1
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Harmsen MM, Ackerschott B, de Smit H. Serum immunoglobulin or albumin binding single-domain antibodies that enable tailored half-life extension of biologics in multiple animal species. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1346328. [PMID: 38352869 PMCID: PMC10862077 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1346328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-domain antibody fragments (sdAbs) can be isolated from heavy-chain-only antibodies that occur in camelids or the heavy chain of conventional antibodies, that also occur in camelids. Therapeutic application of sdAbs is often complicated by their low serum half-life. Fusion to sdAb that bind to long-lived serum proteins albumin or IgG can prolong serum half-life of fusion partners. Such studies mostly focused on human application. For half-life prolongation in multiple animal species novel species cross-reacting sdAb are needed. We here describe the isolation from immunized llamas of sdAbs G6 and G13 that bound IgG of 9-10 species analysed, including horse, dog, cat, and swine, as well as sdAb A12 that bound horse, dog, swine and cat albumin. A12 bound albumin with 13 to 271 nM affinity dependent on the species. G13 affinity was difficult to determine by biolayer interferometry due to low and heterogeneous signals. G13 and G6 compete for the same binding domain on Fab fragments. Furthermore, they both lack the hallmark residues typical of camelid sdAbs derived from heavy-chain antibodies and had sequence characteristics typical of human sdAbs with high solubility and stability. This suggests they are derived from conventional llama antibodies. They most likely bind IgG through pairing with VL domains at the VH-VL interface rather than a paratope involving complementarity determining regions. None of the isolated sdAb interfered with FcRn binding to albumin or IgG, and thus do not prevent endosomal albumin/IgG-sdAb complex recycling. Fusions of albumin-binding sdAb A12 to several tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) binding sdAbs prolonged the terminal serum half-life in piglets to about 4 days, comparable to authentic swine albumin. However, G13 conferred a much lower half-life of 0.84 days. Similarly, in horse, G13 prolonged half-life to only 1.2 days whereas A12 fused to two TeNT binding domains (T6T16A12) had a half-life of 21 days. The high half-life of T6T16A12, which earlier proved to be a highly potent TeNT antitoxin, further supports its therapeutic value. Furthermore, we have identified several additional sdAbs that enable tailored half-life extension of biologicals in multiple animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel M. Harmsen
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | | | - Hans de Smit
- Research and Development, Smivet B.V., Wijchen, Netherlands
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2
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Dingus JG, Tang JCY, Amamoto R, Wallick GK, Cepko CL. A general approach for stabilizing nanobodies for intracellular expression. eLife 2022; 11:68253. [PMID: 36416528 PMCID: PMC9683787 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional antibodies and their derived fragments are difficult to deploy against intracellular targets in live cells, due to their bulk and structural complexity. Nanobodies provide an alternative modality, with well-documented examples of intracellular expression. Despite their promise as intracellular reagents, there has not been a systematic study of nanobody intracellular expression. Here, we examined intracellular expression of 75 nanobodies from the Protein Data Bank. Surprisingly, a majority of these nanobodies were unstable in cells, illustrated by aggregation and clearance. Using comparative analysis and framework mutagenesis, we developed a general approach that stabilized a great majority of nanobodies that were originally unstable intracellularly, without significantly compromising target binding. This approach led to the identification of distinct sequence features that impacted the intracellular stability of tested nanobodies. Mutationally stabilized nanobody expression was found to extend to in vivo contexts, in the murine retina and in E. coli. These data provide for improvements in nanobody engineering for intracellular applications, potentiating a growing field of intracellular interrogation and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Dingus
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Jonathan CY Tang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Ryoji Amamoto
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Grace K Wallick
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
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3
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Soleimanizadeh A, Dinter H, Schindowski K. Central Nervous System Delivery of Antibodies and Their Single-Domain Antibodies and Variable Fragment Derivatives with Focus on Intranasal Nose to Brain Administration. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:antib10040047. [PMID: 34939999 PMCID: PMC8699001 DOI: 10.3390/antib10040047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IgG antibodies are some of the most important biopharmaceutical molecules with a high market volume. In spite of the fact that clinical therapies with antibodies are broadly utilized in oncology, immunology and hematology, their delivery strategies and biodistribution need improvement, their limitations being due to their size and poor ability to penetrate into tissues. In view of their small size, there is a rising interest in derivatives, such as single-domain antibodies and single-chain variable fragments, for clinical diagnostic but also therapeutic applications. Smaller antibody formats combine several benefits for clinical applications and can be manufactured at reduced production costs compared with full-length IgGs. Moreover, such formats have a relevant potential for targeted drug delivery that directs drug cargo to a specific tissue or across the blood–brain barrier. In this review, we give an overview of the challenges for antibody drug delivery in general and focus on intranasal delivery to the central nervous system with antibody formats of different sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghavan Soleimanizadeh
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach University of Applied Science, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (A.S.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Heiko Dinter
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach University of Applied Science, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (A.S.); (H.D.)
- Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Schindowski
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach University of Applied Science, 88400 Biberach, Germany; (A.S.); (H.D.)
- Correspondence:
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4
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Chikaev AN, Chikaev AN, Rudometov AP, Merkulyeva YA, Karpenko LI. Phage display as a tool for identifying HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2021; 25:562-572. [PMID: 34595378 PMCID: PMC8453360 DOI: 10.18699/vj21.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Combinatorial biology methods offer a good solution for targeting interactions of specif ic molecules
by a high-throughput screening and are widely used for drug development, diagnostics, identif ication of novel
monoclonal antibodies, search for linear peptide mimetics of discontinuous epitopes for the development of
immunogens or vaccine components. Among all currently available techniques, phage display remains one of
the most popular approaches. Despite being a fairly old method, phage display is still widely used for studying
protein-protein, peptide-protein and DNA-protein interactions due to its relative simplicity and versatility. Phage
display allows highly representative libraries of peptides, proteins or their fragments to be created. Each phage
particle in a library displays peptides or proteins fused to its coat protein and simultaneously carries the DNA
sequence encoding the displayed peptide/protein in its genome. The biopanning procedure allows isolation of
specif ic clones for almost any target, and due to the physical link between the genotype and the phenotype of
recombinant phage particles it is possible to determine the structure of selected molecules. Phage display technology
continues to play an important role in HIV research. A major obstacle to the development of an effective
HIV vaccine is an extensive genetic and antigenic variability of the virus. According to recent data, in order to provide
protection against HIV infection, the so-called broadly neutralizing antibodies that are cross-reactive against
multiple viral strains of HIV must be induced, which makes the identif ication of such antibodies a key area of HIV
vaccinology. In this review, we discuss the use of phage display as a tool for identif ication of HIV-specif ic antibodies
with broad neutralizing activity. We provide an outline of phage display technology, brief ly describe the
design of antibody phage libraries and the affinity selection procedure, and discuss the biology of HIV-1-specif ic
broadly neutralizing antibodies. Finally, we summarize the studies aimed at identif ication of broadly neutralizing
antibodies using various types of phage libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A N Chikaev
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A P Rudometov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, Russia
| | - Yu A Merkulyeva
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, Russia
| | - L I Karpenko
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, Russia
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5
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Sokullu E, Gauthier MS, Coulombe B. Discovery of Antivirals Using Phage Display. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061120. [PMID: 34200959 PMCID: PMC8230593 DOI: 10.3390/v13061120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The latest coronavirus disease outbreak, COVID-19, has brought attention to viral infections which have posed serious health threats to humankind throughout history. The rapid global spread of COVID-19 is attributed to the increased human mobility of today's world, yet the threat of viral infections to global public health is expected to increase continuously in part due to increasing human-animal interface. Development of antiviral agents is crucial to combat both existing and novel viral infections. Recently, there is a growing interest in peptide/protein-based drug molecules. Antibodies are becoming especially predominant in the drug market. Indeed, in a remarkably short period, four antibody therapeutics were authorized for emergency use in COVID-19 treatment in the US, Russia, and India as of November 2020. Phage display has been one of the most widely used screening methods for peptide/antibody drug discovery. Several phage display-derived biologics are already in the market, and the expiration of intellectual property rights of phage-display antibody discovery platforms suggests an increment in antibody drugs in the near future. This review summarizes the most common phage display libraries used in antiviral discovery, highlights the approaches employed to enhance the antiviral potency of selected peptides/antibody fragments, and finally provides a discussion about the present status of the developed antivirals in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esen Sokullu
- Department of Translational Proteomics, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Correspondence: (E.S.); (B.C.)
| | - Marie-Soleil Gauthier
- Department of Translational Proteomics, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada;
| | - Benoit Coulombe
- Department of Translational Proteomics, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Correspondence: (E.S.); (B.C.)
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6
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Bacteriophages as Therapeutic and Diagnostic Vehicles in Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020161. [PMID: 33671476 PMCID: PMC7923149 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution of nanomedicine is the re-design of synthetic and biological carriers to implement novel theranostic platforms. In recent years, bacteriophage research favors this process, which has opened up new roads in drug and gene delivery studies. By displaying antibodies, peptides, or proteins on the surface of different bacteriophages through the phage display technique, it is now possible to unravel specific molecular determinants of both cancer cells and tumor-associated microenvironmental molecules. Downstream applications are manifold, with peptides being employed most of the times to functionalize drug carriers and improve their therapeutic index. Bacteriophages themselves were proven, in this scenario, to be good carriers for imaging molecules and therapeutics as well. Moreover, manipulation of their genetic material to stably vehiculate suicide genes within cancer cells substantially changed perspectives in gene therapy. In this review, we provide examples of how amenable phages can be used as anticancer agents, especially because their systemic administration is possible. We also provide some insights into how their immunogenic profile can be modulated and exploited in immuno-oncology for vaccine production.
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7
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Verhaar ER, Woodham AW, Ploegh HL. Nanobodies in cancer. Semin Immunol 2020; 52:101425. [PMID: 33272897 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For treatment and diagnosis of cancer, antibodies have proven their value and now serve as a first line of therapy for certain cancers. A unique class of antibody fragments called nanobodies, derived from camelid heavy chain-only antibodies, are gaining increasing acceptance as diagnostic tools and are considered also as building blocks for chimeric antigen receptors as well as for targeted drug delivery. The small size of nanobodies (∼15 kDa), their stability, ease of manufacture and modification for diverse formats, short circulatory half-life, and high tissue penetration, coupled with excellent specificity and affinity, account for their attractiveness. Here we review applications of nanobodies in the sphere of tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha R Verhaar
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Andrew W Woodham
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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8
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Bringing the Heavy Chain to Light: Creating a Symmetric, Bivalent IgG-Like Bispecific. Antibodies (Basel) 2020; 9:antib9040062. [PMID: 33172091 PMCID: PMC7709125 DOI: 10.3390/antib9040062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific molecules are biologically significant, yet their complex structures pose important manufacturing and pharmacokinetic challenges. Nevertheless, owing to similarities with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), IgG-like bispecifics conceptually align well with conventional expression and manufacturing platforms and often exhibit potentially favorable drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties. However, IgG-like bispecifics do not possess target bivalency and current designs often require tedious engineering and purification to ensure appropriate chain pairing. Here, we present a near-native IgG antibody format, the 2xVH, which can create bivalency for each target or epitope and requires no engineering for cognate chain pairing. In this modality, two different variable heavy (VH) domains with distinct binding specificities are grafted onto the first constant heavy (CH1) and constant light (CL) domains, conferring the molecule with dual specificity. To determine the versatility of this format, we characterized the expression, binding, and stability of several previously identified soluble human VH domains. By grafting these domains onto an IgG scaffold, we generated several prototype 2xVH IgG and Fab molecules that display similar properties to mAbs. These molecules avoided the post-expression purification necessary for engineered bispecifics while maintaining a capacity for simultaneous dual binding. Hence, the 2xVH format represents a bivalent, bispecific design that addresses limitations of manufacturing IgG-like bispecifics while promoting biologically-relevant dual target engagement.
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9
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Muyldermans S. A guide to: generation and design of nanobodies. FEBS J 2020; 288:2084-2102. [PMID: 32780549 PMCID: PMC8048825 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
A nanobody (Nb) is a registered trademark of Ablynx, referring to the single antigen-binding domain of heavy chain-only antibodies (HCAbs) that are circulating in Camelidae. Nbs are produced recombinantly in micro-organisms and employed as research tools or for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. They were - and still are - also named single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) or variable domain of the heavy chain of HCAbs (VHH). A variety of methods are currently in use for the fast and efficient generation of target-specific Nbs. Such Nbs are produced at low cost and associate with high affinity to their cognate antigen. They are robust, strictly monomeric and easy to tailor into more complex entities to meet the requirements of their application. Here, we review the various sources and different strategies that have been developed to identify rapidly, target-specific Nbs. We further discuss a variety of engineering technologies that have been explored to broaden the application range of Nbs and summarise those applications where designed Nbs might offer a marked advantage over other affinity reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Muyldermans
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, China
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10
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Sedykh SE, Prinz VV, Buneva VN, Nevinsky GA. Bispecific antibodies: design, therapy, perspectives. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:195-208. [PMID: 29403265 PMCID: PMC5784585 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s151282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies (Abs) containing two different antigen-binding sites in one molecule are called bispecific. Bispecific Abs (BsAbs) were first described in the 1960s, the first monoclonal BsAbs were generated in the 1980s by hybridoma technology, and the first article describing the therapeutic use of BsAbs was published in 1992, but the number of papers devoted to BsAbs has increased significantly in the last 10 years. Particular interest in BsAbs is due to their therapeutic use. In the last decade, two BsAbs - catumaxomab in 2009 and blinatumomab in 2014, were approved for therapeutic use. Papers published in recent years have been devoted to various methods of BsAb generation by genetic engineering and chemical conjugation, and describe preclinical and clinical trials of these drugs in a variety of diseases. This review considers diverse BsAb-production methods, describes features of therapeutic BsAbs approved for medical use, and summarizes the prospects of practical application of promising new BsAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey E Sedykh
- Laboratory of Repair Enzymes, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Victor V Prinz
- Laboratory of Repair Enzymes, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valentina N Buneva
- Laboratory of Repair Enzymes, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Georgy A Nevinsky
- Laboratory of Repair Enzymes, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
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11
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Henry KA, Kim DY, Kandalaft H, Lowden MJ, Yang Q, Schrag JD, Hussack G, MacKenzie CR, Tanha J. Stability-Diversity Tradeoffs Impose Fundamental Constraints on Selection of Synthetic Human V H/V L Single-Domain Antibodies from In Vitro Display Libraries. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1759. [PMID: 29375542 PMCID: PMC5763143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human autonomous VH/VL single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) are attractive therapeutic molecules, but often suffer from suboptimal stability, solubility and affinity for cognate antigens. Most commonly, human sdAbs have been isolated from in vitro display libraries constructed via synthetic randomization of rearranged VH/VL domains. Here, we describe the design and characterization of three novel human VH/VL sdAb libraries through a process of: (i) exhaustive biophysical characterization of 20 potential VH/VL sdAb library scaffolds, including assessment of expression yield, aggregation resistance, thermostability and tolerance to complementarity-determining region (CDR) substitutions; (ii) in vitro randomization of the CDRs of three VH/VL sdAb scaffolds, with tailored amino acid representation designed to promote solubility and expressibility; and (iii) systematic benchmarking of the three VH/VL libraries by panning against five model antigens. We isolated ≥1 antigen-specific human sdAb against four of five targets (13 VHs and 7 VLs in total); these were predominantly monomeric, had antigen-binding affinities ranging from 5 nM to 12 µM (average: 2–3 µM), but had highly variable expression yields (range: 0.1–19 mg/L). Despite our efforts to identify the most stable VH/VL scaffolds, selection of antigen-specific binders from these libraries was unpredictable (overall success rate for all library-target screens: ~53%) with a high attrition rate of sdAbs exhibiting false positive binding by ELISA. By analyzing VH/VL sdAb library sequence composition following selection for monomeric antibody expression (binding to protein A/L followed by amplification in bacterial cells), we found that some VH/VL sdAbs had marked growth advantages over others, and that the amino acid composition of the CDRs of this set of sdAbs was dramatically restricted (bias toward Asp and His and away from aromatic and hydrophobic residues). Thus, CDR sequence clearly dramatically impacts the stability of human autonomous VH/VL immunoglobulin domain folds, and sequence-stability tradeoffs must be taken into account during the design of such libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Henry
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dae Young Kim
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hiba Kandalaft
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J Lowden
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Qingling Yang
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph D Schrag
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Greg Hussack
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - C Roger MacKenzie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jamshid Tanha
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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12
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Liu H, Saxena A, Sidhu SS, Wu D. Fc Engineering for Developing Therapeutic Bispecific Antibodies and Novel Scaffolds. Front Immunol 2017; 8:38. [PMID: 28184223 PMCID: PMC5266686 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have become molecules of choice to treat autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Moreover, bispecific/multispecific antibodies that target more than one antigen or epitope on a target cell or recruit effector cells (T cell, natural killer cell, or macrophage cell) toward target cells have shown great potential to maximize the benefits of antibody therapy. In the past decade, many novel concepts to generate bispecific and multispecific antibodies have evolved successfully into a range of formats from full bispecific immunoglobulin gammas to antibody fragments. Impressively, antibody fragments such as bispecific T-cell engager, bispecific killer cell engager, trispecific killer cell engager, tandem diabody, and dual-affinity-retargeting are showing exciting results in terms of recruiting and activating self-immune effector cells to target and lyse tumor cells. Promisingly, crystallizable fragment (Fc) antigen-binding fragment and monomeric antibody or half antibody may be particularly advantageous to target solid tumors owing to their small size and thus good tissue penetration potential while, on the other hand, keeping Fc-related effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis, and extended serum half-life via interaction with neonatal Fc receptor. This review, therefore, focuses on the progress of Fc engineering in generating bispecific molecules and on the use of small antibody fragment as scaffolds for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Liu
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai , China
| | - Abhishek Saxena
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai , China
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Donghui Wu
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai , China
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13
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Grewal Y, Shiddiky MJA, Mahler SM, Cangelosi GA, Trau M. Nanoyeast and Other Cell Envelope Compositions for Protein Studies and Biosensor Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:30649-30664. [PMID: 27762541 PMCID: PMC5114700 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b09263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Rapid progress in disease biomarker discovery has increased the need for robust detection technologies. In the past several years, the designs of many immunoaffinity reagents have focused on lowering costs and improving specificity while also promoting stability. Antibody fragments (scFvs) have long been displayed on the surface of yeast and phage libraries for selection; however, the stable production of such fragments presents challenges that hamper their widespread use in diagnostics. Membrane and cell wall proteins similarly suffer from stability problems when solubilized from their native environment. Recently, cell envelope compositions that maintain membrane proteins in native or native-like lipid environment to improve their stability have been developed. This cell envelope composition approach has now been adapted toward stabilizing antibody fragments by retaining their native cell wall environment. A new class of immunoaffinity reagents has been developed that maintains antibody fragment attachment to yeast cell wall. Herein, we review recent strategies that incorporate cell wall fragments with functional scFvs, which are designed for easy production while maintaining specificity and stability when in use with simple detection platforms. These cell wall based antibody fragments are globular in structure, and heterogeneous in size, with fragments ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers in size. These fragments appear to retain activity once immobilized onto biosensor surfaces for the specific and sensitive detection of pathogen antigens. They can be quickly and economically generated from a yeast display library and stored lyophilized, at room temperature, for up to a year with little effect on stability. This new format of scFvs provides stability, in a simple and low-cost manner toward the use of scFvs in biosensor applications. The production and "panning" of such antibody cell wall composites are also extremely facile, enabling the rapid adoption of stable and inexpensive affinity reagents for emerging infectious threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadveer
S. Grewal
- Centre
for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering
and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of
Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky
- Centre
for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering
and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of
Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Stephen M. Mahler
- ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
(AIBN), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School
of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Gerard A. Cangelosi
- School
of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Matt Trau
- Centre
for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering
and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of
Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School
of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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14
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Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has recently generated much excitement after the continuing success of the immunomodulating anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies against various types of cancers. Aside from these immunomodulating antibodies, bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and other technologies are being actively studied. Among the various approaches to cancer immunotherapy, 2 bispecific antibodies are currently approved for patient care. Many more bispecific antibodies are now in various phases of clinical development and will become the next generation of antibody-based therapies. Further understanding of immunology and advances in protein engineering will help to generate a greater variety of bispecific antibodies to fight cancer. Here, we focus on bispecific antibodies that recruit immune cells to engage and kill tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Chen
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China.,b Center for Cellular & Structural Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Jing Li
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China.,b Center for Cellular & Structural Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Qing Li
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China.,b Center for Cellular & Structural Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Zhong Wang
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China.,b Center for Cellular & Structural Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China
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15
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Nilvebrant J, Tessier PM, Sidhu SS. Engineered Autonomous Human Variable Domains. Curr Pharm Des 2016; 22:6527-6537. [PMID: 27655414 PMCID: PMC5326600 DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666160921143011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complex multi-chain architecture of antibodies has spurred interest in smaller derivatives that retain specificity but can be more easily produced in bacteria. Domain antibodies consisting of single variable domains are the smallest antibody fragments and have been shown to possess enhanced ability to target epitopes that are difficult to access using multidomain antibodies. However, in contrast to natural camelid antibody domains, human variable domains typically suffer from low stability and high propensity to aggregate. METHODS This review summarizes strategies to improve the biophysical properties of heavy chain variable domains from human antibodies with an emphasis on aggregation resistance. Several protein engineering approaches have targeted antibody frameworks and complementarity determining regions to stabilize the native state and prevent aggregation of the denatured state. CONCLUSION Recent findings enable the construction of highly diverse libraries enriched in aggregation-resistant variants that are expected to provide binders to diverse antigens. Engineered domain antibodies possess unique advantages in expression, epitope preference and flexibility of formatting over conventional immunoreagents and are a promising class of antibody fragments for biomedical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Nilvebrant
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Peter M. Tessier
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Isermann Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Sachdev S. Sidhu
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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16
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Spiess C, Zhai Q, Carter PJ. Alternative molecular formats and therapeutic applications for bispecific antibodies. Mol Immunol 2015; 67:95-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 417] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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17
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Roh J, Byun SJ, Seo Y, KIm M, Lee JH, Kim S, Lee Y, Lee KW, Kim JK, Kwon MH. Generation of a chickenized catalytic anti-nucleic acid antibody by complementarity-determining region grafting. Mol Immunol 2015; 63:513-20. [PMID: 25458312 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to a number of studies on the humanization of non-human antibodies, the reshaping of a non-human antibody into a chicken antibody has never been attempted. Therefore, nothing is known about the animal species-dependent compatibility of the framework regions (FRs) that sustain the appropriate conformation of the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). In this study, we attempted the reshaping of the variable domains of the mouse catalytic anti-nucleic acid antibody 3D8 (m3D8) into the FRs of a chicken antibody (“chickenization”) by CDR grafting, which is a common method for the humanization of antibodies. CDRs of the acceptor chicken antibody that showed a high homology to the FRs of m3D8 were replaced with those of m3D8, resulting in the chickenized antibody (ck3D8). ck3D8 retained the biochemical properties (DNA binding, DNA hydrolysis, and cellular internalizing activities) and three-dimensional structure of m3D8 and showed reduced immunogenicity in chickens. Our study demonstrates that CDR grafting can be applied to the chickenization of a mouse antibody, probably due to the interspecies compatibility of the FRs.
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18
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Zielonka S, Weber N, Becker S, Doerner A, Christmann A, Christmann C, Uth C, Fritz J, Schäfer E, Steinmann B, Empting M, Ockelmann P, Lierz M, Kolmar H. Shark Attack: high affinity binding proteins derived from shark vNAR domains by stepwise in vitro affinity maturation. J Biotechnol 2014; 191:236-45. [PMID: 24862193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A novel method for stepwise in vitro affinity maturation of antigen-specific shark vNAR domains is described that exclusively relies on semi-synthetic repertoires derived from non-immunized sharks. Target-specific molecules were selected from a CDR3-randomized bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) vNAR library using yeast surface display as platform technology. Various antigen-binding vNAR domains were easily isolated by screening against several therapeutically relevant antigens, including the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), the Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2), and the human serine protease HTRA1. Affinity maturation was demonstrated for EpCAM and HTRA1 by diversifying CDR1 of target-enriched populations which allowed for the rapid selection of nanomolar binders. EpCAM-specific vNAR molecules were produced as soluble proteins and more extensively characterized via thermal shift assays and biolayer interferometry. Essentially, we demonstrate that high-affinity binders can be generated in vitro without largely compromising the desirable high thermostability of the vNAR scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Zielonka
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Niklas Weber
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Becker
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Serono, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Achim Doerner
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Serono, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Christmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christine Christmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christina Uth
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Janine Fritz
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Elena Schäfer
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Björn Steinmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Martin Empting
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department Drug Design and Optimization, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Pia Ockelmann
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive-Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael Lierz
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus-Liebig University, Gießen, Frankfurter Str. 91-93, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
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19
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Zhao A, Tohidkia MR, Siegel DL, Coukos G, Omidi Y. Phage antibody display libraries: a powerful antibody discovery platform for immunotherapy. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2014; 36:276-89. [PMID: 25394539 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2014.958978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Phage display technology (PDT), a combinatorial screening approach, provides a molecular diversity tool for creating libraries of peptides/proteins and discovery of new recombinant therapeutics. Expression of proteins such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) on the surface of filamentous phage can permit the selection of high affinity and specificity therapeutic mAbs against virtually any target antigen. Using a number of diverse selection platforms (e.g. solid phase, solution phase, whole cell and in vivo biopannings), phage antibody libraries (PALs) from the start point provides great potential for the isolation of functional mAb fragments with diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. Given the pivotal role of PDT in the discovery of novel therapeutic/diagnostic mAbs, in the current review, we provide an overview on PALs and discuss their impact in the advancement of engineered mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aizhi Zhao
- a Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Mohammad R Tohidkia
- b Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran
| | - Donald L Siegel
- c Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine , University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA , and
| | - George Coukos
- a Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA .,d Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- a Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA .,b Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran
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20
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Kim DY, Hussack G, Kandalaft H, Tanha J. Mutational approaches to improve the biophysical properties of human single-domain antibodies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2014; 1844:1983-2001. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Revised: 07/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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21
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Chen W, Gong R, Ying T, Prabakaran P, Zhu Z, Feng Y, Dimitrov DS. Discovery of novel candidate therapeutics and diagnostics based on engineered human antibody domains. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2014; 11:28-40. [PMID: 23863097 DOI: 10.2174/15701638113109990032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The smallest independently folded antibody fragments, the domains, are emerging as promising scaffolds for candidate therapeutics and diagnostics that bind specifically targets of interest. The discovery of such binders is based on several technologies including structure-based design and generation of libraries of mutants displayed on phage or yeast, next-generation sequencing for diversity analysis, panning and screening of the libraries, affinity maturation of selected binders, and their expression, purification, and characterization for specific binding, function, and aggregation propensity. In this review, we describe these technologies as applied for the generation of engineered antibody domains (eAds), especially those derived from the human immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) and the second domain of IgG1 heavy chain constant region (CH2) as potential candidate therapeutics and diagnostics, and discuss examples of eAds against HIV-1 and cancer-related proteins.
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22
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De Genst E, Messer A, Dobson CM. Antibodies and protein misfolding: From structural research tools to therapeutic strategies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2014; 1844:1907-1919. [PMID: 25194824 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Protein misfolding disorders, including the neurodegenerative conditions Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) represent one of the major medical challenges or our time. The underlying molecular mechanisms that govern protein misfolding and its links with disease are very complex processes, involving the formation of transiently populated but highly toxic molecular species within the crowded environment of the cell and tissue. Nevertheless, much progress has been made in understanding these events in recent years through innovative experiments and therapeutic strategies, and in this review we present an overview of the key roles of antibodies and antibody fragments in these endeavors. We discuss in particular how these species are being used in combination with a variety of powerful biochemical and biophysical methodologies, including a range of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques applied not just in vitro but also in situ and in vivo, both to gain a better understanding of the mechanistic nature of protein misfolding and aggregation and also to design novel therapeutic strategies to combat the family of diseases with which they are associated. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Recent advances in molecular engineering of antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin De Genst
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Anne Messer
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Regenerative Research Foundation, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
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23
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Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies have been successfully used for the therapy of various diseases. However, because of their large size (∼150 kD), many limitations have also been found during their development and manufacture. The use of antibody fragments with smaller sizes is one of the strategies to overcome these limitations. Antibody heavy chain variable domains (12∼15 kD) have already been widely used for the development of variable domain-based engineered antibody domains (termed V-based eAds) targeting different antigens. Recently, antibody second heavy chain constant domains (∼12 kD) were proposed as novel scaffolds for library construction and selection of specific binders termed constant domain-based eAds (C-based eAds) as novel candidate therapeutics, which might also confer additional crystallizable fragment functions. Both V- and C-based eAds are promising therapeutic candidates. This review summarizes progress in the development of eAds, and discusses the related patents and their potential applications.
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24
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Yang S, Shang Y, Yin S, Tian H, Chen Y, Sun S, Jin Y, Liu X. Selection and identification of single-domain antibody fragment against capsid protein of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) from C. bactrianus. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2014; 160:12-9. [PMID: 24736187 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Single-domain variable heavy chain (VHH) antibody fragments are derived from heavy-chain antibodies of Camelids. Their comparatively small size, solubility, high affinity and specificity to the targets antigen make them suitable for many biotechnological applications. In this study, a VHH library was constructed from porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine immunized C. bactrianus and three VHH fragments specific to the capsid protein of PCV2 (PCV2 Cap) were selected and characterized. The selected VHH clones (VHH-c1/c3/c4) were stably expressed as soluble protein in E. coli, and were specific to PCV2 Cap except VHH-c3 which shows binding activity with both PCV1 and PCV2 Cap by ELISA. All the VHH-cs show high association rate constant and dissociation rate constant, which was 1.84 × 10(5)M(-1)s(-1), 9.00 × 10(-3)s(-1) for VHH-c1, 5.49 × 10(4)M(-1)s(-1), 9.91 × 10(-3)s(-1) and 1.46 × 10(5)M(-1)s(-1), 1.18 × 10(-3)s(-1) for VHH-c3 and VHH-c4 assessed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Additionally, the selected three VHH-cs can bind to different epitopes of PCV2 Cap that was determined by additive ELISA. Our study confirmed that VHHs with high affinity and specificity to PCV2 Cap can be selected from an immune VHH library, and have the potential application for effective and fast diagnostic development of PCV2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunli Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China
| | - Youjun Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China
| | - Shuanghui Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China.
| | - Hong Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China
| | - Yan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China
| | - Shiqi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China
| | - Ye Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China
| | - Xiangtao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth, Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu China.
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25
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Lee CC, Perchiacca JM, Tessier PM. Toward aggregation-resistant antibodies by design. Trends Biotechnol 2013; 31:612-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2013.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 06/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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26
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Mandrup OA, Friis NA, Lykkemark S, Just J, Kristensen P. A novel heavy domain antibody library with functionally optimized complementarity determining regions. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76834. [PMID: 24116173 PMCID: PMC3792991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Today a number of synthetic antibody libraries of different formats have been created and used for the selection of a large number of recombinant antibodies. One of the determining factors for successful isolation of recombinant antibodies from libraries lies in the quality of the libraries i.e. the number of correctly folded, functional antibodies contained in the library. Here, we describe the construction of a novel, high quality, synthetic single domain antibody library dubbed Predator. The library is based on the HEL4 domain antibody with the addition of recently reported mutations concerning the amino acid composition at positions critical for the folding characteristics and aggregation propensities of domain antibodies. As a unique feature, the CDR3 of the library was designed to mimic the natural human immune response by designating amino acids known to be prevalent in functional antibodies to the diversity in CDR3. CDR randomizations were performed using trinucleotide synthesis to avoid the presence of stop codons. Furthermore a novel cycle free elongation method was used for the conversion of the synthesized single stranded DNA containing the randomized CDRs into double stranded DNA of the library. In addition a modular approach has been adopted for the scaffold in which each CDR region is flanked by unique restrictions sites, allowing easy affinity maturation of selected clones by CDR shuffling. To validate the quality of the library, one round phage display selections were performed on purified antigens and highly complex antigen mixtures such as cultured eukaryotic cells resulting in several specific binders. The further characterization of some of the selected clones, however, indicates a reduction in thermodynamic stability caused by the inclusion the additional mutations to the HEL4 scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Niels Anton Friis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Simon Lykkemark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jesper Just
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Kristensen
- Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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27
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Abstract
Nanobodies (Nbs) are small antibody fragments derived from camelid heavy chain antibodies through recombinant gene technology. Their exceptional physicochemical properties, possibility of humanization and unique antigen recognition properties make them excellent candidates for targeted delivery of biologically active components. Several different therapeutic approaches based on the novel camelid Nbs have been developed to treat a wide range of diseases ranging from immune, bone, blood and neurological disorders; infectious diseases and cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the use of camelid-derived Nbs as novel therapeutic agents against multiple diseases.
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28
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Bodelón G, Palomino C, Fernández LÁ. Immunoglobulin domains inEscherichia coliand other enterobacteria: from pathogenesis to applications in antibody technologies. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2013; 37:204-50. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2012.00347.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 06/07/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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29
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Abstract
Solubility and stability are amongst the factors contributing to the therapeutic efficacy of biologics. Human antibody heavy chain variable domains, VHs, are one class of biologics; improving VH biophysical properties is the focus of significant protein engineering efforts. Here, we describe an efficacy engineering approach which involves the introduction of a disulfide linkage in the VH core and which improves both VH solubility and stability. More specifically, we describe protocols for generation of disulfide engineered human VHs and their characterization in terms of disulfide linkage formation, non-aggregation, and stability. Our solubility/stability engineering approach may be applied to other VHs.
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30
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Mukamoto M, Maeda H, Kohda T, Nozaki C, Takahashi M, Kozaki S. Characterization of neutralizing mouse-human chimeric and shuffling antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin A. Microbiol Immunol 2012; 56:748-55. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2012.00503.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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31
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Abstract
The ability of antibodies to bind to target molecules with high affinity and specificity has led to their widespread use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Nevertheless, a limitation of antibodies is their propensity to self-associate and aggregate at high concentrations and elevated temperatures. The large size and multidomain architecture of full-length monoclonal antibodies have frustrated systematic analysis of how antibody sequence and structure regulate antibody solubility. In contrast, analysis of single and multidomain antibody fragments that retain the binding activity of mono-clonal antibodies has provided valuable insights into the determinants of antibody aggregation. Here we review advances in engineering antibody frameworks, domain interfaces, and antigen-binding loops to prevent aggregation of natively and nonnatively folded antibody fragments. We also highlight advances and unmet challenges in developing robust strategies for engineering large, multidomain antibodies to resist aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Perchiacca
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
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32
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Isolation of a highly thermal stable lama single domain antibody specific for Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B. BMC Biotechnol 2011; 11:86. [PMID: 21933444 PMCID: PMC3193169 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-11-86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Camelids and sharks possess a unique subclass of antibodies comprised of only heavy chains. The antigen binding fragments of these unique antibodies can be cloned and expressed as single domain antibodies (sdAbs). The ability of these small antigen-binding molecules to refold after heating to achieve their original structure, as well as their diminutive size, makes them attractive candidates for diagnostic assays. Results Here we describe the isolation of an sdAb against Staphyloccocus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). The clone, A3, was found to have high affinity (Kd = 75 pM) and good specificity for SEB, showing no cross reactivity to related molecules such as Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), Staphylococcal enterotoxin D (SED), and Shiga toxin. Most remarkably, this anti-SEB sdAb had an extremely high Tm of 85°C and an ability to refold after heating to 95°C. The sharp Tm determined by circular dichroism, was found to contrast with the gradual decrease observed in intrinsic fluorescence. We demonstrated the utility of this sdAb as a capture and detector molecule in Luminex based assays providing limits of detection (LODs) of at least 64 pg/mL. Conclusion The anti-SEB sdAb A3 was found to have a high affinity and an extraordinarily high Tm and could still refold to recover activity after heat denaturation. This combination of heat resilience and strong, specific binding make this sdAb a good candidate for use in antibody-based toxin detection technologies.
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Perchiacca JM, Bhattacharya M, Tessier PM. Mutational analysis of domain antibodies reveals aggregation hotspots within and near the complementarity determining regions. Proteins 2011; 79:2637-47. [PMID: 21732420 DOI: 10.1002/prot.23085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
High-affinity antibodies are critical for numerous diagnostic and therapeutic applications, yet their utility is limited by their variable propensity to aggregate either at low concentrations for antibody fragments or high concentrations for full-length antibodies. Therefore, determining the sequence and structural features that differentiate aggregation-resistant antibodies from aggregation-prone ones is critical to improving their activity. We have investigated the molecular origins of antibody aggregation for human V(H) domain antibodies that differ only in the sequence of the loops containing their complementarity determining regions (CDRs), yet such antibodies possess dramatically different aggregation propensities in a manner not correlated with their conformational stabilities. We find the propensity of these antibodies to aggregate after being transiently unfolded is not a distributed property of the CDR loops, but can be localized to aggregation hotspots within and near the first CDR (CDR1). Moreover, we have identified a triad of charged mutations within CDR1 and a single charged mutation adjacent to CDR1 that endow the poorly soluble variant with the desirable biophysical properties of the aggregation-resistant antibody. Importantly, we find that several other charged mutations in CDR1, non-CDR loops and the antibody scaffold are incapable of preventing aggregation. We expect that our identification of aggregation hotspots that govern antibody aggregation within and proximal to CDR loops will guide the design and selection of antibodies that not only possess high affinity and conformational stability, but also extreme resistance to aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Perchiacca
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, USA
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Ponsel D, Neugebauer J, Ladetzki-Baehs K, Tissot K. High affinity, developability and functional size: the holy grail of combinatorial antibody library generation. Molecules 2011; 16:3675-700. [PMID: 21540796 PMCID: PMC6263270 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16053675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 04/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the initial description of phage display technology for the generation of human antibodies, a variety of selection methods has been developed. The most critical parameter for all in vitro-based approaches is the quality of the antibody library. Concurrent evolution of the libraries has allowed display and selection technologies to reveal their full potential. They come in different flavors, from naïve to fully synthetic and differ in terms of size, quality, method of preparation, framework and CDR composition. Early on, the focus has mainly been on affinities and thus on library size and diversity. Subsequently, the increased awareness of developability and cost of goods as important success factors has spurred efforts to generate libraries with improved biophysical properties and favorable production characteristics. More recently a major focus on reduction of unwanted side effects through reduced immunogenicity and improved overall biophysical behavior has led to a re-evaluation of library design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia Neugebauer
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +49-89-89927-179; Fax: +49-89-89927-5179
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Rahbarizadeh F, Ahmadvand D, Sharifzadeh Z. Nanobody; an old concept and new vehicle for immunotargeting. Immunol Invest 2011; 40:299-338. [PMID: 21244216 DOI: 10.3109/08820139.2010.542228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of antibodies in cancer therapy has come a long way since the day Paul Ehrlich described the concept and Kohler and Milstein devised the hybridoma technology to bring this theory to reality. The synthesis of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was the first success in this field, leading to the invention of chimerization, the production of variable fragments (Fv) with the progression to domain antibodies (dAb) and later humanization technologies to maximize the clinical utility of murine mAbs. It was just by chance that dAbs were found to exist in ?heavy chain? immunoglobulins from Camelidae family and cartilaginous fish. These unique antibody fragments interact with antigen by virtue of only one single variable domain, referred to as VHH or nanobody. Several characteristics make nanobody use superior to the abovementioned antibodies. They are non-immunogenic and show high thermal and chemical stability. There are several reports of raising specific nanobodies against enzymes, haptens, pathogens, toxins and tumor markers, which are outlined in this paper. All these characteristics make them strong candidates as targeting agents for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract
Recombinant antibody fragments are significant therapeutic and diagnostic reagents. As such, their efficacy depends heavily on their affinities and biophysical properties. Thus, mutagenesis approaches have been extensively applied to recombinant antibodies to improve their affinity, stability, and solubility. Among the existing recombinant antibody variants, human V(H) domains stand out as the ones with the general need of solubility engineering at some point during their development; this solubility engineering step transforms V(H)s into nonaggregating, functional entities, rendering them useful as therapeutic and diagnostic reagents. Here, we present one of several approaches that have been employed to develop nonaggregating human V(H) domains. We apply an in vitro site-directed mutagenesis approach to an aggregating human V(H) domain by means of a splice overlap extension technique. The resultant mutant V(H)s are nonaggregating in contrast to the parent wild type V(H) and less prone to aggregation following thermal unfolding.
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Sapparapu G, Planque SA, Nishiyama Y, Foung SK, Paul S. Antigen-specific proteolysis by hybrid antibodies containing promiscuous proteolytic light chains paired with an antigen-binding heavy chain. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:24622-33. [PMID: 19542217 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.011858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The antigen recognition site of antibodies consists of the heavy and light chain variable domains (V(L) and V(H) domains). V(L) domains catalyze peptide bond hydrolysis independent of V(H) domains (Mei, S., Mody, B., Eklund, S. H., and Paul, S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 15571-15574). V(H) domains bind antigens noncovalently independent of V(L) domains (Ward, E. S., Güssow, D., Griffiths, A. D., Jones, P. T., and Winter, G. (1989) Nature 341, 544-546). We describe specific hydrolysis of fusion proteins of the hepatitis C virus E2 protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST-E2) or FLAG peptide (FLAG-E2) by antibodies containing the V(H) domain of an anti-E2 IgG paired with promiscuously catalytic V(L) domains. The hybrid IgG hydrolyzed the E2 fusion proteins more rapidly than the unpaired light chain. An active site-directed inhibitor of serine proteases inhibited the proteolytic activity of the hybrid IgG, indicating a serine protease mechanism. The hybrid IgG displayed noncovalent E2 binding in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. Immunoblotting studies suggested hydrolysis of FLAG-E2 at a bond within E2 located approximately 11 kDa from the N terminus. GST-E2 was hydrolyzed by the hybrid IgG at bonds in the GST tag. The differing cleavage pattern of FLAG-E2 and GST-E2 can be explained by the split-site model of catalysis, in which conformational differences in the E2 fusion protein substrates position alternate peptide bonds in register with the antibody catalytic subsite despite a common noncovalent binding mechanism. These studies provide proof-of-principle that the catalytic activity of a light chain can be rendered antigen-specific by pairing with a noncovalently binding heavy chain subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Sapparapu
- Chemical Immunology Research Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Kobayashi N, Oyama H, Nakano M, Kanda T, Banzono E, Kato Y, Karibe T, Nishio T, Goto J. "Cleavable" hapten-biotin conjugates: preparation and use for the generation of anti-steroid single-domain antibody fragments. Anal Biochem 2009; 387:257-66. [PMID: 19454256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2009.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2008] [Revised: 12/29/2008] [Accepted: 01/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antibody engineering technology has the potential to provide artificial antibodies with higher performance than conventional antibodies. Filamentous phage particles are often used to express a vast diversity of mutated antibody fragments from which clones displaying improved fragments can be isolated. We recently showed that hapten-biotin conjugates, combined via a linker involving a reductively cleavable disulfide bond, are useful for isolating phage clones displaying high-affinity anti-hapten antibody fragments. Here we prepare cleavable hapten-biotin conjugates and use them to isolate anti-hapten antibody fragments with relatively low affinities. Three diagnostically important steroids (estradiol-17beta [E(2)], cortisol, and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone) were each coupled with a biotin derivative containing a disulfide bond. These conjugates could be bound simultaneously by their relevant anti-steroid antibody and NeutrAvidin, and their linkers were easily cleaved by dithiothreitol (DTT) treatment. The E(2)-biotin conjugate was used to generate anti-E(2) single-domain antibody fragments (sdAbs). Random point mutations were introduced by error-prone PCR into the gene fragment encoding the V(H) domain of a mouse anti-E(2) antibody, and these products were expressed as phagemid particles that were reacted with the E(2)-biotin conjugates that had already been immobilized on a solid-phase via NeutrAvidin. Thorough washing off of nonspecific phages and subsequent DTT treatment provided a phagemid clone that displayed a mutated sdAb with improved binding properties.
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Arbabi-Ghahroudi M, MacKenzie R, Tanha J. Selection of non-aggregating VH binders from synthetic VH phage-display libraries. Methods Mol Biol 2009; 525:187-216, xiii. [PMID: 19252860 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-554-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The particular interest in VH antibody fragments stems from the fact that they can rival their "naturally occurring" single-domain antibody (sdAb) counterparts (camelid VHHs and shark VNARs) with regard to such desirable characteristics as stability, solubility, expression, and ability to penetrate cryptic epitopes and outperform them in terms of less immunogenicity, a much valued property in human immunotherapy applications. However, human VHs are typically prone to aggregation. Various approaches for developing non-aggregating human VHs with binding specificities have relied on a combination of recombinant DNA technology and phage-display technology. VH gene libraries are constructed synthetically by randomizing the CDRs of a single VH scaffold fused to a gene encoding a phage coat protein. Recombinant phage expressing the resulting VH libraries in fusion with the pIII protein is propagated in Escherichia coli. Monoclonal phage displaying VHs with specificities for target antigens are isolated from the libraries by a process called panning. The exertion of stability pressure in addition to binding pressure during panning ensures that the isolated VH binders are also non-aggregating. The genes encoding the desired VHs selected from the libraries are packaged within the phage particles, linking genotype and phenotype, hence making possible the identification of the selected VHs through identifying its physically linked genotype. Here, we describe the application of recombinant DNA and phage-display technologies for the construction of a phage-displayed human VH library, the panning of the library against a protein, and the expression, purification, and characterization of non-aggregating VHs isolated by panning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Arbabi-Ghahroudi
- National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Biological Sciences, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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40
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Harmsen MM, De Haard HJ. Properties, production, and applications of camelid single-domain antibody fragments. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2007; 77:13-22. [PMID: 17704915 PMCID: PMC2039825 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-007-1142-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 555] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2007] [Revised: 07/25/2007] [Accepted: 07/30/2007] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Camelids produce functional antibodies devoid of light chains of which the single N-terminal domain is fully capable of antigen binding. These single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs or Nanobodies®) have several advantages for biotechnological applications. They are well expressed in microorganisms and have a high stability and solubility. Furthermore, they are well suited for construction of larger molecules and selection systems such as phage, yeast, or ribosome display. This minireview offers an overview of (1) their properties as compared to conventional antibodies, (2) their production in microorganisms, with a focus on yeasts, and (3) their therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Harmsen
- Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-Lelystad) of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Edelhertweg 15, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
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41
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Kiss C, Fisher H, Pesavento E, Dai M, Valero R, Ovecka M, Nolan R, Phipps ML, Velappan N, Chasteen L, Martinez JS, Waldo GS, Pavlik P, Bradbury AR. Antibody binding loop insertions as diversity elements. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:e132. [PMID: 17023486 PMCID: PMC1635297 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2006] [Accepted: 09/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the use of non-antibody proteins as affinity reagents, diversity has generally been derived from oligonucleotide-encoded random amino acids. Although specific binders of high-affinity have been selected from such libraries, random oligonucleotides often encode stop codons and amino acid combinations that affect protein folding. Recently it has been shown that specific antibody binding loops grafted into heterologous proteins can confer the specific antibody binding activity to the created chimeric protein. In this paper, we examine the use of such antibody binding loops as diversity elements. We first show that we are able to graft a lysozyme-binding antibody loop into green fluorescent protein (GFP), creating a fluorescent protein with lysozyme-binding activity. Subsequently we have developed a PCR method to harvest random binding loops from antibodies and insert them at predefined sites in any protein, using GFP as an example. The majority of such GFP chimeras remain fluorescent, indicating that binding loops do not disrupt folding. This method can be adapted to the creation of other nucleic acid libraries where diversity is flanked by regions of relative sequence conservation, and its availability sets the stage for the use of antibody loop libraries as diversity elements for selection experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Kiss
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Hugh Fisher
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Emanuele Pesavento
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Minghua Dai
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Rosa Valero
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Milan Ovecka
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Rhiannon Nolan
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - M. Lisa Phipps
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Nileena Velappan
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Leslie Chasteen
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | | | - Geoffrey S. Waldo
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Peter Pavlik
- HCDR3s as diversity elements, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, NM, USA
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42
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Abstract
Maximizing the expression yields of recombinant whole antibodies and antibody fragments such as Fabs, single-chain Fvs and single-domain antibodies is highly desirable since it leads to lower production costs. Various eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression systems have been exploited to accommodate antibody expression but Escherichia coli systems have enjoyed popularity, in particular with respect to antibody fragments, because of their low cost and convenience. In many instances, product yields have been less than adequate and intrinsic and extrinsic variables have been investigated in an effort to improve yields. This review deals with various aspects of antibody expression in E. coli with a particular focus on single-domain antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Arbabi-Ghahroudi
- Institute for Biological Sciences, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
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43
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De Genst E, Saerens D, Muyldermans S, Conrath K. Antibody repertoire development in camelids. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 30:187-98. [PMID: 16051357 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2005.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The humoral immune response of the Camelidae is unique as these animals are the only known mammals that seem to possess functional homodimeric heavy-chain antibodies besides the classical heteromeric antibodies composed of heavy (H) and light (L) chains. By definition, the heavy-chain antibodies lack the L-chain, and it was noticed that their H-chain is devoid of the typical first constant domain (CH1) and contains a dedicated variable domain, referred to as VHH. The VHH exon is assembled from separate V-D-J gene segments. The recombined VHH region is subjected to somatic hypermutations; however, the timing and actual mechanism of the class switch from mu to the dedicated gamma-isotype remains elusive. Interestingly, antigen-specific VHHs are easily retrieved after panning of a phage-displayed rearranged V-gene pool cloned from an immunised camelid. These single-domain antigen binding entities possess a number of biophysical properties that offer particular advantages in various medical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin De Genst
- Laboratory of Cellular & Molecular Immunology, Department of Molecular & Cellular Interactions, Vlaams Interuniversitair Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building E, Room 8.2, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
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44
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Cohn M. What are the commonalities governing the behavior of humoral immune recognitive repertoires? DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 30:19-42. [PMID: 16139887 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2005.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The humoral repertoire of immune systems is large, random and somatically selected. It is derived from a germline selected repertoire by a variety of diversification mechanisms, complementation of subunits, mutation and gene conversion. However derived, the end-product must be able to recognize and rid a vast variety of pathogens. This is accomplished by viewing antigens as combinatorials of epitopes, an astuce that permits a small repertoire to respond sufficiently rapidly to a vast antigenic universe. A somatically generated repertoire, however, requires a solution to two problems. First, a somatic mechanism for a self-nonself discrimination has to be put in place. Second, the repertoire has to be coupled to the effector mechanisms in a coherent fashion. The rules governing these two mechanisms are species-independent and delineate the parameters of all immune repertoires, whatever the somatic mechanism used to generate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Cohn
- Conceptual Immunology Group, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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45
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Parker MH, Chen Y, Danehy F, Dufu K, Ekstrom J, Getmanova E, Gokemeijer J, Xu L, Lipovsek D. Antibody mimics based on human fibronectin type three domain engineered for thermostability and high-affinity binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor two. Protein Eng Des Sel 2005; 18:435-44. [PMID: 16087651 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzi050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The tenth human fibronectin type three domain ((10)Fn3) is a small (10 kDa), extremely stable and soluble protein with an immunoglobulin-like fold, but without cysteine residues. Selections from (10)Fn3-based libraries of proteins with randomized loops have yielded high-affinity, target-specific antibody mimics. However, little is known about the biophysical properties of such antibody mimics, which will determine their suitability for in vitro and medical applications. We characterized target binding and biophysical properties of two related (10)Fn3-based antibody mimics that bind vascular endothelial growth factor receptor two (VEGF-R2). The first antibody mimic, which has a dissociation constant (K(d)) of 13 nM, is highly stable [melting temperature (T(m))=62 degrees C] and soluble, whereas the second, which binds VEGF-R2 with 40 x higher affinity, is less stable (T(m) < 40 degrees C) and relatively insoluble. We used our understanding of these two (10)Fn3 derivatives and of wild-type (10)Fn3 structure to engineer the next generation of antibody mimics, which have an improved combination of high affinity (K(d)=0.59 nM), stability (T(m)=53 degrees C) and solubility. Our findings illustrate that (10)Fn3-based antibody mimics can be engineered for favorable biophysical properties even when 20% of the wild-type (10)Fn3 sequence is mutated in order to satisfy target-binding requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Parker
- Phylos, Inc., succeeded by Compound Therapeutics, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
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46
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Abstract
Occurring naturally in "heavy chain" immunoglobulins from camels, and now produced in fully human form, domain antibodies (dAbs) are the smallest known antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, ranging from 11 kDa to 15 kDa. dAbs are the robust variable regions of the heavy and light chains of immunoglobulins (VH and VL respectively). They are highly expressed in microbial cell culture, show favourable biophysical properties including solubility and temperature stability, and are well suited to selection and affinity maturation by in vitro selection systems such as phage display. dAbs are bioactive as monomers and, owing to their small size and inherent stability, can be formatted into larger molecules to create drugs with prolonged serum half-lives or other pharmacological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy J Holt
- Domantis Limited, Granta Park, Abington, Cambridge CB1 6GS, UK.
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47
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Abstract
The use of so-called protein scaffolds for the generation of novel binding proteins via combinatorial engineering has recently emerged as a powerful alternative to natural or recombinant antibodies. This concept requires an extraordinary stable protein architecture tolerating multiple substitutions or insertions at the primary structural level. With respect to broader applicability it should involve a type of polypeptide fold which is observed in differing natural contexts and with distinct biochemical functions, so that it is likely to be adaptable to novel molecular recognition purposes. The quickly growing number of approaches can be classified into three groups: carrier proteins for the display of single variegated loops, scaffolds providing rigid elements of secondary structure, and protein frameworks supporting a group of conformationally variable loops in a fixed spatial arrangement. Generally, such artificial receptor proteins should be based on monomeric and small polypeptides that are robust, easily engineered, and efficiently produced in inexpensive prokaryotic expression systems. Today, progress in protein library technology allows for the parallel development of immunoglobulin (Ig) as well as scaffold-based affinity reagents. Both biomolecular tools have the potential to complement each other, thus expanding the possibility to find an affinity reagent suitable for a given application. The repertoire of protein scaffolds hitherto recruited for combinatorial protein engineering purposes will probably be further expanded in the future, including both additional natural proteins and de novo designed proteins, contributing to the collection of libraries available at present. In this review both the structural features and the practical use of scaffold proteins will be discussed and exemplified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per-Ake Nygren
- Department of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Center, Roslagstullsbacken 21, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
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48
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Ueda H, Kristensen P, Winter G. Stabilization of antibody VH-domains by proteolytic selection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2003.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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49
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Jespers L, Schon O, James LC, Veprintsev D, Winter G. Crystal Structure of HEL4, a Soluble, Refoldable Human VH Single Domain with a Germ-line Scaffold. J Mol Biol 2004; 337:893-903. [PMID: 15033359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2004.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2003] [Revised: 01/09/2004] [Accepted: 02/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The antigen binding site of antibodies usually comprises associated heavy (V(H)) and light (V(L)) chain variable domains, but in camels and llamas, the binding site frequently comprises the heavy chain variable domain only (referred to as V(HH)). In contrast to reported human V(H) domains, V(HH) domains are well expressed from bacteria and yeast, are readily purified in soluble form and refold reversibly after heat-denaturation. These desirable properties have been attributed to highly conserved substitutions of the hydrophobic residues of V(H) domains, which normally interact with complementary V(L) domains. Here, we describe the discovery and characterisation of an isolated human V(H) domain (HEL4) with properties similar to those of V(HH) domains. HEL4 is highly soluble at concentrations of > or =3 mM, essentially monomeric and resistant to aggregation upon thermodenaturation at concentrations as high as 56 microM. However, in contrast to V(HH) domains, the hydrophobic framework residues of the V(H):V(L) interface are maintained and the only sequence changes from the corresponding human germ-line segment (V3-23/DP-47) are located in the loops comprising the complementarity determining regions (CDRs). The crystallographic structure of HEL4 reveals an unusual feature; the side-chain of a framework residue (Trp47) is flipped into a cavity formed by Gly35 of CDR1, thereby increasing the hydrophilicity of the V(H):V(L) interface. To evaluate the specific contribution of Gly35 to domain properties, Gly35 was introduced into a V(H) domain with poor solution properties. This greatly enhanced the recovery of the mutant from a gel filtration matrix, but had little effect on its ability to refold reversibly after heat denaturation. Our results confirm the importance of a hydrophilic V(H):V(L) interface for purification of isolated V(H) domains, and constitute a step towards the design of isolated human V(H) domains with practical properties for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Jespers
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Medical Research Council Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK
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50
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Tanaka T, Lobato MN, Rabbitts TH. Single domain intracellular antibodies: a minimal fragment for direct in vivo selection of antigen-specific intrabodies. J Mol Biol 2003; 331:1109-20. [PMID: 12927545 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2836(03)00836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is a major need in target validation and therapeutic applications for molecules that can interfere with protein function inside cells. Intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) can bind to specific targets in cells but isolation of intrabodies is currently difficult. Intrabodies are normally single chain Fv fragments comprising variable domains of the immunoglobulin heavy (VH) and light chains (VL). We now demonstrate that single VH domains have excellent intracellular properties of solubility, stability and expression within the cells of higher organisms and can exhibit specific antigen recognition in vivo. We have used this intracellular single variable domain (IDab) format, based on a previously characterised intrabody consensus scaffold, to generate diverse intrabody libraries for direct in vivo screening. IDabs were isolated using two distinct antigens and affinities of isolated IDabs ranged between 20 nM and 200 nM. Moreover, IDabs selected for binding to the RAS protein could inhibit RAS-dependent oncogenic transformation of NIH3T3 cells. The IDab format is therefore ideal for in vivo intrabody use. This approach to intrabodies obviates the need for phage antibody libraries, avoids the requirement for production of antigen in vitro and allows for direct selection of intrabodies in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Tanaka
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, CB2 2QH, Cambridge, UK
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