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Peng BJ, Alvarado A, Cassim H, Guarneri S, Wong S, Willis J, SantaMaria J, Martynchuk A, Stratton V, Patel D, Chen CC, Li Y, Binder GK, Dryer-Minnerly R, Lee J, Basu S. Preclinical specificity & activity of a fully human 41BB-expressing anti-CD19 CART- therapy for treatment-resistant autoimmune disease. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101267. [PMID: 38883975 PMCID: PMC11176803 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Over 4% of the global population is estimated to live with autoimmune disease, necessitating immunosuppressive treatment that is often chronic, not curative, and carries associated risks. B cells have emerged as key players in disease pathogenesis, as evidenced by partial responsiveness to B cell depletion by antibody-based therapies. However, these treatments often have transient effects due to incomplete depletion of tissue-resident B cells. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting B cells have demonstrated efficacy in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus. To this end, we developed an anti-CD19 CAR T cell product candidate, CABA-201, containing a clinically evaluated fully human CD19 binder (IC78) with a 4-1BB costimulatory domain and CD3 zeta stimulation domain for treatment refractory autoimmune disease. Here, we demonstrate specific cytotoxic activity of CABA-201 against CD19+ Nalm6 cells with no off-target effects on primary human cells. Novel examination of CABA-201 generated from primary T cells from multiple patients with autoimmune disease displayed robust CAR surface expression and effective elimination of the intended target autologous CD19+ B cells in vitro. Together, these findings support the tolerability and activity of CABA-201 for clinical development in patients with autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghao J Peng
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Andrea Alvarado
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Hangameh Cassim
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Soprina Guarneri
- Department of Protein and Molecular Biology, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Steven Wong
- Department of Protein and Molecular Biology, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Jonathan Willis
- Department of Analytical Development, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Julia SantaMaria
- Department of Analytical Development, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Ashley Martynchuk
- Department of Manufacturing, Science, and Technologies, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Victoria Stratton
- Department of Manufacturing, Science, and Technologies, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Darshil Patel
- Department of Protein and Molecular Biology, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Chien-Chung Chen
- Department of Analytical Development, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Manufacturing, Science, and Technologies, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | | | | | - Jinmin Lee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Samik Basu
- Cabaletta Bio, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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2
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Caputo V, Negri I, Moudoud L, Libera M, Bonizzi L, Clementi M, Diotti RA. Anti-HIV Humoral Response Induced by Different Anti-Idiotype Antibody Formats: An In Silico and In Vivo Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5737. [PMID: 38891926 PMCID: PMC11171986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115737] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements in vaccinology, there is currently no effective anti-HIV vaccine. One strategy under investigation is based on the identification of epitopes recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies to include in vaccine preparation. Taking into account the benefits of anti-idiotype molecules and the diverse biological attributes of different antibody formats, our aim was to identify the most immunogenic antibody format. This format could serve as a foundational element for the development of an oligo-polyclonal anti-idiotype vaccine against HIV-1. For our investigation, we anchored our study on an established b12 anti-idiotype, referred to as P1, and proposed four distinct formats: two single chains and two minibodies, both in two different orientations. For a deeper characterization of these molecules, we used immunoinformatic tools and tested them on rabbits. Our studies have revealed that a particular minibody conformation, MbVHVL, emerges as the most promising candidate. It demonstrates a significant binding affinity with b12 and elicits a humoral anti-HIV-1 response in rabbits similar to the Fab format. This study marks the first instance where the minibody format has been shown to provoke a humoral response against a pathogen. Furthermore, this format presents biological advantages over the Fab format, including bivalency and being encoded by a monocistronic gene, making it better suited for the development of RNA-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Caputo
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l, Via Assarotti 7, 10122 Turin, Italy
- One Health Unit, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Negri
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l, Via Assarotti 7, 10122 Turin, Italy
| | - Louiza Moudoud
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l, Via Assarotti 7, 10122 Turin, Italy
- One Health Unit, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Libera
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l, Via Assarotti 7, 10122 Turin, Italy
- One Health Unit, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Bonizzi
- One Health Unit, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Clementi
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l, Via Assarotti 7, 10122 Turin, Italy
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, ‘Vita-Salute’ San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Antonia Diotti
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l, Via Assarotti 7, 10122 Turin, Italy
- One Health Unit, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
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3
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Stepanov AV, Xie J, Zhu Q, Shen Z, Su W, Kuai L, Soll R, Rader C, Shaver G, Douthit L, Zhang D, Kalinin R, Fu X, Zhao Y, Qin T, Baran PS, Gabibov AG, Bushnell D, Neri D, Kornberg RD, Lerner RA. Control of the antitumour activity and specificity of CAR T cells via organic adapters covalently tethering the CAR to tumour cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:529-543. [PMID: 37798444 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01102-5] [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: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
On-target off-tumour toxicity limits the anticancer applicability of chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Here we show that the tumour-targeting specificity and activity of T cells with a CAR consisting of an antibody with a lysine residue that catalytically forms a reversible covalent bond with a 1,3-diketone hapten can be regulated by the concentration of a small-molecule adapter. This adapter selectively binds to the hapten and to a chosen tumour antigen via a small-molecule binder identified via a DNA-encoded library. The adapter therefore controls the formation of a covalent bond between the catalytic antibody and the hapten, as well as the tethering of the CAR T cells to the tumour cells, and hence the cytotoxicity and specificity of the cytotoxic T cells, as we show in vitro and in mice with prostate cancer xenografts. Such small-molecule switches of T-cell cytotoxicity and specificity via an antigen-independent 'universal' CAR may enhance the control and safety profile of CAR-based cellular immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V Stepanov
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Jia Xie
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Wenji Su
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Christoph Rader
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Geramie Shaver
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lacey Douthit
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ding Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roman Kalinin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Xiang Fu
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yingying Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tian Qin
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Phil S Baran
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexander G Gabibov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - David Bushnell
- Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger D Kornberg
- Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Richard A Lerner
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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4
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Simonović M, Ostojić S, Micić D, Djurdjić P, Mix T, Kuzmanović Č, Jelovac D. Biotin as a structural component in the detection of small model antigens in BLA-S-ELISA. Nat Prod Res 2024:1-5. [PMID: 38379297 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2318785] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
An interesting biotin-linked-antigen-Sandwich-ELISA was developed (BLA-S-ELISA), which based on the captured Trinitrophenol-Biotin (TNP-Biotin) molecule between the immobilised monovalent antibody and enzyme-conjugated streptavidin. Monoclonal anti-Trinitrotoluene single chain fragment antibody (anti-TNT-scFv) was cloned and expressed in E. coli cells, and then used as an immobilised component in an assay. Thereafter, the previously synthesised TNP-Biotin was added as antigen followed by the addition of streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (streptavidin-HRP) conjugate which led finally to the formation of a three-component system (antibody/TNP-Biotin/streptavidin-HRP). The assay was performed with a range of different dilutions of TNP-Biotin to establish its minimal detectable concentration. The detection limit of TNP-Biotin was 4 ngmL-1 (i.e. 200 pg or 0.42 pmol antigen calculated on the basis of 50 μL sample or 8.4 nM expressed in concentration units). According to our best knowledge, this is the very first time for any model antigen to be detected with such a form of biotin-streptavidin sandwich-assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mladen Simonović
- Institute of General and Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Ostojić
- Institute of General and Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Darko Micić
- Institute of General and Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Petar Djurdjić
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Thorsten Mix
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Čeda Kuzmanović
- Clinic for Maxillofacial Chirurgy, School of dental medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Drago Jelovac
- Clinic for Maxillofacial Chirurgy, School of dental medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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5
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Sanchez C, Ramirez A, Hodgson L. Unravelling molecular dynamics in living cells: Fluorescent protein biosensors for cell biology. J Microsc 2024. [PMID: 38357769 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Genetically encoded, fluorescent protein (FP)-based Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors are microscopy imaging tools tailored for the precise monitoring and detection of molecular dynamics within subcellular microenvironments. They are characterised by their ability to provide an outstanding combination of spatial and temporal resolutions in live-cell microscopy. In this review, we begin by tracing back on the historical development of genetically encoded FP labelling for detection in live cells, which lead us to the development of early biosensors and finally to the engineering of single-chain FRET-based biosensors that have become the state-of-the-art today. Ultimately, this review delves into the fundamental principles of FRET and the design strategies underpinning FRET-based biosensors, discusses their diverse applications and addresses the distinct challenges associated with their implementation. We place particular emphasis on single-chain FRET biosensors for the Rho family of guanosine triphosphate hydrolases (GTPases), pointing to their historical role in driving our understanding of the molecular dynamics of this important class of signalling proteins and revealing the intricate relationships and regulatory mechanisms that comprise Rho GTPase biology in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colline Sanchez
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Ramirez
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Louis Hodgson
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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6
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Zhang B, Yang M, Zhang W, Liu N, Wang D, Jing L, Xu N, Yang N, Ren T. Chimeric antigen receptor-based natural killer cell immunotherapy in cancer: from bench to bedside. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:50. [PMID: 38221520 PMCID: PMC10788349 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06438-7] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has rapidly evolved in the past decades in the battle against cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have demonstrated significant success in certain hematologic malignancies, although they still face certain limitations, including high costs and toxic effects. Natural killer cells (NK cells), as a vital component of the immune system, serve as the "first responders" in the context of cancer development. In this literature review, we provide an updated understanding of NK cell development, functions, and their applications in disease therapy. Furthermore, we explore the rationale for utilizing engineered NK cell therapies, such as CAR-NK cells, and discuss the differences between CAR-T and CAR-NK cells. We also provide insights into the key elements and strategies involved in CAR design for engineered NK cells. In addition, we highlight the challenges currently encountered and discuss the future directions in NK cell research and utilization, including pre-clinical investigations and ongoing clinical trials. Based on the outstanding antitumor potential of NK cells, it is highly likely that they will lead to groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Mengzhe Yang
- Graduate School of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weiming Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530199, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518052, China
| | - Daogang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Liangfang Jing
- Department of Neonatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, 650101, China.
| | - Tao Ren
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China.
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7
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Khodke P, Kumbhar BV. Engineered CAR-T cells: An immunotherapeutic approach for cancer treatment and beyond. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 140:157-198. [PMID: 38762269 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a type of adoptive immunotherapy that offers a promising avenue for enhancing cancer treatment since traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy have proven insufficient in completely eradicating tumors, despite the relatively positive outcomes. It has been observed that CAR-T cell therapy has shown promising results in treating the majority of hematological malignancies but also have a wide scope for other cancer types. CAR is an extra receptor on the T-cell that helps to increase and accelerate tumor destruction by efficiently activating the immune system. It is made up of three domains, the ectodomain, transmembrane, and the endodomain. The ectodomain is essential for antigen recognition and binding, whereas the co-stimulatory signal is transduced by the endodomain. To date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for six CAR-T cell therapies. However, despite its remarkable success, CAR-T therapy is associated with numerous adverse events and has certain limitations. This chapter focuses on the structure and function of the CAR domain, various generations of CAR, and the process of CAR-T cell development, adverse effects, and challenges in CAR-T therapy. CAR-T cell therapy also has scopes in other disease conditions which include systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and myocardial fibrosis, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purva Khodke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Deemed-to-be University, Mumbai, India
| | - Bajarang Vasant Kumbhar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Deemed-to-be University, Mumbai, India.
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8
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Seigner J, Zajc CU, Dötsch S, Eigner C, Laurent E, Busch DH, Lehner M, Traxlmayr MW. Solving the mystery of the FMC63-CD19 affinity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23024. [PMID: 38155191 PMCID: PMC10754921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48528-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of approved CAR T cell products are based on the FMC63-scFv directed against CD19. Surprisingly, although antigen binding affinity is a major determinant for CAR function, the affinity of the benchmark FMC63-scFv has not been unambiguously determined. That is, a wide range of affinities have been reported in literature, differing by more than 100-fold. Using a range of techniques, we demonstrate that suboptimal experimental designs can cause artefacts that lead to over- or underestimation of the affinity. To minimize these artefacts, we performed SPR with strictly monomeric and correctly folded soluble CD19, yielding an FMC63-scFv affinity of 2-6 nM. Together, apart from analyzing the FMC63-scFv affinity under optimized conditions, we also provide potential explanations for the wide range of published affinities. We expect that this study will be highly valuable for interpretations of CAR affinity-function relationships, as well as for the design of future CAR T cell generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Seigner
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Charlotte U Zajc
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Dötsch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Eigner
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Laurent
- BOKU Core Facility Biomolecular and Cellular Analysis, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Manfred Lehner
- CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, CCRI, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Anna Kinderspital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael W Traxlmayr
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
- CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Dragon AC, Beermann LM, Umland M, Bonifacius A, Malinconico C, Ruhl L, Kehler P, Gellert J, Weiß L, Mayer-Hain S, Zimmermann K, Riese S, Thol F, Beutel G, Maecker-Kolhoff B, Yamamoto F, Blasczyk R, Schambach A, Hust M, Hudecek M, Eiz-Vesper B. CAR-Ts redirected against the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen CD176 mediate specific elimination of malignant cells from leukemia and solid tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1219165. [PMID: 37915564 PMCID: PMC10616308 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1219165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells (CAR-Ts) are investigated in various clinical trials for the treatment of cancer entities beyond hematologic malignancies. A major hurdle is the identification of a target antigen with high expression on the tumor but no expression on healthy cells, since "on-target/off-tumor" cytotoxicity is usually intolerable. Approximately 90% of carcinomas and leukemias are positive for the Thomsen-Friedenreich carbohydrate antigen CD176, which is associated with tumor progression, metastasis and therapy resistance. In contrast, CD176 is not accessible for ligand binding on healthy cells due to prolongation by carbohydrate chains or sialylation. Thus, no "on-target/off-tumor" cytotoxicity and low probability of antigen escape is expected for corresponding CD176-CAR-Ts. Methods Using the anti-CD176 monoclonal antibody (mAb) Nemod-TF2, the presence of CD176 was evaluated on multiple healthy or cancerous tissues and cells. To target CD176, we generated two different 2nd generation CD176-CAR constructs differing in spacer length. Their specificity for CD176 was tested in reporter cells as well as primary CD8+ T cells upon co-cultivation with CD176+ tumor cell lines as models for CD176+ blood and solid cancer entities, as well as after unmasking CD176 on healthy cells by vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (VCN) treatment. Following that, both CD176-CARs were thoroughly examined for their ability to initiate target-specific T-cell signaling and activation, cytokine release, as well as cytotoxicity. Results Specific expression of CD176 was detected on primary tumor tissues as well as on cell lines from corresponding blood and solid cancer entities. CD176-CARs mediated T-cell signaling (NF-κB activation) and T-cell activation (CD69, CD137 expression) upon recognition of CD176+ cancer cell lines and unmasked CD176, whereby a short spacer enabled superior target recognition. Importantly, they also released effector molecules (e.g. interferon-γ, granzyme B and perforin), mediated cytotoxicity against CD176+ cancer cells, and maintained functionality upon repetitive antigen stimulation. Here, CD176L-CAR-Ts exhibited slightly higher proliferation and mediator-release capacities. Since both CD176-CAR-Ts did not react towards CD176- control cells, their response proved to be target-specific. Discussion Genetically engineered CD176-CAR-Ts specifically recognize CD176 which is widely expressed on cancer cells. Since CD176 is masked on most healthy cells, this antigen and the corresponding CAR-Ts represent a promising approach for the treatment of various blood and solid cancers while avoiding "on-target/off-tumor" cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Christina Dragon
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Luca Marie Beermann
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Melina Umland
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Agnes Bonifacius
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Chiara Malinconico
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Louisa Ruhl
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Katharina Zimmermann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Riese
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Felicitas Thol
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Gernot Beutel
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Britta Maecker-Kolhoff
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Blasczyk
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Hust
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Hudecek
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Britta Eiz-Vesper
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
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10
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Smith R. Bringing cell therapy to tumors: considerations for optimal CAR binder design. Antib Ther 2023; 6:225-239. [PMID: 37846297 PMCID: PMC10576856 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have revolutionized the immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies and are poised to expand the range of their impact across a broad range of oncology and non-oncology indications. Critical to the success of a given CAR is the choice of binding domain, as this is the key driver for specificity and plays an important role (along with the rest of the CAR structure) in determining efficacy, potency and durability of the cell therapy. While antibodies have proven to be effective sources of CAR binding domains, it has become apparent that the desired attributes for a CAR binding domain do differ from those of a recombinant antibody. This review will address key factors that need to be considered in choosing the optimal binding domain for a given CAR and how binder properties influence and are influenced by the rest of the CAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Smith
- Department of Research, Kite, a Gilead Company, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 240, Emeryville, CA 94070, USA
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11
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Lam N, Finney R, Yang S, Choi S, Wu X, Cutmore L, Andrade J, Huang L, Amatya C, Cam M, Kochenderfer JN. Development of a bicistronic anti-CD19/CD20 CAR construct including abrogation of unexpected nucleic acid sequence deletions. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:132-149. [PMID: 37654973 PMCID: PMC10465854 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
To address CD19 loss from lymphoma after anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, we designed a bicistronic construct encoding an anti-CD19 CAR and an anti-CD20 CAR. We detected deletions from the expected bicistronic construct sequence in a minority of transcripts by mRNA sequencing. Loss of bicistronic construct transgene DNA was also detected. Deletions of sequence were present at much higher frequencies in transduced T cell mRNA versus gamma-retroviral vector RNA. We concluded that these deletions were caused by intramolecular template switching of the reverse transcriptase enzyme during reverse transcription of gamma-retroviral vector RNA into transgene DNA of transduced T cells. Intramolecular template switching was driven by repeated regions of highly similar nucleic acid sequence within CAR sequences. We optimized the sequence of the bicistronic CAR construct to reduce repeated regions of highly similar sequences. This optimization nearly eliminated sequence deletions. This work shows that repeated regions of highly similar nucleic acid sequence must be avoided in complex CAR constructs. We further optimized the bicistronic construct by lengthening the linker of the anti-CD20 single-chain variable fragment. This modification increased CD20-specific interleukin-2 release and reduced CD20-specific activation-induced cell death. We selected an optimized anti-CD19/CD20 bicistronic construct for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norris Lam
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Surgery Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard Finney
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Office of the Director, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shicheng Yang
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Surgery Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Choi
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Surgery Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Lauren Cutmore
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Surgery Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Lei Huang
- Kite, A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Christina Amatya
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Surgery Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Margaret Cam
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Office of the Director, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James N. Kochenderfer
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Surgery Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
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12
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Zhang M, Lam KP, Xu S. Natural Killer Cell Engagers (NKCEs): a new frontier in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207276. [PMID: 37638058 PMCID: PMC10450036 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are a type of innate lymphoid cells that play a crucial role in immunity by killing virally infected or tumor cells and secreting cytokines and chemokines. NK cell-mediated immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment due to its safety and effectiveness. NK cell engagers (NKCEs), such as BiKE (bispecific killer cell engager) or TriKE (trispecific killer cell engager), are a novel class of antibody-based therapeutics that exhibit several advantages over other cancer immunotherapies harnessing NK cells. By bridging NK and tumor cells, NKCEs activate NK cells and lead to tumor cell lysis. A growing number of NKCEs are currently undergoing development, with some already in clinical trials. However, there is a need for more comprehensive studies to determine how the molecular design of NKCEs affects their functionality and manufacturability, which are crucial for their development as off-the-shelf drugs for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on NKCE development and discuss critical factors required for the production of effective NKCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minchuan Zhang
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shengli Xu
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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13
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Smith R, Shen R. Complexities in comparing the impact of costimulatory domains on approved CD19 CAR functionality. J Transl Med 2023; 21:515. [PMID: 37518011 PMCID: PMC10387212 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04372-4] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are engineered to target T cells specifically to tumor cells, resulting in the engineered T cell killing the tumor cell. This technology has been developed to target a range of cancers, with the most notable successes in the treatment of B-cell malignancies where four approved therapies, all targeting CD19, are on the market. These four products differ in the costimulation domains, with axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) and brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) both utilizing the CD28 costimulation domain whilst tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) and lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi) both utilizing the 4-1BB costimulation domain. There are clearly defined differences in how the CD28 and 4-1BB domains signal, yet it is difficult to ascertain which domain affords a superior mechanism of action given many other differences between these products, including overall CAR architecture and manufacturing methods. Additionally, while in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies have compared CARs with different costimulation domains, it remains a challenge to extrapolate differences observed in this biology across different experimental systems to the overall product performance. While there has been extensive preclinical and clinical work looking at CARs with a variety of targeting domains and architectures, this review will focus on the differences between the four marketed anti-CD19 CAR-Ts, with an additional focus on the impact of hinge and transmembrane domain on CAR activity and interaction with the target cell as well as other proteins on the surface of the T-cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rhine Shen
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
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14
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Bauer A, Klassa S, Herbst A, Maccioni C, Abhamon W, Segueni N, Kaluzhny Y, Hunter MC, Halin C. Optimization and Characterization of Novel ALCAM-Targeting Antibody Fragments for Transepithelial Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1841. [PMID: 37514028 PMCID: PMC10385607 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) is a cell adhesion molecule that supports T cell activation, leukocyte migration, and (lymph)angiogenesis and has been shown to contribute to the pathology of various immune-mediated disorders, including asthma and corneal graft rejection. In contrast to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting ALCAM's T cell expressed binding partner CD6, no ALCAM-targeting mAbs have thus far entered clinical development. This is likely linked with the broad expression of ALCAM on many different cell types, which increases the risk of eliciting unwanted treatment-induced side effects upon systemic mAb application. Targeting ALCAM in surface-exposed tissues, such as the lungs or the cornea, by a topical application could circumvent this issue. Here, we report the development of various stability- and affinity-improved anti-ALCAM mAb fragments with cross-species reactivity towards mouse, rat, monkey, and human ALCAM. Fragments generated in either mono- or bivalent formats potently blocked ALCAM-CD6 interactions in a competition ELISA, but only bivalent fragments efficiently inhibited ALCAM-ALCAM interactions in a leukocyte transmigration assay. The different fragments displayed a clear size-dependence in their ability to penetrate the human corneal epithelium. Furthermore, intranasal delivery of anti-ALCAM fragments reduced leukocyte infiltration in a mouse model of asthma, confirming ALCAM as a target for topical application in the lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Bauer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 1-5/10 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sven Klassa
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 1-5/10 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja Herbst
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 1-5/10 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Maccioni
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 1-5/10 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - William Abhamon
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 1-5/10 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Noria Segueni
- Artimmune SAS, 13 Avenue Buffon, 45100 Orleans, France
| | - Yulia Kaluzhny
- MatTek Corporation, 200 Homer Avenue, Ashland, MA 01721, USA
| | - Morgan Campbell Hunter
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 1-5/10 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Halin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 1-5/10 Vladimir-Prelog-Weg, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Novel scFv against Notch Ligand JAG1 Suitable for Development of Cell Therapies toward JAG1-Positive Tumors. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030459. [PMID: 36979394 PMCID: PMC10046313 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling ligand JAG1 is overexpressed in various aggressive tumors and is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Hence, therapies targeting oncogenic JAG1 hold great potential for the treatment of certain tumors. Here, we report the identification of specific anti-JAG1 single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), one of them endowing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with cytotoxicity against JAG1-positive cells. Anti-JAG1 scFvs were identified from human phage display libraries, reformatted into full-length monoclonal antibodies (Abs), and produced in mammalian cells. The characterization of these Abs identified two specific anti-JAG1 Abs (J1.B5 and J1.F1) with nanomolar affinities. Cloning the respective scFv sequences in our second- and third-generation CAR backbones resulted in six anti-JAG1 CAR constructs, which were screened for JAG1-mediated T-cell activation in Jurkat T cells in coculture assays with JAG1-positive cell lines. Studies in primary T cells demonstrated that one CAR harboring the J1.B5 scFv significantly induced effective T-cell activation in the presence of JAG1-positive, but not in JAG1-knockout, cancer cells, and enabled specific killing of JAG1-positive cells. Thus, this new anti-JAG1 scFv represents a promising candidate for the development of cell therapies against JAG1-positive tumors.
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16
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Bezverbnaya K, Hammill JA, Cummings D, Bojovic B, Groisman B, Baker CL, Aarts C, Hayes DL, Rill D, Xu SX, Bader AG, Helsen CW, Bramson JL. T-cell engineered with a fully humanized B-cell maturation antigen-specific T-cell antigen coupler receptor effectively target multiple myeloma. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:490-501. [PMID: 36781360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.01.002] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a clinically validated target for multiple myeloma. T-cell engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) directed against BCMA have demonstrated robust therapeutic activity in clinical trials, but toxicities remain a significant concern for a subset of patients, supporting continued investigation of other engineered T-cell platforms that may offer equal efficacy with an improved toxicity profile. The authors recently described a BCMA-specific, T-cell-centric synthetic antigen receptor, the T-cell antigen coupler (TAC) receptor, that can be used to engineer T-cell with robust anti-myeloma activity. Here the authors describe the creation of a fully humanized BCMA-specific TAC receptor. Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) were developed from BCMA-specific F(ab)s that were identified in a fully human phage display library. Twenty-four configurations of the F(ab)s were evaluated in a medium-throughput screening using primary T-cell, and a single F(ab), TRAC 3625, emerged as the most robust following in vitro and in vivo evaluation. An optimized BCMA-specific TAC receptor was developed through iterations of the BCMA-TAC design that evaluated a next-generation TAC scaffold sequence, different domains connecting the TAC to the 3625 scFv and different orientations of the TRAC 3625 heavy and light variable regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Bezverbnaya
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Joanne A Hammill
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Derek Cummings
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Bojana Bojovic
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Bella Groisman
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Christopher L Baker
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Craig Aarts
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Donna Rill
- Triumvira Immunologics, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | | | - Christopher W Helsen
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Triumvira Immunologics, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jonathan L Bramson
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Office of the Vice Dean, Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
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17
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Muñoz-López P, Ribas-Aparicio RM, Becerra-Báez EI, Fraga-Pérez K, Flores-Martínez LF, Mateos-Chávez AA, Luria-Pérez R. Single-Chain Fragment Variable: Recent Progress in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174206. [PMID: 36077739 PMCID: PMC9455005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recombinant antibody fragments have shown remarkable potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the fight against cancer. The single-chain fragment variable (scFv) that contains the complete antigen-binding domains of a whole antibody, has several advantages such as a high specificity and affinity for antigens, a low immunogenicity, and the proven ability to penetrate tumor tissues and diffuse. This review provides an overview of the current studies on the principle, generation, and applications of scFvs, particularly in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer, and underscores their potential use in clinical trials. Abstract Cancer remains a public health problem worldwide. Although conventional therapies have led to some excellent outcomes, some patients fail to respond to treatment, they have few therapeutic alternatives and a poor survival prognosis. Several strategies have been proposed to overcome this issue. The most recent approach is immunotherapy, particularly the use of recombinant antibodies and their derivatives, such as the single-chain fragment variable (scFv) containing the complete antigen-binding domains of a whole antibody that successfully targets tumor cells. This review describes the recent progress made with scFvs as a cancer diagnostic and therapeutic tool, with an emphasis on preclinical approaches and their potential use in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Muñoz-López
- Unit of Investigative Research on Hemato-Oncological Diseases, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Doctor Márquez 162, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Rosa María Ribas-Aparicio
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Elayne Irene Becerra-Báez
- Unit of Investigative Research on Hemato-Oncological Diseases, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Doctor Márquez 162, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Karla Fraga-Pérez
- Unit of Investigative Research on Hemato-Oncological Diseases, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Doctor Márquez 162, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Flores-Martínez
- Unit of Investigative Research on Hemato-Oncological Diseases, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Doctor Márquez 162, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Armando Alfredo Mateos-Chávez
- Unit of Investigative Research on Hemato-Oncological Diseases, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Doctor Márquez 162, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Rosendo Luria-Pérez
- Unit of Investigative Research on Hemato-Oncological Diseases, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Doctor Márquez 162, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-(55)-5228-9917 (ext. 4401)
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18
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Safety and Immunogenicity of Combined DNA-Polyethylenimine and Oral Bacterial Idiotypic Vaccine for Patients with B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Pilot Study. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143298. [PMID: 35884359 PMCID: PMC9320637 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunoglobulin variable domains, or idiotypes, have been used as lymphoma-specific antigens for therapeutic vaccination against B-cell lymphomas in a number of clinical trials. The effectiveness of DNA vaccines significantly depends on the chosen method of DNA delivery. In this study, we applied the intramuscular injection of a DNA–PEI vaccine followed by an oral vaccine-carrying Salmonella boost for lymphoma patients, which was safe and well tolerated. The observed remission was accompanied by T-cell but not an antibody response to the vaccine in most of the patients. Abstract We report, in brief, the results of a phase I, non-randomized study of idiotypic DNA vaccination in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (ISRCTN31090206). The DNA sequence of lymphoma-derived immunoglobulin variable regions was used as a tumor-specific antigen fused to the potato virus X coat protein. A conjugate of plasmid DNA with polyethylenimine was used for the intramuscular injections, followed by a boost with an oral live-attenuated Salmonella vaccine carrying the same plasmid. The patients with a complete or partial response to previous chemotherapy received one or two courses of vaccination, including four injections at monthly intervals. The vaccine was well tolerated, with low-grade adverse events. The T-cell immune responses were assessed by ELISpot, at last vaccine, one week and one month post-vaccination, and were detected in 11/14 (78.6%) of the patients. In cases of progression requiring chemotherapy, or the presence of a positive MRD after the first course of vaccination, the patients underwent a second course of vaccination. At the end point, 6/19 vaccinated patients had disease stabilization, while 13/19 were in complete remission. The overall survival was 100% at follow-up, of a median of 2.3 years.
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19
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Structural Analysis and Construction of a Thermostable Antifungal Chitinase. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0065222. [PMID: 35652665 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00652-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitin is a biopolymer of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine with β-1,4-bond and is the main component of arthropod exoskeletons and the cell walls of many fungi. Chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the β-1,4-bond in chitin and degrades chitin into oligomers. It has been found in a wide range of organisms. Chitinase from Gazyumaru (Ficus microcarpa) latex exhibits antifungal activity by degrading chitin in the cell wall of fungi and is expected to be used in medical and agricultural fields. However, the enzyme's thermostability is an important factor; chitinase is not thermostable enough to maintain its activity under the actual application conditions. In addition to the fact that thermostable chitinases exhibiting antifungal activity can be used under various conditions, they have some advantages for the production process and long-term preservation, which are highly demanded in industrial use. We solved the crystal structure of chitinase to explore the target sites to improve its thermostability. We rationally introduced proline residues, a disulfide bond, and salt bridges in the chitinase using protein-engineering methods based on the crystal structure and sequence alignment among other chitinases. As a result, we successfully constructed the thermostable mutant chitinases rationally with high antifungal and specific activities. The results provide a useful strategy to enhance the thermostability of this enzyme family. IMPORTANCE We solved the crystal structure of the chitinase from Gazyumaru (Ficus microcarpa) latex exhibiting antifungal activity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the thermostable mutant enzyme with a melting temperature (Tm) 6.9°C higher than wild type (WT) and a half-life at 60°C that is 15 times longer than WT was constructed through 10 amino acid substitutions, including 5 proline residues substitutions, making disulfide bonding, and building a salt bridge network in the enzyme. These mutations do not affect its high antifungal activity and chitinase activity, and the principle for the construction of the thermostable chitinase was well explained by its crystal structure. Our results provide a useful strategy to enhance the thermostability of this enzyme family and to use the thermostable mutant as a seed for antifungal agents for practical use.
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20
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Effect of non-repetitive linker on in vitro and in vivo properties of an anti-VEGF scFv. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5449. [PMID: 35361822 PMCID: PMC8971466 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09324-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Single chain antibody fragments (scFvs) are favored in diagnostic and therapeutic fields thanks to their small size and the availability of various engineering approaches. Linker between variable heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains of scFv covalently links these domains and it can affect scFv’s bio-physical/chemical properties and in vivo activity. Thus, scFv linker design is important for a successful scFv construction, and flexible linkers are preferred for a proper pairing of VH–VL. The flexibility of the linker is determined by length and sequence content and glycine-serine (GS) linkers are commonly preferred for scFvs based on their highly flexible profiles. Despite the advantage of this provided flexibility, GS linkers carry repeated sequences which can cause problems for PCR-based engineering approaches and immunogenicity. Here, two different linkers, a repetitive GS linker and an alternative non-repetitive linker with similar flexibility but lower immunogenicity are employed to generate anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor scFvs derived from bevacizumab. Our findings highlight a better in vitro profile of the non-repetitive linker such as a higher monomer ratio, higher thermal stability while there was no significant difference in in vivo efficacy in a zebrafish embryonic angiogenesis model. This is the first study to compare in vivo efficacy of scFvs with different linkers in a zebrafish model.
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21
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Gong Y, Wei C, Cheng L, Ma F, Lu S, Peng Q, Liu L, Wang Y. Tracking the Dynamic Histone Methylation of H3K27 in Live Cancer Cells. ACS Sens 2021; 6:4369-4378. [PMID: 34878766 PMCID: PMC9013700 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c01670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Histone methylations play a crucial role in chromatin remodeling and genome regulations. However, there is a lack of tools to visualize these histone modifications with high spatiotemporal resolutions in live cells. We have developed a biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and incorporated it into nucleosomes, capable of monitoring the trimethylation of H3K27 (H3K27me3) in live cells. We also revealed that the performance of the FRET biosensor can be significantly improved by adjusting the linkers within the biosensor. An improved biosensor enables the live-cell imaging of different histone methylation status, induced by the suppressive H3.3K27M or existing in breast cancer cells with varying genetic backgrounds. We have further applied the biosensor to reveal the dynamic coupling between H3K27me3 changes and caspase activity representing the initiation of apoptosis in cancer cells by imaging both H3K27me3 and caspase activity simultaneously in the same live cells. Thus, this new FRET biosensor can provide a powerful tool to visualize the epigenetic regulation in live cells with high spatial temporal resolutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
| | - Chujun Wei
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
| | - Leonardo Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
| | - Fengyi Ma
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
| | - Shaoying Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
| | - Qin Peng
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
| | - Longwei Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0435, United States
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22
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Nasu Y, Murphy-Royal C, Wen Y, Haidey JN, Molina RS, Aggarwal A, Zhang S, Kamijo Y, Paquet ME, Podgorski K, Drobizhev M, Bains JS, Lemieux MJ, Gordon GR, Campbell RE. A genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for extracellular L-lactate. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7058. [PMID: 34873165 PMCID: PMC8648760 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27332-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
L-Lactate, traditionally considered a metabolic waste product, is increasingly recognized as an important intercellular energy currency in mammals. To enable investigations of the emerging roles of intercellular shuttling of L-lactate, we now report an intensiometric green fluorescent genetically encoded biosensor for extracellular L-lactate. This biosensor, designated eLACCO1.1, enables cellular resolution imaging of extracellular L-lactate in cultured mammalian cells and brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Nasu
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Ciaran Murphy-Royal
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1 Canada ,grid.410559.c0000 0001 0743 2111Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9 Canada
| | - Yurong Wen
- grid.17089.37Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7 Canada ,grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Talent Highland, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061 China
| | - Jordan N. Haidey
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Rosana S. Molina
- grid.41891.350000 0001 2156 6108Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Abhi Aggarwal
- grid.443970.dJanelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147 USA
| | - Shuce Zhang
- grid.17089.37Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Yuki Kamijo
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Marie-Eve Paquet
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390CERVO Brain Research Center, Laval University, Québec, QC G1E 1T2 Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Laval University, Québec, QC G1J 2G3 Canada
| | - Kaspar Podgorski
- grid.443970.dJanelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147 USA
| | - Mikhail Drobizhev
- grid.41891.350000 0001 2156 6108Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Jaideep S. Bains
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - M. Joanne Lemieux
- grid.17089.37Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7 Canada
| | - Grant R. Gordon
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Robert E. Campbell
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan ,grid.17089.37Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2 Canada
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23
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Asaadi Y, Jouneghani FF, Janani S, Rahbarizadeh F. A comprehensive comparison between camelid nanobodies and single chain variable fragments. Biomark Res 2021; 9:87. [PMID: 34863296 PMCID: PMC8642758 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
By the emergence of recombinant DNA technology, many antibody fragments have been developed devoid of undesired properties of natural immunoglobulins. Among them, camelid heavy-chain variable domains (VHHs) and single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) are the most favored ones. While scFv is used widely in various applications, camelid antibodies (VHHs) can serve as an alternative because of their superior chemical and physical properties such as higher solubility, stability, smaller size, and lower production cost. Here, these two counterparts are compared in structure and properties to identify which one is more suitable for each of their various therapeutic, diagnosis, and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Asaadi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fazlollahi Jouneghani
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Janani
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
- Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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24
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Salter AI, Rajan A, Kennedy JJ, Ivey RG, Shelby SA, Leung I, Templeton ML, Muhunthan V, Voillet V, Sommermeyer D, Whiteaker JR, Gottardo R, Veatch SL, Paulovich AG, Riddell SR. Comparative analysis of TCR and CAR signaling informs CAR designs with superior antigen sensitivity and in vivo function. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/697/eabe2606. [PMID: 34429382 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abe2606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapy is effective in treating lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma in which the tumor cells express high amounts of target antigen. However, achieving durable remission for these hematological malignancies and extending CAR T cell therapy to patients with solid tumors will require receptors that can recognize and eliminate tumor cells with a low density of target antigen. Although CARs were designed to mimic T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, TCRs are at least 100-fold more sensitive to antigen. To design a CAR with improved antigen sensitivity, we directly compared TCR and CAR signaling in primary human T cells. Global phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that key T cell signaling proteins-such as CD3δ, CD3ε, and CD3γ, which comprise a portion of the T cell co-receptor, as well as the TCR adaptor protein LAT-were either not phosphorylated or were only weakly phosphorylated by CAR stimulation. Modifying a commonplace 4-1BB/CD3ζ CAR sequence to better engage CD3ε and LAT using embedded CD3ε or GRB2 domains resulted in enhanced T cell activation in vitro in settings of a low density of antigen, and improved efficacy in in vivo models of lymphoma, leukemia, and breast cancer. These CARs represent examples of alterations in receptor design that were guided by in-depth interrogation of T cell signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Salter
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. .,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Anusha Rajan
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jacob J Kennedy
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Richard G Ivey
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sarah A Shelby
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Isabel Leung
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Megan L Templeton
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Vishaka Muhunthan
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Valentin Voillet
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Cape Town HVTN Immunology Laboratory, Hutchinson Centre Research Institute of South Africa, NPC (HCRISA), Cape Town 8001, South Africa
| | - Daniel Sommermeyer
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Whiteaker
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Raphael Gottardo
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sarah L Veatch
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Amanda G Paulovich
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stanley R Riddell
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. .,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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25
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Cavanaugh KE, Oakes PW, Gardel ML. Optogenetic Control of RhoA to Probe Subcellular Mechanochemical Circuitry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 86:e102. [PMID: 32031760 DOI: 10.1002/cpcb.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal localization of protein function is essential for physiological processes from subcellular to tissue scales. Genetic and pharmacological approaches have played instrumental roles in isolating molecular components necessary for subcellular machinery. However, these approaches have limited capabilities to reveal the nature of the spatiotemporal regulation of subcellular machineries like those of cytoskeletal organelles. With the recent advancement of optogenetic probes, the field now has a powerful tool to localize cytoskeletal stimuli in both space and time. Here, we detail the use of tunable light-controlled interacting protein tags (TULIPs) to manipulate RhoA signaling in vivo. This is an optogenetic dimerization system that rapidly, reversibly, and efficiently directs a cytoplasmic RhoGEF to the plasma membrane for activation of RhoA using light. We first compare this probe to other available optogenetic systems and outline the engineering logic for the chosen recruitable RhoGEFs. We also describe how to generate the cell line, spatially control illumination, confirm optogenetic control of RhoA, and mechanically induce cell-cell junction deformation in cultured tissues. Together, these protocols detail how to probe the mechanochemical circuitry downstream of RhoA signaling. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol 1: Generation of a stable cell line expressing TULIP constructs Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of collagen substrate for imaging Basic Protocol 3: Transient transfection for visualization of downstream effectors Basic Protocol 4: Calibration of spatial illumination Basic Protocol 5: Optogenetic activation of a region of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Cavanaugh
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patrick W Oakes
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Margaret L Gardel
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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26
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Gong Y, Klein Wolterink RGJ, Wang J, Bos GMJ, Germeraad WTV. Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cell design and engineering for cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:73. [PMID: 33933160 PMCID: PMC8088725 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01083-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their efficient recognition and lysis of malignant cells, natural killer (NK) cells are considered as specialized immune cells that can be genetically modified to obtain capable effector cells for adoptive cellular treatment of cancer patients. However, biological and technical hurdles related to gene delivery into NK cells have dramatically restrained progress. Recent technological advancements, including improved cell expansion techniques, chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and enhanced viral transduction and electroporation, have endowed comprehensive generation and characterization of genetically modified NK cells. These promising developments assist scientists and physicians to design better applications of NK cells in clinical therapy. Notably, redirecting NK cells using CARs holds important promise for cancer immunotherapy. Various preclinical and a limited number of clinical studies using CAR-NK cells show promising results: efficient elimination of target cells without side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity which are seen in CAR-T therapies. In this review, we focus on the details of CAR-NK technology, including the design of efficient and safe CAR constructs and associated NK cell engineering techniques: the vehicles to deliver the CAR-containing transgene, detection methods for CARs, as well as NK cell sources and NK cell expansion. We summarize the current CAR-NK cell literature and include valuable lessons learned from the CAR-T cell field. This review also provides an outlook on how these approaches may transform current clinical products and protocols for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gong
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel G J Klein Wolterink
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jianxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Gerard M J Bos
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,CiMaas BV, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred T V Germeraad
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,CiMaas BV, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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27
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Navabi P, Ganjalikhany MR, Jafari S, Dehbashi M, Ganjalikhani-Hakemi M. Designing and generating a single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody against IL2Rα (CD25): An in silico and in vitro study. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 24:360-368. [PMID: 33995947 PMCID: PMC8087844 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2021.51709.11728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES IL-2Rα plays a critical role in maintaining immune function. However, expression and secretion of CD25 in various malignant disorders and autoimmune diseases are now well established. Thus, CD25 is considered an important target candidate for antibody-based therapy. This study aimed to find the most suitable linker peptide to construct a functional anti-CD25 single-chain fragment variable (scFv) by bioinformatics studies and its production in a bacterial expression system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Here, the 3D structures of the scFvs with different linkers were predicted and molecular dynamics simulation was performed to compare their structures and dynamics. Then, interactions between five models of scFv and human CD25 were calculated via molecular docking. According to MD and docking results, the anti-CD25 scFvs with (Gly4Ser)3 linker were constructed and cloned into pET-22b(+). Then, recombinant plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli Bl21 (DE3) for expression using IPTG and lactose as inducers. Anti-CD25 scFv was purified from the periplasm and detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Afterward, functionality was evaluated using ELISA. RESULTS In silico analysis showed that the model containing (Gly4Ser)3 as a linker has more stability compared with other linkers. The results of SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and ELISA confirmed the accuracy of anti-CD25 scFv production and its ability to bind to the human CD25. CONCLUSION Conclusively, our work provides a theoretical and experimental basis for production of an anti-CD25 scFv, which may be applied for various malignant disorders and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parnian Navabi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohamad Reza Ganjalikhany
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sepideh Jafari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Moein Dehbashi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technologies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
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28
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Larson RC, Maus MV. Recent advances and discoveries in the mechanisms and functions of CAR T cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:145-161. [PMID: 33483715 PMCID: PMC8353572 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-00323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 417] [Impact Index Per Article: 139.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This Review discusses the major advances and changes made over the past 3 years to our understanding of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell efficacy and safety. Recently, the field has gained insight into how various molecular modules of the CAR influence signalling and function. We report on mechanisms of toxicity and resistance as well as novel engineering and pharmaceutical interventions to overcome these challenges. Looking forward, we discuss new targets and indications for CAR T cell therapy expected to reach the clinic in the next 1-2 years. We also consider some new studies that have implications for the future of CAR T cell therapies, including changes to manufacturing, allogeneic products and drug-regulatable CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Larson
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Immunology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Immunology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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29
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Oyama H, Kiguchi Y, Morita I, Miyashita T, Ichimura A, Miyaoka H, Izumi A, Terasawa S, Osumi N, Tanaka H, Niwa T, Kobayashi N. NanoLuc luciferase as a suitable fusion partner of recombinant antibody fragments for developing sensitive luminescent immunoassays. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1161:238180. [PMID: 33896564 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.12.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are essential for monitoring various biomarkers. Competitive and noncompetitive (sandwich) assay formats are used to determine hapten and macromolecule levels, respectively. Both formats require more sensitive detection of reporter enzymes for greater assay sensitivities. We previously reported the utility of wild-type Gaussia luciferase (wtGLuc) as a fusion partner with antibody single-chain Fv fragments (scFvs) for developing sensitive luminescent ELISAs. Here, we evaluated utility of NanoLuc luciferase (NLuc), a recently developed luciferase, as fusion partner with scFvs from the view of comparison with wtGLuc and a mutant of alkaline phosphatase (ALP'). Thyroxine (T4) and T4-labeled albumin were chosen as model haptenic and macromolecular antigens, respectively. An in-house-prepared anti-T4 scFv was fused with NLuc, wtGLuc, or ALP'. The scFv-NLuc fusion protein showed 47-fold and 29-fold lower limit of detection [LOD; 59 zmol (per assay)] than the wtGLuc- and ALP'-fusions, respectively. In a competitive T4 ELISA, the NLuc-fusion showed 9.3- and 6.3-fold lower LOD, (0.67 pg) than the wtGLuc- and ALP'-fusions, respectively, with a higher specificity in clinical applications. A typical colorimetric ELISA using a peroxidase-labeled second antibody showed 70-fold higher LOD than NLuc-based ELISA. Another advantage of the NLuc-fusion was shown in the sandwich assays; the LOD of T4-labeled albumin (5.0 fmol) was >6-fold lower than that of the other luminescent ELISAs. In an additional sandwich assay developed to count bacteriophage particles, NLuc enabled more sensitive determination than wtGLuc, whereas ALP' showed nearly equivalent performance. Its slowest alteration rate for light intensity after starting the enzyme reaction should enable robust batch-by-batch assay operations. Thus, we concluded that scFv-NLuc fusions serve as suitable probes in various types of immunoassays and may facilitate higher sensitivities with practical specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Oyama
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Yuki Kiguchi
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Izumi Morita
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Takayuki Miyashita
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Ichimura
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroko Miyaoka
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Aki Izumi
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Sayaka Terasawa
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Natsumi Osumi
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tanaka
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Niwa
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Health Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1, Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kobayashi
- Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1, Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan.
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30
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Mir MA, Mehraj U, Sheikh BA, Hamdani SS. Nanobodies: The "Magic Bullets" in therapeutics, drug delivery and diagnostics. Hum Antibodies 2020; 28:29-51. [PMID: 31322555 DOI: 10.3233/hab-190390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies represent a well-established class of clinical diagnostics for medical applications as well as essential research and biotechnological tools. Although both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are indispensable reagents in basic research and diagnostics but both of them have their limitations. Hence, there is urgent need to develop strategies aimed at production of alternative scaffolds and recombinant antibodies of smaller dimensions that could be easily produced, selected and manipulated. Unlike conventional antibodies, members of Camelidae and sharks produce antibodies composed only of heavy chains with small size, high solubility, thermal stability, refolding capacity and good tissue penetration in vivo. The discovery of these naturally occurring antibodies having only heavy-chain in Camelidae family and their further development into small recombinant nanobodies represents an attractive alternative in drug delivery, diagnostics and imaging. Nanobody derivatives are soluble, stable, versatile, have unique refolding capacities, reduced aggregation tendencies and high-target binding capabilities. They can be genetically customized to target enzymes, transmembrane proteins or molecular interactions. Their ability to recognize recessed antigenic sites has been attributed to their smaller size and the ability of the extended CDR3 loop to quickly penetrate into such epitopes. With the advent of molecular engineering and phage display technology, they can be of potential use in molecular imaging, drug delivery and therapeutics for several major diseases. In this review we present the recent advances in nanobodies for modulating immune functions, for targeting cancers, viruses, toxins and microbes as well as their utility as diagnostic and biosensor tools.
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31
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Engineered Fragments of the PSMA-Specific 5D3 Antibody and Their Functional Characterization. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186672. [PMID: 32932591 PMCID: PMC7555429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186672] [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: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is an established biomarker for the imaging and experimental therapy of prostate cancer (PCa), as it is strongly upregulated in high-grade primary, androgen-independent, and metastatic lesions. Here, we report on the development and functional characterization of recombinant single-chain Fv (scFv) and Fab fragments derived from the 5D3 PSMA-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb). These fragments were engineered, heterologously expressed in insect S2 cells, and purified to homogeneity with yields up to 20 mg/L. In vitro assays including ELISA, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, revealed that the fragments retain the nanomolar affinity and single target specificity of the parent 5D3 antibody. Importantly, using a murine xenograft model of PCa, we verified the suitability of fluorescently labeled fragments for in vivo imaging of PSMA-positive tumors and compared their pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution to the parent mAb. Collectively, our data provide an experimental basis for the further development of 5D3 recombinant fragments for future clinical use.
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32
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Impact of scFv structure in chimeric antigen receptor on receptor expression efficiency and antigen recognition properties. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 527:350-357. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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33
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Multiplexed GTPase and GEF biosensor imaging enables network connectivity analysis. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:826-833. [PMID: 32424303 PMCID: PMC7388658 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0542-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Here we generate fluorescence resonance energy transfer biosensors for guanine exchange factors (GEFs) by inserting a fluorescent protein pair in a structural 'hinge' common to many GEFs. Fluorescent biosensors can map the activation of signaling molecules in space and time, but it has not been possible to quantify how different activation events affect one another or contribute to a specific cell behavior. By imaging the GEF biosensors in the same cells as red-shifted biosensors of Rho GTPases, we can apply partial correlation analysis to parse out the extent to which each GEF contributes to the activation of a specific GTPase in regulating cell movement. Through analysis of spontaneous cell protrusion events, we identify when and where the GEF Asef regulates the GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1 to control cell edge dynamics. This approach exemplifies a powerful means to elucidate the real-time connectivity of signal transduction networks.
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34
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Haran KP, Lockhart A, Xiong A, Radaelli E, Savickas PJ, Posey A, Mason NJ. Generation and Validation of an Antibody to Canine CD19 for Diagnostic and Future Therapeutic Purposes. Vet Pathol 2020; 57:241-252. [PMID: 32081102 DOI: 10.1177/0300985819900352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The B-cell coreceptor, CD19 is a transmembrane protein expressed throughout B-cell ontogeny from pro-B cell to plasmablast. It plays an important role in B-cell development and function and is an attractive target for antibody-directed immunotherapies against B-cell malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) in humans. With the rapid development of next-generation immunotherapies aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy, there is a pressing need for a clinically relevant, immune-competent, spontaneous animal model to derisk these new approaches and inform human immunotherapy clinical trials. Pet dogs develop spontaneous B-cell malignancies, including B-NHL and leukemias that share comparable oncogenic pathways and similar immunosuppressive features to human B-cell malignancies. Despite treatment with multiagent chemotherapy, durable remissions in canine B-NHL are rare and most dogs succumb to their disease within 1 year of diagnosis. Here we report the development and validation of an anti-canine CD19-targeting monoclonal antibody and its single-chain derivatives, which enable next-generation CD19-targeted immunotherapies to be developed and evaluated in client-owned dogs with spontaneous B-NHL. These future in vivo studies aim to provide important information regarding the safety and therapeutic efficacy of CD19-targeted mono- and combination therapies and identify correlative biomarkers of response that will help to inform human clinical trial design. In addition, development of canine CD19-targeted immunotherapies aims to provide better therapeutic options for pet dogs diagnosed with B-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumudhini Preethi Haran
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexandra Lockhart
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ailian Xiong
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Enrico Radaelli
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patrick J Savickas
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Avery Posey
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapy, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicola J Mason
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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35
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Shi X, Cheng Q, Hou T, Han M, Smbatyan G, Lang JE, Epstein AL, Lenz HJ, Zhang Y. Genetically Engineered Cell-Derived Nanoparticles for Targeted Breast Cancer Immunotherapy. Mol Ther 2019; 28:536-547. [PMID: 31843452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are nanosized membranous vesicles secreted by a variety of cells. Due to their unique and pharmacologically important properties, cell-derived exosome nanoparticles have drawn significant interest for drug development. By genetically modifying exosomes with two distinct types of surface-displayed monoclonal antibodies, we have developed an exosome platform termed synthetic multivalent antibodies retargeted exosome (SMART-Exo) for controlling cellular immunity. Here, we apply this approach to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-expressing breast cancer by engineering exosomes through genetic display of both anti-human CD3 and anti-human HER2 antibodies, resulting in SMART-Exos dually targeting T cell CD3 and breast cancer-associated HER2 receptors. By redirecting and activating cytotoxic T cells toward attacking HER2-expressing breast cancer cells, the designed SMART-Exos exhibited highly potent and specific anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. This work demonstrates preclinical feasibility of utilizing endogenous exosomes for targeted breast cancer immunotherapy and the SMART-Exos as a broadly applicable platform technology for the development of next-generation immuno-nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Shi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Qinqin Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Tianling Hou
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Menglu Han
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Goar Smbatyan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Julie E Lang
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Alan L Epstein
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Research Center for Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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36
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Wang Q, Chen Y, Park J, Liu X, Hu Y, Wang T, McFarland K, Betenbaugh MJ. Design and Production of Bispecific Antibodies. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8030043. [PMID: 31544849 PMCID: PMC6783844 DOI: 10.3390/antib8030043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
With the current biotherapeutic market dominated by antibody molecules, bispecific antibodies represent a key component of the next-generation of antibody therapy. Bispecific antibodies can target two different antigens at the same time, such as simultaneously binding tumor cell receptors and recruiting cytotoxic immune cells. Structural diversity has been fast-growing in the bispecific antibody field, creating a plethora of novel bispecific antibody scaffolds, which provide great functional variety. Two common formats of bispecific antibodies on the market are the single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-based (no Fc fragment) antibody and the full-length IgG-like asymmetric antibody. Unlike the conventional monoclonal antibodies, great production challenges with respect to the quantity, quality, and stability of bispecific antibodies have hampered their wider clinical application and acceptance. In this review, we focus on these two major bispecific types and describe recent advances in the design, production, and quality of these molecules, which will enable this important class of biologics to reach their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yiqun Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jaeyoung Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yifeng Hu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Tiexin Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kevin McFarland
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michael J Betenbaugh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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37
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Golob-Urbanc A, Rajčević U, Strmšek Ž, Jerala R. Design of split superantigen fusion proteins for cancer immunotherapy. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:6294-6305. [PMID: 30782846 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Several antibody-targeting cancer immunotherapies have been developed based on T cell activation at the target cells. One of the most potent activators of T cells are bacterial superantigens, which bind to major histocompatibility complex class II on antigen-presenting cells and activate T cells through T cell receptor. Strong T cell activation is also one of the main weaknesses of this strategy as it may lead to systemic T cell activation. To overcome the limitation of conventional antibody-superantigen fusion proteins, we have split a superantigen into two fragments, individually inactive, until both fragments came into close proximity and reassembled into a biologically active form capable of activating T cell response. A screening method based on fusion between SEA and coiled-coil heterodimers was developed that enabled detection of functional split SEA designs. The split SEA design that demonstrated efficacy in fusion with coiled-coil dimer forming polypeptides was fused to a single chain antibody specific for tumor antigen CD20. This design selectively activated T cells by split SEA-scFv fusion binding to target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Golob-Urbanc
- From the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, and
| | - Uroš Rajčević
- Department of Research and Development, Blood Transfusion Centre of Slovenia, Šlajmerjeva 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Žiga Strmšek
- From the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, and
| | - Roman Jerala
- From the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,
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38
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Paolino M, Visintin M, Margotti E, Visentini M, Salvini L, Reale A, Razzano V, Giuliani G, Caselli G, Tavanti F, Menziani MC, Cappelli A. Functionalization of protein hexahistidine tags by functional nanoreactors. NEW J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj03463c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The reactivity of functional nanoreactors was evaluated in CRB0137 as a model protein to develop a new methodology for the site-specific PEGylation of proteins bearing poly-histidine tags.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Paolino
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie
- Chimica e Farmacia (Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018–2022)
- Università di Siena
- 53100 Siena
- Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Annalisa Reale
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie
- Chimica e Farmacia (Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018–2022)
- Università di Siena
- 53100 Siena
- Italy
| | - Vincenzo Razzano
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie
- Chimica e Farmacia (Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018–2022)
- Università di Siena
- 53100 Siena
- Italy
| | - Germano Giuliani
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie
- Chimica e Farmacia (Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018–2022)
- Università di Siena
- 53100 Siena
- Italy
| | | | - Francesco Tavanti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche
- Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia
- 41121 Modena
- Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Menziani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche
- Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia
- 41121 Modena
- Italy
| | - Andrea Cappelli
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie
- Chimica e Farmacia (Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018–2022)
- Università di Siena
- 53100 Siena
- Italy
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39
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Guedan S, Calderon H, Posey AD, Maus MV. Engineering and Design of Chimeric Antigen Receptors. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:145-156. [PMID: 30666307 PMCID: PMC6330382 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have emerged as a potent new class of therapeutics for cancer, based on their remarkable potency in blood cancers. Since the first clinical reports of their efficacy emerged 7 years ago, investigators have focused on the mechanisms and properties that make CARs effective or toxic, and their effects on T cell biology. Novel CAR designs coupled with improvements in gene transfer technology, incorporating advances in gene editing, have the potential to increase access to engineered cell therapies, as well as improve their potency in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Guedan
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hugo Calderon
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Avery D Posey
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Parker Institute for Cellular Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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40
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Nautiyal K, Kibria MG, Akazawa-Ogawa Y, Hagihara Y, Kuroda Y. Design and assessment of an active anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) single chain variable fragment (ScFv) with improved solubility. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 508:1043-1049. [PMID: 30551882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.11.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
ScFv is emerging as a therapeutic alternative to the full-length monoclonal antibodies due to its small size and low production cost, but its low solubility remains a limiting factor toward wider use. Here, we increased the solubility of an Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor ScFv (Anti-EGFR ScFv) by attaching, a short 12-residue solubility enhancing peptide (SEP) tag at its C terminus. We first estimated the solubility increase by running 500-ns Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations. We then experimentally evaluated the predictions by producing recombinant Anti-EGFR ScFv with and without a SEP tag (called C9R) in E. coli. At 20 °C, ∼85% of Anti-EGFR ScFv-C9R expressed in the soluble fraction, whereas all of the Anti-EGFR ScFv remained in the insoluble fraction. The total yield of Anti-EGFR ScFv-C9R was 17.15 mg which was ∼3 times higher than that of Anti-EGFR ScFv refolded from the insoluble fraction. Static and dynamic light scattering demonstrated the higher solubility of the purified Anti-EGFR ScFv-C9R, and Circular Dichroism (CD) indicated its high thermal stability, whereas the untagged protein aggregated at 37 °C and pH 6. Finally, the binding activity of Anti-EGFR ScFv-C9R to EGFR was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Altogether, these results illustrate the improved biophysical and biochemical characteristics of Anti-EGFR ScFv-C9R and emphasize the potentials of SEP-tags for enhancing the solubility of aggregation-prone antibody fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana Nautiyal
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yoko Akazawa-Ogawa
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-8-31, Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka, 563-8577, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Hagihara
- Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan.
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41
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Steentoft C, Migliorini D, King TR, Mandel U, June CH, Posey AD. Glycan-directed CAR-T cells. Glycobiology 2018; 28:656-669. [PMID: 29370379 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwy008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is rapidly advancing in the treatment of a variety of hematopoietic cancers, including pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B cell lymphoma, with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. CARs are genetically encoded artificial T cell receptors that combine the antigen specificity of an antibody with the machinery of T cell activation. However, implementation of CAR technology in the treatment of solid tumors has been progressing much slower. Solid tumors are characterized by a number of challenges that need to be overcome, including cellular heterogeneity, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and, in particular, few known cancer-specific targets. Post-translational modifications that differentially occur in malignant cells generate valid cell surface, cancer-specific targets for CAR-T cells. We previously demonstrated that CAR-T cells targeting an aberrant O-glycosylation of MUC1, a common cancer marker associated with changes in cell adhesion, tumor growth and poor prognosis, could control malignant growth in mouse models. Here, we discuss the field of glycan-directed CAR-T cells and review the different classes of antibodies specific for glycan-targeting, including the generation of high affinity O-glycopeptide antibodies. Finally, we discuss historic and recently investigated glycan targets for CAR-T cells and provide our perspective on how targeting the tumor glycoproteome and/or glycome will improve CAR-T immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina Steentoft
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Odontology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Denis Migliorini
- Center of Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tiffany R King
- Center of Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ulla Mandel
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Odontology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carl H June
- Center of Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Avery D Posey
- Center of Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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42
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Kiguchi Y, Oyama H, Morita I, Katayama E, Fujita M, Narasaki M, Yokoyama A, Kobayashi N. Antibodies and Engineered Antibody Fragments against M13 Filamentous Phage to Facilitate Phage-Display-Based Molecular Breeding. Biol Pharm Bull 2018; 41:1062-1070. [PMID: 29962401 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b18-00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies are essential for characterizing various analytes. "Molecular-breeding" approaches enable rapid generation of antibody mutants with desirable antigen-binding abilities. Typically, prototype antibodies are converted to single-chain Fv fragments (scFvs), and random mutations are genetically introduced to construct molecular libraries with a vast diversity. Improved species therein are then isolated via phage display genotype-phenotype-connecting systems to separate them from a large excess of nonspecific scFvs. During these experiments, counting of phage particles is routinely performed. However, current methods depend on the time-consuming overnight cultivation of phage-infected bacteria on agar plates to estimate phage numbers as plaque-forming units (pfu) or colony-forming units, the results of which fluctuate considerably. Immunochemical systems capturing phage particles should be a more convenient and robust alternative. We therefore generated monoclonal antibodies against M13 filamentous phage, which is commonly used for phage display, by employing hybridoma technology. Combinatorial use of two such antibodies (Ab-M13#53 and #71; both specific to the major coat protein pVIII) enabled development of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that could measure ca. 107-1010 phage pfu/mL. To construct a more convenient system, Ab-M13#71 was converted to the scFv form and further fused with an alkaline phosphatase variant. Using this fusion protein, the sandwich ELISA enabled rapid (within 90 min) and reliable phage counting without reducing the sensitivity, and the results were reasonably consistent with those of infection-based methods. The present anti-phage antibodies and scFvs might also enable visualization of individual phage particles by combining them with sensitive fluorescent staining.
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43
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Helsen CW, Hammill JA, Lau VWC, Mwawasi KA, Afsahi A, Bezverbnaya K, Newhook L, Hayes DL, Aarts C, Bojovic B, Denisova GF, Kwiecien JM, Brain I, Derocher H, Milne K, Nelson BH, Bramson JL. The chimeric TAC receptor co-opts the T cell receptor yielding robust anti-tumor activity without toxicity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3049. [PMID: 30076299 PMCID: PMC6076291 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is an effective method for directing T cells to attack tumors, but may cause adverse side effects such as the potentially lethal cytokine release syndrome. Here the authors show that the T cell antigen coupler (TAC), a chimeric receptor that co-opts the endogenous TCR, induces more efficient anti-tumor responses and reduced toxicity when compared with past-generation CARs. TAC-engineered T cells induce robust and antigen-specific cytokine production and cytotoxicity in vitro, and strong anti-tumor activity in a variety of xenograft models including solid and liquid tumors. In a solid tumor model, TAC-T cells outperform CD28-based CAR-T cells with increased anti-tumor efficacy, reduced toxicity, and faster tumor infiltration. Intratumoral TAC-T cells are enriched for Ki-67+ CD8+ T cells, demonstrating local expansion. These results indicate that TAC-T cells may have a superior therapeutic index relative to CAR-T cells.
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MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer
- Animals
- CD28 Antigens/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytokines/blood
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Female
- Genetic Engineering
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Lentivirus/genetics
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Protein Engineering
- Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies
- T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity/genetics
- T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Vision, Ocular
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Helsen
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Joanne A Hammill
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Vivian W C Lau
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Kenneth A Mwawasi
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Arya Afsahi
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Ksenia Bezverbnaya
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Lisa Newhook
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Danielle L Hayes
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Craig Aarts
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Bojana Bojovic
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Galina F Denisova
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Jacek M Kwiecien
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1 Street, 20-059, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ian Brain
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Heather Derocher
- Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 2410 Lee Ave, Victoria, BC, V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Katy Milne
- Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 2410 Lee Ave, Victoria, BC, V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Brad H Nelson
- Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 2410 Lee Ave, Victoria, BC, V8R 6V5, Canada
| | - Jonathan L Bramson
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada.
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44
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Gedeon PC, Schaller TH, Chitneni SK, Choi BD, Kuan CT, Suryadevara CM, Snyder DJ, Schmittling RJ, Szafranski SE, Cui X, Healy PN, Herndon JE, McLendon RE, Keir ST, Archer GE, Reap EA, Sanchez-Perez L, Bigner DD, Sampson JH. A Rationally Designed Fully Human EGFRvIII:CD3-Targeted Bispecific Antibody Redirects Human T Cells to Treat Patient-derived Intracerebral Malignant Glioma. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:3611-3631. [PMID: 29703821 PMCID: PMC6103776 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Conventional therapy for malignant glioma fails to specifically target tumor cells. In contrast, substantial evidence indicates that if appropriately redirected, T cells can precisely eradicate tumors. Here we report the rational development of a fully human bispecific antibody (hEGFRvIII-CD3 bi-scFv) that redirects human T cells to lyse malignant glioma expressing a tumor-specific mutation of the EGFR (EGFRvIII).Experimental Design: We generated a panel of bispecific single-chain variable fragments and optimized design through successive rounds of screening and refinement. We tested the ability of our lead construct to redirect naïve T cells and induce target cell-specific lysis. To test for efficacy, we evaluated tumor growth and survival in xenogeneic and syngeneic models of glioma. Tumor penetrance following intravenous drug administration was assessed in highly invasive, orthotopic glioma models.Results: A highly expressed bispecific antibody with specificity to CD3 and EGFRvIII was generated (hEGFRvIII-CD3 bi-scFv). Antibody-induced T-cell activation, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and proliferation was robust and occurred exclusively in the presence of target antigen. hEGFRvIII-CD3 bi-scFv was potent and target-specific, mediating significant lysis of multiple malignant glioma cell lines and patient-derived malignant glioma samples that heterogeneously express EGFRvIII. In both subcutaneous and orthotopic models, well-engrafted, patient-derived malignant glioma was effectively treated despite heterogeneity of EGFRvIII expression; intravenous hEGFRvIII-CD3 bi-scFv administration caused significant regression of tumor burden (P < 0.0001) and significantly extended survival (P < 0.0001). Similar efficacy was obtained in highly infiltrative, syngeneic glioma models, and intravenously administered hEGFRvIII-CD3 bi-scFv localized to these orthotopic tumors.Conclusions: We have developed a clinically translatable bispecific antibody that redirects human T cells to safely and effectively treat malignant glioma. On the basis of these results, we have developed a clinical study of hEGFRvIII-CD3 bi-scFv for patients with EGFRvIII-positive malignant glioma. Clin Cancer Res; 24(15); 3611-31. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C Gedeon
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Teilo H Schaller
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Satish K Chitneni
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Bryan D Choi
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Chien-Tsun Kuan
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Carter M Suryadevara
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - David J Snyder
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Robert J Schmittling
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Scott E Szafranski
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Xiuyu Cui
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Patrick N Healy
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - James E Herndon
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Roger E McLendon
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Stephen T Keir
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Gary E Archer
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Elizabeth A Reap
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Luis Sanchez-Perez
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Darell D Bigner
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - John H Sampson
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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CAR T Cells with Enhanced Sensitivity to B Cell Maturation Antigen for the Targeting of B Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1906-1920. [PMID: 30078440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous T cells genetically modified with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirected at CD19 have potent activity in the treatment of B cell leukemia and B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). Immunotherapies to treat multiple myeloma (MM) targeted the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is expressed in most cases of MM. We developed a humanized CAR with specificity for BCMA based on our previously generated anti-BCMA monoclonal antibody. The targeting single-chain variable fragment (scFv) domain exhibited a binding affinity in the low nanomolar range, conferring T cells with high functional avidity. Redirecting T cells by this CAR allowed us to explore BCMA as an alternative target for mature B-NHLs. We validated BCMA expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. BCMA CAR T cells triggered target cell lysis with an activation threshold in the range of 100 BCMA molecules, which allowed for an efficient eradication of B-NHL cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data corroborate BCMA is a suitable target in B cell tumors beyond MM, providing a novel therapeutic option for patients where BCMA is expressed at low abundance or where anti-CD19 immunotherapies have failed due to antigen loss.
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46
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Rab11 activity and PtdIns(3)P turnover removes recycling cargo from endosomes. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:801-810. [DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Shcherbakova DM, Cox Cammer N, Huisman TM, Verkhusha VV, Hodgson L. Direct multiplex imaging and optogenetics of Rho GTPases enabled by near-infrared FRET. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:591-600. [PMID: 29686359 PMCID: PMC5964015 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0044-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Direct visualization and light control of several cellular processes is a challenge, owing to the spectral overlap of available genetically encoded probes. Here we report the most red-shifted monomeric near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent protein, miRFP720, and the fully NIR Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair miRFP670-miRFP720, which together enabled design of biosensors compatible with CFP-YFP imaging and blue-green optogenetic tools. We developed a NIR biosensor for Rac1 GTPase and demonstrated its use in multiplexed imaging and light control of Rho GTPase signaling pathways. Specifically, we combined the Rac1 biosensor with CFP-YFP FRET biosensors for RhoA and for Rac1-GDI binding, and concurrently used the LOV-TRAP tool for upstream Rac1 activation. We directly observed and quantified antagonism between RhoA and Rac1 dependent on the RhoA-downstream effector ROCK; showed that Rac1 activity and GDI binding closely depend on the spatiotemporal coordination between these two molecules; and simultaneously observed Rac1 activity during optogenetic manipulation of Rac1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria M Shcherbakova
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Cox Cammer
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Tsipora M Huisman
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vladislav V Verkhusha
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Louis Hodgson
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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48
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Case BA, Kruziki MA, Johnson SM, Hackel BJ. Engineered Charge Redistribution of Gp2 Proteins through Guided Diversity for Improved PET Imaging of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:1646-1658. [PMID: 29579383 PMCID: PMC6051758 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Gp2 domain is a protein scaffold for synthetic ligand engineering. However, the native protein function results in a heterogeneous distribution of charge on the conserved surface, which may hinder further development and utility. We aim to modulate charge, without diminishing function, which is challenging in small proteins where each mutation is a significant fraction of protein structure. We constructed rationally guided combinatorial libraries with charge-neutralizing or charge-flipping mutations and sorted them, via yeast display and flow cytometry, for stability and target binding. Deep sequencing of functional variants revealed effective mutations both in clone-dependent contexts and broadly across binders to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin receptor, and immunoglobulin G. Functional mutants averaged 4.3 charge neutralizing mutations per domain while maintaining net negative charge. We evolved an EGFR-targeted Gp2 mutant that reduced charge density by 33%, maintained net charge, and improved charge distribution homogeneity while elevating thermal stability ( Tm = 87 ± 1 °C), improving binding specificity, and maintaining affinity ( Kd = 8.8 ± 0.6 nM). This molecule was conjugated with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane,1-glutaric acid-4,7-acetic acid for 64Cu chelation and evaluated for physiological distribution in mice with xenografted A431 (EGFRhigh) and MDA-MB-435 (EGFRlow) tumors. Excised tissue gamma counting and positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging revealed good EGFRhigh tumor signal (4.7 ± 0.5%ID/g) at 2 h post-injection and molecular specificity evidenced by low uptake in EGFRlow tumors (0.6 ± 0.1%ID/g, significantly lower than for non-charge-modified Gp2, p = 0.01). These results provide charge mutations for an improved Gp2 framework, validate an effective approach to charge engineering, and advance performance of physiological EGFR targeting for molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett A. Case
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Max A. Kruziki
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Sadie M. Johnson
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Benjamin J. Hackel
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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49
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Long NE, Sullivan BJ, Ding H, Doll S, Ryan MA, Hitchcock CL, Martin EW, Kumar K, Tweedle MF, Magliery TJ. Linker engineering in anti-TAG-72 antibody fragments optimizes biophysical properties, serum half-life, and high-specificity tumor imaging. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:9030-9040. [PMID: 29669811 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody (Ab) fragments have great clinical potential as cancer therapeutics and diagnostics. Their small size allows for fast clearance from blood, low immunoreactivity, better tumor penetration, and simpler engineering and production. The smallest fragment derived from a full-length IgG that retains binding to its antigen, the single-chain variable fragment (scFV), is engineered by fusing the variable light and variable heavy domains with a peptide linker. Along with switching the domain orientation, altering the length and amino acid sequence of the linker can significantly affect scFV binding, stability, quaternary structure, and other biophysical properties. Comprehensive studies of these attributes in a single scaffold have not been reported, making design and optimization of Ab fragments challenging. Here, we constructed libraries of 3E8, an Ab specific to tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72), a mucinous glycoprotein overexpressed in 80% of adenocarcinomas. We cloned, expressed, and characterized scFVs, diabodies, and higher-order multimer constructs with varying linker compositions, linker lengths, and domain orientations. These constructs dramatically differed in their oligomeric states and stabilities, not only because of linker and orientation but also related to the purification method. For example, protein L-purified constructs tended to have broader distributions and higher oligomeric states than has been reported previously. From this library, we selected an optimal construct, 3E8.G4S, for biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies and in vivo xenograft mouse PET imaging. These studies revealed significant tumor targeting of 3E8.G4S with a tumor-to-background ratio of 29:1. These analyses validated 3E8.G4S as a fast, accurate, and specific tumor-imaging agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E Long
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.,the Ohio State Biochemistry Program
| | | | - Haiming Ding
- the Laboratory for Translational Research in Imaging Pharmaceuticals, Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, College of Medicine
| | - Stephanie Doll
- the Laboratory for Translational Research in Imaging Pharmaceuticals, Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, College of Medicine
| | - Michael A Ryan
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.,the Ohio State Biochemistry Program
| | | | - Edward W Martin
- the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Krishan Kumar
- the Laboratory for Translational Research in Imaging Pharmaceuticals, Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, College of Medicine
| | - Michael F Tweedle
- the Laboratory for Translational Research in Imaging Pharmaceuticals, Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, College of Medicine
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50
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Case BA, Kruziki MA, Stern LA, Hackel BJ. Evaluation of affibody charge modification identified by synthetic consensus design in molecular PET imaging of epidermal growth factor receptor. MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING 2018; 3:171-182. [PMID: 31467687 PMCID: PMC6715147 DOI: 10.1039/c7me00095b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Tumor overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) correlates to therapeutic response in select patient populations. Thus, molecular positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of EGFR could stratify responders versus non-responders. We previously demonstrated effectiveness of a "synthetic consensus" design principle to identify six neutralizing mutations within a 58-amino acid EGFR-targeted affibody domain. Herein, we extend the approach to identify additional neutralized variants that vary net charge from -2 to either -4 or +4 while retaining high affinity (1.6 ± 1.2 nM and 2.5 ± 0.7 nM), specific binding to EGFR, secondary structure, and stability (Tm = 68 °C and 59 °C). We radiolabeled the resultant collection of five charge variants with 64Cu and evaluated PET imaging performance in murine models with subcutaneously xenografted EGFRhigh and EGFRlow tumors. All variants exhibited good EGFRhigh tumor imaging as early as 1 h, with EA35S (+3/-5) achieving 7.7 ± 1.4 %ID/g tumor at 4 h with 1.5 ± 0.3%ID/g EGFRlow tumor, 34 ± 5 tumor:muscle and 12 ± 3 tumor:blood ratios. The positively charged EA62S mutant (+6/-2) exhibited 2.2-3.3-fold higher liver signal than the other variants (p<0.01). The EA68 variant with higher charge density was more stable to human and mouse serum than neutralized variants. In a comparison of radiometal chelators, 1,4,7-triazacyclononane,1-glutaric acid-4,7-acetic acid (NODAGA) exhibited superior physiological specificity to 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA). In total, these studies comparatively evaluated a set of EGFR-targeted affibodies varying in net charge and charge density, which revealed functional variations that are useful in engineering an ideal probe for translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett A Case
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Max A Kruziki
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Lawrence A Stern
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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