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Foss S, Sakya SA, Aguinagalde L, Lustig M, Shaughnessy J, Cruz AR, Scheepmaker L, Mathiesen L, Ruso-Julve F, Anthi AK, Gjølberg TT, Mester S, Bern M, Evers M, Bratlie DB, Michaelsen TE, Schlothauer T, Sok D, Bhattacharya J, Leusen J, Valerius T, Ram S, Rooijakkers SHM, Sandlie I, Andersen JT. Human IgG Fc-engineering for enhanced plasma half-life, mucosal distribution and killing of cancer cells and bacteria. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2007. [PMID: 38453922 PMCID: PMC10920689 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46321-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal IgG antibodies constitute the fastest growing class of therapeutics. Thus, there is an intense interest to design more potent antibody formats, where long plasma half-life is a commercially competitive differentiator affecting dosing, frequency of administration and thereby potentially patient compliance. Here, we report on an Fc-engineered variant with three amino acid substitutions Q311R/M428E/N434W (REW), that enhances plasma half-life and mucosal distribution, as well as allows for needle-free delivery across respiratory epithelial barriers in human FcRn transgenic mice. In addition, the Fc-engineered variant improves on-target complement-mediated killing of cancer cells as well as both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Hence, this versatile Fc technology should be broadly applicable in antibody design aiming for long-acting prophylactic or therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stian Foss
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Siri A Sakya
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Leire Aguinagalde
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Lustig
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ana Rita Cruz
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette Scheepmaker
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Line Mathiesen
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fulgencio Ruso-Julve
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aina Karen Anthi
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Torleif Tollefsrud Gjølberg
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Simone Mester
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Malin Bern
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mitchell Evers
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Diane B Bratlie
- Infection Immunology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Terje E Michaelsen
- Infection Immunology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Chemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tilman Schlothauer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Devin Sok
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), New York, NY, USA
| | - Jayanta Bhattacharya
- Antibody Translational Research Program, Translational Health Science & Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Jeanette Leusen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Valerius
- Section for Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Inger Sandlie
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Terje Andersen
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Precision Immunotherapy Alliance (PRIMA), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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2
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Tvilum A, Johansen MI, Glud LN, Ivarsen DM, Khamas AB, Carmali S, Mhatre SS, Søgaard AB, Faddy E, de Vor L, Rooijakkers SHM, Østergaard L, Jørgensen NP, Meyer RL, Zelikin AN. Antibody-Drug Conjugates to Treat Bacterial Biofilms via Targeting and Extracellular Drug Release. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301340. [PMID: 37290045 PMCID: PMC10427384 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of implant-associated bacterial infections and biofilms is an urgent medical need and a grand challenge because biofilms protect bacteria from the immune system and harbor antibiotic-tolerant persister cells. This need is addressed herein through an engineering of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that contain an anti-neoplastic drug mitomycin C, which is also a potent antimicrobial against biofilms. The ADCs designed herein release the conjugated drug without cell entry, via a novel mechanism of drug release which likely involves an interaction of ADC with the thiols on the bacterial cell surface. ADCs targeted toward bacteria are superior by the afforded antimicrobial effects compared to the non-specific counterpart, in suspension and within biofilms, in vitro, and in an implant-associated murine osteomyelitis model in vivo. The results are important in developing ADC for a new area of application with a significant translational potential, and in addressing an urgent medical need of designing a treatment of bacterial biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Tvilum
- Department of ChemistryAarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Mikkel I. Johansen
- Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhus N8200Denmark
- Department of Infectious DiseasesAarhus University HospitalAarhus N8200Denmark
| | - Lærke N. Glud
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Diana M. Ivarsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Amanda B. Khamas
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
| | | | - Snehit Satish Mhatre
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Ane B. Søgaard
- Department of ChemistryAarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Emma Faddy
- Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhus N8200Denmark
| | - Lisanne de Vor
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Lars Østergaard
- Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhus N8200Denmark
- Department of Infectious DiseasesAarhus University HospitalAarhus N8200Denmark
| | - Nis P. Jørgensen
- Department of Infectious DiseasesAarhus University HospitalAarhus N8200Denmark
| | - Rikke L. Meyer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
- Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Alexander N. Zelikin
- Department of ChemistryAarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus C8000Denmark
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3
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Aguinagalde Salazar L, den Boer MA, Castenmiller SM, Zwarthoff SA, de Haas C, Aerts PC, Beurskens FJ, Schuurman J, Heck AJR, van Kessel K, Rooijakkers SHM. Promoting Fc-Fc interactions between anti-capsular antibodies provides strong immune protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae. eLife 2023; 12:80669. [PMID: 36947116 PMCID: PMC10032657 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia and an important cause of childhood mortality. Despite the introduction of successful vaccines, the global spread of both non-vaccine serotypes and antibiotic-resistant strains reinforces the development of alternative therapies against this pathogen. One possible route is the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that induce killing of bacteria via the immune system. Here, we investigate whether mAbs can be used to induce killing of pneumococcal serotypes for which the current vaccines show unsuccessful protection. Our study demonstrates that when human mAbs against pneumococcal capsule polysaccharides (CPS) have a poor capacity to induce complement activation, a critical process for immune protection against pneumococci, their activity can be strongly improved by hexamerization-enhancing mutations. Our data indicate that anti-capsular antibodies may have a low capacity to form higher-order oligomers (IgG hexamers) that are needed to recruit complement component C1. Indeed, specific point mutations in the IgG-Fc domain that strengthen hexamerization strongly enhance C1 recruitment and downstream complement activation on encapsulated pneumococci. Specifically, hexamerization-enhancing mutations E430G or E345K in CPS6-IgG strongly potentiate complement activation on S. pneumoniae strains that express capsular serotype 6 (CPS6), and the highly invasive serotype 19A strain. Furthermore, these mutations improve complement activation via mAbs recognizing CPS3 and CPS8 strains. Importantly, hexamer-enhancing mutations enable mAbs to induce strong opsonophagocytic killing by human neutrophils. Finally, passive immunization with CPS6-IgG1-E345K protected mice from developing severe pneumonia. Altogether, this work provides an important proof of concept for future optimization of antibody therapies against encapsulated bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurits A den Boer
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Suzanne M Castenmiller
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Seline A Zwarthoff
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Carla de Haas
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Piet C Aerts
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kok van Kessel
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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4
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De la O Becerra KI, Oosterheert W, van den Bos RM, Xenaki KT, Lorent JH, Ruyken M, Schouten A, Rooijakkers SHM, van Bergen En Henegouwen PMP, Gros P. Multifaceted Activities of Seven Nanobodies against Complement C4b. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 208:2207-2219. [PMID: 35428691 PMCID: PMC9047069 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cleavage of the mammalian plasma protein C4 into C4b initiates opsonization, lysis, and clearance of microbes and damaged host cells by the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system. Dysregulated activation of C4 and other initial components of the classical pathway may cause or aggravate pathologies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Alzheimer disease, and schizophrenia. Modulating the activity of C4b by small-molecule or protein-based inhibitors may represent a promising therapeutic approach for preventing excessive inflammation and damage to host cells and tissue. Here, we present seven nanobodies, derived from llama (Lama glama) immunization, that bind to human C4b (Homo sapiens) with high affinities ranging from 3.2 nM to 14 pM. The activity of the nanobodies varies from no to complete inhibition of the classical pathway. The inhibiting nanobodies affect different steps in complement activation, in line with blocking sites for proconvertase formation, C3 substrate binding to the convertase, and regulator-mediated inactivation of C4b. For four nanobodies, we determined single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structures in complex with C4b at 3.4–4 Å resolution. The structures rationalize the observed functional effects of the nanobodies and define their mode of action during complement activation. Thus, we characterized seven anti-C4b nanobodies with diverse effects on the classical pathway of complement activation that may be explored for imaging, diagnostic, or therapeutic applications. Diverse binding properties are revealed for seven nanobodies against C4b. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of C4b–nanobody complexes indicate nanobodies’ modes of action. Nanobodies have therapeutic potential and are useful for labeling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla I De la O Becerra
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wout Oosterheert
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ramon M van den Bos
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Katerina T Xenaki
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joseph H Lorent
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; and
| | - Maartje Ruyken
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arie Schouten
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Piet Gros
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands;
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5
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Abstract
Antibody-dependent complement activation plays a major role in various pathophysiological processes in our body, including infection, inflammation, autoimmunity, and transplant rejection. In order to activate complement, antibodies should bind to target cells and recruit complement component C1. C1 is a large, multimolecular complex that consists of the antibody recognition protein C1q and a heterotetramer of proteases (C1r2s2). Although it is believed that interactions between C1 and IgGs are solely mediated by C1q, we here show that C1r2s2 proteases affect the capacity of C1q to form an avid complex with surface-bound IgG molecules. Furthermore, we demonstrate that C1q–IgG stability is influenced by IgG oligomerization and that promoting IgG oligomerization improves phagocytosis of the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Complement is an important effector mechanism for antibody-mediated clearance of infections and tumor cells. Upon binding to target cells, the antibody’s constant (Fc) domain recruits complement component C1 to initiate a proteolytic cascade that generates lytic pores and stimulates phagocytosis. The C1 complex (C1qr2s2) consists of the large recognition protein C1q and a heterotetramer of proteases C1r and C1s (C1r2s2). While interactions between C1 and IgG-Fc are believed to be mediated by the globular heads of C1q, we here find that C1r2s2 proteases affect the capacity of C1q to form an avid complex with surface-bound IgG molecules (on various 2,4-dinitrophenol [DNP]-coated surfaces and pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus). The extent to which C1r2s2 contributes to C1q–IgG stability strongly differs between human IgG subclasses. Using antibody engineering of monoclonal IgG, we reveal that hexamer-enhancing mutations improve C1q–IgG stability, both in the absence and presence of C1r2s2. In addition, hexamer-enhanced IgGs targeting S. aureus mediate improved complement-dependent phagocytosis by human neutrophils. Altogether, these molecular insights into complement binding to surface-bound IgGs could be important for optimal design of antibody therapies.
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6
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Boero E, Brinkman I, Juliet T, van Yperen E, van Strijp JAG, Rooijakkers SHM, van Kessel KPM. Use of Flow Cytometry to Evaluate Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by Human Neutrophils. Front Immunol 2021; 12:635825. [PMID: 33679791 PMCID: PMC7934835 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.635825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils play a key role in the human immune response to Staphylococcus aureus infections. These professional phagocytes rapidly migrate to the site of infection to engulf bacteria and destroy them via specialized intracellular killing mechanisms. Here we describe a robust and relatively high-throughput flow cytometry assay to quantify phagocytosis of S. aureus by human neutrophils. We show that effective phagocytic uptake of S. aureus is greatly enhanced by opsonization, i.e. the tagging of microbial surfaces with plasma-derived host proteins like antibodies and complement. Our rapid assay to monitor phagocytosis can be used to study neutrophil deficiencies and bacterial evasion, but also provides a powerful tool to assess the opsonic capacity of antibodies, either in the context of natural immune responses or immune therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Boero
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines S.r.l., Siena, Italy
| | - Iris Brinkman
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Thessely Juliet
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eline van Yperen
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jos A. G. van Strijp
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Suzan H. M. Rooijakkers
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kok P. M. van Kessel
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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