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Hesen N, Anany M, Freidel A, Baker M, Siegmund D, Zaitseva O, Wajant H, Lang I. Genetically engineered IgG1 and nanobody oligomers acquire strong intrinsic CD40 agonism. Bioengineered 2024; 15:2302246. [PMID: 38214443 PMCID: PMC10793706 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2024.2302246] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Most anti-CD40 antibodies show robust agonism only upon binding to FcγR+ cells, such as B cells, macrophages, or DCs, but a few anti-CD40 antibodies display also strong intrinsic agonism dependent on the recognized epitope and/or isotype. It is worth mentioning, however, that also the anti-CD40 antibodies with intrinsic agonism can show a further increase in agonistic activity when bound by FcγR-expressing cells. Thus, conventional antibodies appear not to be sufficient to trigger the maximum possible CD40 activation independent from FcγR-binding. We proved here the hypothesis that oligomeric and oligovalent anti-CD40 antibody variants generated by genetic engineering display high intrinsic, thus FcγR-independent, agonistic activity. We generated tetra-, hexa- and dodecavalent variants of six anti-CD40 antibodies and a CD40-specific nanobody. All these oligovalent variants, even when derived of bivalent antagonistic anti-CD40 antibodies, showed strongly enhanced CD40 agonism compared to their conventional counterparts. In most cases, the CD40 agonism reached the maximum response induced by FcγR-bound anti-CD40 antibodies or membrane CD40L, the natural engager of CD40. In sum, our data show that increasing the valency of anti-CD40 antibody constructs by genetic engineering regularly results in molecules with high intrinsic agonism and level out the specific limitations of the parental antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke Hesen
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
| | - Mohamed Anany
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Andre Freidel
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
| | - Mediya Baker
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
| | - Daniela Siegmund
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
| | - Olena Zaitseva
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
| | - Isabell Lang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, WürzburgGermany
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Anany MA, Haack S, Lang I, Dahlhoff J, Vargas JG, Steinfatt T, Päckert L, Weisenberger D, Zaitseva O, Medler J, Kucka K, Zhang T, Van Belle T, van Rompaey L, Beilhack A, Wajant H. Generic design principles for antibody-based tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 2 (TNFR2) agonists with FcγR-independent agonism. Theranostics 2024; 14:496-509. [PMID: 38169605 PMCID: PMC10758050 DOI: 10.7150/thno.84404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Selective TNFR2 activation can be used to treat immune pathologies by activating and expanding regulatory T-cells (Tregs) but may also restore anti-tumour immunity by co-stimulating CD8+ T-cells. Oligomerized TNFR2-specific TNF mutants or anti-TNFR2 antibodies can activate TNFR2 but suffer either from poor production and pharmacokinetics or in the case of anti-TNFR2 antibodies typically from the need of FcγR binding to elicit maximal agonistic activity. Methods: To identify the major factor(s) determining FcγR-independent agonism of anti-TNFR2 antibodies, we systematically investigated a comprehensive panel of anti-TNFR2 antibodies and antibody-based constructs differing in the characteristics of their TNFR2 binding domains but also in the number and positioning of the latter. Results: We identified the domain architecture of the constructs as the pivotal factor enabling FcγR-independent, thus intrinsic TNFR2-agonism. Anti-TNFR2 antibody formats with either TNFR2 binding sites on opposing sites of the antibody scaffold or six or more TNFR2 binding sites in similar orientation regularly showed strong FcγR-independent agonism. The affinity of the TNFR2 binding domain and the epitope recognized in TNFR2, however, were found to be of only secondary importance for agonistic activity. Conclusion: Generic design principles enable the generation of highly active bona fide TNFR2 agonists from nearly any TNFR2-specific antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Anany
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Stefanie Haack
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) laboratory Würzburg, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Isabell Lang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Dahlhoff
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) laboratory Würzburg, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Juan Gamboa Vargas
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) laboratory Würzburg, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Steinfatt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) laboratory Würzburg, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lea Päckert
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Weisenberger
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Olena Zaitseva
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Medler
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kirstin Kucka
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tengyu Zhang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Andreas Beilhack
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) laboratory Würzburg, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Zaitseva O, Anany M, Wajant H, Lang I. Basic characterization of antibodies targeting receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1115667. [PMID: 37051245 PMCID: PMC10083269 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1115667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Many new immunotherapeutic approaches aim on the stimulatory targeting of receptors of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) using antibodies with intrinsic or conditional agonism. There is an initial need to characterize corresponding TNFRSF receptor (TNFR)-targeting antibodies with respect to affinity, ligand binding, receptor activation and the epitope recognized. Here, we report a collection of simple and matched protocols enabling the detailed investigation of these aspects by help of Gaussia princeps luciferase (GpL) fusion proteins and analysis of interleukin-8 (IL8) production as an easily measurable readout of TNFR activation. In a first step, the antibodies and antibody variants of interest are transiently expressed in human embryonal kidney 293 cells, either in non-modified form or as fusion proteins with GpL as a reporter domain. The supernatants containing the antibody-GpL fusion proteins can then be used without further purification in cell-free and/or cellular binding studies to determine affinity. Similarly, binding studies with mutated TNFR variants enable the characterization of the antibody binding site within the TNFR ectodomain. Furthermore, in cellular binding studies with GpL fusion proteins of soluble TNFL molecules, the ability of the non-modified antibody variants to interfere with TNFL-TNFR interaction can be analyzed. Last but not least, we describe a protocol to determine the intrinsic and the Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)-dependent agonism of anti-TNFR antibodies which exploits i) the capability of TNFRs to trigger IL8 production in tumor cell lines lacking expression of FcγRs and ii) vector- and FcγR-transfected cells, which produce no or only very low amounts of human IL8. The presented protocols only require standard molecular biological equipment, eukaryotic cell culture and plate readers for the quantification of luminescent and colorimetric signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Zaitseva
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mohamed Anany
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Harald Wajant,
| | - Isabell Lang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Trossmann VT, Heltmann-Meyer S, Amouei H, Wajant H, Horch RE, Steiner D, Scheibel T. Recombinant Spider Silk Bioinks for Continuous Protein Release by Encapsulated Producer Cells. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:4427-4437. [PMID: 36067476 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapies using biopharmaceuticals are of growing clinical importance in disease treatment. Currently, there are several limitations of protein-based therapeutics (biologicals), including suboptimal biodistribution, lack of stability, and systemic side effects. A promising approach to overcoming these limitations could be a therapeutic cell-loaded 3D construct consisting of a suitable matrix component that harbors producer cells continuously secreting the biological of interest. Here, the recombinant spider silk proteins eADF4(C16), eADF4(C16)-RGD, and eADF4(C16)-RGE have been processed together with HEK293 producer cells stably secreting the highly traceable reporter biological TNFR2-Fc-GpL, a fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of TNFR2, the Fc domain of human IgG1, and the luciferase of Gaussia princeps as a reporter domain. eADF4(C16) and eADF4(C16)-RGD hydrogels provide structural and mechanical support, promote HEK293 cell growth, and allow fusion protein production by the latter. Bioink-captured HEK293 producer cells continuously release functional TNFR2-Fc-GpL over 14 days. Thus, the combination of biocompatible, printable spider silk bioinks with drug-producing cells is promising for generating implantable 3D constructs for continuous targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa T Trossmann
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Fakultät für Ingenieurswissenschaften, Universität Bayreuth, Prof.-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heltmann-Meyer
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery and Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Krankenhaus-Str. 12, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Hanna Amouei
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Grombühl-Str. 12, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Grombühl-Str. 12, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Raymund E Horch
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery and Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Krankenhaus-Str. 12, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Dominik Steiner
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery and Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Krankenhaus-Str. 12, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Fakultät für Ingenieurswissenschaften, Universität Bayreuth, Prof.-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth 95447, Germany.,Bayreuther Zentrum für Kolloide und Grenzflächen (BZKG), Bayerisches Polymerinstitut (BPI), Bayreuther Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (BZMB), Bayreuther Materialzentrum (BayMAT), Universität Bayreuth, Universitäts-Str. 30, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
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Vargas JG, Wagner J, Shaikh H, Lang I, Medler J, Anany M, Steinfatt T, Mosca JP, Haack S, Dahlhoff J, Büttner-Herold M, Graf C, Viera EA, Einsele H, Wajant H, Beilhack A. A TNFR2-Specific TNF Fusion Protein With Improved In Vivo Activity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:888274. [PMID: 35769484 PMCID: PMC9234581 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.888274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-2 (TNFR2) has attracted considerable interest as a target for immunotherapy. Indeed, using oligomeric fusion proteins of single chain-encoded TNFR2-specific TNF mutants (scTNF80), expansion of regulatory T cells and therapeutic activity could be demonstrated in various autoinflammatory diseases, including graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). With the aim to improve the in vivo availability of TNFR2-specific TNF fusion proteins, we used here the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-interacting IgG1 molecule as an oligomerizing building block and generated a new TNFR2 agonist with improved serum retention and superior in vivo activity. Methods Single-chain encoded murine TNF80 trimers (sc(mu)TNF80) were fused to the C-terminus of an in mice irrelevant IgG1 molecule carrying the N297A mutation which avoids/minimizes interaction with Fcγ-receptors (FcγRs). The fusion protein obtained (irrIgG1(N297A)-sc(mu)TNF80), termed NewSTAR2 (New selective TNF-based agonist of TNF receptor 2), was analyzed with respect to activity, productivity, serum retention and in vitro and in vivo activity. STAR2 (TNC-sc(mu)TNF80 or selective TNF-based agonist of TNF receptor 2), a well-established highly active nonameric TNFR2-specific variant, served as benchmark. NewSTAR2 was assessed in various in vitro and in vivo systems. Results STAR2 (TNC-sc(mu)TNF80) and NewSTAR2 (irrIgG1(N297A)-sc(mu)TNF80) revealed comparable in vitro activity. The novel domain architecture of NewSTAR2 significantly improved serum retention compared to STAR2, which correlated with efficient binding to FcRn. A single injection of NewSTAR2 enhanced regulatory T cell (Treg) suppressive activity and increased Treg numbers by > 300% in vivo 5 days after treatment. Treg numbers remained as high as 200% for about 10 days. Furthermore, a single in vivo treatment with NewSTAR2 upregulated the adenosine-regulating ectoenzyme CD39 and other activation markers on Tregs. TNFR2-stimulated Tregs proved to be more suppressive than unstimulated Tregs, reducing conventional T cell (Tcon) proliferation and expression of activation markers in vitro. Finally, singular preemptive NewSTAR2 administration five days before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) protected mice from acute GvHD. Conclusions NewSTAR2 represents a next generation ligand-based TNFR2 agonist, which is efficiently produced, exhibits improved pharmacokinetic properties and high serum retention with superior in vivo activity exerting powerful protective effects against acute GvHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Gamboa Vargas
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Wagner
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Haroon Shaikh
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Isabell Lang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Medler
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mohamed Anany
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Tim Steinfatt
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Josefina Peña Mosca
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Haack
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Dahlhoff
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maike Büttner-Herold
- Department of Nephropathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carolin Graf
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Estibaliz Arellano Viera
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Beilhack
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
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Aido A, Zaitseva O, Wajant H, Buzgo M, Simaite A. Anti-Fn14 Antibody-Conjugated Nanoparticles Display Membrane TWEAK-Like Agonism. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13071072. [PMID: 34371763 PMCID: PMC8308961 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional bivalent IgG antibodies targeting a subgroup of receptors of the TNF superfamily (TNFSF) including fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (anti-Fn14) typically display no or only very limited agonistic activity on their own and can only trigger receptor signaling by crosslinking or when bound to Fcγ receptors (FcγR). Both result in proximity of multiple antibody-bound TNFRSF receptor (TNFR) molecules, which enables engagement of TNFR-associated signaling pathways. Here, we have linked anti-Fn14 antibodies to gold nanoparticles to mimic the “activating” effect of plasma membrane-presented FcγR-anchored anti-Fn14 antibodies. We functionalized gold nanoparticles with poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) linkers and then coupled antibodies to the PEG surface of the nanoparticles. We found that Fn14 binding of the anti-Fn14 antibodies PDL192 and 5B6 is preserved upon attachment to the nanoparticles. More importantly, the gold nanoparticle-presented anti-Fn14 antibody molecules displayed strong agonistic activity. Our results suggest that conjugation of monoclonal anti-TNFR antibodies to gold nanoparticles can be exploited to uncover their latent agonism, e.g., for immunotherapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Aido
- InoCure s.r.o, Department of R&D, Prumyslová 1960, 250 88 Celákovice, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (A.S.)
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auverahaus, Grombühlstrasse 12, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (O.Z.); (H.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-174-913-6442
| | - Olena Zaitseva
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auverahaus, Grombühlstrasse 12, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (O.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auverahaus, Grombühlstrasse 12, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (O.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Matej Buzgo
- InoCure s.r.o, Department of R&D, Prumyslová 1960, 250 88 Celákovice, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Aiva Simaite
- InoCure s.r.o, Department of R&D, Prumyslová 1960, 250 88 Celákovice, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (A.S.)
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Nelke J, Medler J, Weisenberger D, Beilhack A, Wajant H. CD40- and CD95-specific antibody single chain-Baff fusion proteins display BaffR-, TACI- and BCMA-restricted agonism. MAbs 2021; 12:1807721. [PMID: 32840410 PMCID: PMC7531569 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1807721] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies that target a clinically relevant group of receptors within the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), including CD40 and CD95 (Fas/Apo-1), also require binding to Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) to elicit a strong agonistic activity. This FcγR dependency largely relies on the mere cellular anchoring through the antibody’s Fc domain and does not involve the engagement of FcγR signaling. The aim of this study was to elicit agonistic activity from αCD40 and αCD95 antibodies in a myeloma cell anchoring-controlled FcγR-independent manner. For this purpose, various antibody variants (IgG1, IgG1N297A, Fab2) against the TNFRSF members CD40 and CD95 were genetically fused to a single-chain-encoded B-cell activating factor (scBaff) trimer as a C-terminal myeloma-specific anchoring domain substituting for Fc domain-mediated FcγR binding. The antibody-scBaff fusion proteins were evaluated in binding studies and functional assays using tumor cell lines expressing one or more of the three receptors of Baff: BaffR, transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Cellular binding studies showed that the binding properties of the different domains within the fusion proteins remained fully intact in the antibody-scBaff fusion proteins. In co-culture assays of CD40- and CD95-responsive cells with BaffR, BCMA or TACI expressing anchoring cells, the antibody fusion proteins displayed strong agonism while only minor receptor stimulation was observed in co-cultures with cells without expression of Baff-interacting receptors. Thus, our CD40 and CD95 antibody fusion proteins display myeloma cell-dependent activity and promise reduced systemic side effects compared to conventional CD40 and CD95 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Nelke
- Molecular Internal Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg , Würzburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Medler
- Molecular Internal Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg , Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Beilhack
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research, University Hospital Würzburg , Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Molecular Internal Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg , Würzburg, Germany
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Kucka K, Lang I, Zhang T, Siegmund D, Medler J, Wajant H. Membrane lymphotoxin-α 2β is a novel tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 2 (TNFR2) agonist. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:360. [PMID: 33824270 PMCID: PMC8024344 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03633-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In the early 1990s, it has been described that LTα and LTβ form LTα2β and LTαβ2 heterotrimers, which bind to TNFR1 and LTβR, respectively. Afterwards, the LTαβ2–LTβR system has been intensively studied while the LTα2β–TNFR1 interaction has been ignored to date, presumably due to the fact that at the time of identification of the LTα2β–TNFR1 interaction one knew already two ligands for TNFR1, namely TNF and LTα. Here, we show that LTα2β interacts not only with TNFR1 but also with TNFR2. We furthermore demonstrate that membrane-bound LTα2β (memLTα2β), despite its asymmetric structure, stimulates TNFR1 and TNFR2 signaling. Not surprising in view of its ability to interact with TNFR2, LTα2β is inhibited by Etanercept, which is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and also inhibits TNF and LTα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin Kucka
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Isabell Lang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tengyu Zhang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Siegmund
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Medler
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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9
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Medler J, Nelke J, Weisenberger D, Steinfatt T, Rothaug M, Berr S, Hünig T, Beilhack A, Wajant H. TNFRSF receptor-specific antibody fusion proteins with targeting controlled FcγR-independent agonistic activity. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:224. [PMID: 30833543 PMCID: PMC6399339 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1456-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Antibodies specific for TNFRSF receptors that bind soluble ligands without getting properly activated generally act as strong agonists upon FcγR binding. Systematic analyses revealed that the FcγR dependency of such antibodies to act as potent agonists is largely independent from isotype, FcγR type, and of the epitope recognized. This suggests that the sole cellular attachment, achieved by Fc domain-FcγR interaction, dominantly determines the agonistic activity of antibodies recognizing TNFRSF receptors poorly responsive to soluble ligands. In accordance with this hypothesis, we demonstrated that antibody fusion proteins harboring domains allowing FcγR-independent cell surface anchoring also act as strong agonist provided they have access to their target. This finding defines a general possibility to generate anti-TNFRSF receptor antibodies with FcγR-independent agonism. Moreover, anti-TNFRSF receptor antibody fusion proteins with an anchoring domain promise superior applicability to conventional systemically active agonists when an anchoring target with localized disease associated expression can be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Medler
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auvera Haus Grombühlstraße 12, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Nelke
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auvera Haus Grombühlstraße 12, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Weisenberger
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auvera Haus Grombühlstraße 12, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Steinfatt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Zinklesweg 10, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Moritz Rothaug
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auvera Haus Grombühlstraße 12, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Berr
- Institute of Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 7, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hünig
- Institute of Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Str. 7, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Beilhack
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Zinklesweg 10, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Auvera Haus Grombühlstraße 12, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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Sirtl S, Knoll G, Trinh DT, Lang I, Siegmund D, Gross S, Schuler-Thurner B, Neubert P, Jantsch J, Wajant H, Ehrenschwender M. Hypertonicity-enforced BCL-2 addiction unleashes the cytotoxic potential of death receptors. Oncogene 2018; 37:4122-4136. [PMID: 29706657 PMCID: PMC6062497 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0265-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Attempts to exploit the cytotoxic activity of death receptors (DR) for treating cancer have thus far been disappointing. DR activation in most malignant cells fails to trigger cell death and may even promote tumor growth by activating cell death-independent DR-associated signaling pathways. Overcoming apoptosis resistance is consequently a prerequisite for successful clinical exploitation of DR stimulation. Here we show that hyperosmotic stress in the tumor microenvironment unleashes the deadly potential of DRs by enforcing BCL-2 addiction of cancer cells. Hypertonicity robustly enhanced cytotoxicity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and other DR ligands in various cancer entities. Initial events in TRAIL DR signaling remained unaffected, but hypertonic conditions unlocked activation of the mitochondrial death pathway and thus amplified the apoptotic signal. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that hyperosmotic stress imposed a BCL-2-addiction on cancer cells to safeguard the integrity of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), essentially exhausting the protective capacity of BCL-2-like pro-survival proteins. Deprivation of these mitochondrial safeguards licensed DR-generated truncated BH3-interacting domain death agonist (tBID) to activate BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) and initiated mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). Our work highlights that hyperosmotic stress in the tumor environment primes mitochondria for death and lowers the threshold for DR-induced apoptosis. Beyond TRAIL-based therapies, our findings could help to strengthen the efficacy of other apoptosis-inducing cancer treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Sirtl
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Gertrud Knoll
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Dieu Thuy Trinh
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Isabell Lang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, 97070, Germany
| | - Daniela Siegmund
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, 97070, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gross
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Ulmenweg 18, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Ulmenweg 18, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Patrick Neubert
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Jonathan Jantsch
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, 97070, Germany
| | - Martin Ehrenschwender
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany.
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