1
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Rong Y, Chen IL, Larrabee L, Sawant MS, Fuh G, Koenig P. An Engineered Mouse Model That Generates a Diverse Repertoire of Endogenous, High-Affinity Common Light Chain Antibodies. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:14. [PMID: 38390875 PMCID: PMC10885109 DOI: 10.3390/antib13010014] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies have gained increasing popularity as therapeutics as they enable novel activities that cannot be achieved with monospecific antibodies. Some of the most popular bispecific formats are molecules in which two Fab arms with different antigen specificities are combined into one IgG-like molecule. One way to produce these bispecific molecules requires the discovery of antibodies against the two antigens of interest that share a common light chain. Here, we present the generation and characterization of a common light chain mouse model, in which the endogenous IGKJ cluster is replaced with a prearranged, modified murine IGKV10-96/IGKJ1 segment. We demonstrate that genetic modification does not impact B-cell development. Upon immunization with ovalbumin, the animals generate an antibody repertoire with VH gene segment usage of a similar diversity to wildtype mice, while the light chain diversity is restricted to antibodies derived from the prearranged IGKV10-96/IGKJ1 germline. We further show that the clonotype diversity of the common light chain immune repertoire matches the diversity of immune repertoire isolated from wildtype mice. Finally, the common light chain anti-ovalbumin antibodies have only slightly lower affinities than antibodies isolated from wildtype mice, demonstrating the suitability of these animals for antibody discovery for bispecific antibody generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Rong
- 23andMe, Inc. Therapeutics, 349 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - I-Ling Chen
- 23andMe, Inc. Therapeutics, 349 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Lance Larrabee
- 23andMe, Inc. Therapeutics, 349 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Manali S Sawant
- 23andMe, Inc. Therapeutics, 349 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Germaine Fuh
- 23andMe, Inc. Therapeutics, 349 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Patrick Koenig
- 23andMe, Inc. Therapeutics, 349 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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2
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Madsen AV, Pedersen LE, Kristensen P, Goletz S. Design and engineering of bispecific antibodies: insights and practical considerations. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1352014. [PMID: 38333084 PMCID: PMC10850309 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1352014] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) have attracted significant attention due to their dual binding activity, which permits simultaneous targeting of antigens and synergistic binding effects beyond what can be obtained even with combinations of conventional monospecific antibodies. Despite the tremendous therapeutic potential, the design and construction of bsAbs are often hampered by practical issues arising from the increased structural complexity as compared to conventional monospecific antibodies. The issues are diverse in nature, spanning from decreased biophysical stability from fusion of exogenous antigen-binding domains to antibody chain mispairing leading to formation of antibody-related impurities that are very difficult to remove. The added complexity requires judicious design considerations as well as extensive molecular engineering to ensure formation of high quality bsAbs with the intended mode of action and favorable drug-like qualities. In this review, we highlight and summarize some of the key considerations in design of bsAbs as well as state-of-the-art engineering principles that can be applied in efficient construction of bsAbs with diverse molecular formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas V. Madsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lasse E. Pedersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Kristensen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Steffen Goletz
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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3
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Nyesiga B, Levin M, Säll A, Rosén A, Jansson K, Fritzell S, Hägerbrand K, Weilguny D, von Schantz L. RUBY® - a tetravalent (2+2) bispecific antibody format with excellent functionality and IgG-like stability, pharmacology and developability properties. MAbs 2024; 16:2330113. [PMID: 38527972 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2330113] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the large number of existing bispecific antibody (bsAb) formats, the generation of novel bsAbs is still associated with development and bioprocessing challenges. Here, we present RUBY, a novel bispecific antibody format that allows rapid generation of bsAbs that fulfill key development criteria. The RUBYTM format has a 2 + 2 geometry, where two Fab fragments are linked via their light chains to the C-termini of an IgG, and carries mutations for optimal chain pairing. The unique design enables generation of bsAbs with mAb-like attributes. Our data demonstrate that RUBY bsAbs are compatible with small-scale production systems for screening purposes and can be produced at high yields (>3 g/L) from stable cell lines. The bsAbs produced are shown to, in general, contain low amounts of aggregates and display favorable solubility and stress endurance profiles. Further, compatibility with various IgG isotypes is shown and tailored Fc gamma receptor binding confirmed. Also, retained interaction with FcRn is demonstrated to translate into a pharmacokinetic profile in mice and non-human primates that is comparable to mAb controls. Functionality of conditional active RUBY bsAbs is confirmed in vitro. Anti-tumor effects in vivo have previously been demonstrated, and shown to be superior to a comparable mAb, and here it is further shown that RUBY bsAbs penetrate and localize to tumor tissue in vivo. In all, the RUBY format has attractive mAb-like attributes and offers the possibility to mitigate many of the development challenges linked to other bsAb formats, facilitating both high functionality and developability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnabas Nyesiga
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
- Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Mattias Levin
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Säll
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Rosén
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kim Jansson
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Fritzell
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
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4
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Mullin M, McClory J, Haynes W, Grace J, Robertson N, van Heeke G. Applications and challenges in designing VHH-based bispecific antibodies: leveraging machine learning solutions. MAbs 2024; 16:2341443. [PMID: 38666503 PMCID: PMC11057648 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2341443] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of bispecific antibodies that bind at least two different targets relies on bringing together multiple binding domains with different binding properties and biophysical characteristics to produce a drug-like therapeutic. These building blocks play an important role in the overall quality of the molecule and can influence many important aspects from potency and specificity to stability and half-life. Single-domain antibodies, particularly camelid-derived variable heavy domain of heavy chain (VHH) antibodies, are becoming an increasingly popular choice for bispecific construction due to their single-domain modularity, favorable biophysical properties, and potential to work in multiple antibody formats. Here, we review the use of VHH domains as building blocks in the construction of multispecific antibodies and the challenges in creating optimized molecules. In addition to exploring traditional approaches to VHH development, we review the integration of machine learning techniques at various stages of the process. Specifically, the utilization of machine learning for structural prediction, lead identification, lead optimization, and humanization of VHH antibodies.
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5
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Yanakieva D, Vollmer L, Evers A, Siegmund V, Arras P, Pekar L, Doerner A, Valldorf B, Kolmar H, Zielonka S, Krah S. Cattle-derived knob paratopes grafted onto peripheral loops of the IgG1 Fc region enable the generation of a novel symmetric bispecific antibody format. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1238313. [PMID: 37942319 PMCID: PMC10628450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1238313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work we present a novel symmetric bispecific antibody format based on engraftments of cattle-derived knob paratopes onto peripheral loops of the IgG1 Fc region. For this, knob architectures obtained from bovine ultralong CDR-H3 antibodies were inserted into the AB loop or EF loop of the CH3 domain, enabling the introduction of an artificial binding specificity into an IgG molecule. We demonstrate that inserted knob domains largely retain their binding affinities, resulting into bispecific antibody derivatives versatile for effector cell redirection. Essentially, generated bispecifics demonstrated adequate biophysical properties and were not compromised in their Fc mediated functionalities such as FcRn or FcγRIIIa binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desislava Yanakieva
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lena Vollmer
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Evers
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Vanessa Siegmund
- Early Protein Supply and Characterization, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Arras
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Achim Doerner
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Simon Krah
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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6
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Abdeldaim DT, Schindowski K. Fc-Engineered Therapeutic Antibodies: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2402. [PMID: 37896162 PMCID: PMC10610324 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal therapeutic antibodies have revolutionized the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Fc engineering aims to enhance the effector functions or half-life of therapeutic antibodies by modifying their Fc regions. Recent advances in the Fc engineering of modern therapeutic antibodies can be considered the next generation of antibody therapy. Various strategies are employed, including altering glycosylation patterns via glycoengineering and introducing mutations to the Fc region, thereby enhancing Fc receptor or complement interactions. Further, Fc engineering strategies enable the generation of bispecific IgG-based heterodimeric antibodies. As Fc engineering techniques continue to evolve, an expanding portfolio of Fc-engineered antibodies is advancing through clinical development, with several already approved for medical use. Despite the plethora of Fc-based mutations that have been analyzed in in vitro and in vivo models, we focus here in this review on the relevant Fc engineering strategies of approved therapeutic antibodies to finetune effector functions, to modify half-life and to stabilize asymmetric bispecific IgGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia T. Abdeldaim
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, 88400 Biberach, Germany;
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Schindowski
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, 88400 Biberach, Germany;
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7
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Ziegengeist T, Orth J, Kroll K, Schneider M, Spindler N, Dimova D, Handschuh S, Brandenburg A, Ossola R, Furtmann N, Birkenfeld J, Beil C, Hoffmann D, Schmidt T, Sendak R, Fischer M, Hölper S, Kühn J. High-Throughput and Format-Agnostic Mispairing Assay for Multispecific Antibodies Using Intact Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2023. [PMID: 37369001 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Multispecific antibodies have gained significant importance in a broad indication space due to their ability to engage multiple epitopes simultaneously and to thereby overcome therapeutic barriers. With growing therapeutic potential, however, the molecular complexity increases, thus intensifying the demand for innovative protein engineering and analytical strategies. A major challenge for multispecific antibodies is the correct assembly of light and heavy chains. Engineering strategies exist to stabilize the correct pairing, but typically individual engineering campaigns are required to arrive at the anticipated format. Mass spectrometry has proven to be a versatile tool to identify mispaired species. However, due to manual data analysis procedures, mass spectrometry is limited to lower throughputs. To keep pace with increasing sample numbers, we developed a high-throughput-capable mispairing workflow based on intact mass spectrometry with automated data analysis, peak detection, and relative quantification using Genedata Expressionist. This workflow is capable of detecting mispaired species of ∼1000 multispecific antibodies in three weeks and thus is applicable to complex screening campaigns. As a proof of concept, the assay was applied to engineering a trispecific antibody. Strikingly, the new setup has not only proved successful in mispairing analysis but has also revealed its potential to automatically annotate other product-related impurities. Furthermore, we could confirm the assay to be format-agnostic, as shown by analyzing several different multispecific formats in one run. With these comprehensive capabilities, the new automated intact mass workflow can be applied as a universal tool to detect and annotate peaks in a format-agnostic approach and in high-throughput, thus enabling complex discovery campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Ziegengeist
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Jennifer Orth
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Katja Kroll
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Marion Schneider
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Nadja Spindler
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Dilyana Dimova
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Severin Handschuh
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | | | | | - Norbert Furtmann
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Joerg Birkenfeld
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
- Perspix Biotech GmbH FiZ Frankfurt Innovation Center Biotechnology, Frankfurt 60438, Germany
| | - Christian Beil
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Dietmar Hoffmann
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, United States
| | - Thorsten Schmidt
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Rebecca Sendak
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, United States
| | - Melanie Fischer
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Soraya Hölper
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kühn
- Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt 65926, Germany
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8
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Koga H, Yamano T, Betancur J, Nagatomo S, Ikeda Y, Yamaguchi K, Nabuchi Y, Sato K, Teranishi-Ikawa Y, Sato M, Hirayama H, Hayasaka A, Torizawa T, Haraya K, Sampei Z, Shiraiwa H, Kitazawa T, Igawa T, Kuramochi T. Efficient production of bispecific antibody by FAST-Ig TM and its application to NXT007 for the treatment of hemophilia A. MAbs 2023; 15:2222441. [PMID: 37339067 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2222441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient production of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) in single mammalian cells is essential for basic research and industrial manufacturing. However, preventing unwanted pairing of heavy chains (HCs) and light chains (LCs) is a challenging task. To address this, we created an engineering technology for preferential cognate HC/LC and HC/HC paring called FAST-Ig (Four-chain Assembly by electrostatic Steering Technology - Immunoglobulin), and applied it to NXT007, a BsAb for the treatment of hemophilia A. We introduced charged amino-acid substitutions at the HC/LC interface to facilitate the proper assembly for manufacturing a standard IgG-type BsAb. We generated CH1/CL interface-engineered antibody variants that achieved > 95% correct HC/LC pairing efficiency with favorable pharmacological properties and developability. Among these, we selected a design (C3) that allowed us to separate the mis-paired species with an unintended pharmacological profile using ion-exchange chromatography. Crystal structure analysis demonstrated that the C3 design did not affect the overall structure of both Fabs. To determine the final design for HCs-heterodimerization, we compared the stability of charge-based and knobs into hole-based Fc formats in acidic conditions and selected the more stable charge-based format. FAST-Ig was also applicable to stable CHO cell lines for industrial production and demonstrated robust chain pairing with different subclasses of parent BsAbs. Thus, it can be applied to a wide variety of BsAbs both preclinically and clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Koga
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamano
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Juan Betancur
- API Process Development Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Ukima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoko Nagatomo
- Analytical Development Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ukima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yousuke Ikeda
- Analytical Development Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ukima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Yamaguchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nabuchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sato
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Motohiko Sato
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hirayama
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akira Hayasaka
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Torizawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenta Haraya
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Zenjiro Sampei
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hirotake Shiraiwa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takehisa Kitazawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Igawa
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taichi Kuramochi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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9
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Bagert JD, Oganesyan V, Chiang CI, Iannotti M, Lin J, Yang C, Payne S, McMahon W, Edwards S, Dippel A, Hutchinson M, Huang F, Aleti V, Niu C, Qian C, Denham J, Ferreira S, Pradhan P, Penney M, Wang C, Liu W, Walseng E, Mazor Y. Robust production of monovalent bispecific IgG antibodies through novel electrostatic steering mutations at the C H1-C λ interface. MAbs 2023; 15:2273449. [PMID: 37930310 PMCID: PMC10629431 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2273449] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies represent an increasingly large fraction of biologics in therapeutic development due to their expanded scope in functional capabilities. Asymmetric monovalent bispecific IgGs (bsIgGs) have the additional advantage of maintaining a native antibody-like structure, which can provide favorable pharmacology and pharmacokinetic profiles. The production of correctly assembled asymmetric monovalent bsIgGs, however, is a complex engineering endeavor due to the propensity for non-cognate heavy and light chains to mis-pair. Previously, we introduced the DuetMab platform as a general solution for the production of bsIgGs, which utilizes an engineered interchain disulfide bond in one of the CH1-CL domains to promote orthogonal chain pairing between heavy and light chains. While highly effective in promoting cognate heavy and light chain pairing, residual chain mispairing could be detected for specific combinations of Fv pairs. Here, we present enhancements to the DuetMab design that improve chain pairing and production through the introduction of novel electrostatic steering mutations at the CH1-CL interface with lambda light chains (CH1-Cλ). These mutations work together with previously established charge-pair mutations at the CH1-CL interface with kappa light chains (CH1-Cκ) and Fab disulfide engineering to promote cognate heavy and light chain pairing and enable the reliable production of bsIgGs. Importantly, these enhanced DuetMabs do not require engineering of the variable domains and are robust when applied to a panel of bsIgGs with diverse Fv sequences. We present a comprehensive biochemical, biophysical, and functional characterization of the resulting DuetMabs to demonstrate compatibility with industrial production benchmarks. Overall, this enhanced DuetMab platform substantially streamlines process development of these disruptive biotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Bagert
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | - Chi-I Chiang
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Mike Iannotti
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Jia Lin
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Chunning Yang
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Sterling Payne
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Will McMahon
- Process and Analytical Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Samuel Edwards
- Process and Analytical Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Dippel
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | - Fengying Huang
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Vineela Aleti
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Chendi Niu
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Chen Qian
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Denham
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Sofia Ferreira
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pallab Pradhan
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Mark Penney
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Chunlei Wang
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Wenhai Liu
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Even Walseng
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Yariv Mazor
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
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10
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Estes B, Sudom A, Gong D, Whittington DA, Li V, Mohr C, Li D, Riley TP, Shi SDH, Zhang J, Garces F, Wang Z. Next generation Fc scaffold for multispecific antibodies. iScience 2021; 24:103447. [PMID: 34877503 PMCID: PMC8633962 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (Bispecifics) demonstrate exceptional clinical potential to address some of the most complex diseases. However, Bispecific production in a single cell often requires the correct pairing of multiple polypeptide chains for desired assembly. This is a considerable hurdle that hinders the development of many immunoglobulin G (IgG)-like bispecific formats. Our approach focuses on the rational engineering of charged residues to facilitate the chain pairing of distinct heavy chains (HC). Here, we deploy structure-guided protein design to engineer charge pair mutations (CPMs) placed in the CH3-CH3' interface of the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of an antibody (Ab) to correctly steer heavy chain pairing. When used in combination with our stable effector functionless 2 (SEFL2.2) technology, we observed high pairing efficiency without significant losses in expression yields. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between CPMs and the sequence diversity in the parental antibodies, proposing a rational strategy to deploy these engineering technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Estes
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Athena Sudom
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Danyang Gong
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Douglas A. Whittington
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Vivian Li
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Christopher Mohr
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Danqing Li
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Timothy P. Riley
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Stone D.-H. Shi
- Department of Process Development, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Process Development, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Fernando Garces
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Zhulun Wang
- Department of Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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11
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Li Y. IgG-like bispecific antibody platforms with built-in purification-facilitating elements. Protein Expr Purif 2021; 188:105955. [PMID: 34416361 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2021.105955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Assembly of IgG-like asymmetric bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) requires heavy chain heterodimerization and cognate heavy-light chain pairings. Multiple strategies have been developed to solve these chain association issues. While these strategies greatly promote correct chain pairing, they normally cannot prevent low amount of chain mispaired byproducts from being generated. Besides, byproducts can also be generated as a result of discordant chain expression. The existence of various byproducts poses considerable challenges to downstream processing during the production of recombinant IgG-like bsAbs. In many cases, yield is greatly compromised for purity improvement. This mini review introduces eight IgG-like bsAb platforms, which share a common feature: they all contain built-in purification-facilitating elements in addition to chain pairing control designs. These platforms, by simultaneously providing solutions to the two issues associated with bsAb production (i.e., correct chain pairing and efficient purification), improve both efficiency and robustness of bsAb production.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Bispecific/chemistry
- Antibodies, Bispecific/genetics
- Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology
- Antibodies, Bispecific/isolation & purification
- Chromatography, Gel/methods
- Chromatography, Ion Exchange/methods
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/chemistry
- Immunoglobulin G/genetics
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/isolation & purification
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/chemistry
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/immunology
- Immunoglobulin Light Chains/chemistry
- Immunoglobulin Light Chains/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Light Chains/immunology
- Isoelectric Point
- Protein Binding
- Protein Engineering/methods
- Protein Multimerization
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Staphylococcal Protein A/chemistry
- Staphylococcal Protein A/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Li
- Technology and Process Development (TPD), WuXi Biologics, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai, 200131, China.
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12
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Lin CW, Zheng T, Grande G, Nanna AR, Rader C, Lerner RA. A new immunochemical strategy for triple-negative breast cancer therapy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14875. [PMID: 34290315 PMCID: PMC8295383 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94230-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly diverse group of malignant neoplasms which tend to have poor outcomes, and the development of new targets and strategies to treat these cancers is sorely needed. Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy has been shown to be a promising targeted therapy for treating many cancers, but has only rarely been tried in patients with TNBC. A major reason the efficacy of ADC therapy in the setting of TNBC has not been more fully investigated is the lack of appropriate target molecules. In this work we were able to identify an effective TNBC target for use in immunotherapy. We were guided by our previous observation that in some breast cancer patients the protein tropomyosin receptor kinase B cell surface protein (TrkB) had become immunogenic, suggesting that it was somehow sufficiently chemically different enough (presumably by mutation) to escaped immune tolerance. We postulated that this difference might well offer a means for selective targeting by antibodies. We engineered site-specific ADCs using a dual variable domain (DVD) format which combines anti-TrkB antibody with the h38C2 catalytic antibody. This format enables rapid, one-step, and homogeneous conjugation of β-lactam-derivatized drugs. Following conjugation to β-lactam-derivatized monomethyl auristatin F, the TrkB-targeting DVD-ADCs showed potency against multiple breast cancer cell lines, including TNBC cell lines. In addition, our isolation of antibody that specifically recognized the breast cancer-associated mutant form of TrkB, but not the wild type TrkB, indicates the possibility of further refining the selectivity of anti-TrkB DVD-ADCs, which should enhance their therapeutic index. These results confirmed our supposition that TrkB is a potential target for immunotherapy for TNBC, as well as for other cancers with mutated cell surface proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Lin
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Tianqing Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Geramie Grande
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alex R Nanna
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Christoph Rader
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Richard A Lerner
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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13
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Guo C, Chen F, Xiao Q, Catterall HB, Robinson JH, Wang Z, Mock M, Hubert R. Expression liabilities in a four-chain bispecific molecule. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:3744-3759. [PMID: 34110008 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Multispecific antibodies, often composed of three to five polypeptide chains, have become increasingly relevant in the development of biotherapeutics. These molecules have mechanisms of action that include redirecting T cells to tumors and blocking multiple pathogenic mediators simultaneously. One of the major challenges for asymmetric multispecific antibodies is generating a high proportion of the correctly paired antibody during production. To understand the causes and effects of chain mispairing impurities in a difficult to express multispecific hetero-IgG, we investigated consequences of individual and pairwise chain expression in mammalian transient expression hosts. We found that one of the two light chains (LC) was not secretion competent when transfected individually or cotransfected with the noncognate heavy chain (HC). Overexpression of this secretion impaired LC reduced cell growth while inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) expression. The majority of this LC was observed as monomer with incomplete intrachain disulfide bonds when expressed individually. Russell bodies (RB) were induced when this LC was co-expressed with the cognate HC. Moreover, one HC paired promiscuously with noncognate LC. These results identify the causes for the low product quality observed from stable cell lines expressing this heteroIgG and suggest mitigation strategies to improve overall process productivity of the correctly paired multispecific antibody. The approach described here provides a general strategy for identifying the molecular and cellular liabilities associated with difficult to express multispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai Guo
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Fuyi Chen
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Qiang Xiao
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Hannah B Catterall
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - John H Robinson
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Zhulun Wang
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marissa Mock
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - René Hubert
- Department of Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
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14
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Shi J, Chen X, Diao J, Jiang L, Li L, Li S, Liang W, Jin X, Wang Y, Wong C, Zhang XT, Tse FLS. Bioanalysis in the Age of New Drug Modalities. AAPS JOURNAL 2021; 23:64. [PMID: 33942188 PMCID: PMC8093172 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00594-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the absence of regulatory guidelines for the bioanalysis of new drug modalities, many of which contain multiple functional domains, bioanalytical strategies have been carefully designed to characterize the intact drug and each functional domain in terms of quantity, functionality, biotransformation, and immunogenicity. The present review focuses on the bioanalytical challenges and considerations for RNA-based drugs, bispecific antibodies and multi-domain protein therapeutics, prodrugs, gene and cell therapies, and fusion proteins. Methods ranging from the conventional ligand binding assays and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assays to quantitative polymerase chain reaction or flow cytometry often used for oligonucleotides and cell and gene therapies are discussed. Best practices for method selection and validation are proposed as well as a future perspective to address the bioanalytical needs of complex modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shi
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China.
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Jianbo Diao
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Liying Jiang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Lan Li
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Stephen Li
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Wenzhong Liang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Xiaoying Jin
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Colton Wong
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Xiaolong Tom Zhang
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Francis L S Tse
- Bioanalytical Services Department, WuXi AppTec, 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, 200131, China
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15
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Zhong X, D’Antona AM. Recent Advances in the Molecular Design and Applications of Multispecific Biotherapeutics. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:13. [PMID: 33808165 PMCID: PMC8103270 DOI: 10.3390/antib10020013] [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: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant protein-based biotherapeutics drugs have transformed clinical pipelines of the biopharmaceutical industry since the launch of recombinant insulin nearly four decades ago. These biologic drugs are structurally more complex than small molecules, and yet share a similar principle for rational drug discovery and development: That is to start with a pre-defined target and follow with the functional modulation with a therapeutic agent. Despite these tremendous successes, this "one target one drug" paradigm has been challenged by complex disease mechanisms that involve multiple pathways and demand new therapeutic routes. A rapidly evolving wave of multispecific biotherapeutics is coming into focus. These new therapeutic drugs are able to engage two or more protein targets via distinct binding interfaces with or without the chemical conjugation to large or small molecules. They possess the potential to not only address disease intricacy but also exploit new therapeutic mechanisms and assess undruggable targets for conventional monospecific biologics. This review focuses on the recent advances in molecular design and applications of major classes of multispecific biotherapeutics drugs, which include immune cells engagers, antibody-drug conjugates, multispecific tetherbodies, biologic matchmakers, and small-scaffold multispecific modalities. Challenges posed by the multispecific biotherapeutics drugs and their future outlooks are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Zhong
- Department of BioMedicine Design, Medicinal Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
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16
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17
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Surowka M, Schaefer W, Klein C. Ten years in the making: application of CrossMab technology for the development of therapeutic bispecific antibodies and antibody fusion proteins. MAbs 2021; 13:1967714. [PMID: 34491877 PMCID: PMC8425689 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2021.1967714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies have recently attracted intense interest. CrossMab technology was described in 2011 as novel approach enabling correct antibody light-chain association with their respective heavy chain in bispecific antibodies, together with methods enabling correct heavy-chain association using existing pairs of antibodies. Since the original description, CrossMab technology has evolved in the past decade into one of the most mature, versatile, and broadly applied technologies in the field, and nearly 20 bispecific antibodies based on CrossMab technology developed by Roche and others have entered clinical trials. The most advanced of these are the Ang-2/VEGF bispecific antibody faricimab, currently undergoing regulatory review, and the CD20/CD3 T cell bispecific antibody glofitamab, currently in pivotal Phase 3 trials. In this review, we introduce the principles of CrossMab technology, including its application for the generation of bi-/multispecific antibodies with different geometries and mechanisms of action, and provide an overview of CrossMab-based therapeutics in clinical trials.
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18
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Bringing the Heavy Chain to Light: Creating a Symmetric, Bivalent IgG-Like Bispecific. Antibodies (Basel) 2020; 9:antib9040062. [PMID: 33172091 PMCID: PMC7709125 DOI: 10.3390/antib9040062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific molecules are biologically significant, yet their complex structures pose important manufacturing and pharmacokinetic challenges. Nevertheless, owing to similarities with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), IgG-like bispecifics conceptually align well with conventional expression and manufacturing platforms and often exhibit potentially favorable drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties. However, IgG-like bispecifics do not possess target bivalency and current designs often require tedious engineering and purification to ensure appropriate chain pairing. Here, we present a near-native IgG antibody format, the 2xVH, which can create bivalency for each target or epitope and requires no engineering for cognate chain pairing. In this modality, two different variable heavy (VH) domains with distinct binding specificities are grafted onto the first constant heavy (CH1) and constant light (CL) domains, conferring the molecule with dual specificity. To determine the versatility of this format, we characterized the expression, binding, and stability of several previously identified soluble human VH domains. By grafting these domains onto an IgG scaffold, we generated several prototype 2xVH IgG and Fab molecules that display similar properties to mAbs. These molecules avoided the post-expression purification necessary for engineered bispecifics while maintaining a capacity for simultaneous dual binding. Hence, the 2xVH format represents a bivalent, bispecific design that addresses limitations of manufacturing IgG-like bispecifics while promoting biologically-relevant dual target engagement.
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19
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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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20
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High-Throughput Generation of Bipod (Fab × scFv) Bispecific Antibodies Exploits Differential Chain Expression and Affinity Capture. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7557. [PMID: 32372058 PMCID: PMC7200789 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64536-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Generation of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) having two unique Fab domains requires heterodimerization of the two heavy chains and pairing of each heavy chain with its cognate light chain. An alternative bispecific scaffold (Bipod) comprising an scFv and a Fab on a heterodimeric Fc eliminates the possibility of light chain mispairing. However, unpredictable levels of chain expression and scFv-induced aggregation can complicate purification and reduce the yield of desired Bipod. Here, we describe a high-throughput method for generation of Bipods based on protein A and CH1 domain affinity capture. This method exploits over-expression of the scFv chain to maximize heterodimer yield. Bipods purified by this method have purity suitable for cell-based functional assays and in vivo studies.
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21
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Nie S, Wang Z, Moscoso-Castro M, D'Souza P, Lei C, Xu J, Gu J. Biology drives the discovery of bispecific antibodies as innovative therapeutics. Antib Ther 2020; 3:18-62. [PMID: 33928225 PMCID: PMC7990219 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A bispecific antibody (bsAb) is able to bind two different targets or two distinct epitopes on the same target. Broadly speaking, bsAbs can include any single molecule entity containing dual specificities with at least one being antigen-binding antibody domain. Besides additive effect or synergistic effect, the most fascinating applications of bsAbs are to enable novel and often therapeutically important concepts otherwise impossible by using monoclonal antibodies alone or their combination. This so-called obligate bsAbs could open up completely new avenue for developing novel therapeutics. With evolving understanding of structural architecture of various natural or engineered antigen-binding immunoglobulin domains and the connection of different domains of an immunoglobulin molecule, and with greatly improved understanding of molecular mechanisms of many biological processes, the landscape of therapeutic bsAbs has significantly changed in recent years. As of September 2019, over 110 bsAbs are under active clinical development, and near 180 in preclinical development. In this review article, we introduce a system that classifies bsAb formats into 30 categories based on their antigen-binding domains and the presence or absence of Fc domain. We further review the biology applications of approximately 290 bsAbs currently in preclinical and clinical development, with the attempt to illustrate the principle of selecting a bispecific format to meet biology needs and selecting a bispecific molecule as a clinical development candidate by 6 critical criteria. Given the novel mechanisms of many bsAbs, the potential unknown safety risk and risk/benefit should be evaluated carefully during preclinical and clinical development stages. Nevertheless we are optimistic that next decade will witness clinical success of bsAbs or multispecific antibodies employing some novel mechanisms of action and deliver the promise as next wave of antibody-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Nie
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and ,To whom correspondence should addressed. Jijie Guor Siwei Nie. or
| | - Zhuozhi Wang
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and
| | | | - Paul D'Souza
- Clarivate Analytics, Friars House, 160 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8EZ, UK
| | - Can Lei
- Clarivate Analytics, Friars House, 160 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8EZ, UK
| | - Jianqing Xu
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and
| | - Jijie Gu
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and ,To whom correspondence should addressed. Jijie Guor Siwei Nie. or
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22
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Chiu ML, Goulet DR, Teplyakov A, Gilliland GL. Antibody Structure and Function: The Basis for Engineering Therapeutics. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8040055. [PMID: 31816964 PMCID: PMC6963682 DOI: 10.3390/antib8040055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies and antibody-derived macromolecules have established themselves as the mainstay in protein-based therapeutic molecules (biologics). Our knowledge of the structure–function relationships of antibodies provides a platform for protein engineering that has been exploited to generate a wide range of biologics for a host of therapeutic indications. In this review, our basic understanding of the antibody structure is described along with how that knowledge has leveraged the engineering of antibody and antibody-related therapeutics having the appropriate antigen affinity, effector function, and biophysical properties. The platforms examined include the development of antibodies, antibody fragments, bispecific antibody, and antibody fusion products, whose efficacy and manufacturability can be improved via humanization, affinity modulation, and stability enhancement. We also review the design and selection of binding arms, and avidity modulation. Different strategies of preparing bispecific and multispecific molecules for an array of therapeutic applications are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L. Chiu
- Drug Product Development Science, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Malvern, PA 19355, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Dennis R. Goulet
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, P.O. Box 357610, Seattle, WA 98195-7610, USA;
| | - Alexey Teplyakov
- Biologics Research, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Spring House, PA 19477, USA; (A.T.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Gary L. Gilliland
- Biologics Research, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Spring House, PA 19477, USA; (A.T.); (G.L.G.)
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23
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Joshi KK, Phung W, Han G, Yin Y, Kim I, Sandoval W, Carter PJ. Elucidating heavy/light chain pairing preferences to facilitate the assembly of bispecific IgG in single cells. MAbs 2019; 11:1254-1265. [PMID: 31286843 PMCID: PMC6748609 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1640549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple strategies have been developed to facilitate the efficient production of bispecific IgG (BsIgG) in single host cells. For example, we previously demonstrated near quantitative (≥90%) formation of BsIgG of different species and isotypes by combining 'knob-into-hole' mutations for heavy chain heterodimerization with engineered antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) for preferential cognate heavy/light chain pairing. Surprisingly, in this study we found high yield (>65%) of BsIgG1without Fab engineering to be a common occurrence, i.e., observed for 33 of the 99 different antibody pairs evaluated. Installing charge mutations at both CH1/CL interfaces was sufficient for near quantitative yield (>90%) of BsIgG1 for most (9 of 11) antibody pairs tested with this inherent cognate chain pairing preference. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that a strong cognate pairing preference in one Fab arm can be sufficient for high BsIgG1 yield. These observed chain pairing preferences are apparently driven by variable domain sequences and can result from a few specific residues in the complementarity-determining region (CDR) L3 and H3. Transfer of these CDR residues into other antibodies increased BsIgG1 yield in most cases. Mutational analysis revealed that the disulfide bond between heavy and light chains did not affect the yield of BsIgG1. This study provides some mechanistic understanding of factors contributing to antibody heavy/light chain pairing preference and subsequently contributes to the efficient production of BsIgG in single host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Kishore Joshi
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wilson Phung
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guanghui Han
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yiyuan Yin
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid Kim
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Sandoval
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul J. Carter
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
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24
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Dietrich S, Gross AW, Becker S, Hock B, Stadlmayr G, Rüker F, Wozniak-Knopp G. Constant domain-exchanged Fab enables specific light chain pairing in heterodimeric bispecific SEED-antibodies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1868:140250. [PMID: 31295556 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bispecific antibodies promise to broadly expand the clinical utility of monoclonal antibody technology. Several approaches for heterodimerization of heavy chains have been established to produce antibodies with two different Fab arms, but promiscuous pairing of heavy and light chains remains a challenge for their manufacturing. METHODS We have designed a solution in which the CH1 and CL domain pair in one of the Fab fragments is replaced with a CH3-domain pair and heterodimerized to facilitate correct modified Fab-chain pairing in bispecific heterodimeric antibodies based on a strand-exchange engineered domain (SEED) scaffold with specificity for epithelial growth factor receptor and either CD3 or CD16 (FcγRIII). RESULTS Bispecific antibodies retained binding to their target antigens and redirected primary T cells or NK cells to induce potent killing of target cells. All antibodies were expressed at a high yield in Expi293F cells, were detected as single sharp symmetrical peaks in size exclusion chromatography and retained high thermostability. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed specific heavy-to-light chain pairing for the bispecific SEED antibodies as well as for one-armed SEED antibodies co-expressed with two different competing light chains. CONCLUSION Incorporation of a constant domain-exchanged Fab fragment into a SEED antibody yields functional molecules with favorable biophysical properties. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our results show that the novel engineered bispecific SEED antibody scaffold with an incorporated Fab fragment with CH3-exchanged constant domains is a promising tool for the generation of complete heterodimeric bispecific antibodies with correct light chain pairing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Dietrich
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Antibody Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alec W Gross
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Stefan Becker
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Björn Hock
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Gerhard Stadlmayr
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Rüker
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gordana Wozniak-Knopp
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
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Chen S, Li L, Zhang F, Wang Y, Hu Y, Zhao L. Immunoglobulin Gamma-Like Therapeutic Bispecific Antibody Formats for Tumor Therapy. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:4516041. [PMID: 30886871 PMCID: PMC6388348 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4516041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are a sort of dual functional proteins with specific binding to two distinct targets, which have become a focus of interest in antibody engineering and drug development research and have a promising future for wide applications in cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune disease. The key of clinical application and commercial-scale manufacturing of BsAbs is the amenability to assembly and purification of desired heterodimers. Advances in genetic engineering technology had resulted in the development of diverse BsAbs. Multiple recombinant strategies have been used to solve the mispairing problem between light and heavy chains, as well as to enforce accurate dimerization of heterologous heavy chains. There are 23 platforms available to generate 62 BsAbs which can be further divided into IgG-like ones and fragment-based ones, and more than 50 molecules are undergoing clinical trials currently. BsAbs with IgG-like architecture exhibit superior advantages in structure (similar to natural antibodies), pharmacokinetics, half-life, FcR-mediated function, and biological activity. This review considers various IgG-like BsAb generation approaches, summarizes the clinical applications of promising new BsAbs, and describes the mechanism of BsAbs in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixue Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Normal Aging and Geriatric & Department of Oncology & Institute of Geriatric & The Key Lab of Normal Aging and Geriatric, The Second Medical Centre, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Normal Aging and Geriatric & Department of Oncology & Institute of Geriatric & The Key Lab of Normal Aging and Geriatric, The Second Medical Centre, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Medical of School & Graduate School, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Normal Aging and Geriatric & Department of Oncology & Institute of Geriatric & The Key Lab of Normal Aging and Geriatric, The Second Medical Centre, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Normal Aging and Geriatric & Department of Oncology & Institute of Geriatric & The Key Lab of Normal Aging and Geriatric, The Second Medical Centre, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Hu
- National Clinical Research Center for Normal Aging and Geriatric & Department of Oncology & Institute of Geriatric & The Key Lab of Normal Aging and Geriatric, The Second Medical Centre, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Normal Aging and Geriatric & Department of Oncology & Institute of Geriatric & The Key Lab of Normal Aging and Geriatric, The Second Medical Centre, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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26
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Ovacik AM, Li J, Lemper M, Danilenko D, Stagg N, Mathieu M, Ellerman D, Gupta V, Kalia N, Nguy T, Plaks V, David Johnson C, Wang W, Brumm J, Fine B, Junttila T, Lin K, Carter PJ, Prabhu S, Spiess C, Kamath AV. Single cell-produced and in vitro-assembled anti-FcRH5/CD3 T-cell dependent bispecific antibodies have similar in vitro and in vivo properties. MAbs 2018; 11:422-433. [PMID: 30550367 PMCID: PMC6380433 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2018.1551676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibody production using single host cells has been a new advancement in the antibody engineering field. We previously showed comparable in vitro biological activity and in vivo mouse pharmacokinetics (PK) for two novel single cell variants (v10 and v11) and one traditional dual cell in vitro-assembled anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/CD3 T-cell dependent bispecific (TDB) antibodies. Here, we extended our previous work to assess single cell-produced bispecific variants of a novel TDB against FcRH5, a B-cell lineage marker expressed on multiple myeloma (MM) tumor cells. An in vitro-assembled anti- FcRH5/CD3 TDB antibody was previously developed as a potential treatment option for MM. Two bispecific antibody variants (designs v10 and v11) for manufacturing anti-FcRH5/CD3 TDB in single cells were compared to in vitro-assembled TDB in a dual-cell process to understand whether differences in antibody design and production led to any major differences in their in vitro biological activity, in vivo mouse PK, and PK/pharmacodynamics (PD) or immunogenicity in cynomolgus monkeys (cynos). The binding, in vitro potencies, in vitro pharmacological activities and in vivo PK in mice and cynos of these single cell TDBs were comparable to those of the in vitro-assembled TDB. In addition, the single cell and in vitro-assembled TDBs exhibited robust PD activity and comparable immunogenicity in cynos. Overall, these studies demonstrate that single cell-produced and in vitro-assembled anti-FcRH5/CD3 T-cell dependent bispecific antibodies have similar in vitro and in vivo properties, and support further development of single-cell production method for anti-FcRH5/CD3 TDBs and other single-cell bispecifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Meric Ovacik
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Ji Li
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Marie Lemper
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Dimitry Danilenko
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Nicola Stagg
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Mary Mathieu
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Diego Ellerman
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Vinita Gupta
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Navdeep Kalia
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Trung Nguy
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Vicki Plaks
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Clarissa David Johnson
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Weiru Wang
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Jochen Brumm
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Bernard Fine
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Teemu Junttila
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Kedan Lin
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Paul J Carter
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Saileta Prabhu
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Christoph Spiess
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Amrita V Kamath
- a Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech, Inc ., South San Francisco , CA , USA
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27
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Schütze K, Petry K, Hambach J, Schuster N, Fumey W, Schriewer L, Röckendorf J, Menzel S, Albrecht B, Haag F, Stortelers C, Bannas P, Koch-Nolte F. CD38-Specific Biparatopic Heavy Chain Antibodies Display Potent Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity Against Multiple Myeloma Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2553. [PMID: 30524421 PMCID: PMC6262402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CD38 is overexpressed by multiple myeloma cells and has emerged as a target for therapeutic antibodies. Nanobodies are soluble single domain antibody fragments derived from the VHH variable domain of heavy chain antibodies naturally occurring in camelids. We previously identified distinct llama nanobodies that recognize three non-overlapping epitopes of the extracellular domain of CD38. Here, we fused these VHH domains to the hinge, CH2, and CH3 domains of human IgG1, yielding highly soluble chimeric llama/human heavy chain antibodies (hcAbs). We analyzed the capacity of these hcAbs to mediate complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) to CD38-expressing human multiple myeloma and Burkitt lymphoma cell lines. Combinations of two hcAbs that recognize distinct, non-overlapping epitopes of CD38 mediated potent CDC, in contrast to the hcAb monotherapy with only weak CDC capacity. Similarly, combining daratumumab with a hcAb that recognizes a non-overlapping epitope resulted in dramatically enhanced CDC. Further, introducing the E345R HexaBody mutation into the CH3 domain strongly enhanced the CDC potency of hcAbs to CD38-expressing cells. Exploiting their high solubility, we genetically fused two distinct nanobodies into heteromeric dimers via a flexible peptide linker and then fused these nanobody dimers to the hinge, CH2 and CH3 domains of human IgG1, yielding highly soluble, biparatopic hcAbs. These biparatopic hcAbs elicited CDC toward CD38-expressing myeloma cells more effectively than daratumumab. Our results underscore the advantage of nanobodies vs. pairs of VH and VL domains for constructing bispecific antibodies. Moreover, the CD38-specific biparatopic heavy chain antibodies described here represent potential new powerful therapeutics for treatment of multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Schütze
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Petry
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Hambach
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Schuster
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - William Fumey
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Levin Schriewer
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jana Röckendorf
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Menzel
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birte Albrecht
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Haag
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Peter Bannas
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Koch-Nolte
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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28
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Abstract
Bispecific antibodies have moved from being an academic curiosity with therapeutic promise to reality, with two molecules being currently commercialized (Hemlibra® and Blincyto®) and many more in clinical trials. The success of bispecific antibodies is mainly due to the continuously growing number of mechanisms of actions (MOA) they enable that are not accessible to monoclonal antibodies. One of the earliest MOA of bispecific antibodies and currently the one with the largest number of clinical trials is the redirecting of the cytotoxic activity of T-cells for oncology applications, now extending its use in infective diseases. The use of bispecific antibodies for crossing the blood-brain barrier is another important application because of its potential to advance the therapeutic options for neurological diseases. Another noteworthy application due to its growing trend is enabling a more tissue-specific delivery or activity of antibodies. The different molecular solutions to the initial hurdles that limited the development of bispecific antibodies have led to the current diverse set of bispecific or multispecific antibody formats that can be grouped into three main categories: IgG-like formats, antibody fragment-based formats, or appended IgG formats. The expanded applications of bispecific antibodies come at the price of additional challenges for clinical development. The rising complexity in their structure may increase the risk of immunogenicity and the multiple antigen specificity complicates the selection of relevant species for safety assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Husain
- Protein Chemistry Department, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Diego Ellerman
- Protein Chemistry Department, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
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29
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Cooke HA, Arndt J, Quan C, Shapiro RI, Wen D, Foley S, Vecchi MM, Preyer M. EFab domain substitution as a solution to the light-chain pairing problem of bispecific antibodies. MAbs 2018; 10:1248-1259. [PMID: 30215570 PMCID: PMC6284599 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2018.1519631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibody therapeutics can expand the functionality of a conventional monoclonal antibody drug because they can bind multiple antigens. However, their great potential is counterbalanced by the challenges faced in their production. The classic asymmetric bispecific containing an Fc requires the expression of four unique chains – two light chains and two heavy chains; each light chain must pair with its correct heavy chain, which then must heterodimerize to form the full bispecific. The light-chain pairing problem has several solutions, some of which require engineering and optimization for each bispecific pair. Here, we introduce a technology called EFab Domain Substitution, which replaces the Cϵ2 of IgE for one of the CL/CH1 domains into one arm of an asymmetric bispecific to encourage the correct pairing of the light chains. EFab Domain Substitution provides very robust correct pairing while maintaining antibody function and is effective for many variable domains. We report its effect on the biophysical properties of an antibody and the crystal structure of the EFab domain substituted into the adalimumab Fab (PDB ID 6CR1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather A Cooke
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Joe Arndt
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Chao Quan
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Renée I Shapiro
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Dingyi Wen
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Susan Foley
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Malgorzata M Vecchi
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Martin Preyer
- a Department of Biotherapeutic and Medicinal Sciences , Biogen , Cambridge , MA , USA
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30
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Wu X, Demarest SJ. Building blocks for bispecific and trispecific antibodies. Methods 2018; 154:3-9. [PMID: 30172007 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), which target two antigens or epitopes, incorporate the specificities and properties of two distinct monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) into a single molecule. As such, BsAbs can elicit synergistic activities and provide the capacity for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and/or safety compared to what can be achieved with conventional monospecific IgGs. There are many building block formats to generate BsAbs and Trispecific antibodies (TsAbs) based on combining the antigen recognition domains of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). This review describes the many and varied antibody-based building blocks used to achieve multivalency and multispecificity. These diverse building blocks provide opportunities to tailor the design of BsAbs and TsAbs to match the desired applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Wu
- Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10290 Campus Point Dr., San Diego, CA 92121, United States.
| | - Stephen J Demarest
- Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10290 Campus Point Dr., San Diego, CA 92121, United States
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31
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Krah S, Kolmar H, Becker S, Zielonka S. Engineering IgG-Like Bispecific Antibodies-An Overview. Antibodies (Basel) 2018; 7:antib7030028. [PMID: 31544880 PMCID: PMC6640676 DOI: 10.3390/antib7030028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody therapeutics have proven to be successful treatment options for patients in various indications. Particularly in oncology, therapeutic concepts involving antibodies often rely on the so-called effector functions, such as antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), which are programed in the antibody Fc region. However, Fc-mediated effector mechanisms often seem to be insufficient in properly activating the immune system to act against tumor cells. Furthermore, long term treatments can lead to resistance against the applied drug, which is monospecific by nature. There is promise in using specific antibodies to overcome such issues due to their capability of recruiting and activating T-cells directly at the tumor site, for instance. During the last decade, two of these entities, which are referred to as Blinatumomab and Catumaxomab, have been approved to treat patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and malignant ascites. In addition, Emicizumab, which is a bispecific antibody targeting clotting factors IXa and X, was recently granted market approval by the FDA in 2017 for the treatment of hemophilia A. However, the generation of these next generation therapeutics is challenging and requires tremendous engineering efforts as two distinct paratopes need to be combined from two different heavy and light chains. This mini review summarizes technologies, which enable the generation of antibodies with dual specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Krah
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Stefan Becker
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany.
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32
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Regula JT, Imhof-Jung S, Mølhøj M, Benz J, Ehler A, Bujotzek A, Schaefer W, Klein C. Variable heavy-variable light domain and Fab-arm CrossMabs with charged residue exchanges to enforce correct light chain assembly. Protein Eng Des Sel 2018; 31:289-299. [PMID: 30169707 PMCID: PMC6277175 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Technologies for the production of bispecific antibodies need to overcome two major challenges. The first one is correct heavy chain assembly, which was solved by knobs-into-holes technology or charge interactions in the CH3 domains. The second challenge is correct light chain assembly. This can be solved by engineering the Fab-arm interfaces or applying the immunoglobulin domain crossover approach. There are three different crossovers possible, namely Fab-arm, constant domain and variable domain crossovers. The CrossMabCH1-CL exchange does not lead to the formation of unexpected side products, whereas the CrossMabFab and the CrossMabVH-VL formats result in the formation of typical side products. Thus, CrossMabCH1-CL was initially favored for therapeutic antibody development. Here, we report a novel improved CrossMab design principle making use of site-specific positional exchanges of charged amino acid pairs in the constant domain of these CrossMabs to enable the correct light chain assembly in the CrossMabVH-VL and improvements for the CrossMabFab design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Thomas Regula
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Imhof-Jung
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Michael Mølhøj
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Joerg Benz
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Chemical Biology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Ehler
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Chemical Biology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Bujotzek
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schaefer
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
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33
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Wozniak-Knopp G, Stadlmayr G, Perthold JW, Stadlbauer K, Gotsmy M, Becker S, Rüker F. An antibody with Fab-constant domains exchanged for a pair of CH3 domains. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195442. [PMID: 29630643 PMCID: PMC5891013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We have designed a complete antibody-like construct where the CH1 and Cκ domains are exchanged for a pair of the CH3 domains and efficient pairing of the heavy and light variable domain is achieved using “Knobs-into-Holes” strategy. This construct, composed of only naturally occurring immunoglobulin sequences without artificial linkers, expressed at a high level in mammalian cells, however exhibited low solubility. Rational mutagenesis aimed at the amino acid residues located at the interface of the variable domains and the exchanged CH3 domains was applied to improve the biophysical properties of the molecule. The domain-exchanged construct, including variable domains of the HER2/neu specific antibody trastuzumab, was able to bind to the surface of the strongly HER2/neu positive cell line SK-BR3 4-fold weaker than trastuzumab, but could nevertheless incite a more potent response in an antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) reporter assay with FcγRIIIa-overexpressing T-cells. This could be explained with a stronger binding to the FcγRIIIa. Importantly, the novel construct could mediate a specific ADCC effect with natural killer cells similar to the parental antibody.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity
- Cell Line
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Constant Regions/chemistry
- Immunoglobulin Constant Regions/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Constant Regions/immunology
- Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/chemistry
- Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/chemistry
- Immunoglobulin G/genetics
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Models, Molecular
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Protein Domains
- Protein Engineering
- Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology
- Receptors, IgG/chemistry
- Receptors, IgG/genetics
- Receptors, IgG/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Trastuzumab/chemistry
- Trastuzumab/genetics
- Trastuzumab/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Wozniak-Knopp
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Gerhard Stadlmayr
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Walther Perthold
- Institute of Molecular Modeling and Simulation, Department of Material Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Stadlbauer
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Gotsmy
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Becker
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Florian Rüker
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
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Verdino P, Atwell S, Demarest SJ. Emerging trends in bispecific antibody and scaffold protein therapeutics. Curr Opin Chem Eng 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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35
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Van Blarcom T, Lindquist K, Melton Z, Cheung WL, Wagstrom C, McDonough D, Valle Oseguera C, Ding S, Rossi A, Potluri S, Sundar P, Pitts S, Sirota M, Galindo Casas M, Yan Y, Jones J, Roe-Zurz Z, Srivatsa Srinivasan S, Zhai W, Pons J, Rajpal A, Chaparro-Riggers J. Productive common light chain libraries yield diverse panels of high affinity bispecific antibodies. MAbs 2017; 10:256-268. [PMID: 29227213 PMCID: PMC5825193 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2017.1406570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The commercial success of bispecific antibodies generally has been hindered by the complexities associated with generating appropriate molecules for both research scale and large scale manufacturing purposes. Bispecific IgG (BsIgG) based on two antibodies that use an identical common light chain can be combined with a minimal set of Fc mutations to drive heavy chain heterodimerization in order to address these challenges. However, the facile generation of common light chain antibodies with properties similar to traditional monoclonal antibodies has not been demonstrated and they have only been used sparingly. Here, we describe the design of a synthetic human antibody library based on common light chains to generate antibodies with biochemical and biophysical properties that are indistinguishable to traditional therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. We used this library to generate diverse panels of well-behaved, high affinity antibodies toward a variety of epitopes across multiple antigens, including mouse 4-1BB, a therapeutically important T cell costimulatory receptor. Over 200 BsIgG toward 4-1BB were generated using an automated purification method we developed that enables milligram-scale production of BsIgG. This approach allowed us to identify antibodies with a wide range of agonistic activity that are being used to further investigate the therapeutic potential of antibodies targeting one or more epitopes of 4-1BB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Van Blarcom
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Kevin Lindquist
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Zea Melton
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Wai Ling Cheung
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Chris Wagstrom
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Dan McDonough
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Cendy Valle Oseguera
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Sheng Ding
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Andrea Rossi
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Shobha Potluri
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Purnima Sundar
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Steven Pitts
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Marina Sirota
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Meri Galindo Casas
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Yu Yan
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Jeffrey Jones
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Zygy Roe-Zurz
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | | | - Wenwu Zhai
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Jaume Pons
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Arvind Rajpal
- a Oncology Research and Development , Pfizer Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
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Brinkmann U, Kontermann RE. The making of bispecific antibodies. MAbs 2017; 9:182-212. [PMID: 28071970 PMCID: PMC5297537 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1268307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 584] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past two decades we have seen a phenomenal evolution of bispecific antibodies for therapeutic applications. The 'zoo' of bispecific antibodies is populated by many different species, comprising around 100 different formats, including small molecules composed solely of the antigen-binding sites of two antibodies, molecules with an IgG structure, and large complex molecules composed of different antigen-binding moieties often combined with dimerization modules. The application of sophisticated molecular design and genetic engineering has solved many of the technical problems associated with the formation of bispecific antibodies such as stability, solubility and other parameters that confer drug properties. These parameters may be summarized under the term 'developability'. In addition, different 'target product profiles', i.e., desired features of the bispecific antibody to be generated, mandates the need for access to a diverse panel of formats. These may vary in size, arrangement, valencies, flexibility and geometry of their binding modules, as well as in their distribution and pharmacokinetic properties. There is not 'one best format' for generating bispecific antibodies, and no single format is suitable for all, or even most of, the desired applications. Instead, the bispecific formats collectively serve as a valuable source of diversity that can be applied to the development of therapeutics for various indications. Here, a comprehensive overview of the different bispecific antibody formats is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Munich, Im Nonnenwald, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Roland E. Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring, Stuttgart, Germany
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstraße, Stuttgart, Germany
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Kim HS, Dunshee DR, Yee A, Tong RK, Kim I, Farahi F, Hongo JA, Ernst JA, Sonoda J, Spiess C. Tethered-variable CL bispecific IgG: an antibody platform for rapid bispecific antibody screening. Protein Eng Des Sel 2017; 30:627-637. [PMID: 28985411 PMCID: PMC5914367 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzx034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies offer a clinically validated platform for drug discovery. In generating functionally active bispecific antibodies, it is necessary to identify a unique parental antibody pair to merge into a single molecule. However, technologies that allow high-throughput production of bispecific immunoglobulin Gs (BsIgGs) for screening purposes are limited. Here, we describe a novel bispecific antibody format termed tethered-variable CLBsIgG (tcBsIgG) that allows robust production of intact BsIgG in a single cell line, concurrently ensuring cognate light chain pairing and preserving key antibody structural and functional properties. This technology is broadly applicable in the generation of BsIgG from a variety of antibody isotypes, including human BsIgG1, BsIgG2 and BsIgG4. The practicality of the tcBsIgG platform is demonstrated by screening BsIgGs generated from FGF21-mimetic anti-Klotho-β agonistic antibodies in a combinatorial manner. This screen identified multiple biepitopic combinations with enhanced agonistic activity relative to the parental monoclonal antibodies, thereby demonstrating that biepitopic antibodies can acquire enhanced functionality compared to monospecific parental antibodies. By design, the tcBsIgG format is amenable to high-throughput production of large panels of bispecific antibodies and thus can facilitate the identification of rare BsIgG combinations to enable the discovery of molecules with improved biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hok Seon Kim
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Diana Ronai Dunshee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Angie Yee
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Raymond K Tong
- Department of Protein Chemistry, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ingrid Kim
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Farzam Farahi
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jo-Anne Hongo
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - James A Ernst
- Department of Protein Chemistry, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Junichiro Sonoda
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Christoph Spiess
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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38
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Goulet DR, Orcutt SJ, Zwolak A, Rispens T, Labrijn AF, de Jong RN, Atkins WM, Chiu ML. Kinetic mechanism of controlled Fab-arm exchange for the formation of bispecific immunoglobulin G1 antibodies. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:651-661. [PMID: 29150443 PMCID: PMC5767869 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) combine the antigen specificities of two distinct Abs and demonstrate therapeutic promise based on novel mechanisms of action. Among the many platforms for creating bsAbs, controlled Fab-arm exchange (cFAE) has proven useful based on minimal changes to native Ab structure and the simplicity with which bsAbs can be formed from two parental Abs. Despite a published protocol for cFAE and its widespread use in the pharmaceutical industry, the reaction mechanism has not been determined. Knowledge of the mechanism could lead to improved yields of bsAb at faster rates as well as foster adoption of process control. In this work, a combination of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), nonreducing SDS-PAGE, and strategic mutation of the Ab hinge region was employed to identify and characterize the individual steps of cFAE. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) was used to determine the affinity of parental (homodimer) and bispecific (heterodimer) interactions within the CH3 domain, further clarifying the thermodynamic basis for bsAb formation. The result is a clear sequence of events with rate constants that vary with experimental conditions, where dissociation of the K409R parental Ab into half-Ab controls the rate of the reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Goulet
- From the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Steven J Orcutt
- Biologics Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477
| | - Adam Zwolak
- Biologics Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477
| | - Theo Rispens
- the Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Immunopathology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and
| | | | - Rob N de Jong
- Genmab, Yalelaan 60, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - William M Atkins
- From the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Mark L Chiu
- Biologics Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477,
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Shatz W, Ng D, Dutina G, Wong AW, Dunshee DR, Sonoda J, Shen A, Scheer JM. An efficient route to bispecific antibody production using single-reactor mammalian co-culture. MAbs 2017; 8:1487-1497. [PMID: 27680183 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1234569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies have shown promise in the clinic as medicines with novel mechanisms of action. Lack of efficient production of bispecific IgGs, however, has limited their rapid advancement. Here, we describe a single-reactor process using mammalian cell co-culture production to efficiently produce a bispecific IgG with 4 distinct polypeptide chains without the need for parallel processing of each half-antibody or additional framework mutations. This method resembles a conventional process, and the quality and yield of the monoclonal antibodies are equal to those produced using parallel processing methods. We demonstrate the application of the approach to diverse bispecific antibodies, and its suitability for production of a tissue specific molecule targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and klotho β that is being developed for type 2 diabetes and other obesity-linked disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Shatz
- a Department of Protein Chemistry , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Domingos Ng
- b Department of Early Stage Cell Culture , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - George Dutina
- b Department of Early Stage Cell Culture , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Athena W Wong
- b Department of Early Stage Cell Culture , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Diana Ronai Dunshee
- c Department of Molecular Biology , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Junichiro Sonoda
- c Department of Molecular Biology , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Amy Shen
- b Department of Early Stage Cell Culture , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Justin M Scheer
- a Department of Protein Chemistry , Genentech Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
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40
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Notch-out for breast cancer therapies. N Biotechnol 2017; 39:215-221. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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41
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Bönisch M, Sellmann C, Maresch D, Halbig C, Becker S, Toleikis L, Hock B, Rüker F. Novel CH1:CL interfaces that enhance correct light chain pairing in heterodimeric bispecific antibodies. Protein Eng Des Sel 2017; 30:685-696. [PMID: 28981885 PMCID: PMC5914326 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzx044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting two unique antigens with a single bispecific antibody is an attractive approach with potential broad therapeutic applicability. However, the production of heterodimeric bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) presents a challenge, requiring the co-expression and accurate pairing of two distinct heavy and light chain units. Several undesirable by-products can be formed in the production process, including heavy chain homodimers and non-cognate light chain pairings. Although additional downstream purification methods exist, they are often time consuming and restrict practical large-scale production. In this study, we identify and validate novel Fab interface mutations that increase cognate light chain pairing efficiencies within heterodimeric bsAbs. Importantly, the variable domains remain unaltered as interface mutations were restricted to the CH1 and CL domains. We performed several biochemical assays to demonstrate that the novel engineered interfaces do not adversely impact bispecific antibody expression, stability, affinity and biological function. The designs reported here can easily be applied in a generic manner to use existing antibodies as building blocks for bsAbs which will help to accelerate the identification and production of next generation bispecific antibody therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Bönisch
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Antibody Engineering at Department of Chemistry and Department of Biotechnology, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Carolin Sellmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Straße 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Daniel Maresch
- Department of Chemistry, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Halbig
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Antibody Engineering at Department of Chemistry and Department of Biotechnology, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Becker
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lars Toleikis
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Björn Hock
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Florian Rüker
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Antibody Engineering at Department of Chemistry and Department of Biotechnology, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
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42
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Xu T, Ying T, Wang L, Zhang XD, Wang Y, Kang L, Huang T, Cheng L, Wang L, Zhao Q. A native-like bispecific antibody suppresses the inflammatory cytokine response by simultaneously neutralizing tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-17A. Oncotarget 2017; 8:81860-81872. [PMID: 29137228 PMCID: PMC5669854 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies are successful in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. However, some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fail to response anti-TNF drugs due to the compensation of other inflammatory signals. In this study, to reduce compensatory responses of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) during TNF-α inhibition, we generated an IgG-like bispecific antibodiy (bsAb) against TNF-α and IL-17A through a combination method of electrostatic Fc pairing and light chain crossover. This bsAb exhibited relatively high stability comparable to natural IgG antibodies, and retained the unaltered affinities to both of two targets. BsAb significantly decreased not only the expression level of neutrophil or Th17 chemokines, but also the secretion of IL-6/IL-8 on fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from a patient with RA. Meanwhile, TNF-α-mediated cellular cytotoxicity of fibroblasts was neutralized by bsAb. Importantly, we demonstrate that the combined blockade of TNF-α and IL-17A is more efficient than inhibition of either factor alone. Our results suggest the IgG-like anti-TNF-α/IL-17A bispecific molecule overcome the limited therapeutic responses using anti-TNF drugs. It may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshu Xu
- School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tianlei Ying
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Lishan Kang
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre China, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre China, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Cheng
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre China, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Wang
- School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
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43
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Froning KJ, Leaver-Fay A, Wu X, Phan S, Gao L, Huang F, Pustilnik A, Bacica M, Houlihan K, Chai Q, Fitchett JR, Hendle J, Kuhlman B, Demarest SJ. Computational design of a specific heavy chain/κ light chain interface for expressing fully IgG bispecific antibodies. Protein Sci 2017; 26:2021-2038. [PMID: 28726352 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The use of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) to treat human diseases is on the rise. Increasingly complex and powerful therapeutic mechanisms made possible by BsAbs are spurring innovation of novel BsAb formats and methods for their production. The long-lived in vivo pharmacokinetics, optimal biophysical properties and potential effector functions of natural IgG monoclonal (and monospecific) antibodies has resulted in a push to generate fully IgG BsAb formats with the same quaternary structure as monoclonal IgGs. The production of fully IgG BsAbs is challenging because of the highly heterogeneous pairing of heavy chains (HCs) and light chains (LCs) when produced in mammalian cells with two IgG HCs and two LCs. A solution to the HC heterodimerization aspect of IgG BsAb production was first discovered two decades ago; however, addressing the LC mispairing issue has remained intractable until recently. Here, we use computational and rational engineering to develop novel designs to the HC/LC pairing issue, and particularly for κ LCs. Crystal structures of these designs highlight the interactions that provide HC/LC specificity. We produce and characterize multiple fully IgG BsAbs using these novel designs. We demonstrate the importance of specificity engineering in both the variable and constant domains to achieve robust HC/LC specificity within all the BsAbs. These solutions facilitate the production of fully IgG BsAbs for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Froning
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - A Leaver-Fay
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - X Wu
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - S Phan
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - L Gao
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - F Huang
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - A Pustilnik
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - M Bacica
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - K Houlihan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Q Chai
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - J R Fitchett
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - J Hendle
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
| | - B Kuhlman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - S J Demarest
- Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California, 92121
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Krah S, Sellmann C, Rhiel L, Schröter C, Dickgiesser S, Beck J, Zielonka S, Toleikis L, Hock B, Kolmar H, Becker S. Engineering bispecific antibodies with defined chain pairing. N Biotechnol 2017; 39:167-173. [PMID: 28137467 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Bispecific IgG-like antibodies can simultaneously interact with two epitopes on the same or on different antigens. Therefore, these molecules facilitate novel modes of action, which cannot be addressed by conventional monospecific IgGs. However, the generation of such antibodies still appears to be demanding due to their specific architecture comprising four different polypeptide chains that need to assemble correctly. This review focusses on different strategies to circumvent this issue or to enforce a correct chain association with a focus on common-chain bispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Krah
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Carolin Sellmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Laura Rhiel
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christian Schröter
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stephan Dickgiesser
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jan Beck
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany; Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lars Toleikis
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Björn Hock
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Stefan Becker
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany.
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45
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Liu H, Saxena A, Sidhu SS, Wu D. Fc Engineering for Developing Therapeutic Bispecific Antibodies and Novel Scaffolds. Front Immunol 2017; 8:38. [PMID: 28184223 PMCID: PMC5266686 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have become molecules of choice to treat autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Moreover, bispecific/multispecific antibodies that target more than one antigen or epitope on a target cell or recruit effector cells (T cell, natural killer cell, or macrophage cell) toward target cells have shown great potential to maximize the benefits of antibody therapy. In the past decade, many novel concepts to generate bispecific and multispecific antibodies have evolved successfully into a range of formats from full bispecific immunoglobulin gammas to antibody fragments. Impressively, antibody fragments such as bispecific T-cell engager, bispecific killer cell engager, trispecific killer cell engager, tandem diabody, and dual-affinity-retargeting are showing exciting results in terms of recruiting and activating self-immune effector cells to target and lyse tumor cells. Promisingly, crystallizable fragment (Fc) antigen-binding fragment and monomeric antibody or half antibody may be particularly advantageous to target solid tumors owing to their small size and thus good tissue penetration potential while, on the other hand, keeping Fc-related effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis, and extended serum half-life via interaction with neonatal Fc receptor. This review, therefore, focuses on the progress of Fc engineering in generating bispecific molecules and on the use of small antibody fragment as scaffolds for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Liu
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai , China
| | - Abhishek Saxena
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai , China
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Donghui Wu
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai , China
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Dimasi N, Fleming R, Sachsenmeier KF, Bezabeh B, Hay C, Wu J, Sult E, Rajan S, Zhuang L, Cariuk P, Buchanan A, Bowen MA, Wu H, Gao C. Guiding bispecific monovalent antibody formation through proteolysis of IgG1 single-chain. MAbs 2017; 9:438-454. [PMID: 28055299 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1277301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed an IgG1 domain-tethering approach to guide the correct assembly of 2 light and 2 heavy chains, derived from 2 different antibodies, to form bispecific monovalent antibodies in IgG1 format. We show here that assembling 2 different light and heavy chains by sequentially connecting them with protease-cleavable polypeptide linkers results in the generation of monovalent bispecific antibodies that have IgG1 sequence, structure and functional properties. This approach was used to generate a bispecific monovalent antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor and the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor that: 1) can be produced and purified using standard IgG1 techniques; 2) exhibits stability and structural features comparable to IgG1; 3) binds both targets simultaneously; and 4) has potent anti-tumor activity. Our strategy provides new engineering opportunities for bispecific antibody applications, and, most importantly, overcomes some of the limitations (e.g., half-antibody and homodimer formation, light chains mispairing, multi-step purification), inherent with some of the previously described IgG1-based bispecific monovalent antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazzareno Dimasi
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Ryan Fleming
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | | | - Binyam Bezabeh
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Carl Hay
- c Oncology Research, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Jincheng Wu
- d Research Bioinformatics, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Erin Sult
- c Oncology Research, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Saravanan Rajan
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Li Zhuang
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Peter Cariuk
- e Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Cambridge , UK
| | - Andrew Buchanan
- e Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Cambridge , UK
| | - Michael A Bowen
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Herren Wu
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Changshou Gao
- a Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
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Dillon M, Yin Y, Zhou J, McCarty L, Ellerman D, Slaga D, Junttila TT, Han G, Sandoval W, Ovacik MA, Lin K, Hu Z, Shen A, Corn JE, Spiess C, Carter PJ. Efficient production of bispecific IgG of different isotypes and species of origin in single mammalian cells. MAbs 2016; 9:213-230. [PMID: 27929752 PMCID: PMC5297516 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1267089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific IgG production in single host cells has been a much sought-after goal to support the clinical development of these complex molecules. Current routes to single cell production of bispecific IgG include engineering heavy chains for heterodimerization and redesign of Fab arms for selective pairing of cognate heavy and light chains. Here, we describe novel designs to facilitate selective Fab arm assembly in conjunction with previously described knobs-into-holes mutations for preferential heavy chain heterodimerization. The top Fab designs for selective pairing, namely variants v10 and v11, support near quantitative assembly of bispecific IgG in single cells for multiple different antibody pairs as judged by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Single-cell and in vitro-assembled bispecific IgG have comparable physical, in vitro biological and in vivo pharmacokinetics properties. Efficient single-cell production of bispecific IgG was demonstrated for human IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 thereby allowing the heavy chain isotype to be tailored for specific therapeutic applications. Additionally, a reverse chimeric bispecific IgG2a with humanized variable domains and mouse constant domains was generated for preclinical proof-of-concept studies in mice. Efficient production of a bispecific IgG in stably transfected mammalian (CHO) cells was shown. Individual clones with stable titer and bispecific IgG composition for >120 days were readily identified. Such long-term cell line stability is needed for commercial manufacture of bispecific IgG. The single-cell bispecific IgG designs developed here may be broadly applicable to biotechnology research, including screening bispecific IgG panels, and to support clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Dillon
- a Department of Antibody Engineering , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Yiyuan Yin
- a Department of Antibody Engineering , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Jianhui Zhou
- a Department of Antibody Engineering , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Luke McCarty
- b Department of Protein Chemistry , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Diego Ellerman
- b Department of Protein Chemistry , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Dionysos Slaga
- c Department of Translational Oncology , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Teemu T Junttila
- c Department of Translational Oncology , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Guanghui Han
- d Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Wendy Sandoval
- d Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Meric A Ovacik
- e Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Kedan Lin
- e Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Zhilan Hu
- f Department of Early Stage Cell Culture , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Amy Shen
- f Department of Early Stage Cell Culture , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Jacob E Corn
- g Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Christoph Spiess
- a Department of Antibody Engineering , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Paul J Carter
- a Department of Antibody Engineering , Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
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Schachner L, Han G, Dillon M, Zhou J, McCarty L, Ellerman D, Yin Y, Spiess C, Lill JR, Carter PJ, Sandoval W. Characterization of Chain Pairing Variants of Bispecific IgG Expressed in a Single Host Cell by High-Resolution Native and Denaturing Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2016; 88:12122-12127. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b02866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Schachner
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Guanghui Han
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Michael Dillon
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jianhui Zhou
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Luke McCarty
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Diego Ellerman
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Yiyuan Yin
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Christoph Spiess
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jennie R. Lill
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Paul J. Carter
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Wendy Sandoval
- Departments of Proteomics & Biological Resources, ‡Antibody Engineering, and §Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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Egan TJ, Diem D, Weldon R, Neumann T, Meyer S, Urech DM. Novel multispecific heterodimeric antibody format allowing modular assembly of variable domain fragments. MAbs 2016; 9:68-84. [PMID: 27786600 PMCID: PMC5240654 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1248012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multispecific antibody formats provide a promising platform for the development of novel therapeutic concepts that could facilitate the generation of safer, more effective pharmaceuticals. However, the production and use of such antibody-based multispecifics is often made complicated by: 1) the instability of the antibody fragments of which they consist, 2) undesired inter-subunit associations, and 3) the need to include recombinant heterodimerization domains that confer distribution-impairing bulk or enhance immunogenicity. In this paper, we describe a broadly-applicable method for the stabilization of human or humanized antibody Fv fragments that entails replacing framework region IV of a Vκ1/VH3-consensus Fv framework with the corresponding germ-line sequence of a λ-type VL chain. We then used this stable Fv framework to generate a novel heterodimeric multispecific antibody format that assembles by cognate VL/VH associations between 2 split variable domains in the core of the complex. This format, termed multispecific antibody-based therapeutics by cognate heterodimerization (MATCH), can be applied to produce homogeneous and highly stable antibody-derived molecules that simultaneously bind 4 distinct antigens. The heterodimeric design of the MATCH format allows efficient in-format screening of binding domain combinations that result in maximal cooperative activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Egan
- a Numab AG, Wadenswil , Switzerland.,b Cartilage Engineering & Regeneration Lab, Department of Health , Science & Technology, The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) , Zurich , Switzerland
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Ha JH, Kim JE, Kim YS. Immunoglobulin Fc Heterodimer Platform Technology: From Design to Applications in Therapeutic Antibodies and Proteins. Front Immunol 2016; 7:394. [PMID: 27766096 PMCID: PMC5052280 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The monospecific and bivalent characteristics of naturally occurring immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies depend on homodimerization of the fragment crystallizable (Fc) regions of two identical heavy chains (HCs) and the subsequent assembly of two identical light chains (LCs) via disulfide linkages between each HC and LC. Immunoglobulin Fc heterodimers have been engineered through modifications to the CH3 domain interface, with different mutations on each domain such that the engineered Fc fragments, carrying the CH3 variant pair, preferentially form heterodimers rather than homodimers. Many research groups have adopted different strategies to generate Fc heterodimers, with the goal of high heterodimerization yield, while retaining biophysical and biological properties of the wild-type Fc. Based on their ability to enforce heterodimerization between the two different HCs, the established Fc heterodimers have been extensively exploited as a scaffold to generate bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) in full-length IgG and IgG-like formats. These have many of the favorable properties of natural IgG antibodies, such as high stability, long serum half-life, low immunogenicity, and immune effector functions. As of July 2016, more than seven heterodimeric Fc-based IgG-format bsAbs are being evaluated in clinical trials. In addition to bsAbs, heterodimeric Fc technology is very promising for the generation of Fc-fused proteins and peptides, as well as cytokines (immunocytokines), which can present the fusion partners in the natural monomeric or heterodimeric form rather than the artificial homodimeric form with wild-type Fc. Here, we present relevant concepts and strategies for the generation of heterodimeric Fc proteins, and their application in the development of bsAbs in diverse formats for optimal biological activity. In addition, we describe wild-type Fc-fused monomeric and heterodimeric proteins, along with the difficulties associated with their preparations, and discuss the use of heterodimeric Fc as an alternative scaffold of wild-type Fc for naturally monomeric or heterodimeric proteins, to create Fc-fusion proteins with novel therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hee Ha
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Yong-Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea; Department of Applied Chemistry and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
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