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Yuan S, Bremmer A, Yang X, Li J, Hu Q. Splittable systems in biomedical applications. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:4103-4116. [PMID: 39012216 DOI: 10.1039/d4bm00709c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Splittable systems have emerged as a powerful approach for the precise spatiotemporal control of biological processes. This concept relies on splitting a functional molecule into inactive fragments, which can be reassembled under specific conditions or stimuli to regain activity. Several binding pairs and orthogonal split fragments are introduced by fusing with other modalities to develop more complex and robust designs. One of the pillars of these splittable systems is modularity, which involves decoupling targeting, activation, and effector functions. Challenges, such as off-target effects and overactivation, can be addressed through precise control. This review provides an overview of the design principles, strategies, and applications of splittable systems across diverse fields including immunotherapy, gene editing, prodrug activation, biosensing, and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sichen Yuan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
- Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Alexa Bremmer
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.
| | - Xicheng Yang
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.
| | - Jiayue Li
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.
| | - Quanyin Hu
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
- Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW-Madison), Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
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2
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Zong HF, Li X, Han L, Wang L, Liu JJ, Yue YL, Chen J, Ke Y, Jiang H, Xie YQ, Zhang BH, Zhu JW. A novel bispecific antibody drug conjugate targeting HER2 and HER3 with potent therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1727-1739. [PMID: 38605180 PMCID: PMC11272928 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01279-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibody drug conjugate (ADC) therapy has become one of the most promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. Bispecific targeting could enhance the efficacy and safety of ADC by improving its specificity, affinity and internalization. In this study we constructed a HER2/HER3-targeting bispecific ADC (BsADC) and characterized its physiochemical properties, target specificity and internalization in vitro, and assessed its anti-tumor activities in breast cancer cell lines and in animal models. The HER2/HER3-targeting BsADC had a drug to antibody ratio (DAR) of 2.89, displayed a high selectivity against the target JIMT-1 breast cancer cells in vitro, as well as a slightly higher level of internalization than HER2- or HER3-monospecific ADCs. More importantly, the bispecific ADC potently inhibited the viability of MCF7, JIMT-1, BT474, BxPC-3 and SKOV-3 cancer cells in vitro. In JIMT-1 breast cancer xenograft mice, a single injection of bispecific ADC (3 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly inhibited the tumor growth with an efficacy comparable to that caused by combined injection of HER2 and HER3-monospecific ADCs (3 mg/kg for each). Our study demonstrates that the bispecific ADC concept can be applied to development of more potent new cancer therapeutics than the monospecific ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Zong
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Jecho Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xi Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lei Han
- Jecho Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jun-Jun Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ya-Li Yue
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Jecho Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yong Ke
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
| | - Yue-Qing Xie
- Jecho Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200240, China
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
| | - Bao-Hong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Jian-Wei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Jecho Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21704, USA.
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3
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High P, Guernsey C, Subramanian S, Jacob J, Carmon KS. The Evolving Paradigm of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Targeting the ErbB/HER Family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:890. [PMID: 39065587 PMCID: PMC11279420 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16070890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Current therapies targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), are limited by drug resistance and systemic toxicities. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are one of the most rapidly expanding classes of anti-cancer therapeutics with 13 presently approved by the FDA. Importantly, ADCs represent a promising therapeutic option with the potential to overcome traditional HER-targeted therapy resistance by delivering highly potent cytotoxins specifically to HER-overexpressing cancer cells and exerting both mAb- and payload-mediated antitumor efficacy. The clinical utility of HER-targeted ADCs is exemplified by the immense success of HER2-targeted ADCs including trastuzumab emtansine and trastuzumab deruxtecan. Still, strategies to improve upon existing HER2-targeted ADCs as well as the development of ADCs against other HER family members, particularly EGFR and HER3, are of great interest. To date, no HER4-targeting ADCs have been reported. In this review, we extensively detail clinical-stage EGFR-, HER2-, and HER3-targeting monospecific ADCs as well as novel clinical and pre-clinical bispecific ADCs (bsADCs) directed against this receptor family. We close by discussing nascent trends in the development of HER-targeting ADCs, including novel ADC payloads and HER ligand-targeted ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton High
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cara Guernsey
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shraddha Subramanian
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joan Jacob
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
| | - Kendra S. Carmon
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
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4
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Zhang J, Liu J, Yue Y, Wang L, He Q, Xu S, Li J, Liao Y, Chen Y, Wang S, Xie Y, Zhang B, Bian Y, Dimitrov DS, Yuan Y, Zhu J. The immunotoxin targeting PRLR increases tamoxifen sensitivity and enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:173. [PMID: 38898487 PMCID: PMC11188579 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though tamoxifen achieves success in treating estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer, the followed development of tamoxifen resistance is a common challenge in clinic. Signals downstream of prolactin receptor (PRLR) could synergize with ERα in breast cancer progression. However, the potential effect of targeting PRL-PRLR axis combined with tamoxifen has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS High-throughput RNA-seq data obtained from TCGA, Metabric and GEO datasets were analyzed to explore PRLR expression in breast cancer cell and the association of PRLR expression with tamoxifen treatment. Exogenous or PRL overexpression cell models were employed to investigate the role of activated PRLR pathway in mediating tamoxifen insensitivity. Immunotoxin targeting PRLR (N8-PE24) was constructed with splicing-intein technique, and the efficacy of N8-PE24 against breast cancer was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo methods, including analysis of cells growth or apoptosis, 3D spheroids culture, and animal xenografts. RESULTS PRLR pathway activated by PRL could significantly decrease sensitivity of ERα-positive breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Tamoxifen treatment upregulated transcription of PRLR and could induce significant accumulation of PRLR protein in breast cancer cells by alkalizing lysosomes. Meanwhile, tamoxifen-resistant MCF7 achieved by long-term tamoxifen pressure exhibited both upregulated transcription and protein level of PRLR. Immunotoxin N8-PE24 enhanced sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen both in vitro and in vivo. In xenograft models, N8-PE24 significantly enhanced the efficacy of tamoxifen and paclitaxel when treating PRLR-positive triple-negative breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS PRL-PRLR axis potentially associates with tamoxifen insensitivity in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. N8-PE24 could inhibit cell growth of the breast cancers and promote drug sensitivity of PRLR-positive breast cancer cells to tamoxifen and paclitaxel. Our study provides a new perspective for targeting PRLR to treat breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Junjun Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yali Yue
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qunye He
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shuyi Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Junyan Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yunji Liao
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | | | - Yueqing Xie
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300467, China
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yanlin Bian
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Dimiter S Dimitrov
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Yunsheng Yuan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA.
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300467, China.
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5
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Liu JJ, Pan ZD, Yue YL, Wang SS, Chen J, Jiang H, Zhang BH, Wu MY, Yuan YS, Bian YL, Yin HY, Wang L, Li JY, Gilly J, Xie YQ, Zhu JW. T cell-redirecting antibody for treatment of solid tumors via targeting mesothelin. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01316-6. [PMID: 38858494 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell engaging bispecific antibodies (TCBs) have recently become significant in cancer treatment. In this study we developed MSLN490, a novel TCB designed to target mesothelin (MSLN), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked glycoprotein highly expressed in various cancers, and evaluated its efficacy against solid tumors. CDR walking and phage display techniques were used to improve affinity of the parental antibody M912, resulting in a pool of antibodies with different affinities to MSLN. From this pool, various bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) were assembled. Notably, MSLN490 with its IgG-[L]-scFv structure displayed remarkable anti-tumor activity against MSLN-expressing tumors (EC50: 0.16 pM in HT-29-hMSLN cells). Furthermore, MSLN490 remained effective even in the presence of non-membrane-anchored MSLN (soluble MSLN). Moreover, the anti-tumor activity of MSLN490 was enhanced when combined with either Atezolizumab or TAA × CD28 BsAbs. Notably, a synergistic effect was observed between MSLN490 and paclitaxel, as paclitaxel disrupted the immunosuppressive microenvironment within solid tumors, enhancing immune cells infiltration and improved anti-tumor efficacy. Overall, MSLN490 exhibits robust anti-tumor activity, resilience to soluble MSLN interference, and enhanced anti-tumor effects when combined with other therapies, offering a promising future for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. This study provides a strong foundation for further exploration of MSLN490's clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jun Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhi-di Pan
- Jecho Institute, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ya-Li Yue
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | | | - Jie Chen
- Jecho Institute, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Bao-Hong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ming-Yuan Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yun-Sheng Yuan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yan-Lin Bian
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | | | - Lei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jun-Yan Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - John Gilly
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Yue-Qing Xie
- Jecho Institute, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21704, USA.
| | - Jian-Wei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Jecho Institute, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21704, USA.
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300450, China.
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6
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Cheng L, Wang Y, Guo Y, Zhang SS, Xiao H. Advancing protein therapeutics through proximity-induced chemistry. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:428-445. [PMID: 37802076 PMCID: PMC10960704 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen a remarkable growth in the field of protein-based medical treatments. Nevertheless, concerns have arisen regarding the cytotoxicity limitations, low affinity, potential immunogenicity, low stability, and challenges to modify these proteins. To overcome these obstacles, proximity-induced chemistry has emerged as a next-generation strategy for advancing protein therapeutics. This method allows site-specific modification of proteins with therapeutic agents, improving their effectiveness without extensive engineering. In addition, this innovative approach enables spatial control of the reaction based on proximity, facilitating the formation of irreversible covalent bonds between therapeutic proteins and their targets. This capability becomes particularly valuable in addressing challenges such as the low affinity frequently encountered between therapeutic proteins and their targets, as well as the limited availability of small molecules for specific protein targets. As a result, proximity-induced chemistry is reshaping the field of protein drug preparation and propelling the revolution in novel protein therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linqi Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Yixian Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Yiming Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Sophie S Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Han Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
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7
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Mariano A, Di Cristofano S, Raimondo D, Scotto d'Abusco A. Split Gp41-1 intein splicing as a model to evaluate the cellular location of the oncosuppressor Maspin in an in vitro model of osteosarcoma. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3987. [PMID: 38509770 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Inteins are proteins involved in the protein splicing mechanism, an autoprocessing event, where sequences (exteins) separated by inteins become ligated each other after recombination. Two kinds of inteins have been described, contiguous inteins and split inteins. The former ones are transcribed and translated as a single peptide along with their exteins, while the latter are fragmented between two different genes and are transcribed and translated separately. The aim of this study is to establish a method to obtain a fluorescent eukaryotic protein to analyze its cellular localization, using the natural split gp41-1 inteins. We chose natural split inteins due to their distribution in all three domains of life. Two constructs were prepared, one containing the N-terminal split intein along with the N-moiety of the Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP) and a second construct containing the C-terminal of split intein, the C-moiety of RFP and the gene coding for Maspin, a tumor suppressor protein. The trans-splicing was verified by transfecting both N-terminal and C-terminal constructs into mammalian cells. The success of the recombination event was highlighted through the fluorescence produced by reconstituted RFP after recombination, along with the overlap of the red fluorescence produced by recombined RFP and the green fluorescence produced by the hybridization of the recombinant Maspin with a specific antibody. In conclusion, we opted to use this mechanism of recombination to obtain a fluorescent Maspin instead to express a large fusion protein, considering that it could interfere with Maspin's structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Mariano
- Department. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Raimondo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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8
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Barron N, Dickgiesser S, Fleischer M, Bachmann AN, Klewinghaus D, Hannewald J, Ciesielski E, Kusters I, Hammann T, Krause V, Fuchs SW, Siegmund V, Gross AW, Mueller-Pompalla D, Krah S, Zielonka S, Doerner A. A Generic Approach for Miniaturized Unbiased High-Throughput Screens of Bispecific Antibodies and Biparatopic Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2097. [PMID: 38396776 PMCID: PMC10889805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The toolbox of modern antibody engineering allows the design of versatile novel functionalities exceeding nature's repertoire. Many bispecific antibodies comprise heterodimeric Fc portions recently validated through the approval of several bispecific biotherapeutics. While heterodimerization methodologies have been established for low-throughput large-scale production, few approaches exist to overcome the bottleneck of large combinatorial screening efforts that are essential for the identification of the best possible bispecific antibody. This report presents a novel, robust and miniaturized heterodimerization process based on controlled Fab-arm exchange (cFAE), which is applicable to a variety of heterodimeric formats and compatible with automated high-throughput screens. Proof of applicability was shown for two therapeutic molecule classes and two relevant functional screening read-outs. First, the miniaturized production of biparatopic anti-c-MET antibody-drug conjugates served as a proof of concept for their applicability in cytotoxic screenings on tumor cells with different target expression levels. Second, the automated workflow enabled a large unbiased combinatorial screening of biparatopic antibodies and the identification of hits mediating potent c-MET degradation. The presented workflow utilizes standard equipment and may serve as a facile, efficient and robust method for the discovery of innovative therapeutic agents in many laboratories worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Barron
- Protein and Cell Sciences, EMD Serono, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Stephan Dickgiesser
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Markus Fleischer
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Klewinghaus
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jens Hannewald
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Elke Ciesielski
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ilja Kusters
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, EMD Serono, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Til Hammann
- Discovery Pharmacology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Volker Krause
- Discovery Pharmacology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Vanessa Siegmund
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Alec W. Gross
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, EMD Serono, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Dirk Mueller-Pompalla
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Simon Krah
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Achim Doerner
- NBE Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
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9
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Yamada R, Nakahara I, Kumagai I, Asano R, Nakanishi T, Makabe K. Construction of IgG-Fab 2 bispecific antibody via intein-mediated protein trans-splicing reaction. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15961. [PMID: 37749185 PMCID: PMC10520027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A bispecific antibody (bsAb) is a class of engineered antibody molecules that simultaneously binds to two different antigens by having two kinds of antigen-binding domains. One of the major obstacles for the bsAb production is the incorrect chain-pairing problem, wherein each heavy and light chain should form pairings with the correct counterpart's chains, but the structural similarity of the incorrect partners also forms the incorrect pairings. This study aimed to demonstrate a bsAb construction method using intein-mediated protein trans-splicing to create IgG-Fab2-type bsAbs, which is a modified antibody with a structure in which two additional Fabs are linked to the N-terminus of the heavy chain of an IgG molecule. The chain-paring problem between a heavy chain and a light chain is circumvented by separate expression and purification of the IgG part and the Fab part. We found that the deletion of a possible glycosylation residue improved the reaction yield and side-reaction cleavage in the protein ligation step. The resulting bsAb, IgG-Fab2 (Her2/CD3), demonstrated target binding activity and cytotoxicity mediated by activated T cells. These results indicate that the use of the protein ligation to produce the IgG-Fab2 type bsAb will expand the bsAb production method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Yamada
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, 4-3-16 Jyonan, Yonezawa, Yamagata, 992-8510, Japan
| | - Ishin Nakahara
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 183-8538, Japan
| | - Izumi Kumagai
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 183-8538, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Asano
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 183-8538, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nakanishi
- Division of Science and Engineering for Materials, Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sugimoto 3-3-138, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Koki Makabe
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, 4-3-16 Jyonan, Yonezawa, Yamagata, 992-8510, Japan.
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10
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Chen J, Pan Z, Han L, Liu J, Yue Y, Xiao X, Zhang B, Wu M, Yuan Y, Bian Y, Jiang H, Xie Y, Zhu J. Binding domain on CD22 molecules contributing to the biological activity of T cell-engaging bispecific antibodies. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17960. [PMID: 37456045 PMCID: PMC10344817 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17960] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
CD22, as the B-cell malignancies antigen, has been targeted for immunotherapies through CAR-T cells, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immunotoxins via interaction of antibodies with binding domains on the receptor. We hypothesized that avidity and binding domain of antibody to target cells may have significant impact on the biological function in tumor immunotherapy, and T cell-engaging bispecific antibody (TCB) targeting CD22 could be used in the therapy of hematologic malignancies. So, to address the question, we utilized the information of six previously reported CD22 mAbs to generate CD22-TCBs with different avidity to different domains on CD22 protein. We found that the avidity of CD22-TCBs to protein was not consistent with the avidity to target cells, indicating that TCBs had different binding mode to the protein and cells. In vitro results indicated that CD22-TCBs mediated cytotoxicity depended on the avidity of antibodies to target cells rather than to protein. Moreover, distal binding domain of the antigen contributed to the avidity and biological activity of IgG-[L]-scfv-like CD22-TCBs. The T cells' proliferation, activation, cytotoxicity as well as cytokine release were compared, and G5/44 BsAb was selected for further in vivo assessment in anti-tumor activity. In vivo results demonstrated that CD22-TCB (G5/44 BsAb) significantly inhibited the tumors growth in mice. All these data suggested that CD22-TCBs could be developed as a promising candidate for B-cell malignancies therapy through optimizing the design with avidity and binding domain to CD22 target in consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhidi Pan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lei Han
- Jecho Institute, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Junjun Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yali Yue
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | | | - Baohong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Mingyuan Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yunsheng Yuan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yanlin Bian
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300450, China
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD21704, USA
| | - Yueqing Xie
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD21704, USA
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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11
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Zhu W, Wang Y, Lv L, Wang H, Shi W, Liu Z, Zhou M, Zhu J, Lu H. Universal chimeric Fcγ receptor T cells with appropriate affinity for IgG1 antibody exhibit optimal antitumor efficacy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:2071-2085. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
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12
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Ma H, Zong HF, Liu JJ, Yue YL, Ke Y, Liao YJ, Tang HN, Wang L, Wang SS, Yuan YS, Wu MY, Bian YL, Zhang BH, Yin HY, Jiang H, Sun T, Han L, Xie YQ, Zhu JW. Long-term passaging of pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2 reveals the breadth of monoclonal and bispecific antibody cocktails. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023:10.1038/s41401-022-01043-w. [PMID: 36707721 PMCID: PMC9880922 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-01043-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants poses challenges to the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies. Rational design of antibody cocktails is a realizable approach addressing viral immune evasion. However, evaluating the breadth of antibody cocktails is essential for understanding the development potential. Here, based on a replication competent vesicular stomatitis virus model that incorporates the spike of SARS-CoV-2 (VSV-SARS-CoV-2), we evaluated the breadth of a number of antibody cocktails consisting of monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies by long-term passaging the virus in the presence of the cocktails. Results from over two-month passaging of the virus showed that 9E12 + 10D4 + 2G1 and 7B9-9D11 + 2G1 from these cocktails were highly resistant to random mutation, and there was no breakthrough after 30 rounds of passaging. As a control, antibody REGN10933 was broken through in the third passage. Next generation sequencing was performed and several critical mutations related to viral evasion were identified. These mutations caused a decrease in neutralization efficiency, but the reduced replication rate and ACE2 susceptibility of the mutant virus suggested that they might not have the potential to become epidemic strains. The 9E12 + 10D4 + 2G1 and 7B9-9D11 + 2G1 cocktails that picked from the VSV-SARS-CoV-2 system efficiently neutralized all current variants of concern and variants of interest including the most recent variants Delta and Omicron, as well as SARS-CoV-1. Our results highlight the feasibility of using the VSV-SARS-CoV-2 system to develop SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktails and provide a reference for the clinical selection of therapeutic strategies to address the mutational escape of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Ma
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.263906.80000 0001 0362 4044School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Hui-fang Zong
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China ,Jecho Institute, Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Jun-jun Liu
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Ya-li Yue
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Yong Ke
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Yun-ji Liao
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Hao-neng Tang
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Lei Wang
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | | | - Yun-sheng Yuan
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Ming-yuan Wu
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Yan-lin Bian
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Bao-hong Zhang
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Hai-yang Yin
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD 21704 USA
| | - Tao Sun
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China ,Shanghai Municipal Veterinary Key Laboratory, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Lei Han
- Jecho Institute, Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Yue-qing Xie
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD 21704 USA
| | - Jian-wei Zhu
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XEngineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200240 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 China
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13
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Wu T, Song Z, Huang H, Jakos T, Jiang H, Xie Y, Zhu J. Construction and evaluation of GPC3-targeted immunotoxins as a novel therapeutic modality for hepatocellular carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109393. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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14
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The Generation of Dual-Targeting Fusion Protein PD-L1/CD47 for the Inhibition of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081843. [PMID: 36009390 PMCID: PMC9405206 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subset of breast cancer with limited therapeutic options. However, its immune evasion mechanisms, characterized by the over-expression of the immune checkpoint molecules PD-L1 and CD47, can be targeted in order to facilitate cancer elimination by cells of innate and adaptive immunity. In this paper, we describe the design, preparation, and evaluation of three novel dual-targeting fusion proteins that were based on the structure frame of prototype IAB (innate and adaptive dependent bispecific fusion protein) and the “Orcutt-type IgG-scFv” molecular model. Three molecules with different spatial conformations were designed to improve antigen–antibody affinity by the addition of Ag–Ab binding sites from the variable region sequences of the anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) atezolizumab and CV1, a high-affinity receptor of CD47. The results showed that the best-performing among the three proteins designed in this study was protein Pro3; its CV1 N-terminus and Fc domain C-terminus were not sterically hindered. Pro3 was better at boosting T cell proliferation and the engulfment of macrophages than the IAB prototype and, at the same time, retained a level of ADCC activity similar to that of IAB. Through improved design, the novel constructed dual-targeting immunomodulatory protein Pro3 was superior at activating the anti-tumor immune response and has thus shown potential for use in clinical applications.
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15
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Zong HF, Zhang BH, Zhu JW. Generating a Bispecific Antibody Drug Conjugate Targeting PRLR and HER2 with Improving the Internalization. PHARMACEUTICAL FRONTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractAntibody drug conjugate (ADC) therapy has become one of the most promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. The bispecific targeting could improve the specificity, affinity, and internalization of the ADC molecules. Prolactin preceptor (PRLR) and HER2 have crosstalk signaling in breast cancer, and PRLR undergoes a rapid internalization compared with HER2. To improve the efficacy of HER2 ADCs with enhancing the target specificity and internalization, we constructed a PRLR/HER2-targeting bispecific ADC (BsADC). We evaluated the characterization of PRLR × HER2 BsADC from the affinity and internalization, and further assessed its in vitro cytotoxicity in human breast-cancer cell lines (BT474, T47D, and MDA-MB-231) using Cell Count Kit-8 analysis. Our data demonstrated that PRLR × HER2 BsADC kept the affinity to two targeting antigens after conjugating drugs and exhibited higher internalization efficiency in comparison to HER2 ADC. Furthermore, PRLR × HER2 BsADC demonstrated to have superior antitumor activity in human breast cancer in vitro. In conclusion, our findings indicate that it is feasible through increasing the internalization of target antibody to enhance the antitumor activity and therapeutic potential that could be further evaluated in in vivo animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Zong
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Hong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Wei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Jecho Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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16
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Shin HG, Yang HR, Yoon A, Lee S. Bispecific Antibody-Based Immune-Cell Engagers and Their Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5686. [PMID: 35628495 PMCID: PMC9146966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular diseases. Harnessing the power of immune cells is a promising strategy to improve the antitumor effect of cancer immunotherapy. Recent progress in recombinant DNA technology and antibody engineering has ushered in a new era of bispecific antibody (bsAb)-based immune-cell engagers (ICEs), including T- and natural-killer-cell engagers. Since the first approval of blinatumomab by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), various bsAb-based ICEs have been developed for the effective treatment of patients with cancer. Simultaneously, several potential therapeutic targets of bsAb-based ICEs have been identified in various cancers. Therefore, this review focused on not only highlighting the action mechanism, design and structure, and status of bsAb-based ICEs in clinical development and their approval by the US FDA for human malignancy treatment, but also on summarizing the currently known and emerging therapeutic targets in cancer. This review provides insights into practical considerations for developing next-generation ICEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Gyeong Shin
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea; (H.G.S.); (H.R.Y.)
| | - Ha Rim Yang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea; (H.G.S.); (H.R.Y.)
| | - Aerin Yoon
- R&D Division, GC Biopharma, Yongin 16924, Korea
| | - Sukmook Lee
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea; (H.G.S.); (H.R.Y.)
- Biopharmaceutical Chemistry Major, School of Applied Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea
- Antibody Research Institute, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea
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17
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Jendryczko K, Rzeszotko J, Krzyscik MA, Kocyła A, Szymczyk J, Otlewski J, Szlachcic A. Drug Conjugation via Maleimide-Thiol Chemistry Does Not Affect Targeting Properties of Cysteine-Containing Anti-FGFR1 Peptibodies. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:1422-1433. [PMID: 35389227 PMCID: PMC9066409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
With a wide range
of available cytotoxic therapeutics, the main
focus of current cancer research is to deliver them specifically to
the cancer cells, minimizing toxicity against healthy tissues. Targeted
therapy utilizes different carriers for cytotoxic drugs, combining
a targeting molecule, typically an antibody, and a highly toxic payload.
For the effective delivery of such cytotoxic conjugates, a molecular
target on the cancer cell is required. Various proteins are exclusively
or abundantly expressed in cancer cells, making them a possible target
for drug carriers. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) overexpression
has been reported in different types of cancer, but no FGFR1-targeting
cytotoxic conjugate has been approved for therapy so far. In this
study, the FGFR1-targeting peptide previously described in the literature
was reformatted into a peptibody–peptide fusion with the fragment
crystallizable (Fc) domain of IgG1. PeptibodyC19 can be effectively
internalized into FGFR1-overexpressing cells and does not induce cells’
proliferation. The main challenge for its use as a cytotoxic conjugate
is a cysteine residue located within the targeting peptide. A standard
drug-conjugation strategy based on the maleimide–thiol reaction
involves modification of cysteines within the Fc domain hinge region.
Applied here, however, may easily result in the modification of the
targeting peptide with the drug, limiting its affinity to the target
and therefore the potential for specific drug delivery. To investigate
if this is the case, we have performed conjugation reactions with
different auristatin derivatives (PEGylated and unmodified) under
various conditions. By controlling the reduction conditions and the
type of cytotoxic payload, different numbers of cysteines were substituted,
allowing us to avoid conjugating the drug to the targeting peptide,
which could affect its binding to FGFR1. The optimized protocol with
PEGylated auristatin yielded doubly substituted peptibodyC19, showing
specific cytotoxicity toward the FGFR1-expressing lung cancer cells,
with no effect on cells with low FGFR1 levels. Indeed, additional
cysteine poses a risk of unwanted modification, but changes in the
type of cytotoxic payload and reaction conditions allow the use of
standard thiol–maleimide-based conjugation to achieve standard
Fc hinge region cysteine modification, analogously to antibody–drug
conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Jendryczko
- Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Jakub Rzeszotko
- Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | | | - Anna Kocyła
- Department of Chemical Biology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Jakub Szymczyk
- Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Jacek Otlewski
- Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Anna Szlachcic
- Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
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18
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Pan Z, Chen J, Xiao X, Xie Y, Jiang H, Zhang B, Lu H, Yuan Y, Han L, Zhou Y, Zong H, Wang L, Sun R, Zhu J. Characterization of a novel bispecific antibody targeting tissue factor-positive tumors with T cell engagement. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1928-1942. [PMID: 35847491 PMCID: PMC9279644 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell engaging bispecific antibody (TCB) is an effective immunotherapy for cancer treatment. Through co-targeting CD3 and tumor-associated antigen (TAA), TCB can redirect CD3+ T cells to eliminate tumor cells regardless of the specificity of T cell receptor. Tissue factor (TF) is a TAA that involved in tumor progression. Here, we designed and characterized a novel TCB targeting TF (TF-TCB) for the treatment of TF-positive tumors. In vitro, robust T cell activation, tumor cell lysis and T cell proliferation were induced by TF-TCB. The tumor cell lysis activity was dependent upon both CD3 and TF binding moieties of the TF-TCB, and was related to TF expression level of tumor cells. In vivo, in both tumor cell/human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) co-grafting model and established tumor models with poor T cell infiltration, tumor growth was strongly inhibited by TF-TCB. T cell infiltration into tumors was induced during the treatment. Furthermore, efficacy of TF-TCB was further improved by combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. For the first time, our results validated the feasibility of using TF as a target for TCB and highlighted the potential for TF-TCB to demonstrate efficacy in solid tumor treatment.
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19
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Wang L, Qiao Y, Zong H, Han L, Ke Y, Pan Z, Chen J, Lu J, Li J, Ying T, Zhang B, Zhu J. IgG-like Bispecific Antibody CD3×EpCAM Generated by Split Intein Against Colorectal Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:803059. [PMID: 35281893 PMCID: PMC8905292 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.803059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer with high mortality worldwide. Postoperative recidivation and metastasis still are the main challenges in clinical treatments. Thus, it is urgent to develop new therapies against colorectal cancer. Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells and strongly associated with cancer development. Bispecific antibody (BsAb) is a kind of promising immunotherapy, which could recognize T cells and cancer cells simultaneously to achieve the anti-tumor effects. Methods: A bispecific antibody targeting EpCAM and CD3 with IgG format was genereated by split intein based on the Bispecific Antibody by Protein Splicing” platform. In vitro, the affinity of CD3×EpCAM BsAb was determined by Biolayer interferometry, its cytotoxicity was detected by LDH release assay, T cell recruitment and activation was detected by Flow Cytometry. In vivo, its pharmacokinetic parameters were detected, and anti-tumor effects were evaluated on the tumor cell xenograft mouse model. Results: The results showed that the CD3×EpCAM BsAb could activate and recruit T cells via binding colorectal cells and T cells, which could lead to more potent cytotoxicity to various colorectal cell lines than its parent EpCAM monoclonal antibody (mAb) in vitro. The CD3×EpCAM BsAb had similar pharmacokinetic parameters with EpCAM mAb and inhibits tumor growth on the SW480 tumor cell xenograft mouse model. Conclusion: The CD3×EpCAM BsAb could be a promising candidate for colorectal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Qiao
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huifang Zong
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Han
- Jecho Institute, Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China.,Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Yong Ke
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - ZhiDi Pan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Lu
- School of Science, and School of Interprofessional Health Studies, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jinyao Li
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Tianlei Ying
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Jecho Institute, Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China.,Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Tianjin, China.,Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, United States
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20
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Standing D, Dandawate P, Anant S. Prolactin receptor signaling: A novel target for cancer treatment - Exploring anti-PRLR signaling strategies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1112987. [PMID: 36714582 PMCID: PMC9880166 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1112987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) is a peptide hormone mainly secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. PRL is reported to play a role in pregnancy, mammary gland development, immune modulation, reproduction, and differentiation of islet cells. PRL binds to its receptor PRLR, which belongs to a superfamily of the class I cytokine receptor that has no intrinsic kinase activity. In canonical signaling, PRL binding to PRLR induces downstream signaling including JAK-STAT, AKT and MAPK pathways. This leads to increased cell proliferation, stemness, migration, apoptosis inhibition, and resistance to chemotherapy. PRL-signaling is upregulated in numerous hormone-dependent cancers including breast, prostate, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. However, more recently, the pathway has been reported to play a tumor-promoting role in other cancer types such as colon, pancreas, and hepatocellular cancers. Hence, the signaling pathway is an attractive target for drug development with blockade of the receptor being a potential therapeutic approach. Different strategies have been developed to target this receptor including modification of PRL peptides (Del1-9-G129R-hPRL, G129R-Prl), growth hormone receptor/prolactin receptor bispecific antibody antagonist, neutralizing antibody LFA102, an antibody-drug conjugate (ABBV-176) of the humanized antibody h16f (PR-1594804) and pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer, a bispecific antibody targeting both PRLR and CD3, an in vivo half-life extended fusion protein containing PRLR antagonist PrlRA and albumin binding domain. There have also been attempts to discover and develop small molecular inhibitors targeting PRLR. Recently, using structure-based virtual screening, we identified a few antipsychotic drugs including penfluridol as a molecule that inhibits PRL-signaling to inhibit PDAC tumor progression. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in the biology of this receptor in cancer and give an account of PRLR antagonist development for the treatment of cancer.
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21
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Zong H, Han L, Chen J, Pan Z, Wang L, Sun R, Ding K, Xie Y, Jiang H, Lu H, Gilly J, Zhang B, Zhu J. Kinetics study of the natural split Npu DnaE intein in the generation of bispecific IgG antibodies. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 106:161-171. [PMID: 34882254 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11707-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Rapid and efficient bispecific antibody (BsAb) production for industrial applications is still facing many challenges. We reported a technology platform for generating bispecific IgG antibodies, "Bispecific Antibody by Protein Trans-splicing (BAPTS)." While the "BAPTS" method has shown potential in high-throughput screening of BsAbs, further understanding and optimizing the methodology is desirable. A large number of BsAbs were selected to illustrate the conversion efficiency and kinetics parameters. The temperature of reaction makes no significant influence in conversion efficiency, which can reach more than 70% within 2 h, and CD3 × HER2 BsAb can reach 90%. By fitting trans-splicing reaction to single-component exponential decay curves, the apparent first-order rate constants at a series of temperatures were determined. The rate constant ranges from 0.02 to 0.11 min-1 at 37 °C, which is a high rate reported for the protein trans-splicing reaction (PTS). The reaction process is activated rapidly with activation energy of 8.9 kcal·mol-1 (CD3 × HER2) and 5.2 kcal·mol-1 (CD3 × EGFR). The BsAbs generated by "BAPTS" technology not only had the similar post-translation modifications to the parental antibodies, but also demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo bioactivity. The kinetics parameters and activation energy of the reaction illustrate feasible for high-throughput screening and industrial applications using the "BAPTS" approach. KEY POINTS: • The trans-splicing reaction of Npu DnaE intein in "BAPTS" platform is a rapid process with low reaction activation and high rate. • The BsAb generated by "BAPTS" remained effective in tumor cell killing. • The kinetics parameters and activation energy of the reaction illustrate feasible for high-throughput screening and industrial applications using the "BAPTS" approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Zong
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Han
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhidi Pan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Ding
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqing Xie
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China.,Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Huili Lu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - John Gilly
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. .,Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China. .,Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, USA.
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Production of IgG1-based bispecific antibody without extra cysteine residue via intein-mediated protein trans-splicing. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19411. [PMID: 34593913 PMCID: PMC8484483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98855-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A major class of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) utilizes heterodimeric Fc to produce the native immunoglobulin G (IgG) structure. Because appropriate pairing of heavy and light chains is required, the design of BsAbs produced through recombination or reassembly of two separately-expressed antigen-binding fragments is advantageous. One such method uses intein-mediated protein trans-splicing (IMPTS) to produce an IgG1-based structure. An extra Cys residue is incorporated as a consensus sequence for IMPTS in successful examples, but this may lead to potential destabilization or disturbance of the assay system. In this study, we designed a BsAb linked by IMPTS, without the extra Cys residue. A BsAb binding to both TNFR2 and CD30 was successfully produced. Cleaved side product formation was inevitable, but it was minimized under the optimized conditions. The fine-tuned design is suitable for the production of IgG-like BsAb with high symmetry between the two antigen-binding fragments that is advantageous for screening BsAbs.
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A Novel Bispecific Antibody Targeting CD3 and Lewis Y with Potent Therapeutic Efficacy against Gastric Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9081059. [PMID: 34440263 PMCID: PMC8393954 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lewis Y antigen, a glycan highly expressed on most epithelial cancers, was targeted for cancer treatment but lacked satisfactory results in some intractable and refractory cancers. Thus, it is highly desirable to develop an effective therapy against these cancers, hopefully based on this target. In this work, we constructed a novel T cell-engaging bispecific antibody targeting Lewis Y and CD3 (m3s193 BsAb) with the IgG-[L]-scfv format. In vitro activity of m3s193 BsAb was evaluated by affinity assay to target cells, cytotoxicity assay, cytokines releasing assay, and T cells proliferation and recruiting assays. Anti-tumor activity against gastric cancer was evaluated in vivo by subcutaneous huPBMCs/tumor cells co-grafting model and huPBMCs intravenous injecting model. In vitro, m3s193 BsAb appeared to have a high binding affinity to Lewis Y positive cells and Jurkat cells. The BsAb showed stronger activity than its parent mAb in T cell recruiting, activation, proliferation, cytokine release, and cytotoxicity. In vivo, m3s193 BsAb not only demonstrated higher therapeutic efficacy in the huPBMCs/tumor co-grafting gastric carcinoma model than the parent mAb but also eliminated tumors in the model of intravenous injection with huPBMCs. Strong anti-tumor activity of m3s193 BsAb revealed that Lewis Y could be targeted in T cell-engaging BsAb for gastric cancer therapy.
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24
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Sun R, Zhou Y, Han L, Pan Z, Chen J, Zong H, Bian Y, Jiang H, Zhang B, Zhu J. A Rational Designed Novel Bispecific Antibody for the Treatment of GBM. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060640. [PMID: 34204931 PMCID: PMC8230177 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is highly and specifically expressed in a subset of lethal glioblastoma (GBM), making the receptor a unique therapeutic target for GBM. Recently, bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have shown exciting clinical benefits in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we report remarkable results for GBM treatment with a BsAb constructed by the "BAPTS" method. The BsAb was characterized through LC/MS, SEC-HPLC, and SPR. Furthermore, the BsAb was evaluated in vitro for bioactivities through FACS, antigen-dependent T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and a cytokine secretion assay, as well as in vivo for antitumor activity and pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters through immunodeficient NOD/SCID and BALB/c mouse models. The results indicated that the EGFRvIII-BsAb eliminated EGFRvIII-positive GBM cells by recruiting and stimulating effector T cells secreting cytotoxic cytokines that killed GBM cells in vitro. The results demonstrated the antitumor potential and long circulation time of EGFRvIII-BsAb in NOD/SCID mice bearing de2-7 subcutaneously heterotopic transplantation tumors and BALB/c mice. In conclusion, our experiments in both in vitro and in vivo have shown the remarkable antitumor activities of EGFRvIII-BsAb, highlighting its potential in clinical applications for the treatment of GBM. Additional merits, including a long circulation time and low immunogenicity, have also made the novel BsAb a promising therapeutic candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yuexian Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
| | - Lei Han
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. No. 2018 Zhongtian Avenue, Binhai New Area, Tianjin 300457, China; (L.H.); (H.J.)
- Jecho Biopharmaceutical Institute, No. 58 Yuanmei Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhidi Pan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
| | - Jie Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
| | - Huifang Zong
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yanlin Bian
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
| | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. No. 2018 Zhongtian Avenue, Binhai New Area, Tianjin 300457, China; (L.H.); (H.J.)
- Jecho Laboratories Inc., 7320 Executive Way, Frederick, MD 21704, USA
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China; (R.S.); (Y.Z.); (Z.P.); (J.C.); (H.Z.); (Y.B.)
- Jecho Laboratories Inc., 7320 Executive Way, Frederick, MD 21704, USA
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (J.Z.)
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25
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Wu T, Zhu J. Recent development and optimization of pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin immunotoxins in cancer therapeutic applications. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 96:107759. [PMID: 34162138 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant immunotoxins are fusion proteins composed of a peptide toxin and a specific targeting domain through genetic recombination. They are engineered to recognize disease-specific target receptors and kill the cell upon internalization. Full-sized monoclonal antibodies, smaller antibody fragments and ligands, such as a cytokine or a growth factor, have been commonly used as the targeting domain, while bacterial Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin (PE) is the usual toxin fusion partner, due to its natural cytotoxicity and other unique advantages. PE-based recombinant immunotoxins have shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of tumors and autoimmune diseases. At the same time, efforts are underway to address major challenges, including immunogenicity, nonspecific cytotoxicity and poor penetration, which limit their clinical applications. Recent strategies for structural optimization of PE-based immunotoxins, combined with mutagenesis approaches, have reduced the immunogenicity and non-specific cytotoxicity, thus increasing both their safety and efficacy. This review highlights novel insights and design concepts that were used to advance immunotoxins for the treatment of hematological and solid tumors and also presents future development prospect of PE-based recombinant immunotoxins that are expected to play an important role in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, China; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, China; School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD 21704, USA.
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26
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Zhan W, Muhuri M, Tai PWL, Gao G. Vectored Immunotherapeutics for Infectious Diseases: Can rAAVs Be The Game Changers for Fighting Transmissible Pathogens? Front Immunol 2021; 12:673699. [PMID: 34046041 PMCID: PMC8144494 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.673699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional vaccinations and immunotherapies have encountered major roadblocks in preventing infectious diseases like HIV, influenza, and malaria. These challenges are due to the high genomic variation and immunomodulatory mechanisms inherent to these diseases. Passive transfer of broadly neutralizing antibodies may offer partial protection, but these treatments require repeated dosing. Some recombinant viral vectors, such as those based on lentiviruses and adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), can confer long-term transgene expression in the host after a single dose. Particularly, recombinant (r)AAVs have emerged as favorable vectors, given their high in vivo transduction efficiency, proven clinical efficacy, and low immunogenicity profiles. Hence, rAAVs are being explored to deliver recombinant antibodies to confer immunity against infections or to diminish the severity of disease. When used as a vaccination vector for the delivery of antigens, rAAVs enable de novo synthesis of foreign proteins with the conformation and topology that resemble those of natural pathogens. However, technical hurdles like pre-existing immunity to the rAAV capsid and production of anti-drug antibodies can reduce the efficacy of rAAV-vectored immunotherapies. This review summarizes rAAV-based prophylactic and therapeutic strategies developed against infectious diseases that are currently being tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Technical challenges and potential solutions will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhan
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Manish Muhuri
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Phillip W. L. Tai
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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27
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Hofmann T, Schmidt J, Ciesielski E, Becker S, Rysiok T, Schütte M, Toleikis L, Kolmar H, Doerner A. Intein mediated high throughput screening for bispecific antibodies. MAbs 2021; 12:1731938. [PMID: 32151188 PMCID: PMC7153837 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1731938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies comprise extremely diverse architectures enabling complex modes of action, such as effector cell recruitment or conditional target modulation via dual targeting, not conveyed by monospecific antibodies. In recent years, research on bispecific therapeutics has substantially grown. However, evaluation of binding moiety combinations often leads to undesired prolonged development times. While high throughput screening for small molecules and classical antibodies has evolved into a mature discipline in the pharmaceutical industry, dual-targeting antibody screening methodologies lack the ability to fully evaluate the tremendous number of possible combinations and cover only a limited portion of the combinatorial screening space. Here, we propose a novel combinatorial screening approach for bispecific IgG-like antibodies to extenuate screening limitations in industrial scale, expanding the limiting screening space. Harnessing the ability of a protein trans-splicing reaction by the split intein Npu DnaE, antibody fragments were reconstituted within the hinge region in vitro. This method allows for fully automated, rapid one-pot antibody reconstitution, providing biological activity in several biochemical and functional assays. The technology presented here is suitable for automated functional and combinatorial high throughput screening of bispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hofmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.,Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Johannes Schmidt
- Compound Logistic & Bioassay Automation, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Elke Ciesielski
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Becker
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas Rysiok
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Mark Schütte
- Global Innovation and Alliance Management, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Lars Toleikis
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Achim Doerner
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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Liu C, Kobashigawa Y, Yamauchi S, Fukuda N, Sato T, Masuda T, Ohtsuki S, Morioka H. Convenient method of producing cyclic single-chain Fv antibodies by split-intein-mediated protein ligation and chaperone co-expression. J Biochem 2021; 168:257-263. [PMID: 32275752 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-chain Fv (scFv) is a recombinant antibody in which the variable regions of the heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL) are connected by a short flexible polypeptide linker. Compared with monoclonal antibodies, scFvs have the advantages of low-cost production using Escherichia coli and easy genetic manipulation. ScFvs are, therefore, regarded as useful modules for producing next-generation medical antibodies. The practical use of scFvs has been limited due to their aggregation propensity mediated by interchain VH-VL interactions. To overcome this problem, we recently reported a cyclic scFv whose N-terminus and C-terminus were connected by sortase A-mediated ligation. Preparation of cyclic scFv is, however, a time-consuming process. To accelerate the application study of cyclic scFv, we developed a method to produce cyclic scFv by the combined use of a protein ligation technique based on protein trans-splicing reaction (PTS) by split intein and a chaperone co-expression system. This method allows for the preparation of active cyclic scFv from the cytoplasm of E. coli. The present method was applied to the production of cyclic 73MuL9-scFv, a GA-pyridine antibody, as a kind of advanced glycation end-product. These findings are expected to evoke further application study of cyclic scFv.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Takashi Sato
- Department of Analytical and Biophysical Chemistry
| | - Takeshi Masuda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Sumio Ohtsuki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
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Park J, Lee S, Kim Y, Yoo TH. Methods to generate site-specific conjugates of antibody and protein. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 30:115946. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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30
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Inteins in Science: Evolution to Application. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8122004. [PMID: 33339089 PMCID: PMC7765530 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8122004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inteins are mobile genetic elements that apply standard enzymatic strategies to excise themselves post-translationally from the precursor protein via protein splicing. Since their discovery in the 1990s, recent advances in intein technology allow for them to be implemented as a modern biotechnological contrivance. Radical improvement in the structure and catalytic framework of cis- and trans-splicing inteins devised the development of engineered inteins that contribute to various efficient downstream techniques. Previous literature indicates that implementation of intein-mediated splicing has been extended to in vivo systems. Besides, the homing endonuclease domain also acts as a versatile biotechnological tool involving genetic manipulation and control of monogenic diseases. This review orients the understanding of inteins by sequentially studying the distribution and evolution pattern of intein, thereby highlighting a role in genetic mobility. Further, we include an in-depth summary of specific applications branching from protein purification using self-cleaving tags to protein modification, post-translational processing and labelling, followed by the development of intein-based biosensors. These engineered inteins offer a disruptive approach towards research avenues like biomaterial construction, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Therefore, this linear perspective allows for a more comprehensive understanding of intein function and its diverse applications.
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31
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Sawant MS, Streu CN, Wu L, Tessier PM. Toward Drug-Like Multispecific Antibodies by Design. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7496. [PMID: 33053650 PMCID: PMC7589779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of antibody therapeutics is strongly influenced by their multifunctional nature that couples antigen recognition mediated by their variable regions with effector functions and half-life extension mediated by a subset of their constant regions. Nevertheless, the monospecific IgG format is not optimal for many therapeutic applications, and this has led to the design of a vast number of unique multispecific antibody formats that enable targeting of multiple antigens or multiple epitopes on the same antigen. Despite the diversity of these formats, a common challenge in generating multispecific antibodies is that they display suboptimal physical and chemical properties relative to conventional IgGs and are more difficult to develop into therapeutics. Here we review advances in the design and engineering of multispecific antibodies with drug-like properties, including favorable stability, solubility, viscosity, specificity and pharmacokinetic properties. We also highlight emerging experimental and computational methods for improving the next generation of multispecific antibodies, as well as their constituent antibody fragments, with natural IgG-like properties. Finally, we identify several outstanding challenges that need to be addressed to increase the success of multispecific antibodies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manali S. Sawant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.S.S.); (C.N.S.)
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Craig N. Streu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.S.S.); (C.N.S.)
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, Albion College, Albion, MI 49224, USA
| | - Lina Wu
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Peter M. Tessier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.S.S.); (C.N.S.)
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Hofmann T, Krah S, Sellmann C, Zielonka S, Doerner A. Greatest Hits-Innovative Technologies for High Throughput Identification of Bispecific Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6551. [PMID: 32911608 PMCID: PMC7554978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent years have shown a tremendous increase and diversification in antibody-based therapeutics with advances in production techniques and formats. The plethora of currently investigated bi- to multi-specific antibody architectures can be harnessed to elicit a broad variety of specific modes of actions in oncology and immunology, spanning from enhanced selectivity to effector cell recruitment, all of which cannot be addressed by monospecific antibodies. Despite continuously growing efforts and methodologies, the identification of an optimal bispecific antibody as the best possible combination of two parental monospecific binders, however, remains challenging, due to tedious cloning and production, often resulting in undesired extended development times and increased expenses. Although automated high throughput screening approaches have matured for pharmaceutical small molecule development, it was only recently that protein bioconjugation technologies have been developed for the facile generation of bispecific antibodies in a 'plug and play' manner. In this review, we provide an overview of the most relevant methodologies for bispecific screening purposes-the DuoBody concept, paired light chain single cell production approaches, Sortase A and Transglutaminase, the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system, and inteins-and elaborate on the benefits as well as drawbacks of the different technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hofmann
- Advanced Cell Culture Technologies, Merck Life Sciences KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany;
| | - Simon Krah
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Carolin Sellmann
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Achim Doerner
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
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Modica JA, Iderzorig T, Mrksich M. Design and Synthesis of Megamolecule Mimics of a Therapeutic Antibody. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:13657-13661. [PMID: 32706963 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c05093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This communication describes the design, synthesis, and biological activity of a megamolecule mimic of an anti-HER2 antibody. The antibody mimic was prepared by linking two Fabs from the therapeutic antibody trastuzumab, which are fused through the heavy chain variable domain to either cutinase or SnapTag, with a linker terminated in an irreversible inhibitor for each enzyme. This mimic binds HER2 with comparable avidity to trastuzumab, has similar activity in a cell-based assay, and can arrest tumor growth in a mouse xenograft BT474 tumor model. A panel of 16 bivalent anti-HER2 antibodies were prepared wherein each varied in the orientation of the fusion domain on the Fabs. The analogs displayed a range of cytotoxic activity, and surprisingly, the most active mimic binds to cells with a 10-fold lower avidity than the least active variant suggesting that structure plays a large role in their efficacy. This work suggests that the megamolecule approach can be used to prepare antibody mimics having a broad structural diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin A Modica
- Northwestern University, Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Tsatsral Iderzorig
- Northwestern University, Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Milan Mrksich
- Northwestern University, Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Jaakkonen A, Volkmann G, Iwaï H. An off-the-Shelf Approach for the Production of Fc Fusion Proteins by Protein Trans-Splicing towards Generating a Lectibody In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114011. [PMID: 32503354 PMCID: PMC7313076 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies, engineered antibodies, and antibody fragments have become important biological therapeutic platforms. The IgG format with bivalent binding sites has a modular structure with different biological roles, i.e., effector and binding functions, in different domains. We demonstrated the reconstruction of an IgG-like domain structure in vitro by protein ligation using protein trans-splicing. We produced various binding domains to replace the binding domain of IgG from Escherichia coli and the Fc domain of human IgG from Brevibacillus choshinensis as split-intein fusions. We showed that in vitro protein ligation could produce various Fc-fusions at the N-terminus in vitro from the independently produced domains from different organisms. We thus propose an off-the-shelf approach for the combinatorial production of Fc fusions in vitro with several distinct binding domains, particularly from naturally occurring binding domains. Antiviral lectins from algae are known to inhibit virus entry of HIV and SARS coronavirus. We demonstrated that a lectin could be fused with the Fc-domain in vitro by protein ligation, producing an IgG-like molecule as a “lectibody”. Such an Fc-fusion could be produced in vitro by this approach, which could be an attractive method for developing potential therapeutic agents against rapidly emerging infectious diseases like SARS coronavirus without any genetic fusion and expression optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina Jaakkonen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.J.); (G.V.)
- Present Address: Microbiology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gerrit Volkmann
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.J.); (G.V.)
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.J.); (G.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-2941-59752
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Zhou Y, Zong H, Han L, Xie Y, Jiang H, Gilly J, Zhang B, Lu H, Chen J, Sun R, Pan Z, Zhu J. A novel bispecific antibody targeting CD3 and prolactin receptor (PRLR) against PRLR-expression breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:87. [PMID: 32398042 PMCID: PMC7216678 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01564-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolactin receptor (PRLR) is highly expressed in a subset of human breast cancer and prostate cancer, which makes it a potential target for cancer treatment. In clinical trials, the blockade of PRLR was shown to be safe but with poor efficacy. It is therefore urgent to develop new therapies against PRLR target. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) could guide immune cells toward tumor cells, and produced remarkable effects in some cancers. METHODS In this study, a bispecific antibody targeting both tumor antigen PRLR and T cell surface CD3 antigen (PRLR-DbsAb) was constructed by split intein mediated protein transsplicing (BAPTS) system for the first time. Its binding activity was determined by Biacore and Flow cytometry, and target-dependent T cell mediated cytotoxicity was detected using LDH release assay. ELISA was utilized to study the secretion of cytokines by immune cells. Subcutaneous tumor mouse models were used to analyze the in vivo anti-tumor effects of PRLR-DbsAb. RESULTS PRLR-DbsAb in vitro could recruit and activate T cells to promote the release of Th1 cytokines IFN- γ and TNF- α, which could kill PRLR expressed breast cancer cells. In xenograft models with breast cancer cell line T47D, NOD/SCID mice intraperitoneally injected with PRLR-DbsAb exhibited significant inhibition of tumor growth and a longer survival compared to mice treated with PRLR monoclonal antibody (PRLR mAb). CONCLUSIONS Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed PRLR-DbsAb had a potential therapy of cancer treatment potential therapy for cancer. Immunotherapy may be a promising treatment against the tumor target of PRLR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexian Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Huifang Zong
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Han
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - John Gilly
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Huili Lu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhidi Pan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, China.
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, Frederick, MD, USA.
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, China.
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Akiba H, Satoh R, Nagata S, Tsumoto K. Effect of allotypic variation of human IgG1 on the thermal stability of disulfide-linked knobs-into-holes mutants of the Fc for stable bispecific antibody design. Antib Ther 2019; 2:65-69. [PMID: 33928224 PMCID: PMC7990158 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Disulfide-linked knobs-into-holes (dKiH) mutation is a well-validated antibody engineering technique to force heterodimer formation of different Fcs for efficient production of bispecific antibodies. An artificial disulfide bond is created between mutated cysteine residues in CH3 domain of human IgG1 Fc whose positions are 354 of the “knob” and 349 of the “hole” heavy chains. The disulfide bond is located adjacent to the exposed loop with allotypic variations at positions 356 and 358. Effects of the variation on the biophysical property of the Fc protein with dKiH mutations have not been reported. Methods We produced dKiH Fc proteins of high purity by affinity-tag fusion to the hole chain and IdeS treatment, which enabled removal of mispaired side products. Thermal stability was analyzed in a differential scanning calorimetry instrument. Results We firstly analyzed the effect of the difference in allotypes of the Fcs on the thermal stability of the heterodimeric Fc. We observed different melting profiles of the two allotypes (G1m1 and nG1m1) showing slightly higher melting temperature of G1m1 than nG1m1. Additionally, we showed different characteristics among heterodimers with different combinations of the allotypes in knob and hole chains. Conclusion Allotypic variations affected melting profiles of dKiH Fc proteins possibly with larger contribution of variations adjacent to the disulfide linkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Akiba
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Reiko Satoh
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagata
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Medical Proteomics Laboratory, The Institute of Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
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Li Y. A brief introduction of IgG-like bispecific antibody purification: Methods for removing product-related impurities. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 155:112-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Development of a recombinant human IL-15·sIL-15Rα/Fc superagonist with improved half-life and its antitumor activity alone or in combination with PD-1 blockade in mouse model. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 112:108677. [PMID: 30798123 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant human interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a potent cancer immunotherapeutic candidate due to its excellent immune stimulating effects. Previous work demonstrated that IL-15 appeared with short half-life in circulation system, while the complex with its receptor can prolong the half-life as well as benefit its activities in vivo. Therefore, IL-15 complex was more favorably considered for clinical development. Herein we developed IL-15·sIL-15Rα/Fc, a complex comprising of IL-15 and the extracellular region of its receptor alpha subunit which fused to Immunoglobulin G (IgG1) Fc to further prolong the half-life in plasma. Through transient gene expression in HEK293 cells, we expressed the superagonist by co-transfection of plasmids encoding IL-15 and sIL-15Rα/Fc respectively, yielding 36 mg/L of product after purification. Pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that the combination profoundly prolonged the half-life of IL-15 to 13.1 h in mice, about 18 folds longer than that of IL-15 monomer which is around 0.7 h. The bioactivity of the superagonist was characterized by CTLL-2 cells proliferation assay in vitro, showing its capability of stimulating the expansion of memory CD8+ T cells (cluster of differentiation) in mouse spleen. Using a HT-29 xenograft NOD-SCID mouse model, we observed tumor growth inhibition in all groups that received the superagonist, indicating its anti-tumor efficacy via stimulating infused human immune cells. In addition, combo cancer treatment by IL-15·sIL-15Rα/Fc and programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody have shown stronger inhibitory effects as compared with treatment with either single molecule. Therefore, we developed IL-15·sIL-15Rα/Fc to be a long half-life potential cancer immunotherapy candidate that can be applied alone or in synergy with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.
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Naturally split intein Npu DnaE mediated rapid generation of bispecific IgG antibodies. Methods 2018; 154:32-37. [PMID: 30308314 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High product purity, preserving natural IgG architecture, and excellent production efficiency are highly desirable in bispecific antibody manufacturing. We have reported a platform called Bispecific Antibody by Protein Trans-Splicing (BAPTS) to synthesize BsAbs with natural human IgG structure and no chain mispairing. In the method, two antibody fragments carrying different target-specificities are separately expressed in mammalian cells and subsequently fused to form BsAbs by utilizing the trans-splicing property of the split intein Npu DnaE. The hinge region of antibody, a region with less functional impact, is selected for conjugating the two fragments. The method involves the following steps: (i) constructing five plasmids coding antibody components; (ii) separately expressing and purifying two antibody fragments A and B. Fragment A contains one Fab, "Knobs-into-Holes" mutations in the CH3 domain and NPU DnaEC. Fragment B contains another Fab and NPU DnaEN; (iii) mixing of fragments A and B under permissive reducing conditions in vitro to enable trans-splicing reaction; (iv) removing the reductant to allow re-oxidation of disulfide bonds; (v) isolating BsAb product from unreacted precursors by affinity chromatography. The method allows correct assembly of two heavy and two light chains to form bispecific IgG antibodies in natural structure with no synthetic linkers. No chain mispairing was observed in the product by UPLC-MASS. In addition, the observed kinetics and low reaction activation energy confirmed that the trans-splicing is thermodynamically favored reaction. The BAPTS technology is feasible for industrial applications.
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Pirzer T, Becher KS, Rieker M, Meckel T, Mootz HD, Kolmar H. Generation of Potent Anti-HER1/2 Immunotoxins by Protein Ligation Using Split Inteins. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:2058-2066. [PMID: 29920062 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell targeting protein toxins have gained increasing interest for cancer therapy aimed at increasing the therapeutic window and reducing systemic toxicity. Because recombinant expression of immunotoxins consisting of a receptor-binding and a cell-killing moiety is hampered by their high toxicity in a eukaryotic production host, most applications rely on recombinant production of fusion proteins consisting of an antibody fragment and a protein toxin in bacterial hosts such as Escherichia coli ( E. coli). These fusions often lack beneficial properties of whole antibodies like extended serum half-life or efficient endocytic uptake via receptor clustering. Here, we describe the production of full-length antibody immunotoxins using self-splicing split inteins. To this end, the short (11 amino acids) N-terminal intein part of the artificially designed split intein M86, a derivative of the Ssp DnaB intein, was recombinantly fused to the heavy chain of trastuzumab, a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor targeting antibody and to a nanobody-Fc fusion targeting the HER1 receptor, respectively. Both antibodies were produced in Expi293F cells. The longer C-terminal counterpart of the intein was genetically fused to the protein toxins gelonin or Pseudomonas Exotoxin A, respectively, and expressed in E. coli via fusion to maltose binding protein. Using optimized in vitro splicing conditions, we were able to generate a set of specific and potent immunotoxins with IC50 values in the mid- to subpicomolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pirzer
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4 , D-64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Kira-Sophie Becher
- Institute of Biochemistry , University of Münster , Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 2 , D-48149 Münster , Germany
| | - Marcel Rieker
- Antibody Drug Conjugates and Targeted NBE Therapeutics , Merck KGaA , Frankfurter Straße 250 , D-64293 Darmstadt , Germany
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies , Merck KGaA , Frankfurter Straße 250 , D-64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Tobias Meckel
- Macromolecular Chemistry & Paper Chemistry, Department of Chemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , Alarich-Weiss-Straße 8 , D-64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Henning D Mootz
- Institute of Biochemistry , University of Münster , Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 2 , D-48149 Münster , Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4 , D-64287 Darmstadt , Germany
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Xu Y, Zhang L, Ma B, Hu L, Lu H, Dou T, Chen J, Zhu J. Intermolecular disulfide bonds between unpaired cysteines retard the C-terminal trans-cleavage of Npu DnaE. Enzyme Microb Technol 2018; 118:6-12. [PMID: 30143201 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Npu DnaE is a naturally occurred split intein possessing robust trans-splicing activity and could be engineered to perform rapid C-terminal cleavage module by a single mutation D118G. Unfortunately, however, for this modified selfcleaving module, reducing agents were needed to trigger the rapid cleavage, which prevents the utilization in purification of disulfide bonds containing recombinant proteins. In this study, we demonstrated that the unpaired cysteine residues in Npu DnaE tend to form disulfide bonds, and contributed to the reduction of the cleavage under non-reducing conditions. This redox trap can be disrupted by site-directed mutation of these unpaired cysteines. The results further indicated that the position 28 and 59 may play certain roles in the correct folding of the active conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanran Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Buyong Ma
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Lifu Hu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Huili Lu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tonglu Dou
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Junsheng Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Jecho Laboratories, Inc., Frederick, MD, USA.
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Enzyme-Based Labeling Strategies for Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Antibody Mimetics. Antibodies (Basel) 2018; 7:antib7010004. [PMID: 31544857 PMCID: PMC6698867 DOI: 10.3390/antib7010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Strategies for site-specific modification of proteins have increased in number, complexity, and specificity over the last years. Such modifications hold the promise to broaden the use of existing biopharmaceuticals or to tailor novel proteins for therapeutic or diagnostic applications. The recent quest for next-generation antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) sparked research into techniques with site selectivity. While purely chemical approaches often impede control of dosage or locus of derivatization, naturally occurring enzymes and proteins bear the ability of co- or post-translational protein modifications at particular residues, thus enabling unique coupling reactions or protein fusions. This review provides a general overview and focuses on chemo-enzymatic methods including enzymes such as formylglycine-generating enzyme, sortase, and transglutaminase. Applications for the conjugation of antibodies and antibody mimetics are reported.
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