli M. Engineering of a recombinant trivalent single-chain variable fragment antibody directed against rabies virus glycoprotein G with improved neutralizing potency. Mol Immunol 2013; 57:66-73. [PMID: 24091293 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Human and equine rabies immunoglobulins are currently available for passive immunization against rabies. However, these are hampered by the limited supply and some drawbacks. Advances in antibody engineering have led to overcome issues of clinical applications and to improve the protective efficacy. In the present study, we report the generation of a trivalent single-chain Fv (scFv50AD1-Fd), that recognizes the rabies virus glycoprotein, genetically fused to the trimerization domain of the bacteriophage T4 fibritin, termed 'foldon' (Fd). scFv50AD1-Fd was expressed as soluble recombinant protein in bacterial periplasmic space and purified through affinity chromatography. The molecular integrity and stability were analyzed by polyacrylamide gradient-gel electrophoresis, size-exclusion chromatography and incubation in human sera. The antigen-binding properties of the trimeric scFv were analyzed by direct and competitive-ELISA. Its apparent affinity constant was estimated at 1.4 ± 0.25 × 10(9)M(-1) and was 75-fold higher than its monovalent scFv (1.9 ± 0.68 × 10(7)M(-1)). The scFv50AD1-Fd neutralized rabies virus in a standard in vitro and in vivo neutralization assay. We showed a high neutralization activity up to 75-fold compared with monovalent format and the WHO standard serum. The gain in avidity resulting from multivalency along with an improved biological activity makes the trivalent scFv50AD1-Fd construct an important reagent for rabies protection. The antibody engineering approach presented here may serve as a strategy for designing a new generation of anti-rabies for passive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imène Turki
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11-IPT06, 13 Place Pasteur - BP74, 1002 Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia
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16
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Qian X, Yan B, Zhou X, Xie L, Wei J, Li R, Yu L, Liu B. Synergistic Antiangiogenic Activity of Tetrandrine Combined with Endostar on the Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Model. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2013; 28:385-90. [PMID: 23682584 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2012.1331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Qian
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Yan
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Xie
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia Wei
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing, China
| | - Rutian Li
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixia Yu
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing, China
| | - Baorui Liu
- Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University and Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing, China
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Compte M, Nuñez-Prado N, Sanz L, Alvarez-Vallina L. Immunotherapeutic organoids: a new approach to cancer treatment. BIOMATTER 2013; 3:23897. [PMID: 23507921 PMCID: PMC3732323 DOI: 10.4161/biom.23897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the treatment of cancer and other diseases. However, several limitations of antibody-based treatments, such as the cost of therapy and the achievement of sustained plasma levels, should be still addressed for their widespread use as therapeutics. The use of cell and gene transfer methods offers additional benefits by producing a continuous release of the antibody with syngenic glycosylation patterns, which makes the antibody potentially less immunogenic. In vivo secretion of therapeutic antibodies by viral vector delivery or ex vivo gene modified long-lived autologous or allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells may advantageously replace repeated injection of clinical-grade antibodies. Gene-modified autologous mesenchymal stem cells can be delivered subcutaneously embedded in a non-immunogenic synthetic extracellular matrix-based scaffold that guarantees the survival of the cell inoculum. The scaffold would keep cells at the implantation site, with the therapeutic protein acting at distance (immunotherapeutic organoid), and could be retrieved once the therapeutic effect is fulfilled. In the present review we highlight the practical importance of living cell factories for in vivo secretion of recombinant antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda; Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Nuñez-Prado
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda; Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda; Madrid, Spain
| | - Luís Alvarez-Vallina
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda; Madrid, Spain
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18
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Blanco-Toribio A, Sainz-Pastor N, Álvarez-Cienfuegos A, Merino N, Cuesta ÁM, Sánchez-Martín D, Bonet J, Santos-Valle P, Sanz L, Oliva B, Blanco FJ, Álvarez-Vallina L. Generation and characterization of monospecific and bispecific hexavalent trimerbodies. MAbs 2012; 5:70-9. [PMID: 23221741 PMCID: PMC3564888 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.22698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe a new class of multivalent and multispecific antibody-based reagents for therapy. The molecules, termed “trimerbodies,” use a modified version of the N-terminal trimerization region of human collagen XVIII noncollagenous 1 domain flanked by two flexible linkers as trimerizing scaffold. By fusing single-chain variable fragments (scFv) with the same or different specificity to both N- and C-terminus of the trimerizing scaffold domain, we produced monospecific or bispecific hexavalent molecules that were efficiently secreted as soluble proteins by transfected mammalian cells. A bispecific anti-laminin x anti-CD3 N-/C-trimerbody was found to be trimeric in solution, very efficient at recognizing purified plastic-immobilized laminin and CD3 expressed at the surface of T cells, and remarkably stable in human serum. The bispecificity was further demonstrated in T cell activation studies. In the presence of laminin-rich substrate, the bispecific anti-laminin x anti-CD3 N-/C-trimerbody stimulated a high percentage of human T cells to express surface activation markers. These results suggest that the trimerbody platform offers promising opportunities for the development of the next-generation therapeutic antibodies, i.e., multivalent and bispecific molecules with a format optimized for the desired pharmacokinetics and adapted to the pathological context.
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19
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Cuesta AM, Sánchez-Martín D, Blanco-Toribio A, Villate M, Enciso-Álvarez K, Alvarez-Cienfuegos A, Sainz-Pastor N, Sanz L, Blanco FJ, Alvarez-Vallina L. Improved stability of multivalent antibodies containing the human collagen XV trimerization domain. MAbs 2012; 4:226-32. [PMID: 22453098 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.4.2.19140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently described the in vitro and in vivo properties of an engineered homotrimeric antibody made by fusing the N-terminal trimerization region of collagen XVIII NC1 domain to the C-terminus of a scFv fragment [trimerbody (scFv-NC1) 3; 110 kDa]. Here, we demonstrated the utility of the N-terminal trimerization region of collagen XV NC1 domain in the engineering of trivalent antibodies. We constructed several scFv-based trimerbodies containing the human type XV trimerization domain and demonstrated that all the purified trimerbodies were trimeric in solution and exhibited excellent antigen binding capacity. Importantly, type XV trimerbodies demonstrated substantially greater thermal and serum stability and resistance to protease digestion than type XVIII trimerbodies. In summary, the small size, high expression level, solubility and stability of the trimerization domain of type XV collagen make it the ideal choice for engineering homotrimeric antibodies for cancer detection and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Cuesta
- Madrid, Spain; Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
| | - David Sánchez-Martín
- Madrid, Spain; Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
| | | | - Maider Villate
- Structural Biology Unit; CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia; Derio, Spain
| | - Kelly Enciso-Álvarez
- Madrid, Spain; Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
| | | | - Noelia Sainz-Pastor
- Madrid, Spain; Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
| | - Laura Sanz
- Madrid, Spain; Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
| | - Francisco J Blanco
- Structural Biology Unit; CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia; Derio, Spain; IKERBASQUE; Basque Foundation for Science; Bilbao, Spain
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Madrid, Spain; Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
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20
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Boudko SP, Engel J, Bächinger HP. The crucial role of trimerization domains in collagen folding. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2012; 44:21-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2011.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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21
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Sánchez-Martín D, Sanz L, Álvarez-Vallina L. Engineering human cells for in vivo secretion of antibody and non-antibody therapeutic proteins. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2011; 22:924-30. [PMID: 21435857 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2011.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 03/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Purified proteins such as antibodies are widely used as therapeutic agents in clinical medicine. However, clinical-grade proteins for therapeutic use require sophisticated technologies and are extremely expensive to produce. In vivo secretion of therapeutic proteins by genetically engineered human cells may advantageously replace injection of highly purified proteins. The use of gene transfer methods circumvents problems related to large-scale production and purification and offers additional benefits by achieving sustained concentrations of therapeutic protein with a syngenic glycosylation pattern that make the protein potentially less immunogenic. The feasibility of the in vivo production of therapeutic proteins by diverse cells/tissues has now been demonstrated using different techniques, such as ex vivo genetically modified cells and in vivo gene transfer mediated by viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sánchez-Martín
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, 28222 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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22
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Abstract
Noninvasive molecular imaging approaches include nuclear, optical, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, and photoacoustic imaging, which require accumulation of a signal delivered by a probe at the target site. Monoclonal antibodies are high affinity molecules that can be used for specific, high signal delivery to cell surface molecules. However, their long circulation time in blood makes them unsuitable as imaging probes. Efforts to improve antibodies pharmacokinetics without compromising affinity and specificity have been made through protein engineering. Antibody variants that differ in antigen binding sites and size have been generated and evaluated as imaging probes to target tissues of interest. Fast clearing fragments, such as single-chain variable fragment (scFv; 25 kDa), with 1 antigen-binding site (monovalent) demonstrated low accumulation in tumors because of the low exposure time to the target. Using scFv as building block to produce larger, bivalent fragments, such as scFv dimers (diabodies, 50 kDa) and scFv-fusion proteins (80 kDa minibodies and 105 kDa scFv-Fc), resulted in higher tumor accumulation because of their longer residence time in blood. Imaging studies with these fragments after radiolabeling have demonstrated excellent, high-contrast images in gamma cameras and positron emission tomography scanners. Several studies have also investigated antibody fragments conjugated to fluorescence (near infrared dyes), bioluminescence (luciferases), and quantum dots for optical imaging and iron oxides nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging. However, these studies indicate that there are several factors that influence successful targeting and imaging. These include stability of the antibody fragment, the labeling chemistry (direct or indirect), whether critical residues are modified, the number of antigen expressed on the cell, and whether the target has a rapid recycling rate or internalizes upon binding. The preclinical data presented are compelling, and it is evident that antibody-based molecular imaging tracers will play an important future role in the diagnosis and management of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Olafsen
- UCLA Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
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23
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Cuesta AM, Sainz-Pastor N, Bonet J, Oliva B, Alvarez-Vallina L. Multivalent antibodies: when design surpasses evolution. Trends Biotechnol 2010; 28:355-62. [PMID: 20447706 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2010.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2010] [Accepted: 03/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary pressure has selected antibodies as key immune molecules acting against foreign pathogens. The development of monoclonal antibody technology has allowed their widespread use in research, real-time diagnosis and treatment of multiple diseases, including cancer. However, compared with hematologic malignancies, solid tumors have often proven to be relatively resistant to antibody-based therapies. In an attempt to improve the tumor-targeting efficacy of antibodies, new formats with modified, multivalent properties have been generated. Initially, these formats imitated the structure of native IgG, creating mostly monospecific, bivalent antibodies. Recently, novel trivalent antibodies have been developed to maximize tumor targeting capabilities through enhanced biodistribution and functional affinity. We review recent advances in the engineering of multivalent antibodies and further discuss their promise as agents for in vivo diagnostics and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Cuesta
- Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, 28222 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Boudko SP, Sasaki T, Engel J, Lerch TF, Nix J, Chapman MS, Bächinger HP. Crystal structure of human collagen XVIII trimerization domain: A novel collagen trimerization Fold. J Mol Biol 2009; 392:787-802. [PMID: 19631658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.07.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2009] [Revised: 07/17/2009] [Accepted: 07/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Collagens contain a unique triple-helical structure with a repeating sequence -G-X-Y-, where proline and hydroxyproline are major constituents in X and Y positions, respectively. Folding of the collagen triple helix requires trimerization domains. Once trimerized, collagen chains are correctly aligned and the folding of the triple helix proceeds in a zipper-like fashion. Here we report the isolation, characterization, and crystal structure of the trimerization domain of human type XVIII collagen, a member of the multiplexin family. This domain differs from all other known trimerization domains in other collagens and exhibits a high trimerization potential at picomolar concentrations. Strong chain association and high specificity of binding are needed for multiplexins, which are present at very low levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei P Boudko
- Research Department of Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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25
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Cuesta ÁM, Sánchez-Martín D, Sanz L, Bonet J, Compte M, Kremer L, Blanco FJ, Oliva B, Álvarez-Vallina L. In vivo tumor targeting and imaging with engineered trivalent antibody fragments containing collagen-derived sequences. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5381. [PMID: 19401768 PMCID: PMC2670539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2009] [Accepted: 03/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop new and effective agents for cancer targeting. In this work, a multivalent antibody is characterized in vivo in living animals. The antibody, termed "trimerbody", comprises a single-chain antibody (scFv) fragment connected to the N-terminal trimerization subdomain of collagen XVIII NC1 by a flexible linker. As indicated by computer graphic modeling, the trimerbody has a tripod-shaped structure with three highly flexible scFv heads radially outward oriented. Trimerbodies are trimeric in solution and exhibited multivalent binding, which provides them with at least a 100-fold increase in functional affinity than the monovalent scFv. Our results also demonstrate the feasibility of producing functional bispecific trimerbodies, which concurrently bind two different ligands. A trimerbody specific for the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a classic tumor-associated antigen, showed efficient tumor targeting after systemic administration in mice bearing CEA-positive tumors. Importantly, a trimerbody that recognizes an angiogenesis-associated laminin epitope, showed excellent tumor localization in several cancer types, including fibrosarcomas and carcinomas. These results illustrate the potential of this new antibody format for imaging and therapeutic applications, and suggest that some laminin epitopes might be universal targets for cancer targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel M. Cuesta
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Sánchez-Martín
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaume Bonet
- Structural Bioinformatics' Lab, Biomedical Informatics Research Unit, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leonor Kremer
- Protein Tools Unit, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Blanco
- Structural Biology Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Baldomero Oliva
- Structural Bioinformatics' Lab, Biomedical Informatics Research Unit, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Cuesta ÁM, Sánchez‐Martín D, Sanz L, Álvarez‐Vallina L. Comment on “Production of multivalent protein binders using a self‐trimerization collagen‐like peptide scaffold”. FASEB J 2008; 22:3417; author reply 3417-8. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.08-1003ltr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ángel M. Cuesta
- Molecular Immunology UnitHospital Universitario Puerta de HierroMadridSpain
| | | | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology UnitHospital Universitario Puerta de HierroMadridSpain
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Compte M, Blanco B, Serrano F, Cuesta AM, Sanz L, Bernad A, Holliger P, Alvarez-Vallina L. Inhibition of tumor growth in vivo by in situ secretion of bispecific anti-CEA x anti-CD3 diabodies from lentivirally transduced human lymphocytes. Cancer Gene Ther 2007; 14:380-8. [PMID: 17218946 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7701021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Infiltrating T lymphocytes are found in many malignancies, but they appear to be mostly anergic and do not attack the tumor, presumably because of defective T-cell activation events. Recently, we described a strategy for the tumor-specific polyclonal activation of tumor-resident T lymphocytes based on the in situ production of recombinant bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) by transfected nonhematological cell lines. Here, we have constructed a novel HIV-1-based lentiviral vector for efficient gene transduction into various human hematopoietic cell types. Several myelomonocytic and lymphocytic cell lines secreted the anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) x anti-CD3 diabody in a functionally active form with CD3(+) T-cell lines being the most efficient secretors. Furthermore, primary human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were also efficiently transduced and secreted high levels of functional diabody. Importantly gene-modified PBLs significantly reduced in vivo tumor growth rates in xenograft studies. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the utility of lentiviral vectors for sustained expression of recombinant bsAbs in human T lymphocytes. Such T lymphocytes, transduced ex vivo to secrete the activating diabody in autocrine fashion, may provide a promising route for a gene therapy strategy for solid human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
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