Antigenic determinant of trichosanthin peptide fragments

Site-directed polyethylene glycol modification of trichosanthin: effects on its biological activities, pharmacokinetics, and antigenicity

Trichosanthin (TCS), a type I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), was modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) in order to reduce its antigenicity and prolong its half-life. Computer modeling identified three potential antigenic sites namely Q219, K173 and S7. By site-directed mutagenesis, these sites were changed into cysteine through which PEG can be covalently attached. The resulting TCS had a PEG coupled directly above one of its potential antigenic determinants, hence masking the antigenic region and prevent binding of antibodies specific to this site. In general, mutation did not bring about significant changes in ribosome-inactivating activity, cytotoxicity, and abortifacient activity of TCS. However, the in vitro activities of PEG modified (PEGylated) TCS muteins were 3-20 folds lower and the in vivo activity 50% less than that of nTCS. Pharmacokinetics study indicated that all three PEGylated TCS muteins showed 6-fold increase in mean residence time as compared to unmodified muteins. The binding affinity of an IgE monoclonal antibody (TE1) to TCS was greatly reduced after PEG modification (PEGylation) at position Q219, suggesting that TE1 recognized an epitope very near to residue Q219. PEGylated TCS muteins induced similar IgG response but 4-16 fold lower IgE response in mice compared with nTCS.

Lowering of trichosanthin immunogenicity by site-specific coupling to dextran

Trichosanthin is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein possessing a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. Therapeutic use of this compound is hampered by its immunogenicity. It was shown earlier that coupling of dextran to trichosanthin can increase plasma half-life and reduce antigenicity. However, the site where dextran attaches to trichosanthin cannot be controlled; ideally, it should be at or near the antigenic determinant. The present study attempted to couple dextran to trichosanthin at a potential antigenic site. By site-directed mutagenesis, two sites, R29 and K173, were replaced by cysteine, and dextran was coupled to the newly created cysteine residues. The dextran-trichosanthin complex retained 50% of abortifacient activity and had a mean residence time in rats 27-fold longer than natural trichosanthin. Acute hypersensitivity reaction in guinea pigs was reduced greatly after coupling of K173C (a trichosanthin mutant with lysine-173 replaced by cysteine) to dextran. Compared with natural trichosanthin, dextran-K173C had a decrease in IgG and IgE response, whereas the coupling of R29C (a trichosanthin mutant with arginine-29 replaced by cysteine) to dextran did not show significant reduction of immunogenicity. This suggests that K173 but not R29 is located at or near an antigenic determinant. This study has demonstrated an alternative approach for mapping of antigenic determinants. The information obtained is also useful in producing an improved trichosanthin derivative for therapeutic use.

The antigenic sites of trichosanthin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with multiple pharmacological properties

Trichosanthin (TCS) fragments were produced by Tn1000 deletion mutagenesis and by cyanogen bromide (CNBr) cleavage and their immunoreactivity was examined by incubating with various antibodies. Twelve C-terminally truncated TCS variants were successfully synthesized under the control of a T7 RNA driven promoter. The smallest antigenic fragment mapped corresponded to the N-terminal 20 amino acids (aa). Six CNBr fragments of TCS were created and identified by electrospray mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequencing. Three antigenic fragments corresponding to aa 1-72, 101-152 and 153-246, respectively were mapped. Fragments corresponding to aa 1-72 and 153-246 were immunoreactive to the same monoclonal antibody showing they are components of a discontinuous epitope. On the other hand, the fragment containing aa 73-100 was not detected by any of the antibodies used.