1
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Jiang X, Qin Q, Zhu H, Qian J, Huang Q. Structure-guided design of a trivalent nanobody cluster targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 256:128191. [PMID: 38000614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Nanobodies are natural anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates. Engineering multivalent nanobodies is an effective way to improve the functional binding affinity of natural nanobodies by simultaneously targeting multiple sites on viral proteins. However, multivalent nanobodies have usually been engineered by trial and error, and rational designs are still lacking. Here, we describe a structure-guided design of a self-assembled trivalent nanobody cluster targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Using the nanobody Nb6 as a monovalent binder, we first selected a human-derived trimerization scaffold evaluated by molecular dynamics simulations, then selected an optimal linker according to the minimum distance between Nb6 and the trimerization scaffold, and finally successfully engineered a trivalent nanobody cluster called Tribody. Compared with the low-affinity monovalent counterpart (Nb6), Tribody showed much higher target binding affinity (KD < 1 pM) and thus had a 900-fold increase in antiviral neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. We determined the cryo-EM structure of the Tribody-spike complex and confirmed that all three Nb6 binders of Tribody collectively bind to the three receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of the spike and lock them in a 3-RBD-down conformation, fully consistent with our structure-guided design. This study demonstrates that synthetic nanobody clusters with human-derived self-assembled scaffolds are potential protein drugs against SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qin Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Haixia Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jiaqiang Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, MOE Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Multiscale Research Institute of Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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2
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Shinde SH, Sandeep, Pande AH. Polyvalency: an emerging trend in the development of clinical antibodies. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103846. [PMID: 38029835 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Medicine has benefited greatly from the development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology. First-generation mAbs have seen significant success in the treatment of major diseases, such as autoimmune, inflammation, cancer, infectious, and cardiovascular diseases. Developing next-generation antibodies with improved potency, safety, and non-natural characteristics is a booming field of mAb research. In this review, we discuss the significance of polyvalency and polyvalent antibodies, as well as important findings from preclinical studies and clinical trials involving polyvalent antibodies. We then review the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in inflammatory diseases and the need for polyvalent anti-TNF-α antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj H Shinde
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Sandeep
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Abhay H Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India.
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3
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Porębska N, Ciura K, Chorążewska A, Zakrzewska M, Otlewski J, Opaliński Ł. Multivalent protein-drug conjugates - An emerging strategy for the upgraded precision and efficiency of drug delivery to cancer cells. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 67:108213. [PMID: 37453463 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
With almost 20 million new cases per year, cancer constitutes one of the most important challenges for public health systems. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, targeted anti-cancer strategies employ sophisticated therapeutics to precisely identify and attack cancer cells, limiting the impact of drugs on healthy cells and thereby minimizing the unwanted side effects of therapy. Protein drug conjugates (PDCs) are a rapidly growing group of targeted therapeutics, composed of a cancer-recognition factor covalently coupled to a cytotoxic drug. Several PDCs, mainly in the form of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that employ monoclonal antibodies as cancer-recognition molecules, are used in the clinic and many PDCs are currently in clinical trials. Highly selective, strong and stable interaction of the PDC with the tumor marker, combined with efficient, rapid endocytosis of the receptor/PDC complex and its subsequent effective delivery to lysosomes, is critical for the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy with PDCs. However, the bivalent architecture of contemporary clinical PDCs is not optimal for tumor receptor recognition or PDCs internalization. In this review, we focus on multivalent PDCs, which represent a rapidly evolving and highly promising therapeutics that overcome most of the limitations of current bivalent PDCs, enhancing the precision and efficiency of drug delivery to cancer cells. We present an expanding set of protein scaffolds used to generate multivalent PDCs that, in addition to folding into well-defined multivalent molecular structures, enable site-specific conjugation of the cytotoxic drug to ensure PDC homogeneity. We provide an overview of the architectures of multivalent PDCs developed to date, emphasizing their efficacy in the targeted treatment of various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Porębska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Ciura
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Chorążewska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Zakrzewska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Jacek Otlewski
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Łukasz Opaliński
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland.
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4
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Rubio-Pérez L, Lázaro-Gorines R, Harwood SL, Compte M, Navarro R, Tapia-Galisteo A, Bonet J, Blanco B, Lykkemark S, Ramírez-Fernández Á, Ferreras-Gutiérrez M, Domínguez-Alonso C, Díez-Alonso L, Segura-Tudela A, Hangiu O, Erce-Llamazares A, Blanco FJ, Santos C, Rodríguez-Peralto JL, Sanz L, Álvarez-Vallina L. A PD-L1/EGFR bispecific antibody combines immune checkpoint blockade and direct anti-cancer action for an enhanced anti-tumor response. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2205336. [PMID: 37114242 PMCID: PMC10128431 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2205336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with antibodies has shown durable clinical responses in a wide range of cancer types, but the overall response rate is still limited. Other effective therapeutic modalities to increase the ICB response rates are urgently needed. New bispecific antibody (bsAb) formats combining the ICB effect and a direct action on cancer cells could improve the efficacy of current immunotherapies. Here, we report the development of a PD-L1/EGFR symmetric bsAb by fusing a dual-targeting tandem trimmer body with the human IgG1 hinge and Fc regions. The bsAb was characterized in vitro and the antitumor efficacy was evaluated in humanized mice bearing xenografts of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer and lung cancer. The IgG-like hexavalent bsAb, designated IgTT-1E, was able to simultaneously bind both EGFR and PD-L1 antigens, inhibit EGF-mediated proliferation, effectively block PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, and induce strong antigen-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity in vitro. Potent therapeutic efficacies of IgTT-1E in two different humanized mouse models were observed, where tumor growth control was associated with a significantly increased proportion of CD8+ T cells. These results support the development of IgTT-1E for the treatment of EGFR+ cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rubio-Pérez
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Chair for Immunology UFV/Merck, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Lázaro-Gorines
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Seandean L. Harwood
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, QUBE Technology Park, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Navarro
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, QUBE Technology Park, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Tapia-Galisteo
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaume Bonet
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Belén Blanco
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Simon Lykkemark
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ángel Ramírez-Fernández
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Domínguez-Alonso
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Díez-Alonso
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Segura-Tudela
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oana Hangiu
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, QUBE Technology Park, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Erce-Llamazares
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, QUBE Technology Park, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Blanco
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cruz Santos
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), Madrid, Spain
| | - José L. Rodríguez-Peralto
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Cutaneous Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Chair for Immunology UFV/Merck, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), Madrid, Spain
- CONTACT Luis Álvarez-Vallina Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. Cordoba s/n, Madrid28041, Spain
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5
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Huang C, Huang J, Zhu S, Tang T, Chen Y, Qian F. Multivalent nanobodies with rationally optimized linker and valency for intravitreal VEGF neutralization. Chem Eng Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2023.118521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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6
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Compte M, Sanz L, Álvarez-Vallina L. Applications of trimerbodies in cancer immunotherapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 369:71-87. [PMID: 35777865 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.008] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Trimerbodies, with their unique structural and functional properties, are the basis of a new generation of therapeutic antibodies, which due to their small size and plasticity are ideal for the generation of novel biological protein drugs with multiple competitive advantages over conventional full-length monoclonal antibodies. Since their emergence, trimerbodies have been used in preclinical cancer diagnosis and therapy. Trimerbodies are highly adaptable molecules, as they allow target-specific modulation of T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity to enhance preexisting responses or to generate de novo immune responses. In fact, a tumor-specific humanized 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody has shown a rather impressive safety and efficacy profile in preclinical studies making it a realistic option for clinical development. Moreover, thanks to the avidity effect they are endowed with considerable therapeutic potential as carriers to deliver cytotoxic payloads to tumors. In addition, molecular imaging studies could benefit from some intermediate-sized trivalent trimerbodies as promising candidates for targeted therapy and tumor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis S.L., Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
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7
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Obeng EM, Dzuvor CKO, Danquah MK. Anti-SARS-CoV-1 and -2 nanobody engineering towards avidity-inspired therapeutics. NANO TODAY 2022; 42:101350. [PMID: 34840592 PMCID: PMC8608585 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, the emergence of coronavirus diseases has been dire distress on both continental and global fronts and has resulted in the search for potent treatment strategies. One crucial challenge in this search is the recurrent mutations in the causative virus spike protein, which lead to viral escape issues. Among the current promising therapeutic discoveries is the use of nanobodies and nanobody-like molecules. While these nanobodies have demonstrated high-affinity interaction with the virus, the unpredictable spike mutations have warranted the need for avidity-inspired therapeutics of potent inhibitors such as nanobodies. This article discusses novel approaches for the design of anti-SARS-CoV-1 and -2 nanobodies to facilitate advanced innovations in treatment technologies. It further discusses molecular interactions and suggests multivalent protein nanotechnology and chemistry approaches to translate mere molecular affinity into avidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene M Obeng
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Christian K O Dzuvor
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Michael K Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
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8
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Critical parameters for design and development of multivalent nanoconstructs: recent trends. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2022; 12:2335-2358. [PMID: 35013982 PMCID: PMC8747862 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-01103-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A century ago, the groundbreaking concept of the magic bullet was given by Paul Ehrlich. Since then, this concept has been extensively explored in various forms to date. The concept of multivalency is among such advancements of the magic bullet concept. Biologically, the concept of multivalency plays a critical role in significantly huge numbers of biochemical interactions. This concept is the sole reason behind the higher affinity of biological molecules like viruses to more selectively target the host cell surface receptors. Multivalent nanoconstructs are a promising approach for drug delivery by the active targeting principle. Designing and developing effective and target-specific multivalent drug delivery nanoconstructs, on the other hand, remain a challenge. The underlying reason for this is a lack of understanding of the crucial interactions between ligands and cell surface receptors, as well as the design of nanoconstructs. This review highlights the need for a better theoretical understanding of the multivalent effect of what happens to the receptor-ligand complex after it has been established. Furthermore, the critical parameters for designing and developing robust multivalent systems have been emphasized. We have also discussed current advances in the design and development of multivalent nanoconstructs for drug delivery. We believe that a thorough knowledge of theoretical concepts and experimental methodologies may transform a brilliant idea into clinical translation.
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9
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Contreras MA, Macaya L, Manrique V, Camacho F, González A, Montesinos R, Toledo JR, Sánchez O. A trivalent TNF-R2 as a new tumor necrosis factor alpha-blocking molecule. Proteins 2021; 89:1557-1564. [PMID: 34250652 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The neutralization of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) with biopharmaceuticals is a successful therapy for inflammatory diseases. Currently, one of the main TNFα-antagonists is Etanercept, a dimeric TNF-R2 ectodomain. Considering that TNFα and its receptors are homotrimers, we proposed that a trimeric TNF-R2 ectodomain could be an innovative TNFα-antagonist. Here, the 3cTNFR2 protein was designed by the fusion of the TNF-R2 ectodomain with the collagen XV trimerization domain. 3cTNFR2 was produced in HEK293 cells and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Monomers, dimers, and trimers of 3cTNFR2 were detected. The interaction 3cTNFR2-TNFα was assessed. By microscale thermophoresis, the KD value for the interaction was 4.17 ± 0.88 nM, and complexes with different molecular weights were detected by size exclusion chromatography-high performance liquid chromatography. Moreover, 3cTNFR2 neutralized the TNFα-induced cytotoxicity totally in vitro. Although more studies are required to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect, the results suggest that 3cTNFR2 could be a TNFα-antagonist agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A Contreras
- Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Pharmacology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine Spa, Concepción, Chile
| | - Luis Macaya
- Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Pharmacology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Viana Manrique
- Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Pharmacology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Frank Camacho
- Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Pharmacology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Alain González
- Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Pharmacology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Medellin, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Raquel Montesinos
- Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical Laboratory, Pathophysiology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Jorge R Toledo
- Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical Laboratory, Pathophysiology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Oliberto Sánchez
- Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Pharmacology Department, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine Spa, Concepción, Chile
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10
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Bretaud S, Guillon E, Karppinen SM, Pihlajaniemi T, Ruggiero F. Collagen XV, a multifaceted multiplexin present across tissues and species. Matrix Biol Plus 2020; 6-7:100023. [PMID: 33543021 PMCID: PMC7852327 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2020.100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Type XV collagen is a non-fibrillar collagen that is associated with basement membranes and belongs to the multiplexin subset of the collagen superfamily. Collagen XV was initially studied because of its sequence homology with collagen XVIII/endostatin whose anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties were subjects of wide interest in the past years. But during the last fifteen years, collagen XV has gained growing attention with increasing number of studies that have attributed new functions to this widely distributed collagen/proteoglycan hybrid molecule. Despite the cumulative evidence of its functional pleiotropy and its evolutionary conserved function, no review compiling the current state of the art about collagen XV is currently available. Here, we thus provide the first comprehensive view of the knowledge gathered so far on the molecular structure, tissue distribution and functions of collagen XV in development, tissue homeostasis and disease with an evolutionary perspective. We hope that our review will open new roads for promising research on collagen XV in the coming years. Type XV collagen belongs to the multiplexin subset of the collagen superfamily. It is evolutionarily conserved collagen and associated with basement membranes. This collagen/proteoglycan hybrid molecule contains an anti-angiogenic restin domain. It has important functions in the cardiovascular and the neuromuscular systems. Its expression is dysregulated in various diseases including cancers.
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Key Words
- Animal models
- BM, basement membrane
- BMZ, basement membrane zone
- COL, collagenous domain
- CS, chondroitin sulfate
- CSPG, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan
- Collagen-related disease
- Collagens
- Development
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- Evolution
- Extracellular matrix
- GAG, glycosaminoglycan
- HFD, High fat diet
- HS, heparan sulfate
- HSPG, heparan sulfate proteoglycan
- Multiplexin
- NC, non-collagenous domain
- TD, trimerization domain
- TSPN, Thrombospondin-1 N-terminal like domain
- dpf, day post-fertilization
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Bretaud
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UMR CNRS 5242, University of Lyon, Lyon 69364, France
| | - Emilie Guillon
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UMR CNRS 5242, University of Lyon, Lyon 69364, France
| | - Sanna-Maria Karppinen
- Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Aapistie 7C, FI-90230 Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Aapistie 7C, FI-90230 Oulu, Finland
| | - Florence Ruggiero
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UMR CNRS 5242, University of Lyon, Lyon 69364, France
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11
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Mikkelsen K, Harwood SL, Compte M, Merino N, Mølgaard K, Lykkemark S, Alvarez-Mendez A, Blanco FJ, Álvarez-Vallina L. Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)-Specific 4-1BB-Costimulation Induced by CEA-Targeted 4-1BB-Agonistic Trimerbodies. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1791. [PMID: 31417564 PMCID: PMC6685135 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137) is an inducible costimulatory receptor that promotes expansion and survival of activated T cells; and IgG-based 4-1BB-agonistic monoclonal antibodies exhibited potent antitumor activity in clinical trials. However, the clinical development of those antibodies is restricted by major off-tumor toxicities associated with FcγR interactions. We have recently generated an EGFR-targeted 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody that demonstrated strong antitumor activity and did not induce systemic inflammatory cytokine secretion and hepatotoxicity associated with first-generation 4-1BB agonists. Here, we generate a bispecific 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody targeting the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) that is highly expressed in cancers of diverse origins. The CEA-targeted anti-4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody consists of three 4-1BB-specific single-chain fragment variable antibodies and three anti-CEA single-domain antibodies positioned around a murine collagen XVIII-derived homotrimerization domain. The trimerbody was produced as a homogenous, non-aggregating, soluble protein purifiable by standard affinity chromatographic methods. The purified trimerbody was found to be trimeric in solution, very efficient at recognizing 4-1BB and CEA, and potently costimulating T cells in vitro in the presence of CEA. Therefore, trimerbody-based tumor-targeted 4-1BB costimulation is a broadly applicable and clinically feasible approach to enhance the costimulatory environment of disseminated tumor lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Mikkelsen
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Seandean Lykke Harwood
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nekane Merino
- Structural Biology Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Derio, Spain
| | - Kasper Mølgaard
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Simon Lykkemark
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Francisco J Blanco
- Structural Biology Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Derio, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (i+12), Madrid, Spain
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12
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Ibáñez-Pérez R, Guerrero-Ochoa P, Al-Wasaby S, Navarro R, Tapia-Galisteo A, De Miguel D, Gonzalo O, Conde B, Martínez-Lostao L, Hurtado-Guerrero R, Sanz L, Anel A. Anti-tumoral potential of a human granulysin-based, CEA-targeted cytolytic immunotoxin. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:1641392. [PMID: 31646080 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1641392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Granulysin is a protein present in the granules of human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, with cytolytic activity against microbes and tumors. Previous work demonstrated the therapeutic effect of intratumoral injection of recombinant granulysin using in vivo models of breast cancer and multiple myeloma. In the present work we have developed a granulysin gene fusion to the anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA/CEACAM5) single chain Fv antibody fragment MFE23. Both granulysin and the granulysin-based immunotoxin were expressed in Pichia pastoris. The immunotoxin specifically recognized CEA, purified or expressed on the cell surface. Moreover, the bioactivity of the immunotoxin against several CEA+ cell lines was higher than that of granulysin alone. Granulysin and the immunotoxin were tested as a treatment in in vivo xenograft models in athymic mice. When injected intratumorally, both granulysin and the immunotoxin were able to inhibit tumor growth. Furthermore, systemic administration of the immunotoxin demonstrated a decrease in tumor growth in a CEA+ tumor-bearing mouse model, whereas granulysin did not exhibit a therapeutic effect. This is the first granulysin-based immunotoxin and the present work constitutes the proof of concept of its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ibáñez-Pérez
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, University of Zaragoza/Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Patricia Guerrero-Ochoa
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, University of Zaragoza/Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sameer Al-Wasaby
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, University of Zaragoza/Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rocío Navarro
- Molecular Immunology Unit, "Puerta de Hierro" University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Tapia-Galisteo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, "Puerta de Hierro" University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego De Miguel
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, University of Zaragoza/Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Oscar Gonzalo
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, University of Zaragoza/Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Blanca Conde
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, University of Zaragoza/Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Luis Martínez-Lostao
- Immunology Department, "Lozano Blesa" University Clinical Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ramón Hurtado-Guerrero
- Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems Institute (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,ARAID Foundation, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, "Puerta de Hierro" University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Anel
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, University of Zaragoza/Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
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13
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Rios X, Compte M, Gómez-Vallejo V, Cossío U, Baz Z, Morcillo MÁ, Ramos-Cabrer P, Alvarez-Vallina L, Llop J. Immuno-PET Imaging and Pharmacokinetics of an Anti-CEA scFv-based Trimerbody and Its Monomeric Counterpart in Human Gastric Carcinoma-Bearing Mice. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:1025-1035. [PMID: 30726099 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b01006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are currently used as therapeutic agents in different types of cancer. However, mAbs and antibody fragments developed so far show suboptimal properties in terms of circulation time and tumor penetration/retention. Here, we report the radiolabeling, pharmacokinetic evaluation, and determination of tumor targeting capacity of the previously validated anti-CEA MFE23-scFv-based N-terminal trimerbody (MFE23N-trimerbody), and the results are compared to those obtained for the monomeric MFE23-scFv. Dissection and gamma-counting studies performed with the 131I-labeled protein scaffolds in normal mice showed slower blood clearance for the trimerbody, and accumulation in the kidneys, the spleen, and the liver for both species. These, together with a progressive uptake in the small intestine, confirm a combined elimination scheme with hepatobiliary and urinary excretion. Positron emission tomography studies performed in a xenograft mouse model of human gastric adenocarcinoma, generated by subcutaneous administration of CEA-positive human MKN45 cells, showed higher tumor accumulation and tumor-to-muscle (T/M) ratios for 124I-labeled MFE23N-trimerbody than for MFE23-scFv. Specific uptake was not detected with PET imaging in CEA negative xenografts as indicated by low T/M ratios. Our data suggest that engineered intermediate-sized trivalent antibody fragments could be promising candidates for targeted therapy and imaging of CEA-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Rios
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
| | - Marta Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit , Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda , Manuel de Falla 1, 28222 Majadahonda, Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Unai Cossío
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
| | - Zuriñe Baz
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Morcillo
- Biomedical Applications of Radioisotopes and Pharmacokinetics Unit , CIEMAT , 28040 Madrid , Spain
| | - Pedro Ramos-Cabrer
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa Spain.,Ikerbasque, The Basque Foundation for Science , 48013 Bilbao , Spain
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Group, Department of Engineering , Aarhus University , Gustav WiedsVej 10 , 8000 C Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Jordi Llop
- Radiochemistry and Nuclear Imaging Group , CIC biomaGUNE , 20014 San Sebastián , Guipúzcoa , Spain
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14
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A tumor-targeted trimeric 4-1BB-agonistic antibody induces potent anti-tumor immunity without systemic toxicity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4809. [PMID: 30442944 PMCID: PMC6237851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07195-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The costimulation of immune cells using first-generation anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in human trials. Further clinical development, however, is restricted by significant off-tumor toxicities associated with FcγR interactions. Here, we have designed an Fc-free tumor-targeted 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody, 1D8N/CEGa1, consisting of three anti-4-1BB single-chain variable fragments and three anti-EGFR single-domain antibodies positioned in an extended hexagonal conformation around the collagen XVIII homotrimerization domain. The1D8N/CEGa1 trimerbody demonstrated high-avidity binding to 4-1BB and EGFR and a potent in vitro costimulatory capacity in the presence of EGFR. The trimerbody rapidly accumulates in EGFR-positive tumors and exhibits anti-tumor activity similar to IgG-based 4-1BB-agonistic mAbs. Importantly, treatment with 1D8N/CEGa1 does not induce systemic inflammatory cytokine production or hepatotoxicity associated with IgG-based 4-1BB agonists. These results implicate FcγR interactions in the 4-1BB-agonist-associated immune abnormalities, and promote the use of the non-canonical antibody presented in this work for safe and effective costimulatory strategies in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer therapy using systemically administrated 4-1BB-targeting antibodies is often associated with severe toxicity due to the nonspecific activation of autoreactive T cells. Here, the authors have developed a trimeric antibody targeting both 4-1BB and EGFR, which activates T cells effectively and shows negligible cytotoxicity.
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15
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Alam MK, Brabant M, Viswas RS, Barreto K, Fonge H, Ronald Geyer C. A novel synthetic trivalent single chain variable fragment (tri-scFv) construction platform based on the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase system. BMC Biotechnol 2018; 18:55. [PMID: 30200951 PMCID: PMC6131909 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-018-0466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Advances in antibody engineering provide strategies to construct recombinant antibody-like molecules with modified pharmacokinetic properties. Multermerization is one strategy that has been used to produce antibody-like molecules with two or more antigen binding sites. Multimerization enhances the functional affinity (avidity) and can be used to optimize size and pharmacokinetic properties. Most multimerization strategies involve genetically fusing or non-covalently linking antibody fragments using oligomerization domains. Recent studies have defined guidelines for producing antibody-like molecules with optimal tumor targeting properties, which require intermediates size (70–120 kDa) and bi- or tri-valency. Results We described a highly modular antibody-engineering platform for rapidly constructing synthetic, trivalent single chain variable fragments (Tri-scFv) using the SpyCatcher/SpyTag protein ligase system. We used this platform to construct an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) Tri-scFv. We generated the anti-HER3 Tri-scFv by genetically fusing a SpyCatcher to the C-terminus of an anti-HER3 scFv and ligating it to a synthetic Tri-SpyTag peptide. The anti-HER3 Tri-scFv bound recombinant HER3 with an apparent KD of 2.67 nM, which is approximately 12 times lower than the KD of monomeric anti-HER3 scFv (31.2 nM). Anti-HER3 Tri-scFv also bound endogenous cell surface expressed HER3 stronger than the monomer anti-HER3 scFv. Conclusion We used the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase system to ligate anti-HER3 scFv fused to a SpyCatcher at its C-termini to a Tri-SpyTag to construct Tr-scFv. This system allowed the construction of a Tri-scFv with all the scFv antigen-binding sites pointed outwards. The anti-HER3 Tri-scFv bound recombinant and endogenously expressed HER3 with higher functional affinity (avidity) than the monomeric anti-HER3 scFv. The Tri-scFv had the size, valency, and functional affinity that are desired for therapeutic and imaging applications. Use of the SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein ligase system allows Tri-scFvs to be rapidly constructed in a simple, modular manner, which can be easily applied to scFvs or other antibody fragments targeting other antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Kausar Alam
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Michelle Brabant
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | | | - Kris Barreto
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Humphrey Fonge
- Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - C Ronald Geyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W8, Canada.
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16
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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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17
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Harwood SL, Alvarez-Cienfuegos A, Nuñez-Prado N, Compte M, Hernández-Pérez S, Merino N, Bonet J, Navarro R, Van Bergen En Henegouwen PMP, Lykkemark S, Mikkelsen K, Mølgaard K, Jabs F, Sanz L, Blanco FJ, Roda-Navarro P, Alvarez-Vallina L. ATTACK, a novel bispecific T cell-recruiting antibody with trivalent EGFR binding and monovalent CD3 binding for cancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1377874. [PMID: 29296540 PMCID: PMC5739562 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1377874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The redirection of T cell activity using bispecific antibodies is one of the most promising cancer immunotherapy approaches currently in development, but it is limited by cytokine storm-related toxicities, as well as the pharmacokinetics and tumor-penetrating capabilities of current bispecific antibody formats. Here, we have engineered the ATTACK (Asymmetric Tandem Trimerbody for T cell Activation and Cancer Killing), a novel T cell-recruiting bispecific antibody which combines three EGFR-binding single-domain antibodies (VHH; clone EgA1) with a single CD3-binding single-chain variable fragment (scFv; clone OKT3) in an intermediate molecular weight package. The two specificities are oriented in opposite directions in order to simultaneously engage cancer cells and T cell effectors, and thereby promote immunological synapse formation. EgA1 ATTACK was expressed as a homogenous, non-aggregating, soluble protein by mammalian cells and demonstrated an enhanced binding to EGFR, but not CD3, when compared to the previously characterized tandem bispecific antibody which has one EgA1 VHH and one OKT3 scFv per molecule. EgA1 ATTACK induced synapse formation and early signaling pathways downstream of TCR engagement at lower concentrations than the tandem VHH-scFv bispecific antibody. Furthermore, it demonstrated extremely potent, dose-dependent cytotoxicity when retargeting human T cells towards EGFR-expressing cells, with an efficacy over 15-fold higher than that of the tandem VHH-scFv bispecific antibody. These results suggest that the ATTACK is an ideal format for the development of the next-generation of T cell-redirecting bispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seandean Lykke Harwood
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Natalia Nuñez-Prado
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Hernández-Pérez
- Department of Microbiology I (Immunology), School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nekane Merino
- Structural Biology Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Bizkaia, Derio, Spain
| | - Jaume Bonet
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rocio Navarro
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Simon Lykkemark
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kasper Mikkelsen
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kasper Mølgaard
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frederic Jabs
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Blanco
- Structural Biology Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Bizkaia, Derio, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bizkaia, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Pedro Roda-Navarro
- Department of Microbiology I (Immunology), School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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18
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Intramolecular trimerization, a novel strategy for making multispecific antibodies with controlled orientation of the antigen binding domains. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28643. [PMID: 27345490 PMCID: PMC4921811 DOI: 10.1038/srep28643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe a new strategy that allows the rapid and efficient engineering of mono and multispecific trivalent antibodies. By fusing single-domain antibodies from camelid heavy-chain-only immunoglobulins (VHHs) to the N-terminus of a human collagen XVIII trimerization domain (TIEXVIII) we produced monospecific trimerbodies that were efficiently secreted as soluble functional proteins by mammalian cells. The purified VHH-TIEXVIII trimerbodies were trimeric in solution and exhibited excellent antigen binding capacity. Furthermore, by connecting with two additional glycine-serine-based linkers three VHH-TIEXVIII modules on a single polypeptide chain, we present an approach for the rational design of multispecific tandem trimerbodies with defined stoichiometry and controlled orientation. Using this technology we report here the construction and characterization of a tandem VHH-based trimerbody capable of simultaneously binding to three different antigens: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and green fluorescence protein (GFP). Multispecific tandem VHH-based trimerbodies were well expressed in mammalian cells, had good biophysical properties and were capable of simultaneously binding their targeted antigens. Importantly, these antibodies were very effective in inhibiting the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Multispecific VHH-based trimerbodies are therefore ideal candidates for future applications in various therapeutic areas.
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19
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Blanco-Toribio A, Álvarez-Cienfuegos A, Sainz-Pastor N, Merino N, Compte M, Sanz L, Blanco FJ, Álvarez-Vallina L. Bacterial secretion of soluble and functional trivalent scFv-based N-terminal trimerbodies. AMB Express 2015; 5:137. [PMID: 26239030 PMCID: PMC4523561 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-015-0137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant antibodies are used with great success in many different diagnostic and therapeutic applications. A variety of protein expression systems are available, but nowadays almost all therapeutic antibodies are produced in mammalian cell lines due to their complex structure and glycosylation requirements. However, production of clinical-grade antibodies in mammalian cells is very expensive and time-consuming. On the other hand, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is known to be the simplest, fastest and most cost-effective recombinant expression system, which usually achieves higher protein yields than mammalian cells. Indeed, it is one of the most popular host in the industry for the expression of recombinant proteins. In this work, a trivalent single-chain fragment variable (scFv)-based N-terminal trimerbody, specific for native laminin-111, was expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and in E. coli. Mammalian and bacterially produced anti-laminin trimerbody molecules display comparable functional and structural properties, although importantly the yield of trimerbody expressed in E. coli was considerably higher than in human cells. These results demonstrated that E. coli is a versatile and efficient expression system for multivalent trimerbody-based molecules that is suitable for their industrial production.
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20
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Nuñez-Prado N, Compte M, Harwood S, Álvarez-Méndez A, Lykkemark S, Sanz L, Álvarez-Vallina L. The coming of age of engineered multivalent antibodies. Drug Discov Today 2015; 20:588-94. [PMID: 25757598 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology has had a profound impact on medicine. The therapeutic use of first-generation mAb achieved considerable success in the treatment of major diseases, including cancer, inflammation, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases. Next-generation antibodies have been engineered to further increase potency, improve the safety profile and acquire non-natural properties, and constitute a thriving area of mAb research and development. Currently, a variety of alternative antibody formats with modified architectures have been generated and are moving fast into the clinic. In fact, the bispecific antibody blinatumomab was the first in its class to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as recently as December 2014. Here, we outline the fundamental strategies used for designing the next generation of therapeutic antibodies, as well as the most relevant results obtained in preclinical studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Nuñez-Prado
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Simon Lykkemark
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Sino-Danish Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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21
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Blanco-Toribio A, Lacadena J, Nuñez-Prado N, Álvarez-Cienfuegos A, Villate M, Compte M, Sanz L, Blanco FJ, Álvarez-Vallina L. Efficient production of single-chain fragment variable-based N-terminal trimerbodies in Pichia pastoris. Microb Cell Fact 2014; 13:116. [PMID: 25112455 PMCID: PMC4249718 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-014-0116-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recombinant antibodies are highly successful in many different pathological conditions and currently enjoy overwhelming recognition of their potential. There are a wide variety of protein expression systems available, but almost all therapeutic antibodies are produced in mammalian cell lines, which mimic human glycosylation. The production of clinical-grade antibodies in mammalian cells is, however, extremely expensive. Compared to mammalian systems, protein production in yeast strains such as Pichia pastoris, is simpler, faster and usually results in higher yields. Results In this work, a trivalent single-chain fragment variable (scFv)-based N-terminal trimerbody, specific for the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), was expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and in Pichia pastoris. Mammalian- and yeast-produced anti-CEA trimerbody molecules display similar functional and structural properties, yet, the yield of trimerbody expressed in P. pastoris is about 20-fold higher than in human cells. Conclusions P. pastoris is an efficient expression system for multivalent trimerbody molecules, suitable for their commercial production. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-014-0116-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Compte M, Alvarez-Cienfuegos A, Nuñez-Prado N, Sainz-Pastor N, Blanco-Toribio A, Pescador N, Sanz L, Alvarez-Vallina L. Functional comparison of single-chain and two-chain anti-CD3-based bispecific antibodies in gene immunotherapy applications. Oncoimmunology 2014; 3:e28810. [PMID: 25057445 PMCID: PMC4091452 DOI: 10.4161/onci.28810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy to achieve in vivo secretion of recombinant anti-CD3 x anti-tumor bispecific antibodies in cancer patients is being explored as a strategy to counterbalance rapid renal elimination, thereby sustaining levels of bispecific antibodies in the therapeutic range. Here, we performed a comparative analysis between single- and two-chain configurations for anti-CD3 x anti-CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) bispecific antibodies secreted by genetically-modified human cells. We demonstrate that tandem single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies and two-chain diabodies are expressed as soluble secreted proteins with similar yields. However, we found significant differences in their biological functionality (i.e., antigen binding) and in their ability to induce non-specific T cell activation. Whereas single-chain tandem scFvs induced human T cell activation and proliferation in an antigen-independent manner, secreted two-chain diabodies exerted almost no proliferative stimulus when human T cells were cultured alone or in co-cultures with CEA negative cells. Thus, our data suggest that two-chain diabodies are preferable to single-chain tandem scFvs for immunotherapeutic strategies comprising in vivo secretion of bispecific antibodies aiming to recruit and activate anticancer specific lymphocytic effector T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Compte
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro; Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Natalia Nuñez-Prado
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro; Madrid, Spain
| | - Noelia Sainz-Pastor
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro; Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Blanco-Toribio
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro; Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Pescador
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro; Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro; Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Molecular Immunology Unit; Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro; Madrid, Spain ; BCE Protein Engineering; Department of Engineering; Aarhus University; Aarhus, Denmark
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Identification and grafting of a unique peptide-binding site in the Fab framework of monoclonal antibodies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:17456-61. [PMID: 24101516 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1307309110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Capitalizing on their extraordinary specificity, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become one of the most reengineered classes of biological molecules. A major goal in many of these engineering efforts is to add new functionality to the parental mAb, including the addition of cytotoxins and imaging agents for medical applications. Herein, we present a unique peptide-binding site within the central cavity of the fragment antigen binding framework region of the chimeric, anti-epidermal growth factor receptor mAb cetuximab. We demonstrate through diffraction methods, biophysical studies, and sequence analysis that this peptide, a meditope, has moderate affinity for the Fab, is specific to cetuximab (i.e., does not bind to human IgGs), and has no significant effect on antigen binding. We further demonstrate by diffraction studies and biophysical methods that the meditope binding site can be grafted onto the anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 mAb trastuzumab, and that the antigen binding affinity of the grafted trastuzumab is indistinguishable from the parental mAb. Finally, we demonstrate a bivalent meditope variant binds specifically and stably to antigen-bearing cells only in the presence of the meditope-enabled mAbs. Collectively, this finding and the subsequent characterization and engineering efforts indicate that this unique interface could serve as a noncovalent "linker" for any meditope-enabled mAb with applications in multiple mAb-based technologies including diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutic delivery.
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Kim D, Kim SK, Valencia CA, Liu R. Tribody: robust self-assembled trimeric targeting ligands with high stability and significantly improved target-binding strength. Biochemistry 2013; 52:7283-94. [PMID: 24050811 DOI: 10.1021/bi400716w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The C-terminal coiled-coil region of mouse and human cartilage matrix protein (CMP) self-assembles into a parallel trimeric complex. Here, we report a general strategy for the development of highly stable trimeric targeting ligands (tribodies), against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as examples, by fusing a specific target-binding moiety with a trimerization domain derived from CMP. The resulting fusion proteins can efficiently self-assemble into a well-defined parallel homotrimer with high stability. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis of the trimeric targeting ligands demonstrated significantly enhanced target-binding strength compared with the corresponding monomers. Cellular-binding studies confirmed that the trimeric targeting ligands have superior binding strength toward their respective receptors. Significantly, the EGFR-binding tribody was considerably accumulated in the tumor of mice bearing xenografted EGFR-positive tumors, indicating its effective cancer-targeting feature under in vivo conditions. Our results demonstrate that CMP-based self-assembly of tribodies can be a general strategy for the facile and robust generation of trivalent targeting ligands for a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwook Kim
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7568, United States
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Blanco-Toribio A, Sainz-Pastor N, Álvarez-Cienfuegos A, Merino N, Cuesta ÁM, Sánchez-Martín D, Bonet J, Santos-Valle P, Sanz L, Oliva B, Blanco FJ, Álvarez-Vallina L. Generation and characterization of monospecific and bispecific hexavalent trimerbodies. MAbs 2012; 5:70-9. [PMID: 23221741 PMCID: PMC3564888 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.22698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe a new class of multivalent and multispecific antibody-based reagents for therapy. The molecules, termed “trimerbodies,” use a modified version of the N-terminal trimerization region of human collagen XVIII noncollagenous 1 domain flanked by two flexible linkers as trimerizing scaffold. By fusing single-chain variable fragments (scFv) with the same or different specificity to both N- and C-terminus of the trimerizing scaffold domain, we produced monospecific or bispecific hexavalent molecules that were efficiently secreted as soluble proteins by transfected mammalian cells. A bispecific anti-laminin x anti-CD3 N-/C-trimerbody was found to be trimeric in solution, very efficient at recognizing purified plastic-immobilized laminin and CD3 expressed at the surface of T cells, and remarkably stable in human serum. The bispecificity was further demonstrated in T cell activation studies. In the presence of laminin-rich substrate, the bispecific anti-laminin x anti-CD3 N-/C-trimerbody stimulated a high percentage of human T cells to express surface activation markers. These results suggest that the trimerbody platform offers promising opportunities for the development of the next-generation therapeutic antibodies, i.e., multivalent and bispecific molecules with a format optimized for the desired pharmacokinetics and adapted to the pathological context.
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Multivalent ligand: design principle for targeted therapeutic delivery approach. Ther Deliv 2012; 3:1171-87. [DOI: 10.4155/tde.12.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multivalent interactions of biological molecules play an important role in many biochemical events. A multivalent ligand comprises of multiple copies of ligands conjugated to scaffolds, allowing the simultaneous binding of multivalent ligands to multiple binding sites or receptors. Many research groups have successfully designed and synthesized multivalent ligands to increase the binding affinity, avidity and specificity of the ligand to the receptor. A multimeric ligand is a promising option for the specific treatment of diseases. In this review, the factors affecting multivalent interactions, including the size and shape of the ligand, geometry and an arrangement of ligands on the scaffold, linker length, thermodynamic, and kinetics of the interactions are discussed. Examples of the multivalent ligand applications for therapeutic delivery are also summarized.
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