1
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Reusch J, Andersen JT, Rant U, Schlothauer T. Insight into the avidity-affinity relationship of the bivalent, pH-dependent interaction between IgG and FcRn. MAbs 2024; 16:2361585. [PMID: 38849969 PMCID: PMC11164218 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2361585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as therapeutics necessitate favorable pharmacokinetic properties, including extended serum half-life, achieved through pH-dependent binding to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). While prior research has mainly investigated IgG-FcRn binding kinetics with a focus on single affinity values, it has been shown that each IgG molecule can engage two FcRn molecules throughout an endosomal pH gradient. As such, we present here a more comprehensive analysis of these interactions with an emphasis on both affinity and avidity by taking advantage of switchSENSE technology, a surface-based biosensor where recombinant FcRn was immobilized via short DNA nanolevers, mimicking the membranous orientation of the receptor. The results revealed insight into the avidity-to-affinity relationship, where assessing binding through a pH gradient ranging from pH 5.8 to 7.4 showed that the half-life extended IgG1-YTE has an affinity inflection point at pH 7.2, reflecting its engineering for improved FcRn binding compared with the wild-type counterpart. Furthermore, IgG1-YTE displayed a pH switch for the avidity enhancement factor at pH 6.2, reflecting strong receptor binding to both sides of the YTE-containing Fc, while avidity was abolished at pH 7.4. When compared with classical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology and complementary methods, the use of switchSENSE demonstrated superior capabilities in differentiating affinity from avidity within a single measurement. Thus, the methodology provides reliable kinetic rate parameters for both binding modes and their direct relationship as a function of pH. Also, it deciphers the potential effect of the variable Fab arms on FcRn binding, in which SPR has limitations. Our study offers guidance for how FcRn binding properties can be studied for IgG engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Reusch
- Dynamic Biosensors GmbH, Munich, Germany
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - 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
| | | | - Tilman Schlothauer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
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2
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Ledo AM, Dimke T, Tschantz WR, Rowlands D, Growcott E. The role of airway mucus and diseased pulmonary epithelium on the absorption of inhaled antibodies. Int J Pharm 2023; 647:123519. [PMID: 37852310 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Inhaled antibody therapy for the treatment of respiratory diseases is a promising strategy to maximize pulmonary exposure and reduce side effects associated with parenteral administration. However, the development of inhaled antibodies is often challenging due to a poor understanding of key mechanisms governing antibody absorption and clearance in healthy and diseased pulmonary epithelium. Here, we utilize well established Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell (HBEC) models grown at air-liquid interface to study the absorption process of antibodies and antibody fragments. With these cellular models, we recapitulate the morphology and function of healthy and diseased pulmonary epithelium, and incorporate the mucosal barrier to enable the investigation of both cellular permeability as well as mucodiffusion. We studied the saturation of antibody transport across the HBEC barriers and estimated the impact of disease-like epithelial barriers on antibody paracellular transport. Additionally, we identified a potential role of neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-independent and target-mediated transcytosis in the transport of Fragment antigen-binding (Fab) and F(ab)2 antibody fragments. Lastly, our models were able to pinpoint an impaired antibody diffusion across mucus gels. These mechanistic cellular models are promising in vitro tools to inform Physiologically-based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) computational models for dose prediction toward de-risking the development of inhaled biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Martinez Ledo
- Disease Area X, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - Thomas Dimke
- Pharmacokinetic Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - William R Tschantz
- NIBR Biologics Center, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - David Rowlands
- Disease Area X, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - Ellena Growcott
- Disease Area X, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States.
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3
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Fernández-Quintero ML, Ljungars A, Waibl F, Greiff V, Andersen JT, Gjølberg TT, Jenkins TP, Voldborg BG, Grav LM, Kumar S, Georges G, Kettenberger H, Liedl KR, Tessier PM, McCafferty J, Laustsen AH. Assessing developability early in the discovery process for novel biologics. MAbs 2023; 15:2171248. [PMID: 36823021 PMCID: PMC9980699 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2171248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Beyond potency, a good developability profile is a key attribute of a biological drug. Selecting and screening for such attributes early in the drug development process can save resources and avoid costly late-stage failures. Here, we review some of the most important developability properties that can be assessed early on for biologics. These include the influence of the source of the biologic, its biophysical and pharmacokinetic properties, and how well it can be expressed recombinantly. We furthermore present in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods and techniques that can be exploited at different stages of the discovery process to identify molecules with liabilities and thereby facilitate the selection of the most optimal drug leads. Finally, we reflect on the most relevant developability parameters for injectable versus orally delivered biologics and provide an outlook toward what general trends are expected to rise in the development of biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L. Fernández-Quintero
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Department of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anne Ljungars
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Franz Waibl
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Department of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Victor Greiff
- Department of Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Terje Andersen
- Department of Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bjørn Gunnar Voldborg
- National Biologics Facility, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lise Marie Grav
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Guy Georges
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Hubert Kettenberger
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Klaus R. Liedl
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Department of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter M. Tessier
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - John McCafferty
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Maxion Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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4
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Sand KMK, Gruber MM, Sandlie I, Mathiesen L, Andersen JT, Wadsack C. Contribution of the ex vivo placental perfusion model in understanding transplacental immunoglobulin G transfer. Placenta 2022; 127:77-87. [PMID: 35981406 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The acquisition of humoral immunity in utero is essential for the fetus. The crucial protein, which is responsible for this part of immunity, is immunoglobulin-G (IgG). Immune functions of IgGs are mediated via the interaction of the crystallizable fragment (Fc) region of IgG with specific Fc γ receptors (FcγRs). However, an atypical FcγR, the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), is a key regulator of IgG transfer across the human placenta. During the last four decades ex vivo placental perfusion studies have contributed significantly to the study of mechanisms of IgG transfer across the multicellular placental barrier. METHOD A PubMed search was conducted by using specific keywords: placenta, perfusion and IgG to review manuscripts using human placental perfusion to study the transplacental transfer of IgG. Relevant studies found in reference lists of these manuscripts were also added to the review, and references were included that supported or gave nuance to the discussion of the mechanisms of IgG kinetics in the placenta. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We found twenty publications on the study of transplacental transfer of IgG using human ex vivo placental perfusion, by research groups with partly different settings. This review summarizes knowledge about placental IgG transfer, with a strong focus on the contributions from ex vivo placental perfusion studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kine Marita Knudsen Sand
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0371, Oslo, Norway; Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, 0424, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Michael M Gruber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Inger Sandlie
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0371, Oslo, Norway; Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, 0424, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line Mathiesen
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jan Terje Andersen
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, 0424, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Austria
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5
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Nath N, Godat B, Flemming R, Urh M. A homogeneous bioluminescent immunoassay for parallel characterization of binding between a panel of antibodies and a family of Fcγ receptors. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12185. [PMID: 35842448 PMCID: PMC9287719 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15887-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fc engineering efforts are increasingly being employed to modulate interaction of antibodies with variety of Fc receptors in an effort to improve the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic antibodies. Among the various Fc receptors, Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) present on variety of immune cells are especially relevant since they can activate multiple effector functions including antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). Depending on the desired mechanism of action (MOA) of the antibody, interactions between Fc domain of the antibody and FcγR (denoted as Fc/FcγR) may need to be enhanced or abolished. Therefore, during the antibody discovery process, biochemical methods are routinely used to measure the affinities of Fc/FcγR interactions. To enable such screening, we developed a plate based, simple to use, homogeneous immunoassays for six FcγRs by leveraging a luminescent protein complementation technology (NanoBiT). An added advantage of the NanoBiT immunoassays is their solution-based format, which minimizes well known surface related artifacts associated with traditional biosensor platforms (e.g., surface plasmon resonance and biolayer interferometry). With NanoBiT FcγRs assays, we demonstrate that assays are specific, report IgG subclass specific affinities and detect modulation in Fc/FcγR interactions in response to the changes in the Fc domain. We subsequently screen a panel of therapeutic antibodies including seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and four polyclonal intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) products and highlight the advantages of parallel screening method for developing new antibody therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Nath
- Promega Corporation, R&D Department, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison, WI, 53711, USA. .,Bio-Techne, R&D Department, 614 McKinley Place NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413, USA.
| | - Becky Godat
- Promega Corporation, R&D Department, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Rod Flemming
- Promega Corporation, R&D Department, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Marjeta Urh
- Promega Corporation, R&D Department, 2800 Woods Hollow Road, Madison, WI, 53711, USA.
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6
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Kelly VW, Sirk SJ. Short FcRn-Binding Peptides Enable Salvage and Transcytosis of scFv Antibody Fragments. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:404-413. [PMID: 35050570 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic antibodies have become one of the most widely used classes of biotherapeutics due to their unique antigen specificity and their ability to be engineered against diverse disease targets. There is significant interest in utilizing truncated antibody fragments as therapeutics, as their small size affords favorable properties such as increased tumor penetration as well as the ability to utilize lower-cost prokaryotic production methods. Their small size and simple architecture, however, also lead to rapid blood clearance, limiting the efficacy of these potentially powerful therapeutics. A common approach to circumvent these limitations is to enable engagement with the half-life extending neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). This is usually achieved via fusion with a large Fc domain, which negates the benefits of the antibody fragment's small size. In this work, we show that modifying antibody fragments with short FcRn-binding peptide domains that mimic native IgG engagement with FcRn enables binding and FcRn-mediated recycling and transmembrane transcytosis in cell-based assays. Further, we show that rational, single amino acid mutations to the peptide sequence have a significant impact on the receptor-mediated function and investigate the underlying structural basis for this effect using computational modeling. Finally, we report the identification of a short peptide from human serum albumin that enables FcRn-mediated function when grafted onto a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) scaffold, establishing an approach for the rational selection of short-peptide domains from full-length proteins that could enable the transfer of non-native functions to small recombinant proteins without significantly impacting their size or structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vince W. Kelly
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Shannon J. Sirk
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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7
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Nath N, Godat B, Flemming R, Urh M. Deciphering the Interaction between Neonatal Fc Receptor and Antibodies Using a Homogeneous Bioluminescent Immunoassay. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2021; 207:1211-1221. [PMID: 34312257 PMCID: PMC8358922 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Long half-life of therapeutic Abs and Fc fusion proteins is crucial to their efficacy and is, in part, regulated by their interaction with neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). However, the current methods (e.g., surface plasmon resonance and biolayer interferometry) for measurement of interaction between IgG and FcRn (IgG/FcRn) require either FcRn or IgG to be immobilized on the surface, which is known to introduce experimental artifacts and have led to conflicting data. To study IgG/FcRn interactions in solution, without a need for surface immobilization, we developed a novel (to our knowledge), solution-based homogeneous binding immunoassay based on NanoBiT luminescent protein complementation technology. We optimized the assay (NanoBiT FcRn assay) for human FcRn, mouse FcRn, rat FcRn, and cynomolgus FcRn and used them to determine the binding affinities of a panel of eight Abs. Assays could successfully capture the modulation in IgG/FcRn binding based on changes in Fc fragment of the Abs. We also looked at the individual contribution of Fc and F(ab)2 on the IgG/FcRn interaction and found that Fc is the main driver for the interaction at pH 6. Our work highlights the importance of using orthogonal methods to validate affinity data generated using biosensor platforms. Moreover, the simple add-and-read format of the NanoBiT FcRn assay is amenable for high-throughput screening during early Ab discovery phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Nath
- Research and Development Department, Promega Corp., Madison, WI
| | - Becky Godat
- Research and Development Department, Promega Corp., Madison, WI
| | - Rod Flemming
- Research and Development Department, Promega Corp., Madison, WI
| | - Marjeta Urh
- Research and Development Department, Promega Corp., Madison, WI
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8
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Azevedo C, Pinto S, Benjakul S, Nilsen J, Santos HA, Traverso G, Andersen JT, Sarmento B. Prevention of diabetes-associated fibrosis: Strategies in FcRn-targeted nanosystems for oral drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 175:113778. [PMID: 33887405 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with an elevated risk of micro- and macrovascular complications, such as fibrosis. To prevent diabetes-associated fibrosis, the symptomatology of diabetes must be controlled, which is commonly done by subcutaneous injection of antidiabetic peptides. To minimize the pain and distress associated with such injections, there is an urgent need for non-invasive oral transmucosal drug delivery strategies. However, orally administered peptide-based drugs are exposed to harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and poorly cross the selective intestinal epithelium. Thus, targeting of drugs to receptors expressed in epithelial cells, such as the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), may therefore enhance uptake and transport through mucosal barriers. This review compiles how in-depth studies of FcRn biology and engineering of receptor-binding molecules may pave the way for design of new classes of FcRn-targeted nanosystems. Tailored strategies may open new avenues for oral drug delivery and provide better treatment options for diabetes and, consequently, fibrosis prevention.
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9
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Bern M, Nilsen J, Ferrarese M, Sand KMK, Gjølberg TT, Lode HE, Davidson RJ, Camire RM, Bækkevold ES, Foss S, Grevys A, Dalhus B, Wilson J, Høydahl LS, Christianson GJ, Roopenian DC, Schlothauer T, Michaelsen TE, Moe MC, Lombardi S, Pinotti M, Sandlie I, Branchini A, Andersen JT. An engineered human albumin enhances half-life and transmucosal delivery when fused to protein-based biologics. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/565/eabb0580. [PMID: 33055243 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb0580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Needle-free uptake across mucosal barriers is a preferred route for delivery of biologics, but the efficiency of unassisted transmucosal transport is poor. To make administration and therapy efficient and convenient, strategies for the delivery of biologics must enhance both transcellular delivery and plasma half-life. We found that human albumin was transcytosed efficiently across polarized human epithelial cells by a mechanism that depends on the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). FcRn also transported immunoglobulin G, but twofold less than albumin. We therefore designed a human albumin variant, E505Q/T527M/K573P (QMP), with improved FcRn binding, resulting in enhanced transcellular transport upon intranasal delivery and extended plasma half-life of albumin in transgenic mice expressing human FcRn. When QMP was fused to recombinant activated coagulation factor VII, the half-life of the fusion molecule increased 3.6-fold compared with the wild-type human albumin fusion, without compromising the therapeutic properties of activated factor VII. Our findings highlight QMP as a suitable carrier of protein-based biologics that may enhance plasma half-life and delivery across mucosal barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Bern
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jeannette Nilsen
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mattia Ferrarese
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Kine M K Sand
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,CIR and Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Torleif T Gjølberg
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidrun E Lode
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Robert J Davidson
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rodney M Camire
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Espen S Bækkevold
- CIR and Department of Pathology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stian Foss
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Algirdas Grevys
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Dalhus
- Department for Medical Biochemistry, Institute for Clinical Medicine and Department for Microbiology, Clinic for Laboratory Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - John Wilson
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Lene S Høydahl
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Coeliac Disease Research Centre, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Tilman Schlothauer
- Biochemical and Analytical Research, Large Molecule Research, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Terje E Michaelsen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway.,Department of Chemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten C Moe
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Silvia Lombardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mirko Pinotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Inger Sandlie
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway.,CIR and Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Alessio Branchini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Jan Terje Andersen
- Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0372 Oslo, Norway. .,Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
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10
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Aftimos P, Rolfo C, Rottey S, Barthélémy P, Borg C, Park K, Oh DY, Kim SW, De Jonge N, Hanssens V, Zwanenpoel K, Molthoff C, Vugts D, Dreier T, Verheesen P, van Dongen GA, Jacobs J, Van Rompaey L, Hultberg A, Michieli P, Pauwels P, Fung S, Thibault A, de Haard H, Leupin N, Awada A. The NHance ® Mutation-Equipped Anti-MET Antibody ARGX-111 Displays Increased Tissue Penetration and Anti-Tumor Activity in Advanced Cancer Patients. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060665. [PMID: 34200749 PMCID: PMC8229762 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of MET signaling has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. ARGX-111 combines complete blockade of this pathway with enhanced tumor cell killing and was investigated in 24 patients with MET-positive advanced cancers in a phase 1b study at four dose levels (0.3–10 mg/kg). ARGX-111 was well tolerated up to 3 mg/kg (MTD). Anti-tumor activity was observed in nearly half of the patients (46%) with a mean duration of treatment of 12 weeks. NHance® mutations in the Fc of ARGX-111 increased affinity for the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) at acidic pH, stimulating transcytosis across FcRn-expressing cells and radiolabeled ARGX-111 accumulated in lymphoid tissues, bone and liver, organs expressing FcRn at high levels in a biodistribution study using human FcRn transgenic mice. In line with this, we observed, in a patient with MET-amplified (>10 copies) gastric cancer, diminished metabolic activity in multiple metastatic lesions in lymphoid and bone tissues by 18F-FDG-PET/CT after two infusions with 0.3 mg/kg ARGX-111. When escalated to 1 mg/kg, a partial response was reached. Furthermore, decreased numbers of CTC (75%) possibly by the enhanced tumor cell killing witnessed the modes of action of the drug, warranting further clinical investigation of ARGX-111.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Aftimos
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (P.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Christian Rolfo
- University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium; (C.R.); (K.Z.); (P.P.)
| | | | - Philippe Barthélémy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Christophe Borg
- Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, CEDEX, 25000 Besançon, France;
| | - Keunchil Park
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea;
| | - Do-Youn Oh
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea;
| | - Sang-We Kim
- Asan Medical Center, Department of Oncology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea;
| | - Natalie De Jonge
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Valérie Hanssens
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Karen Zwanenpoel
- University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium; (C.R.); (K.Z.); (P.P.)
| | - Carla Molthoff
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, 1012 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.M.); (D.V.); (G.A.M.S.v.D.)
| | - Daniëlle Vugts
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, 1012 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.M.); (D.V.); (G.A.M.S.v.D.)
| | - Torsten Dreier
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
- AgomAb Therapeutics NV, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Peter Verheesen
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Guus A.M.S. van Dongen
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, 1012 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.M.); (D.V.); (G.A.M.S.v.D.)
| | - Julie Jacobs
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Luc Van Rompaey
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Anna Hultberg
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Paolo Michieli
- AgomAb Therapeutics NV, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium; (C.R.); (K.Z.); (P.P.)
| | - Samson Fung
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Alain Thibault
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Hans de Haard
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
| | - Nicolas Leupin
- Argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.J.); (V.H.); (T.D.); (P.V.); (J.J.); (L.V.R.); (A.H.); (S.F.); (A.T.); (H.d.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-79-293-18-14
| | - Ahmad Awada
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (P.A.); (A.A.)
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11
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Ladel S, Maigler F, Flamm J, Schlossbauer P, Handl A, Hermann R, Herzog H, Hummel T, Mizaikoff B, Schindowski K. Impact of Glycosylation and Species Origin on the Uptake and Permeation of IgGs through the Nasal Airway Mucosa. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E1014. [PMID: 33114132 PMCID: PMC7690786 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12111014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although we have recently reported the involvement of neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in intranasal transport, the transport mechanisms are far from being elucidated. Ex vivo porcine olfactory tissue, primary cells from porcine olfactory epithelium (OEPC) and the human cell line RPMI 2650 were used to evaluate the permeation of porcine and human IgG antibodies through the nasal mucosa. IgGs were used in their wild type and deglycosylated form to investigate the impact of glycosylation. Further, the expression of FcRn and Fc-gamma receptor (FCGR) and their interaction with IgG were analyzed. Comparable permeation rates for human and porcine IgG were observed in OEPC, which display the highest expression of FcRn. Only traces of porcine IgGs could be recovered at the basolateral compartment in ex vivo olfactory tissue, while human IgGs reached far higher levels. Deglycosylated human IgG showed significantly higher permeation in comparison to the wild type in RPMI 2650 and OEPC, but insignificantly elevated in the ex vivo model. An immunoprecipitation with porcine primary cells and tissue identified FCGR2 as a potential interaction partner in the nasal mucosa. Glycosylation sensitive receptors appear to be involved in the uptake, transport, but also degradation of therapeutic IgGs in the airway epithelial layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Ladel
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
- Faculty of Natural Science, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Frank Maigler
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
- Faculty of Natural Science, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Flamm
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
- Faculty of Natural Science, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick Schlossbauer
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
| | - Alina Handl
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
- Faculty of Natural Science, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Rebecca Hermann
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
| | - Helena Herzog
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
- Faculty of Natural Science, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Boris Mizaikoff
- Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Katharina Schindowski
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, Hubertus-Liebrecht Straße 35, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (S.L.); (F.M.); (J.F.); (P.S.); (A.H.); (R.H.); (H.H.)
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12
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Deissler HL, Sommer K, Lang GK, Lang GE. Transport and fate of aflibercept in VEGF-A 165-challenged retinal endothelial cells. Exp Eye Res 2020; 198:108156. [PMID: 32712182 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal vessels are at least in part involved in clearing of Fc terminus-containing proteins from the vitreous. In vitro, the Fc fusion protein aflibercept is transported through a monolayer of unchallenged immortalized bovine retinal endothelial cells (iBREC), mediated by the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), but part of the Fc fusion protein is also degraded. Aflibercept's target VEGF-A not only enhances the permeability of REC by destabilization of tight junctions (TJs) thereby allowing for paracellular flow, it may also lower the intracellular stability of the Fc fusion protein by changing its binding properties to the FcRn. Therefore, we investigated the transport and fate of aflibercept in VEGF-A165-challenged iBREC. All cell culture media were supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) as its absence results in accumulation of aflibercept in iBREC due to deregulated expression of transport proteins. Early after exposure of a confluent iBREC monolayer cultivated on gold electrodes to 5% FBS, the cell index (CI) - assessed as a measure of barrier function, cell viability and cell adhesion - transiently declined but recovered again within a few hours to high values. These values remained stable for several days associated with a strong expression of the TJ-protein claudin-1, indicative of a functional barrier formed by the iBREC monolayer. Transient changes of the plasma membrane localizations of claudin-5 and vascular endothelial cadherin - both important for regulation of paracellular flow - accompanied the transient reduction of the CI not prevented by VEGF-binding proteins. Treatment of iBREC with 50 ng/ml VEGF-A165 for one day resulted in a strong and persistent decline of the CI associated with a low expression level of the TJ-protein claudin-1; reversion to normal values was complete one day after aflibercept's addition at a final concentration of 250 μg/ml. Expressions of other proteins involved in regulation of paracellular flow or transcellular transport were not significantly changed. More aflibercept passed through the monolayer of iBREC cultivated on permeable membrane inserts pretreated with VEGF-A for one day, but this was not affected by a FcRn-inhibiting antibody. Subcellular localization of aflibercept was hardly changed in VEGF-A-exposed iBREC 3 h after its addition to the cells; inhibition of (non)-lysosomal or proteasomal proteases then only weakly affected the amount of internalized aflibercept. iBREC also internalized VEGF-A which was barely detectable as early as 2 h after addition of aflibercept. In contrast, blocking the tyrosine kinase activity of VEGF receptor(s) did not prevent VEGF-A's uptake. Inhibition of cellular proteases strongly increased the amount of internalized VEGF-A in the absence and presence of the Fc fusion protein. We therefore conclude that a FcRn-mediated transport plays a minor role in aflibercept's passage through a leaky barrier of REC. Even early after addition of aflibercept to VEGF-A-exposed iBREC, the levels of free intracellular VEGF-A are low, as aflibercept likely prevents binding of VEGF-A to its receptor. Interestingly, the growth factor's detrimental effects still persist for nearly one day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidrun L Deissler
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Ulm, Prittwitzstrasse 43, 89075, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Katrin Sommer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Ulm, Prittwitzstrasse 43, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gerhard K Lang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Ulm, Prittwitzstrasse 43, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gabriele E Lang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Ulm, Prittwitzstrasse 43, 89075, Ulm, Germany
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13
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Goulet DR, Atkins WM. Considerations for the Design of Antibody-Based Therapeutics. J Pharm Sci 2020; 109:74-103. [PMID: 31173761 PMCID: PMC6891151 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-based proteins have become an important class of biologic therapeutics, due in large part to the stability, specificity, and adaptability of the antibody framework. Indeed, antibodies not only have the inherent ability to bind both antigens and endogenous immune receptors but also have proven extremely amenable to protein engineering. Thus, several derivatives of the monoclonal antibody format, including bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and antibody fragments, have demonstrated efficacy for treating human disease, particularly in the fields of immunology and oncology. Reviewed here are considerations for the design of antibody-based therapeutics, including immunological context, therapeutic mechanisms, and engineering strategies. First, characteristics of antibodies are introduced, with emphasis on structural domains, functionally important receptors, isotypic and allotypic differences, and modifications such as glycosylation. Then, aspects of therapeutic antibody design are discussed, including identification of antigen-specific variable regions, choice of expression system, use of multispecific formats, and design of antibody derivatives based on fragmentation, oligomerization, or conjugation to other functional moieties. Finally, strategies to enhance antibody function through protein engineering are reviewed while highlighting the impact of fundamental biophysical properties on protein developability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Goulet
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195.
| | - William M Atkins
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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14
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Pyzik M, Sand KMK, Hubbard JJ, Andersen JT, Sandlie I, Blumberg RS. The Neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn): A Misnomer? Front Immunol 2019; 10:1540. [PMID: 31354709 PMCID: PMC6636548 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are essential components of an adaptive immune response. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most common type of antibody found in circulation and extracellular fluids. Although IgG alone can directly protect the body from infection through the activities of its antigen binding region, the majority of IgG immune functions are mediated via proteins and receptors expressed by specialized cell subsets that bind to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of IgG. Fc gamma (γ) receptors (FcγR) belong to a broad family of proteins that presently include classical membrane-bound surface receptors as well as atypical intracellular receptors and cytoplasmic glycoproteins. Among the atypical FcγRs, the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) has increasingly gained notoriety given its intimate influence on IgG biology and its ability to also bind to albumin. FcRn functions as a recycling or transcytosis receptor that is responsible for maintaining IgG and albumin in the circulation, and bidirectionally transporting these two ligands across polarized cellular barriers. More recently, it has been appreciated that FcRn acts as an immune receptor by interacting with and facilitating antigen presentation of peptides derived from IgG immune complexes (IC). Here we review FcRn biology and focus on newer advances including how emerging FcRn-targeted therapies may affect the immune responses to IgG and IgG IC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Pyzik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kine M K Sand
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonathan J Hubbard
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jan Terje Andersen
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Inger Sandlie
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Richard S Blumberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Digestive Diseases Center, Boston, MA, United States
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15
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Wagner EK, Qerqez AN, Stevens CA, Nguyen AW, Delidakis G, Maynard JA. Human cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell receptor engineered for high affinity and soluble expression using mammalian cell display. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:5790-5804. [PMID: 30796163 PMCID: PMC6463697 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.007187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptors (TCR) have considerable potential as therapeutics and antibody-like reagents to monitor disease progression and vaccine efficacy. Whereas antibodies recognize only secreted and surface-bound proteins, TCRs recognize otherwise inaccessible disease-associated intracellular proteins when they are presented as processed peptides bound to major histocompatibility complexes (pMHC). TCRs have been primarily explored for cancer therapy applications but could also target infectious diseases such as cytomegalovirus (CMV). However, TCRs are more difficult to express and engineer than antibodies, and advanced methods are needed to enable their widespread use. Here, we engineered the human CMV-specific TCR RA14 for high-affinity and robust soluble expression. To achieve this, we adapted our previously reported mammalian display system to present TCR extracellular domains and used this to screen CDR3 libraries for clones with increased pMHC affinity. After three rounds of selection, characterized clones retained peptide specificity and activation when expressed on the surface of human Jurkat T cells. We obtained high yields of soluble, monomeric protein by fusing the TCR extracellular domains to antibody hinge and Fc constant regions, adding a stabilizing disulfide bond between the constant domains and disrupting predicted glycosylation sites. One variant exhibited 50 nm affinity for its cognate pMHC, as measured by surface plasmon resonance, and specifically stained cells presenting this pMHC. Our work has identified a human TCR with high affinity for the immunodominant CMV peptide and offers a new strategy to rapidly engineer soluble TCRs for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen K Wagner
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Ahlam N Qerqez
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Christopher A Stevens
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Annalee W Nguyen
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - George Delidakis
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Jennifer A Maynard
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712.
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16
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FcRn-Dependent Transcytosis of Monoclonal Antibody in Human Nasal Epithelial Cells In Vitro: A Prerequisite for a New Delivery Route for Therapy? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061379. [PMID: 30893823 PMCID: PMC6470570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are promising therapies to treat airway chronic inflammatory disease (asthma or nasal polyps). To date, no study has specifically assessed, in vitro, the potential function of neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in IgG transcytosis through the human nasal airway epithelium. The objective of this study was to report the in vitro expression and function of FcRn in nasal human epithelium. FcRn expression was studied in an air–liquid interface (ALI) primary culture model of human nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) from polyps. FcRn expression was characterized by quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, and immunolabeling. The ability of HNECs to support mAb transcytosis via FcRn was assessed by transcytosis assay. This study demonstrates the expression of FcRn mRNA and protein in HNEC. We report a high expression of FcRn in the cytosol of ciliated, mucus, and basal cells by immunohistochemistry with a higher level of FcRn proteins in differentiated HNEC. We also proved in vitro transepithelial delivery of an IgG1 therapeutic mAb with a dose–response curve. This is the first time that FcRn expression and mAb transcytosis has been shown in a model of human nasal respiratory epithelium in vitro. This study is a prerequisite for FcRn-dependent nasal administration of mAbs.
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17
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Blundell PA, Lu D, Wilkinson M, Dell A, Haslam S, Pleass RJ. Insertion of N-Terminal Hinge Glycosylation Enhances Interactions of the Fc Region of Human IgG1 Monomers with Glycan-Dependent Receptors and Blocks Hemagglutination by the Influenza Virus. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2019; 202:1595-1611. [PMID: 30683699 PMCID: PMC6379808 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In therapeutic applications in which the Fc of IgG is critically important, the receptor binding and functional properties of the Fc are lost after deglycosylation or removal of the unique Asn297 N-X-(T/S) sequon. A population of Fcs bearing sialylated glycans has been identified as contributing to this functionality, and high levels of sialylation also lead to longer serum retention times advantageous for therapy. The efficacy of sialylated Fc has generated an incentive to modify the unique N-linked glycosylation site at Asn297, either through chemical and enzymatic methods or by mutagenesis of the Fc, that disrupts the protein-Asn297 carbohydrate interface. In this study, we took an alternative approach by inserting or deleting N-linked attachment sites into the body of the Fc to generate a portfolio of mutants with tailored effector functions. For example, we describe mutants with enhanced binding to low-affinity inhibitory human Fcγ and glycan receptors that may be usefully incorporated into existing Ab engineering approaches to treat or vaccinate against disease. The IgG1 Fc fragments containing complex sialylated glycans attached to the N-terminal Asn221 sequon bound influenza virus hemagglutinin and disrupted influenza A-mediated agglutination of human erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Blundell
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom; and
| | - Dongli Lu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Wilkinson
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom; and
| | - Anne Dell
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Haslam
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Pleass
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom; and
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18
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Zhou X, Wang P, Chen Y, Ma SY. Intact anti-LPS IgY is found in the blood after intragastric administration in mice. FEBS Open Bio 2019; 9:428-436. [PMID: 30868051 PMCID: PMC6396156 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe burn injury and cirrhosis often cause the translocation of bacterial endotoxins into blood, leading to systemic damage and even death. Our previous studies have shown that anti‐lipopolysaccharide egg yolk antibody (anti‐LPS IgY) can neutralize bacterial endotoxins in vitro and in vivo effectively, thereby reducing endotoxin damage. Whether anti‐LPS IgY can be absorbed into the blood through the intestinal barrier and neutralize endotoxins in circulation remains unclear. In this study, we used in vivo small animal imaging techniques, protein purification, molecular biology, and mass spectrometry to show that intragastrically administered anti‐LPS IgY is detected in the blood of mice as an intact molecule and has the capacity to bind to LPS. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that anti‐LPS IgY is associated with the intestinal mucosa of mice. However, the route of absorption of this large protein molecule was not determined. This study suggests that anti‐LPS IgY can be absorbed into the circulation, with the same molecular mass as purified anti‐LPS IgY as a macromolecular protein, suggesting a new strategy for the prevention of damage caused by endotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhou
- Institute of Burn Research State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing China
| | - Pei Wang
- Institute of Burn Research State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing China
| | - Yajie Chen
- Institute of Burn Research State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing China
| | - Si-Yuan Ma
- Institute of Burn Research State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing China
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19
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Blundell PA, Le NPL, Allen J, Watanabe Y, Pleass RJ. Engineering the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of human IgG1 multimers and monomers to fine-tune interactions with sialic acid-dependent receptors. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:12994-13007. [PMID: 28620050 PMCID: PMC5546038 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.795047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multimeric fragment crystallizable (Fc) regions and Fc-fusion proteins are actively being explored as biomimetic replacements for IVIG therapy, which is deployed to manage many diseases and conditions but is expensive and not always efficient. The Fc region of human IgG1 (IgG1-Fc) can be engineered into multimeric structures (hexa-Fcs) that bind their cognate receptors with high avidity. The critical influence of the unique N-linked glycan attached at Asn-297 on the structure and function of IgG1-Fc is well documented; however, whether the N-linked glycan has a similarly critical role in multimeric, avidly binding Fcs, is unknown. Hexa-Fc contains two N-linked sites at Asn-77 (equivalent to Asn-297 in the Fc of IgG1) and Asn-236 (equivalent to Asn-563 in the tail piece of IgM). We report here that glycosylation at Asn-297 is critical for interactions with Fc receptors and complement and that glycosylation at Asn-563 is essential for controlling multimerization. We also found that introduction of an additional fully occupied N-linked glycosylation site at the N terminus at position 1 (equivalent to Asp-221 in the Fc of IgG1) dramatically enhances overall sialic acid content of the Fc multimers. Furthermore, replacement of Cys-575 in the IgM tail piece of multimers resulted in monomers with enhanced sialic acid content and differential receptor-binding profiles. Thus insertion of additional N-linked glycans into either the hinge or tail piece of monomers or multimers leads to molecules with enhanced sialylation that may be suitable for managing inflammation or blocking pathogen invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Blundell
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, United Kingdom
| | - Ngoc Phuong Lan Le
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Joel Allen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Yasunori Watanabe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Pleass
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, United Kingdom.
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Arnoult C, Brachet G, Cadena Castaneda D, Azzopardi N, Passot C, Desvignes C, Paintaud G, Heuzé-Vourc'h N, Watier H, Gouilleux-Gruart V. Crucial Role for Immune Complexes but Not FcRn in Immunization against Anti-TNF-α Antibodies after a Single Injection in Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:418-424. [PMID: 28584008 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The immunogenicity of infliximab and adalimumab is a major concern because patients may develop Abs also called antidrug Abs (ADA), directed against these anti-TNF-α Abs after just a few weeks of treatment. These ADAs can lead to a decrease in biologic concentration, which is associated with lower treatment efficacy. Our aim was to study the involvement of immune complexes and neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in the emergence of ADAs in the case of anti-TNF-α Abs. Wild type and FcRn knockout mice were injected once with either infliximab or adalimumab, alone or preincubated with TNF-α. Adalimumab cross-reacts with murine TNF-α whereas infliximab is species specific. When injected alone, only adalimumab elicited a humoral response. By preforming immune complexes with TNF-α, an anti-infliximab response was elicited. Surprisingly, both wild type and FcRn knockout mice were able to mount an immune response against anti-TNF-α Abs, suggesting that immune complexes are a major determinant of this immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Arnoult
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, UMR 7292, F-37032 Tours, France
| | - Guillaume Brachet
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, UMR 7292, F-37032 Tours, France.,Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
| | | | - Nicolas Azzopardi
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, UMR 7292, F-37032 Tours, France
| | - Christophe Passot
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, UMR 7292, F-37032 Tours, France.,Laboratoire de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France; and
| | - Celine Desvignes
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France; and
| | - Gilles Paintaud
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, UMR 7292, F-37032 Tours, France.,Laboratoire de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France; and
| | - Nathalie Heuzé-Vourc'h
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, INSERM, UMR 1100, F-37032 Tours, France
| | - Hervé Watier
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, UMR 7292, F-37032 Tours, France.,Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
| | - Valérie Gouilleux-Gruart
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, UMR 7292, F-37032 Tours, France; .,Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
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21
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Zhou L, Wang HY, Tong S, Okamoto CT, Shen WC, Zaro JL. Single chain Fc-dimer-human growth hormone fusion protein for improved drug delivery. Biomaterials 2017; 117:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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22
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The Highly Evolvable Antibody Fc Domain. Trends Biotechnol 2016; 34:895-908. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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23
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Martins JP, Kennedy PJ, Santos HA, Barrias C, Sarmento B. A comprehensive review of the neonatal Fc receptor and its application in drug delivery. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 161:22-39. [PMID: 27016466 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the understanding of neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) biology and function have demonstrated that this receptor, primarily identified for the transfer of passive immunity from mother infant, is involved in several biological and immunological processes. In fact, FcRn is responsible for the long half-life of IgG and albumin in the serum, by creating an intracellular protein reservoir, which is protected from lysosomal degradation and, importantly, trafficked across the cell. Such discovery has led researchers to hypothesize the role for this unique receptor in the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. A great amount of FcRn-based strategies are already under extensive investigation, in which FcRn reveals to have profound impact on the biodistribution and half-life extension of therapeutic agents. This review summarizes the main findings on FcRn biology, function and distribution throughout different tissues, together with the main advances on the FcRn-based therapeutic opportunities and model systems, which indicate that this receptor is a potential target for therapeutic regimen modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedro Martins
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo 228, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrick J Kennedy
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo 228, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Ipatimup - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI -00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cristina Barrias
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; CESPU - Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde and Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
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