Human and mouse monoclonal antibodies to blood group A substance, which are nearly identical immunochemically, use radically different primary sequences

The preparation, characterization, and application of environment-friendly monoclonal antibodies for human blood cell

OBJECTIVES

Monoclonal anti-human blood group A (51A8) and B (63B6) antibody reagents were prepared using the serum-free technique. The aims of this research were to characterize the serum-free reagents and prove their reliabilities in routine use.

METHODS

Experiments including antigen-antibody agglutination testing, stability testing, SDS-PAGE, protein and IgM quantification, flow cytometry, and variable domain sequencing were performed to characterize the anti-A (51A8) and anti-B (63B6) reagents. Over 12 000 samples were tested using these reagents as routine blood grouping reagents.

RESULTS

Serum-free anti-A (51A8) and anti-B (63B6) reagents were stable in longitudinal and accelerated testing, and their high purity was shown in SDS-PAGE and IgM quantification. These reagents have high specificity to red blood cells in serologic agglutination testing and flow cytometric analysis. A1 and A2 subgroup antigens can be distinguished clearly by patterns of flow cytometric histograms. No discrepancy was found in clinical trials of 12 000 samples.

DISCUSSION

To reduce the risk of being affected by any animal additives, a serum-free culture system was applied to get mass-production of monoclonal anti-A/B antibodies. The high specificity and the high purity of the reagents were verified by the lab experiments.

CONCLUSION

Lab research and clinical trial showed that serum-free monoclonal anti-A (51A8) and anti-B (63B6) reagents meet the requirements of routine blood grouping reagents. Moreover, these reagents featured ultra-high purity that is missing in other commercial counterparts, and therefore are recommended as more environment-friendly reagents.

AC-1001 H3 CDR peptide induces apoptosis and signs of autophagy in vitro and exhibits antimetastatic activity in a syngeneic melanoma model

Antibody‐derived peptides modulate functions of the immune system and are a source of anti‐infective and antitumor substances. Recent studies have shown that they comprise amino acid sequences of immunoglobulin complementarity‐determining regions, but also fragments of constant regions. V_H CDR3 of murine mAb AC‐1001 displays antimetastatic activities using B16F10‐Nex2 murine melanoma cells in a syngeneic model. The peptide was cytotoxic in vitro in murine and human melanoma cells inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis by the intrinsic pathway. Signs of autophagy were also suggested by the increased expression of LC3/LC3II and Beclin 1 and by ultrastructural evidence. AC‐1001 H3 bound to both G‐ and F‐actin and inhibited tumor cell migration. These results are important evidence of the antitumor activity of Ig CDR‐derived peptides.

Antibody complementarity-determining regions (CDRs): a bridge between adaptive and innate immunity

BACKGROUND

It has been documented that, independently from the specificity of the native antibody (Ab) for a given antigen (Ag), complementarity determining regions (CDR)-related peptides may display differential antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor activities.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

In this study we demonstrate that a synthetic peptide with sequence identical to V(H)CDR3 of a mouse monoclonal Ab (mAb) specific for difucosyl human blood group A is easily taken up by macrophages with subsequent stimulation of: i) proinflammatory cytokine production; ii) PI3K-Akt pathway and iii) TLR-4 expression. Significantly, V(H)CDR3 exerts therapeutic effect against systemic candidiasis without possessing direct candidacidal properties.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

These results open a new scenario about the possibility that, beyond the half life of immunoglobulins, Ab fragments may effectively influence the antiinfective cellular immune response in a way reminiscent of regulatory peptides of innate immunity.

Antibody complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) can display differential antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor activities

BACKGROUND

Complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) are immunoglobulin (Ig) hypervariable domains that determine specific antibody (Ab) binding. We have shown that synthetic CDR-related peptides and many decapeptides spanning the variable region of a recombinant yeast killer toxin-like antiidiotypic Ab are candidacidal in vitro. An alanine-substituted decapeptide from the variable region of this Ab displayed increased cytotoxicity in vitro and/or therapeutic effects in vivo against various bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. The possibility that isolated CDRs, represented by short synthetic peptides, may display antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor activities irrespective of Ab specificity for a given antigen is addressed here.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

CDR-based synthetic peptides of murine and human monoclonal Abs directed to: a) a protein epitope of Candida albicans cell wall stress mannoprotein; b) a synthetic peptide containing well-characterized B-cell and T-cell epitopes; c) a carbohydrate blood group A substance, showed differential inhibitory activities in vitro, ex vivo and/or in vivo against C. albicans, HIV-1 and B16F10-Nex2 melanoma cells, conceivably involving different mechanisms of action. Antitumor activities involved peptide-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis. Engineered peptides, obtained by alanine substitution of Ig CDR sequences, and used as surrogates of natural point mutations, showed further differential increased/unaltered/decreased antimicrobial, antiviral and/or antitumor activities. The inhibitory effects observed were largely independent of the specificity of the native Ab and involved chiefly germline encoded CDR1 and CDR2 of light and heavy chains.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The high frequency of bioactive peptides based on CDRs suggests that Ig molecules are sources of an unlimited number of sequences potentially active against infectious agents and tumor cells. The easy production and low cost of small sized synthetic peptides representing Ig CDRs and the possibility of peptide engineering and chemical optimization associated to new delivery mechanisms are expected to give rise to a new generation of therapeutic agents.

Molecular characterization of a human monoclonal antibody to B antigen in ABO blood type

A human anti-B antibody of clone BT97 was obtained from a healthy individual of type A of the ABO blood group without immunization. Cloning was performed by means of heterohybridoma formation of cell fusion between human peripheral lymphocytes and mouse myeloma cells. The antibody selectively reacted with B-antigen in flow cytometry using red blood cells and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The VH and VL genes of BT97 were derived from the germline genes of DP-47 and 3p.81A4, respectively, with a couple of somatic mutational events. Comparative analysis with other reported anti-A, B and H antibodies revealed that the amino acid sequence of the VH region was more homologous than that of the VL region. The sequence of BT97 showed complete identity with one anti-H natural antibody reported by Marks et al., with the exception of the CDR3 region. It is not known whether the homologies include the common properties of the natural antibodies; however, a particular germline gene potentially changes to anti-ABH antibodies. We think that this method is suitable for cDNA preparation of human monoclonal antibodies to blood group antigens and for sequence analysis.

Section 5: Structural/genetic analysis of mAbs to blood group antigens. Coordinator's report

The heavy and light chain immunoglobulin variable region nucleotide sequences for 219 mAbs to human red blood cells were collected from workshop participants, published reports, and Genbank. Information regarding antigen specificity, species of origin, method of cloning, and other relevant serological properties was correlated with the sequence data. Immunoglobulin sequences were analyzed to determine the heavy- and light-chain immunoglobulin genes used and the overall extent of somatic mutation from germline configuration. Approximately 50% of the sequences encoded antibodies with Rh(D) specificity with the remaining sequences encoding mAbs to other Rh-related antigens, antigens of the ABO, MNS, and Kell blood group systems, and several others. Surprisingly, no sequence data were available for mAbs with specificity for a number of common Rh antigens, common Kell antigens, or antigens of the Lewis, Kidd, or Duffy blood group systems. The majority of mAbs were of human origin but included a significant number of macaque mAbs, murine mAbs, and a small number of synthetically-designed recombinant antibodies. Both cellular (EBV-transformation, cell fusion) and molecular (phage display) approaches were used for antibody cloning. Analysis of certain groups of sequences demonstrated patterns of immunoglobulin gene restriction, repertoire shift, and somatic mutation. Analysis of other mAbs demonstrated the value of antibody sequence data for the design and production of novel reagents useful in blood group serology.

Molecular characterization of a monoclonal murine anti-blood group A antibody

A mouse monoclonal anti-human blood group A antigen (AC12, mu, kappa) has been generated and sequenced in order to analyze the immunoglobulin genes used to generate antibodies with anti-human blood group A specificity. Mice were immunized with human type A RBC. Anti-A producing hybridomas were detected by agglutination against human type A RBC. Total cellular RNA was extracted from hybridomas cells. PCR amplification and sequencing of anti-A heavy and light chain cDNAs were performed. The VH and VK sequences of antibody AC12 were shown to be very homologous to that used by other antibodies recognizing carbohydrates as well as glycoproteins, peptides or haptens constituting self antigens as well as nonself antigens. The VH sequence of antibody AC12 presented important homology with a previously reported monoclonal anti-blood group B antibody. The antibody AC12 also presented homology with the VH and VK sequences of a previously reported human anti-blood group A antibody which contributes additional evidence in favor of a restricted usage of V segments by antibodies directed against red blood antigens.

Treatment of B-Cell Lymphoma With Chimeric IgG and Single-Chain Fv Antibody–Interleukin-2 Fusion Proteins

Anti-idiotype (Id) antibodies (Abs) have been shown to be effective in treatment of B-cell lymphoma in animal models and in clinical trials. The combination of interleukin-2 (IL-2) can augment the therapeutic effect of anti-Id Abs. To further improve the power of the combined therapy, a monoclonal anti-Id Ab, S5A8, specifically recognizing a murine B-cell lymphoma 38C13, was genetically modified to contain the IL-2 domain and thus use the unique targeting ability of Abs to direct IL-2 to the tumor site. Two forms of the anti-Id–IL-2 fusion proteins were constructed: one configuration consisting of mouse-human chimeric IgG (chS5A8–IL-2) and the other containing only the variable light (VL) and variable heavy (VH) Ab domains covalently connected by a peptide linker (scFvS5A8-IL-2). Both forms of the anti-Id–IL-2 fusion proteins retained IL-2 biological activities and were equivalent in potentiating tumor cell lysis in vitro. In contrast, the antigen-binding ability of scFvS5A8–IL-2 was 30- to 40-fold lower than that of the bivalent chS5A8–IL-2. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that scFvS5A8–IL-2 was eliminated about 20 times faster than chS5A8–IL-2. Finally, it was shown that chS5A8–IL-2 was very proficient in inhibiting 38C13 tumor growth in vivo, more effectively than a combined therapy with anti-Id Abs and IL-2, whereas scFvS5A8–IL-2 did not show any therapeutic effect. These results demonstrate that the anti-Id–IL-2 fusion protein represents a potent reagent for treatment for B-cell lymphoma and that the intact IgG fusion protein is far more effective than its single-chain counterpart.

© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

Treatment of B-Cell Lymphoma With Chimeric IgG and Single-Chain Fv Antibody–Interleukin-2 Fusion Proteins

Anti-idiotype (Id) antibodies (Abs) have been shown to be effective in treatment of B-cell lymphoma in animal models and in clinical trials. The combination of interleukin-2 (IL-2) can augment the therapeutic effect of anti-Id Abs. To further improve the power of the combined therapy, a monoclonal anti-Id Ab, S5A8, specifically recognizing a murine B-cell lymphoma 38C13, was genetically modified to contain the IL-2 domain and thus use the unique targeting ability of Abs to direct IL-2 to the tumor site. Two forms of the anti-Id–IL-2 fusion proteins were constructed: one configuration consisting of mouse-human chimeric IgG (chS5A8–IL-2) and the other containing only the variable light (VL) and variable heavy (VH) Ab domains covalently connected by a peptide linker (scFvS5A8-IL-2). Both forms of the anti-Id–IL-2 fusion proteins retained IL-2 biological activities and were equivalent in potentiating tumor cell lysis in vitro. In contrast, the antigen-binding ability of scFvS5A8–IL-2 was 30- to 40-fold lower than that of the bivalent chS5A8–IL-2. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that scFvS5A8–IL-2 was eliminated about 20 times faster than chS5A8–IL-2. Finally, it was shown that chS5A8–IL-2 was very proficient in inhibiting 38C13 tumor growth in vivo, more effectively than a combined therapy with anti-Id Abs and IL-2, whereas scFvS5A8–IL-2 did not show any therapeutic effect. These results demonstrate that the anti-Id–IL-2 fusion protein represents a potent reagent for treatment for B-cell lymphoma and that the intact IgG fusion protein is far more effective than its single-chain counterpart.

© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.