计算机辅助设计可溶性BLyS受体, eBCMA-Fc 融合蛋白及其在大肠杆菌中的表达

B 细胞成熟抗原 (BCMA)是 B淋巴细胞刺激因子(BLyS)的受体之一．它的胞外区与人IgG1 Fc的融合蛋白eBCMA-Fc,又称为诱饵受体,具有拮抗BLyS的活性．为了设计新的拮抗肽,基于BCMA和Fc的晶体结构,通过计算机图形学技术、分子模拟方法,建立了eBCMA-Fc融合蛋白的三维理论结构．利用均方根位移（root mean square distance, RMSD）对eBCMA-Fc融合蛋白与单体eBCMA、Fc构象差异进行分析．融合蛋白eBCMA-Fc中的eBCMA段与单体eBCMA的主链碳原子间RMSD值为0.036 nm,Fc段与单体Fc的主链碳原子间RMSD值为0.064 nm．结果表明,对比单体,融合蛋白eBCMA-Fc并未因eBCMA与Fc直接连接而发生构象的变化．分子对接方法显示,融合蛋白eBCMA-Fc中的BCMA与BLyS作用,而Fc扮演着稳定BCMA构象的支架作用．为进一步验证上述理论分析,构建eBCMA-Fc融合基因,并将载有eBCMA-Fc融合基因的原核表达质粒转化BL21 (DE3)菌、在细菌中表达．目的蛋白经蛋白A亲和柱纯化大约为36 kD,与理论预测值34 kD相近．免疫印迹表明抗人IgG抗体能够识别eBCMA-Fc融合蛋白．ELISA证实,eBCMA-Fc融合蛋白能够结合BLyS．随着eBCMA-Fc融合蛋白增加,结合BLyS的融合蛋白也相应增加．而对照人IgG,即使在高浓度条件下,也不结合BLyS．此外,eBCMA-Fc 融合蛋白能够抑制BLyS对B细胞肿瘤Daudi细胞的作用．这些研究为下一步设计和筛选BLyS拮抗肽提供了实验基础．     

人B淋巴细胞刺激因子C端肽的免疫增强作用

用套式PCR从人胎脑cDNA文库中克隆了B淋巴细胞刺激因子C端肽 (C terminalpeptideofBlymphocytestimulator,C BLyS)的cDNA。在大肠杆菌BL2 1CodonPlus (DE3)RIL中以包含体形式表达了C BLyS。对包含体的复性条件进行了摸索 ,建立了C BLyS的透析复性与纯化方法。经复性和纯化的C BLyS可结合其受体B细胞成熟抗原 (Bcellmaturationantigen ,BCMA) 人IgG1Fc融合蛋白 ,刺激体外培养的小鼠脾脏细胞增殖 ,并且可明显增强小鼠对溶菌酶的免疫应答水平。     

人sBCMA cDNA的克隆、高可溶性融合表达及活性分析

BCMA是除TACI外BAFF和APRIL共用的另一细胞表面受体。为了研究sBCMA作为拮抗受体的可能及获得活性sBCMA蛋白用做结构功能研究,我们以RTPCR法从人B系非洲淋巴瘤细胞株Raji总RNA中扩增出人BCMA的全长cDNA,经克隆测序证实所克隆的基因为人BCMA。继而通过嵌套PCR扩增出胞外可溶区(sBCMA,46个氨基酸组成,含有一个6个半胱氨酸的保守CRD,构成3个二硫键)cDNA,构建原核表达载体pET43.1a( )sBCMA,在大肠杆菌菌株OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS中高可溶性融合表达出重组蛋白sBCMANusAHis6,同时克隆表达了融合蛋白NusAHis6。经Ni NTA亲和纯化后的目的蛋白进行细胞学实验表明sBCMA能特异阻断BAFF促小鼠B细胞的增殖作用,而NusAHis6则不能,证实我们所表达得到的受体胞外可溶性片段sBCMA与配体具有较高的结合活性。sBCMA融合蛋白的成功表达将为二硫键富含类蛋白的表达提供参考,并为研究其临床应用以及BAFF和APRIL受体结构和功能的关系奠定基础。     

抗人P185^erbB2的scFv—Fc融合蛋白的表达及免疫功能分析

为提高鼠源单抗用于体内治疗的效应功能及降低人抗鼠抗体反应 ,将编码抗人P185 erbB2 单抗轻、重链可变区 (VL、VH)融合构建的单链抗体 (scFv)基因片段与人IgG1的Fc区基因片段融合构建了scFv Fc融合基因 ,并将其克隆到哺乳动物细胞表达载体pCIDN中。用重组载体转染CHO细胞 ,通过G4 18筛选获得稳定高表达克隆。更换无血清培养基培养 ,经重组蛋白质A亲和层析柱纯化scFv Fc融合蛋白。融合蛋白质在还原SDS PAGE中表现为5 2kD的条带 ;与SK BR 3细胞裂解液共培育可特异性地沉淀出P185 erbB2 蛋白 ;FACS分析表明融合蛋白质识别P185 erbB2 蛋白的胞外段 ;ELISA测定融合蛋白质对细胞表面抗原P185 erbB2 的亲和常数为 7.5× 10 -10 (mol/L) -1。构建scFv Fc融合基因 ,将其克隆到表达载体 ,进一步稳定表达抗P185 erbB2 的scFv Fc融合蛋白 ,为进一步的体外、体内研究鼠源单抗治疗效果创造了条件。     

DDR2结构域与人IgG Fc融合载体的构建、表达与蛋白纯化

目的:构建DDR2与人IgG Fc融合的分泌型真核表达载体,验证其表达,纯化具有生物活性的分泌型蛋白。方法:分析DDR2蛋白质结构功能域,设计载体构建策略;扩增DDR2胞外结构域片段,将其克隆至Psec Tag2B载体(带有人IgG Fc标签)中,在293T细胞验证其表达;用Protein G纯化柱纯化蛋白。结果:DDR2胞外结构域DS/Fc融合载体测序正确,转染293T细胞中后可成功分泌到细胞上清中,进一步用亲和层析法纯化得到高浓度蛋白。结论:重组载体特异性分泌DDR2胞外区蛋白,引入的Link序列是稳定分泌蛋白构象的基础,融合了人IgG Fc序列,可以作为DDR2配体拮抗剂靶向抑制DDR2与其天然配体的相互作用,对临床研究有重要作用。     

人GLP -1- IgG Fc融合蛋白在毕赤酵母中的高效表达

目的:构建GLP-1-IgG Fc融合蛋白分子并在毕赤酵母中实现高效表达.方法:使用蛋白质工程技术改造GLP -1,去除其蛋白酶降解位点,然后利用重叠延伸PCR方法得到改造后的GLP -1与人IgG-Fc片断的嵌合体基因并将其插入pPIC9K载体中.以重组载体转化巴斯德毕赤酵母菌中进行表达.采用SDS-PAGE和Western Blot方法检测重组蛋白的表达.结果:成功的构建了GLP -1-IgG Fc嵌合体基因并使其在重组毕赤酵母中高效分泌表达.在25℃条件下,摇瓶培养添加0.5％甲醇诱导72h后融合蛋白的表达量最大,为5mg/L.SDS-PAGE和Westem-Blot结果表明表达产物为GLP -1-IgG Fc融合蛋白.结论:获得了高效表达GLP -1-IgG Fc融合蛋白的毕赤酵母菌株,为GLP -1-IgG Fc的活性和半衰期测定及下一步的开发奠定了基础,并为在毕赤酵母菌中表达其他Fc融合蛋白和抗体提供了参考.     

BLyS对噬菌体随机12肽库的筛选

用B淋巴细胞刺激因子（BLyS）对噬菌体随机12肽库进行亲和淘洗,3轮筛选后阳性噬菌体得到富集。用ELISA鉴定噬菌体克隆,多个阳性克隆测序后得到了同一个小肽序列(RHKIQLRQNIIT)。将该小肽与GST融合,在大肠杆菌中进行表达及纯化,ELISA实验进一步验证了其具有与BLyS特异结合的活性。该小肽有可能成为其天然受体的拮抗剂。      

hTNFRII-Fc融合基因的克隆及在CHO细胞中的表达

构建人肿瘤坏死因子受体II胞外区（TNFRII）和人免疫球蛋白（IgG1）Fc段的融合基因真核表达载体,并在中国仓鼠卵巢细胞（CHO）中表达融合蛋白hTNFRII-Fc。用全合成重叠延伸PCR方法克隆TNFRII胞外区的基因片段,再与（IgG1）Fc段拼接起来形成hTNFRII-Fc融合基因,经HindIII、EcoRI双酶切后插入至pEE14中构建pEE14-TNFRII-Fc真核表达载体,脂质体转染至CHO细胞中进行表达及鉴定。ELISA检测到转染hTNFRII-Fc基因的CHO细胞培养上清中含有hTNFRII-Fc蛋白,SDS-PAGE与Western-blot鉴定证实其为hTNFRII-Fc蛋白,为进一步研究该融合蛋白在CHO细胞稳定表达及应用于类风湿关节炎等自身免疫性疾病临床治疗奠定了一定的研究基础。     

融合基因anti-erbB2 scFv-Fc-CD28-CD3(ζ)的构建及真核表达

本研究利用SWISS-MODEL预测该融合蛋白的三级结构。利用PCR的方法分别从重组pPIC9k、重组pBullet和pSecTag2B上扩增出3段基因片段,即片段anti-erbB2 scFv(简称A)、片段Fc-CD28-CD3(ζ)(简称B)和信号肽序列(简称S)。利用SOE-PCR将3段序列连接形成融合基因片段S-A-B。经TA克隆扩增及鉴定后,将融合基因片段与逆转录病毒表达载体pLNCX相连构建重组真核表达载体,电转染人淋巴瘤T细胞株Jurkat,G418筛选后用流式细胞术检测融合蛋白稳定表达情况。经预测在anti-erbB2 scFv与Fc基因片段之间不加连接肽的融合蛋白,在三级结构上可形成更佳的功能构象。经PCR、酶切及测序鉴定均证实成功构建重组真核表达载体pLNCX/S-A-B(在A与B基因片段之间不加linker)。经流式细胞术检测,在转染的Jurkat细胞中融合蛋白表达率约为56.17%。本研究应用分子克隆的方法成功地构建了重组真核表达载体pLNCX/anti-erbB2 scFv-Fc-CD28-CD3(ζ),融合基因能够在淋巴瘤T细胞株中表达,为制备含该融合基因的原代T淋巴细胞,进行erbB2过表达肿瘤的靶向基因治疗研究奠定了实验基础。     

人IL35-IgG4(Fc)融合蛋白在CHO/DG44细胞中的稳定表达

本研究利用基因重组技术构建人IL35-IgG4(Fc)融合基因真核表达载体, 稳定转染CHO/DG44细胞并检测重组蛋白的表达。主要采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)从脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharides, LPS)诱导的人髓性白血病细胞株KG-I cDNA文库中克隆EBI3和IL-12p35 cDNA, 重叠PCR法连接2个片段, 并克隆到IgG4(Fc)- pOptiVEC?-TOPO?载体上,对新构建的IL-35-IgG4 (Fc) pOptiVEC?-TOPO?真核表达载体并进行酶切、测序、PCR鉴定; 脂质体法转染CHO/DG44细胞; RT-PCR检测转染结果, 采用a-MEM-培养基筛选实验组细胞, 对筛选的阳性克隆细胞再进行氨甲喋呤(Methotrexate, MTX)的加压筛选, ProteinG-Agarose纯化阳性克隆培养上清, 免疫印迹检测目的蛋白表达。结果显示IL-35-IgG4 (Fc) pOptiVEC?-TOPO?表达载体稳定转染CHO/DG44细胞并获得阳性克隆; SDS-PAGE电泳得到一条与预期相对分子质量大小相符的蛋白条带; 该蛋白能与羊抗人IgG4抗体特异结合。本实验获得了能够稳定表达具有稳定结构的IL35-IgG4(Fc)融合蛋白的CHO/DG44细胞株。     

Interaction of the TNF homologues BLyS and APRIL with the TNF receptor homologues BCMA and TACI

BLyS (also called TALL-1, THANK, or BAFF) [1] [2] [3] [4] is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene family that stimulates proliferation and immunoglobulin production by B cells. BLyS interacts with the TNF receptor (TNFR) homologue TACI (transmembrane activator and CAML-interactor) [5], and treatment of mice with a TACI-Fc fusion protein abolishes germinal center formation after antigenic challenge [6]. Here we report a novel interaction between BLyS and another TNFR homologue, BCMA (B cell maturation antigen) [7] [8]. Further, the TNF homologue APRIL [9], a close relative of BLyS, also bound to BCMA and TACI. BLyS or APRIL activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) through TACI and BCMA, and each ligand stimulated immunoglobulin M (IgM) production by peripheral blood B cells. These results define a dual ligand-receptor system that may play an important role in humoral immunity.     

Identification of a novel receptor for B lymphocyte stimulator that is mutated in a mouse strain with severe B cell deficiency

BLyS (also called BAFF, TALL-1, THANK, and zTNF4), a TNF superfamily member, binds two receptors, TACI and BCMA, and regulates humoral immune responses [1-7]. These two receptors also bind APRIL [7-10], another TNF superfamily member. The results from TACI(-/-) and BCMA(-/-) mice suggest the existence of additional receptor(s) for BLyS. The TACI knockout gives the paradoxical result of B cells being hyperresponsive, suggesting an inhibitory role for this receptor [11, 12], while BCMA null mice have no discernable phenotype [13]. Here we report the identification of a third BLyS receptor (BR3; BLyS receptor 3). This receptor is unique in that, in contrast to TACI and BCMA, BR3 only binds BLyS. Treatment of antigen-challenged mice with BR3-Fc inhibited antibody production, indicating an essential role for BLyS, but not APRIL, in this response. A critical role for BR3 in B cell ontogeny is underscored by our data showing that the BR3 gene had been inactivated by a discrete, approximately 4.7 kb gene insertion event that disrupted the 3' end of the BR3 gene in A/WySnJ mice, which lack peripheral B cells.     

Mechanism of BLyS action in B cell immunity.

The B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), also known as BAFF, THANK, TALL-1 and zTNF4, is the most recent addition to the tumor necrosis factor family (TNF) ligands and has a unique role in B cell immunity. Its requirement for the humoral immune response is evident in mice lacking BlyS, which exhibit profound deficiencies in peripheral B cell development and maturation. It regulates the antibody response, as shown in mice overexpressing BLyS, which develop autoimmune manifestations resulting from peripheral B cell expansion and differentiation. Attenuation of apoptosis appears to underlie BLyS action in B cells. However, elucidation of the mechanism of BLyS has proven to be more challenging, because BLyS binds three different TNF receptors (TACI/BCMA/BAFF-R) and shares overlapping functions with a related TNF ligand, APRIL. The unique role of BLyS in B cell development and differentiation and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in particular, makes the study of BLyS and its downstream targets attractive in the development of novel therapies.     

Fusion Toxin BLyS-Gelonin Inhibits Growth of Malignant Human B Cell Lines In Vitro and In Vivo

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a member of the TNF superfamily of cytokines. The biological activity of BLyS is mediated by three cell surface receptors: BR3/BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA. The expression of these receptors is highly restricted to B cells, both normal and malignant. A BLyS-gelonin fusion toxin (BLyS-gel) was generated consisting of the recombinant plant-derived toxin gelonin fused to the N-terminus of BLyS and tested against a large and diverse panel of B-NHL cell lines. Interestingly, B-NHL subtypes mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and B cell precursor-acute lymphocytic leukemia (BCP-ALL) were preferentially sensitive to BLyS-gel mediated cytotoxicity, with low picomolar EC₅₀ values. BLyS receptor expression did not guarantee sensitivity to BLyS-gel, even though the construct was internalized by both sensitive and resistant cells. Resistance to BLyS-gel could be overcome by treatment with the endosomotropic drug chloroquine, suggesting BLyS-gel may become trapped within endosomal/lysosomal compartments in resistant cells. BLyS-gel induced cell death was caspase-independent and shown to be at least partially mediated by the “ribotoxic stress response.” This response involves activation of p38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK, and BLyS-gel mediated cytotoxicity was inhibited by the p38/JNK inhibitor SB203580. Finally, BLyS-gel treatment was shown to localize to sites of disease, rapidly reduce tumor burden, and significantly prolong survival in xenograft mouse models of disseminated BCP-ALL, DLBCL, and MCL. Together, these findings suggest BLyS has significant potential as a targeting ligand for the delivery of cytotoxic “payloads” to malignant B cells.     

TLR stimulation modifies BLyS receptor expression in follicular and marginal zone B cells

Through their differential interactions with B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), the three BLyS family receptors play central roles in B cell survival and differentiation. Recent evidence indicates BLyS receptor levels shift following BCR ligation, suggesting that activation cues can alter overall BLyS receptor profiles and thus ligand sensitivity. In this study, we show that TLR stimuli also alter BLyS receptor expression, but in contrast to BCR ligation, TLR9 and TLR4 signals, preferentially increase transmembrane activator calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) expression. Although both of these TLRs act through MyD88-dependent mechanisms to increase TACI expression, they differ in terms of their downstream mediators and the B cell subset affected. Surprisingly, only TLR4 relies on c-Rel and p50 to augment TACI expression, whereas TLR9 does not. Furthermore, although all follicular and marginal zone B cells up-regulate TACI in response to TLR9 stimulation, only marginal zone B cells and a subset of follicular B cells respond to TLR4. Finally, we find that both BLyS and APRIL enhance viability among quiescent and BCR-stimulated B cells. However, although BLyS enhances viability among TLR stimulated B cells, APRIL does not, suggesting that TACI but not BLyS receptor 3 may share survival promoting pathways with TLRs.     

Biologically active APRIL is secreted following intracellular processing in the Golgi apparatus by furin convertase

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family members are synthesized as transmembrane proteins, and cleavage of the membrane-anchored proteins from the cell surface is frequently observed. The TNF-related ligands APRIL and BLyS and their cognate receptors BCMA/TACI form a two ligand/two receptor system that has been shown to participate in B- and T-cell stimulation. In contrast to BLyS, which is known to be cleaved from the cell surface, we found that APRIL is processed intracellularly by furin convertase. Blockage of protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus by Brefeldin A treatment abrogated APRIL processing, whereas monensin, an inhibitor of post-Golgi transport, did not interfere with cleavage of APRIL, but blocked secretion of processed APRIL. Thus, APRIL shows a unique maturation pathway among the TNF ligand family members, as it not detectable as a membrane-anchored protein at the cell surface, but is processed in the Golgi apparatus prior to its secretion.     

BLyS and APRIL form biologically active heterotrimers that are expressed in patients with systemic immune-based rheumatic diseases

BLyS and APRIL are two members of the TNF superfamily that are secreted by activated myeloid cells and have costimulatory activity on B cells. BLyS and APRIL share two receptors, TACI and BCMA, whereas a third receptor, BAFF-R, specifically binds BLyS. Both BLyS and APRIL have been described as homotrimeric molecules, a feature common to members of the TNF superfamily. In this study, we show that APRIL and BLyS can form active heterotrimeric molecules when coexpressed and that circulating heterotrimers are present in serum samples from patients with systemic immune-based rheumatic diseases. These findings raise the possibility that active BLyS/APRIL heterotrimers may play a role in rheumatic and other autoimmune diseases and that other members of the TNF ligand superfamily may also form active soluble heterotrimers.     

No Evidence That Soluble TACI Induces Signalling via Membrane-Expressed BAFF and APRIL in Myeloid Cells

Myeloid cells express the TNF family ligands BAFF/BLyS and APRIL, which exert their effects on B cells at different stages of differentiation via the receptors BAFFR, TACI (Transmembrane Activator and CAML-Interactor) and/or BCMA (B Cell Maturation Antigen). BAFF and APRIL are proteins expressed at the cell membrane, with both extracellular and intracellular domains. Therefore, receptor/ligand engagement may also result in signals in ligand-expressing cells via so-called “reverse signalling”. In order to understand how TACI-Fc (atacicept) technically may mediate immune stimulation instead of suppression, we investigated its potential to activate reverse signalling through BAFF and APRIL. BAFFR-Fc and TACI-Fc, but not Fn14-Fc, reproducibly stimulated the ERK and other signalling pathways in bone marrow-derived mouse macrophages. However, these effects were independent of BAFF or APRIL since the same activation profile was observed with BAFF- or APRIL-deficient cells. Instead, cell activation correlated with the presence of high molecular mass forms of BAFFR-Fc and TACI-Fc and was strongly impaired in macrophages deficient for Fc receptor gamma chain. Moreover, a TACI-Fc defective for Fc receptor binding elicited no detectable signal. Although these results do not formally rule out the existence of BAFF or APRIL reverse signalling (via pathways not tested in this study), they provide no evidence in support of reverse signalling and point to the importance of using appropriate specificity controls when working with Fc receptor-expressing myeloid cells.