Characterization of interactions involving anti-metatype antibodies and immune complexes

Effects of secondary forces on a high affinity monoclonal IgM anti-fluorescein antibody possessing cryoglobulin and other cross-reactive properties

The effects of secondary forces on monoclonal IgM anti-fluorescein antibody 18-2-3 reactivity were investigated and the results correlated with similar studies characterizing anti-fluorescein mAbs 4-4-20 and 9-40. mAb 18-2-3 was considered an important model for further elucidation of secondary forces since it possessed ligand binding properties similar to mAb 4-4-20, such as a similar affinity, but due to a very different primary structure it was idiotypically and metatypically distinct. mAb 18-2-3 also possessed cryoglobulin (anti-Ig) and extensive cross-reactive properties (e.g. anti-phenyloxazolone) suggestive of an atypical anti-fluorescein active site. The reactivity of mAb 18-2-3 with model fluorescein-peptides was modulated by secondary forces in a manner that differed from both mAbs 4-4-20 and 9-40. Thus, the effects of secondary forces seemed to vary with each monoclonal antibody even though each of the immunoglobulins studied were specific for the same homologous ligand. Results indicated that secondary forces impacted immune complex stability, variable domain conformation and protein dynamics. Models were postulated to account for secondary effects on the mAb 18-2-3 active site relative to mAbs 4-4-20 and 9-40. Levels of hydration, active site architecture and local amino acid dynamics were among the models cited.

Neutralizing murine monoclonal anti-interleukin-10 antibodies enhance binding of antibodies against a different epitope

Fifteen murine hybridoma lines that produce monoclonal antibodies against human interleukin-10 (IL-10), which is one of the most important regulatory cytokines of the immune system, were raised. Twelve of these antibodies, all in the class IgG1/kappa, recognize three groups of epitopes: A, B and C. All antibodies in these groups inhibit binding of antibodies of the same group to IL-10 and none of them inhibit binding of an antibody of another group. Two IgM/kappa antibodies and one IgG1/kappa antibody, with low affinity, have distinct binding properties and cannot be assigned to one of these groups. Antibodies from all three epitope groups inhibit the biological activity of IL-10. The three antibodies of group A neutralize IL-10 in an approximately equimolar ratio, at concentrations as low as 10 pM. In addition to their high neutralizing capacity, antibodies of group A enhance the binding of antibodies of group C to IL-10. The on-rate of binding of the two antibodies CB/RS/10 and 11 (group C) increased five- to seven-fold, when one of the antibodies CB/RS/1, 2 or 14 (group A) is bound to IL-10.

Effects of secondary forces on the ligand binding properties and variable domain conformations of a monoclonal anti-fluorescyl antibody

Biochemical interactions occurring external to the antibody active site or pocket (i.e. secondary forces) that directly effect ligand binding efficiency, and the microenvironment-sensitive spectral properties of bound homologous ligand, residing within the active site of high affinity monoclonal antifluorescyl antibody (mAb) 4-4-20, have been previously reported. This study describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of specially designed and chemically distinct mono-fluoresceinated peptides of equal size (13-mer) as well as the changes in the spectral properties and free energy in the binding of each fluorescein derivatized peptide, upon interaction with mAb 4-4-20. Significant differences in binding efficiency and fluorescence quenching of the ligand, as well as the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, were observed for each monofluoresceinated peptide relative to one another and fluorescein ligand. In addition to the effects on the fluorescence quenching of fluorescein and intrinsic tryptophan residues, and the free energy of binding, the conformation of the variable domains of mAb 4-4-20 upon interaction with the fluoresceinated peptides was probed with polyclonal antimetatype (conformational dependent anti-liganded state) antibodies. Studies comparing the results of a solid-phase inhibition assay, with the binding of antimetatype antibodies in solution, suggested that variant metatypic states of mAb 4-4-20 resulted from binding of the various fluorescein derivatized peptides. Depiction of the mAb 4-4-20 active site as a series of thermally averaged substates is proposed as a model and framework to interpret further the results. It was concluded that secondary forces can dictate conformer selection from the various substates. thereby modulating the primary antibody ligand interaction.

Comparative properties of the single chain antibody and Fv derivatives of mAb 4-4-20. Relationship between interdomain interactions and the high affinity for fluorescein ligand

Recombinant Fv derivative of the high affinity murine anti-fluorescein monoclonal antibody 4-4-20 was constructed and expressed in high yields, relative to the single chain antibody (SCA) derivative (2 3-fold), in Escherichia coli. Both variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL) domains, that accumulated as insoluble inclusion bodies, were isolated, denatured, mixed, refolded, and affinity-purified to yield active Fv 4-4-20. Affinity-purified Fv 4-4-20 showed identical ligand binding properties compared with the SCA construct, both were slightly lower than the affinities expressed by Fab or IgG 4-4-20. Proper protein folding was shown to be domain-independent by in vitro mixing of individually refolded variable domains to yield functional Fv protein. In solid phase and solution phase assays, Fv 4-4-20 closely approximated the SCA derivative in terms of both idiotype and metatype, confirming identical active site structures and conformations. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) for the VL/VH association (1.43 x 10(-7) M), which was determined using the change in fluorescein spectral properties upon ligand binding, was relatively low considering the high affinity displayed by the Fv protein for fluorescein (Kd, 2.9 x 10(-10) M). Thus, domain-domain stability in the Fv and SCA 4-4-20 proteins cannot be the sole cause of reduced affinity (2-3-fold) for fluorescein as compared with the Fab or IgG form of 4-4-20. With their identical ligand binding and structural properties, the decreased SCA or Fv affinity for fluorescein must be an ultimate consequence of deletion of the CH1 and CL constant domains. Collectively, these results verify the importance of constant domain interactions in antibody variable domain structure-function analyses and future antibody engineering endeavors.

Perturbation of antibody bound bifluorescent-ligand probe by polyclonal anti-metatype antibodies interacting with epitopes proximal to the liganded antibody active site

General localization of metatypic determinants recognized by polyclonal anti-metatype antibodies relative to the antibody active site of the high-affinity anti-fluorescein monoclonal antibody 4-4-20 was achieved through use of a unique bifluorescent-ligand probe. The fluorescent probe possessed intrinsic energy-transfer properties with the fluorescein hapten serving as the energy acceptor. The donor group 5-(2-iodoacetyl) aminoethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (IAEDANS) proved environmentally sensitive both to binding of the FITC-cys-AEDANS ligand and to subsequent anti-metatype antibody interactions involving the antibody variable domains of 4-4-20. Spectral changes in ligand-conjugated AEDANS upon specific reactivity of the antibody with FITC suggested secondary interactions between AEDANS and the topological protein surface adjacent to the 4-4-20 active site. Results indicated that some anti-metatype antibodies (Fab fragments) within the polyclonal population bound to sites immediately surrounding the liganded active site and perturbed the interactions of AEDANS with topological sites. The results are discussed in terms of the types of interactions that may occur between the AEDANS moiety and the 4-4-20 antibody protein surface and subsequent perturbation of those interactions by anti-metatype antibodies.

Primary structures of three Armenian hamster monoclonal antibodies specific for idiotopes and metatopes of the monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibody 4-4-20

This paper reports the complete V gamma, V kappa, C gamma 1 and C kappa nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of two hamster monoclonal anti-metatype antibodies, 3A5-1 and 4A6. These antibodies have been previously characterized in terms of their binding and molecular stabilization properties with liganded murine monoclonal and single-chain antibody 4-4-20 active sites. Also reported are the complete V kappa and C kappa nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of hamster monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody 1F4, which is specific for the unliganded 4-4-20 active site. Oligonucleotide primers based on the 5' ends of murine variable genes, along with primers specific for murine IgG C gamma 1 and kappa constant region genes, have been used in cDNA and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) to amplify IgG cDNA from Armenian hamster/mouse hybridomas. The hamster C gamma 1 and C kappa domain sequences are highly homologous to previously reported murine sequences. The anti-idiotype mAb V kappa gene demonstrated strong similarity to the murine V kappa V gene subgroup while the two anti-metatype mAb V kappa genes approximated more closely to the murine V kappa III gene subgroup. The two anti-metatype mAbs utilized highly homologous V gamma genes, with differing HCDR 3 regions, that appeared similar to the murine V gamma I(a) subgroup. These sequence determinations represent the first primary structures reported for antibodies with anti-metatype activity and are additions to the relatively sparse hamster immunoglobulin genetic database. Results are discussed in terms of 4-4-20 active site specificity and anti-metatype activity, as well as immunoglobulin structural diversity in an anti-Ig immune response.

Sandwich immunoassay for the hapten angiotensin II. A novel assay principle based on antibodies against immune complexes

Immunoassays for haptens such as short peptides or drugs are usually based on the principle of competition for a limited number of binding sites on antibody molecules. Owing to the small size of these antigens it has been thought that two specific antibodies cannot simultaneously bind a hapten. However, antisera containing so called anti-metatypic antibodies have been reported (Voss et al. (1988) Mol. Immunol. 25, 751-759) that bind to hapten-mAb complexes in a reaction where conformational changes on the primary antibody are important. Here, we report on monoclonal antibody pairs able to form ternary complexes with the octapeptide angiotensin II. The first mAb (mAb1) is conventional and binds angiotensin II with high affinity (Kd 10(-11) M). The secondary (anti-metatypic) mAbs (mAbs2s) recognize the immune complex consisting of angiotensin II bound to mAb1, but only poorly recognize mAb1 alone. An immunization technique involving tolerization with uncomplexed mAb1 was used to generate mAb2s. None of the mAbs2s were able to bind angiotensin II by themselves but all efficiently bound the complex of angiotensin II and mAb1. All mAb2s stabilized the angiotensin II-mAb1 complex and one mAb2 distinctly improved the specificity of the assay for angiotensin II. By either labelling mAb1 and immobilizing mAb2 (or vice versa) two-site immunometric assays with detection limits of 1 pg/ml angiotensin II have been established. The kinetics of the complex formation was investigated by fiber optic biospecific interaction analysis (FOBIA), a system allowing real time observation of binding events on the surface of a glass fiber. The association rate towards the liganded conformation of mAb1 was higher than towards the free mAb1. By contrast, the mAb2s dissociated at similar rates from complexed and uncomplexed mAb1.

Synergistic monoclonal antibodies' interactions and their use for determination of antibody specificities

Three monoclonal antibodies (MAb 3C11, F11 and 10D6) to human growth hormone (hGH) recognize independent epitopes and show mutually enhancing properties. Thus, 125I-hGH binding to each of these MAb augmented significantly in the presence of each one of the other two MAb. Moreover, preincubation of the hormone with paired MAb gave rise to ternary complexes (Ag:Ab1:Ab2) which bound better than the free tracer to the third MAb previously captured on a solid-phase. Highly stable quaternary complexes (Ag:Ab1:Ab2:Ab3) were thus formed. Since Fab fragments from the three MAb displayed the same behavior as the whole Ab molecule, neither the formation of multimolecular cyclic complexes nor the occurrence of interactions through Fc fragments could explain the reciprocal MAb binding enhancement. Therefore, the results obtained suggest that MAb 3C11, F11 and 10D6 produce some modification in the Ag, each one improving the binding of the two other MAb. Additionally, the inhibition of the formation of quaternary complexes between the MAb and hGH was used to evaluate specific Ab populations in polyclonal antisera, avoiding the masking effect of enhancing Ab. The results obtained indicate that Ab directed to the hGH antigenic domains defined by MAb 3C11, F11 and 10D6 could be detected in spite of the presence of enhancing Ab to all three MAb.

Elicitation of distinct populations of monoclonal antibodies specific for the variable domains of monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibody 4-4-20

Armenian hamsters were immunized with non-liganded, partially liganded or affinity-labeled anti-fluorescein Mab 4-4-20. Seventeen hybridoma producing monoclonal anti-4-4-20 antibodies were characterized from chemically-mediated fusions of immune hamster lymphocytes with murine Sp2/O-Ag14 myeloma cells. Distinct populations of anti-4-4-20 monoclonal antibodies were isolated from hamsters receiving immunizations with partially liganded Mab 4-4-20 relative to those receiving affinity-labeled 4-4-20. Two of the three monoclonal antibodies produced in response to partially liganded 4-4-20 were inhibited in their interaction with 4-4-20 by fluorescyl ligand. These two clones, 1F4 and 1B7, recognized unique epitopes on the 4-4-20 molecules, as demonstrated by non-reactivity with members of the 4-4-20 idiotype family. Additionally, 1F4 and 1B7 demonstrated the ability to delay the association of fluorescein with Mab 4-4-20. The 14 characterized non-ligand-inhibitable Mabs elicited to affinity-labeled 4-4-20 were classified into four separate groups based on various binding properties with members of the 4-4-20 idiotype family and binding to resolved H- and L-chains in a western blot. Members of three of the four groups showed strong reactivity with both 04-01 Ig and 04-01 SCA, which utilizes the same L-chain as Mab 4-4-20. Six non-ligand-inhibitable Mabs, 4A6, P1E11, 3A5-1, 2C3, 2C4, and 1A4, delayed the dissociation rate of ligand from Mab 4-4-20 and mutant 4-4-20 SCA L32phe.

Anti-immune complex antibodies enhance affinity and specificity of primary antibodies

Antibodies have previously been described that enhance the binding of a second antibody to its antigen. The origin of this effect has been variously ascribed to binding to a neodeterminant on the Fc region, to a combined determinant representing portions of the second antibody and the immunogen, and to a ligand-induced conformation of the Fab fragment. This paper describes an antibody that recognizes an immune complex of an antibody to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The antibody binds the anti-THC antibody at an epitope recognized by an anti-idiotype antibody that is capable of blocking THC binding. The ability of various THC derivatives to enhance or inhibit binding taken together with equilibria and kinetic data support a model in which the anti-immune complex antibody interacts through adventitious binding to pendant groups on the THC derivatives. This type of interaction offers the opportunity to increase the sensitivity and specificity of immunoassays beyond the limits imposed by normal antibody binding. The implications of these findings with regard to earlier observations of anti-immune complex antibodies are discussed.