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Gupta P, Horspool AM, Trivedi G, Moretti G, Datar A, Huang ZF, Chiecko J, Kenny CH, Marlow MS. Matrixed CDR grafting: A neoclassical framework for antibody humanization and developability. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105555. [PMID: 38072062 PMCID: PMC10805677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Discovery and optimization of a biotherapeutic monoclonal antibody requires a careful balance of target engagement and physicochemical developability properties. To take full advantage of the sequence diversity provided by different antibody discovery platforms, a rapid and reliable process for humanization of antibodies from nonhuman sources is required. Canonically, maximizing homology of the human variable region (V-region) to the original germline was believed to result in preservation of binding, often without much consideration for inherent molecular properties. We expand on this approach by grafting the complementary determining regions (CDRs) of a mouse anti-LAG3 antibody into an extensive matrix of human variable heavy chain (VH) and variable light chain (VL) framework regions with substantially broader sequence homology to assess the impact on complementary determining region-framework compatibility through progressive evaluation of expression, affinity, biophysical developability, and function. Specific VH and VL framework sequences were associated with major expression and purification phenotypes. Greater VL sequence conservation was correlated with retained or improved affinity. Analysis of grafts that bound the target demonstrated that initial developability criteria were significantly impacted by VH, but not VL. In contrast, cell binding and functional characteristics were significantly impacted by VL, but not VH. Principal component analysis of all factors identified multiple grafts that exhibited more favorable antibody properties, notably with nonoptimal sequence conservation. Overall, this study demonstrates that modern throughput systems enable a more thorough, customizable, and systematic analysis of graft-framework combinations, resulting in humanized antibodies with improved global properties that may progress through development more quickly and with a greater probability of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Gupta
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA.
| | - Alexander M Horspool
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Goral Trivedi
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gina Moretti
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Akshita Datar
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Zhong-Fu Huang
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jeffrey Chiecko
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Cynthia Hess Kenny
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael S Marlow
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA.
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Low S, Wu H, Jerath K, Tibolla A, Fogal B, Conrad R, MacDougall M, Kerr S, Berger V, Dave R, Villalona J, Pantages L, Ahlberg J, Li H, Van Hoorick D, Ververken C, Broadwater J, Waterman A, Singh S, Kroe-Barrett R. VHH antibody targeting the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 inhibits progression of atherosclerosis. MAbs 2021; 12:1709322. [PMID: 31924119 PMCID: PMC6973309 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1709322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CX3CR1 has been identified as a highly attractive target for several therapeutic interventions. Despite this potential, no potent antagonists, either small molecule or monoclonal antibody, have been identified. Here we describe the lead finding and engineering approach that lead to the identification of BI 655088, a potent biotherapeutic antagonist to CX3CR1. BI 655088 is a potent CX3CR1 antagonist that, upon therapeutic dosing, significantly inhibits plaque progression in the standard mouse model of atherosclerosis. BI 655088 represents a novel and highly selective biotherapeutic that could reduce inflammation in the atherosclerotic plaque when added to standard of care treatment including statins, which could result in a significant decrease in atherothrombotic events in patients with existing cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Low
- Biotherapeutics Molecule Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Haixia Wu
- Biotherapeutics Molecule Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Kavita Jerath
- Biotherapeutics Molecule Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Annette Tibolla
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Birgit Fogal
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Rebecca Conrad
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Margit MacDougall
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Steven Kerr
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Valentina Berger
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Rajvee Dave
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Jorge Villalona
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Lynn Pantages
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Jennifer Ahlberg
- Biotherapeutics Pharmacokinetics, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Hua Li
- Biotherapeutics Pharmacokinetics, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | | | - Cedric Ververken
- Project Management, Ablynx a Sanofi Company, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - John Broadwater
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Alisa Waterman
- Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Sanjaya Singh
- Biotherapeutics Molecule Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Rachel Kroe-Barrett
- Biotherapeutics Molecule Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA
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Lü Y, Zhang L, Zeng Y, Fu B, Whitham C, Liu S, Wu B. Representation of critical natural capital in China. Conserv Biol 2017; 31:894-902. [PMID: 28218967 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Traditional means of assessing representativeness of conservation value in protected areas depend on measures of structural biodiversity. The effectiveness of priority conservation areas at representing critical natural capital (CNC) (i.e., an essential and renewable subset of natural capital) remains largely unknown. We analyzed the representativeness of CNC-conservation priority areas in national nature reserves (i.e., nature reserves under jurisdiction of the central government with large spatial distribution across the provinces) in China with a new biophysical-based composite indicator approach. With this approach, we integrated the net primary production of vegetation, topography, soil, and climate variables to map and rank terrestrial ecosystems capacities to generate CNC. National nature reserves accounted for 6.7% of CNC-conservation priority areas across China. Considerable gaps (35.2%) existed between overall (or potential) CNC representativeness nationally and CNC representation in national reserves, and there was significant spatial heterogeneity of representativeness in CNC-conservation priority areas at the regional and provincial levels. For example, the best and worst representations were, respectively, 13.0% and 1.6% regionally and 28.9% and 0.0% provincially. Policy in China is transitioning toward the goal of an ecologically sustainable civilization. We identified CNC-conservation priority areas and conservation gaps and thus contribute to the policy goals of optimization of the national nature reserve network and the demarcation of areas critical to improving the representativeness and conservation of highly functioning areas of natural capital. Moreover, our method for assessing representation of CNC can be easily adapted to other large-scale networks of conservation areas because few data are needed, and our model is relatively simple.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihe Lü
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- Joint Center for Global Change Studies, Beijing, 100875, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- Department of Geography, Tourism and Environment College of Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
| | - Yuan Zeng
- Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Bojie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- Joint Center for Global Change Studies, Beijing, 100875, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Charlotte Whitham
- CzechGlobe - Global Change Research Institute, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986/4a, 60300, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Shuguang Liu
- State Engineering Laboratory of Southern Forestry Applied Ecology and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, 410004, China
| | - Bingfang Wu
- Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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Singh S, Kroe-Barrett RR, Canada KA, Zhu X, Sepulveda E, Wu H, He Y, Raymond EL, Ahlberg J, Frego LE, Amodeo LM, Catron KM, Presky DH, Hanke JH. Selective targeting of the IL23 pathway: Generation and characterization of a novel high-affinity humanized anti-IL23A antibody. MAbs 2015; 7:778-91. [PMID: 25905918 PMCID: PMC4622456 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2015.1032491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, we describe the generation and characterization of BI 655066, a novel, highly potent neutralizing anti-interleukin-23 (IL23) monoclonal antibody in clinical development for autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis and Crohn's disease. IL23 is a key driver of the differentiation, maintenance, and activity of a number of immune cell subsets, including T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which are believed to mediate the pathogenesis of several immune-mediated disorders. Thus, IL23 neutralization is an attractive therapeutic approach. Designing an antibody for clinical activity and convenience for the patient requires certain properties, such as high affinity, specificity, and solubility. These properties were achieved by directed design of the immunization, lead identification, and humanization procedures. Favorable substance and pharmacokinetic properties were established by biophysical assessments and studies in cynomolgus monkeys.
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Key Words
- ADCC, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
- AUC, analytical ultracentrifugation
- BI 655066
- CCG, Chemical Computing Group
- CDRs, complementarity-determining regions
- CH, constant region
- Cκ, constant kappa
- DMF, dimethylformamide
- EOF, electro-osmotic flow
- ESI, electrospray ionization
- F, phenylalanine
- G, glycine
- GAHA, goat anti-human IgG gamma antibody
- HCLF, high concentration liquid formulation
- IL12, Interleukin 12
- IL12RB1, IL12 receptor subunit beta 1
- IL23, Interleukin-23
- IL23R, IL23 receptor
- JAK2, Janus kinase 2
- PBS, phosphate-buffered saline
- PK, pharmacokinetic
- RU, resonance units
- SEC, size-exclusion chromatography
- SPR, surface plasmon resonance
- Th17, T helper 17 cells
- UV, ultraviolet
- V, variable
- VH, variable heavy
- Vκ, variable kappa
- Y, tyrosine
- biophysical assessment
- humanization
- immunogen design
- pharmacokinetic profile
- tyk2, tyrosine kinase 2
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjaya Singh
- a Department of Biotherapeutics Research; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. ; Ridgefield , CT , USA
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