Immunoglobulin-M purification — Challenges and perspectives

Adaptive multi-epitope targeting and avidity-enhanced nanobody platform for ultrapotent, durable antiviral therapy

Pathogens constantly evolve and can develop mutations that evade host immunity and treatment. Addressing these escape mechanisms requires targeting evolutionarily conserved vulnerabilities, as mutations in these regions often impose fitness costs. We introduce adaptive multi-epitope targeting with enhanced avidity (AMETA), a modular and multivalent nanobody platform that conjugates potent bispecific nanobodies to a human immunoglobulin M (IgM) scaffold. AMETA can display 20+ nanobodies, enabling superior avidity binding to multiple conserved and neutralizing epitopes. By leveraging multi-epitope SARS-CoV-2 nanobodies and structure-guided design, AMETA constructs exponentially enhance antiviral potency, surpassing monomeric nanobodies by over a million-fold. These constructs demonstrate ultrapotent, broad, and durable efficacy against pathogenic sarbecoviruses, including Omicron sublineages, with robust preclinical results. Structural analysis through cryoelectron microscopy and modeling has uncovered multiple antiviral mechanisms within a single construct. At picomolar to nanomolar concentrations, AMETA efficiently induces inter-spike and inter-virus cross-linking, promoting spike post-fusion and striking viral disarmament. AMETA's modularity enables rapid, cost-effective production and adaptation to evolving pathogens.

Shotgun Characterization of the Circulating IgM Antigenome of an Infectious Pathogen by Immunocapture-LC-MS/MS from Dried Serum Spots

One of the main challenges in compiling the complete collection of protein antigens from pathogens for the selection of vaccine candidates or intervention targets is to acquire a broad enough representation of them to be recognized by the highly diversified immunoglobulin repertoire in human populations. Dried serum spot sampling (DSS) retains a large repertoire of circulating immunoglobulins from each individual that can be representative of a population, according to the sample size. In this work, shotgun proteomics of an infectious pathogen based on DSS sampling coupled with IgM immunoprecipitation, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and bioinformatic analyses was combined to characterize the circulating IgM antigenome. Serum samples from a malaria endemic region at different clinical statuses were studied to optimize IgM binding efficiency and antibody leaching by varying serum/immunomagnetic bead ratios and elution conditions. The method was validated using Plasmodium falciparum extracts identifying 110 of its IgM-reactive antigens while minimizing the presence of human proteins and antibodies. Furthermore, the IgM antigen recognition profile differentiated between malaria-infected and noninfected individuals at the time of sampling. We conclude that a shotgun proteomics approach offers advantages in providing a high-throughput, reliable, and clean way to identify IgM-recognized antigens from trace amounts of serum. The mass spectrometry raw data and metadata have been deposited with ProteomeXchange via MassIVE with the PXD identifier PXD043800.

A zirconia-based column chromatography system optimized for the purification of IgM from hybridoma culture supernatants

By using EDTPA-modified zirconia particles that selectively adsorb immunoglobulins in a column, we developed a chromatography separation system for efficient concentrating and purifying of IgM from hybridoma culture supernatants. Hybridoma culture supernatants containing IgMs were diluted 3-fold with 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and passed through the column. During this process, zirconia particles selectively adsorbed these IgMs, and most of the contaminating proteins flowed out into the flow-through. The adsorbed IgMs were easily eluted with a small volume of 400 mM phosphate buffer (pH 8.0), and high-concentration IgM solutions were prepared. Subsequent simple processing using a Capto™ Core 400 cartridge column provided highly purified IgM. The operation is easy, and the activity of IgM is maintained because the purification process is performed using only neutral ranges of phosphate buffers. Here, we showed that anti-globoside and anti-CDw75 IgM purified by this method can be used to stain cervical cancer and Burkitt lymphoma cells that specifically express these respective tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens.

Multimeric antibodies from antigen-specific human IgM+ memory B cells restrict Plasmodium parasites

Multimeric immunoglobulin-like molecules arose early in vertebrate evolution, yet the unique contributions of multimeric IgM antibodies to infection control are not well understood. This is partially due to the difficulty of distinguishing low-affinity IgM, secreted rapidly by plasmablasts, from high-affinity antibodies derived from later-arising memory cells. We developed a pipeline to express B cell receptors (BCRs) from Plasmodium falciparum–specific IgM⁺ and IgG⁺ human memory B cells (MBCs) as both IgM and IgG molecules. BCRs from both subsets were somatically hypermutated and exhibited comparable monomeric affinity. Crystallization of one IgM⁺ MBC-derived antibody complexed with antigen defined a linear epitope within a conserved Plasmodium protein. In its physiological multimeric state, this antibody displayed exponentially higher antigen binding than a clonally identical IgG monomer, and more effectively inhibited P. falciparum invasion. Forced multimerization of this IgG significantly improved both antigen binding and parasite restriction, underscoring how avidity can alter antibody function. This work demonstrates the potential of high-avidity IgM in both therapeutics and vaccines.

Purification of anti-glycoconjugate monoclonal antibodies using newly developed porous zirconia particles

Here, we describe porous zirconia particles (PZPs) optimized for the purification of immunoglobulins. PZPs, with a pore size of approximately 10 nm, were designed to specifically interact with antibodies via surface modification with a phosphate functional group. A simple PZP purification method based on precipitation enabled efficient purification of mouse anti-glycosphingolipid globoside/Gb4Cer monoclonal IgM (κ-light chains) from hybridoma culture supernatants. Over 99% of contaminating proteins were removed by the PZP purification process, and approximately 50% of the IgM was recovered in the purified fraction after eluting the PZP-adsorbed antibodies with 100 mM phosphate buffer. Other IgG3 and IgM monoclonal antibodies that react with Gb4Cer or α2,6-sialyl LacNAc-modified glycoproteins could also be purified using PZPs and elution buffer at concentrations of 100–500 mM. All of the purified antibodies retained their antigen reactivity and specificity, indicating that PZP purification does not affect antibody function. As PZP purification is also suitable for purification of IgM consisting of λ-light chains and IgG derived from other mammalian species, it is expected to be applied to the purification of a variety of antibodies, including anti-glycoconjugate IgMs.

Poly(Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Immunoaffinity Cryogel Column for the Purification of Human Immunoglobulin M

Human immunoglobulin M (hIgM) antibodies are considered as hopeful tools for diseases therapy. Therefore, chromatography approaches are used to purify hIgM with a single step. In this study, we prepared a poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) based immunoaffinity p(HEMA-I) cryogel column by using cyanamide to immobilize antihuman immunoglobulin on the p(HEMA) cryogel for purification of hIgM in aqueous solution and artificial human plasma. The characterization of the p(HEMA) cryogel column was performed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), micro-computerized tomography (µ-CT), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), swelling degree and macro-porosity. Further, the optimizations of various parameters were performed such as, pH, ionic strength, temperature and concentration of hIgM in aqueous solutions. In addition, the Langmuir adsorption model was supported by experimental results. Maximum adsorbed amount of hIgM corresponded to 11.1 mg/g at pH 5.75 [morpholino ethanesulfonic acid (MES buffer)]. Our results indicated that the p(HEMA-I) cryogel column can be reused at least 10 times without significant loss in adsorption capacity. As a natural source, artificial human plasma was selected for hIgM adsorption and the purity of hIgM was evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

An IgM antibody targeting the receptor binding site of influenza B blocks viral infection with great breadth and potency

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targeting the receptor binding site (RBS) of hemagglutinin (HA) have potential for developing into powerful anti-influenza agents. Several previously reported influenza B bnAbs are nevertheless unable to neutralize a portion of influenza B virus variants. HA-specific bnAbs with hemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity may possess the ability to block virus entry directly. Polymeric IgM antibodies are expected to more effectively inhibit virus attachment and entry into target cells due to their higher avidity and/or steric hindrance. We therefore hypothesized that certain RBS-targeted IgM antibodies with strong cross-lineage HI activity might display broader and more potent antiviral activity against rapidly evolving influenza B viruses.

Methods: In this study, we generated IgM and IgG bnAbs targeting the RBS of influenza B virus using the murine hybridoma technique. IgM and IgG versions of the same antibodies were then developed by isotype switching and characterized in subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results: Two IgM and two IgG bnAbs against influenza B virus HA were identified. Of these, one IgM subtype antibody, C7G6-IgM, showed strong HI and neutralization activities against all 20 representative influenza B strains tested, with higher potency and broader breadth of anti-influenza activity in vitro than the IgG subtype variant of itself, or other previously-reported influenza B bnAbs. Furthermore, C7G6-IgM conferred excellent cross-protection against distinct lineages of influenza B viruses in mice and ferrets, performing better than the anti-influenza drug oseltamivir, and showed an additive antiviral effect when administered in combination with oseltamivir. Mechanistically, C7G6-IgM potently inhibits infection with influenza B virus strains from different lineages by blocking viral entry.

Conclusion: In summary, our study highlights the potential of IgM subtype antibodies in combatting pathogenic microbes. Moreover, C7G6-IgM is a promising candidate for the development of prophylactics or therapeutics against influenza B infection.

Maskiton: Interactive, web-based classification of single-particle electron microscopy images

Electron microscopy (EM) is an important tool for determining the composition, arrangement and structure of biological macromolecules. When studying structurally heterogeneous samples using EM, classification is a critical step toward achieving higher resolution and identifying biologically significant conformations. We have developed an interactive, web-based tool, called Maskiton, for creating custom masks and performing 2D classifications on aligned single-particle EM images. The Maskiton interface makes it considerably easier and faster to explore the significance of heterogeneity in single-particle datasets. Maskiton features include: resumable uploads to facilitate transfer of large datasets to the server, custom mask creation in the browser, continual progress updates, and interactive viewing of classification results. To demonstrate the value of this tool, we provide examples of its use on several experimental datasets and include analyses of the independent terminus mobility within the Ltn1 E3 ubiquitin ligase, the in vitro assembly of 30S ribosomal subunits, and classification complexity reduction within Immunoglobulin M. This work also serves as a proof-of-concept for the development of future cross-platform, interactive user interfaces for electron microscopy data processing.

Isotype and glycoform selection for antibody therapeutics

We live in a hostile environment but are protected by the innate and adaptive immune system. A major component of the latter is mediated by antibody molecules that bind to pathogens, with exquisite specificity, and the immune complex formed activates cellular mechanisms leading to the removal and destruction of the complex. Five classes of antibody are identified; however, the IgG class predominates in serum and a majority of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics are based on the IgG format. Selection within the antibody repertoire allows the generation of (mAb) having specificity for any selected target, including human antigens. This review focuses on the structure and function of the Fc region of IgG molecules that mediates biologic functions, within immune complexes, by interactions with cellular Fc receptors (FcγR) and/or the C1q component of complement. A property of IgG that is suited to its use as a therapeutic is the long catabolic half life of ~21 days, mediated through the structurally distinct neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). Our understanding of structure/function relationships is such that we can contemplate engineering the IgG-Fc to enhance or eliminate biologic activities to generate therapeutics considered optimal for a given disease indication. There are four subclasses of human IgG that exhibit high sequence homology but a unique profile of biologic activities. The FcγR and the C1q binding functions are dependent on glycosylation of the IgG-Fc. Normal human serum IgG is comprised of multiple glycoforms and biologic activities, other than catabolism, varies between glycoforms.