单域抗体的研究和应用进展

传统IgG抗体分子一般由轻链和重链组成,轻链包含1个可变区(VL)和1个恒定区(CL),重链包含1个可变区(VH)和3个恒定区(CH1,CH2,CH3)。单域抗体(Single domain antibody,sdAb),是指缺失抗体轻链而只有重链可变区的一类抗体,因其分子量小,也被称为纳米抗体(Nanobody)。20世纪90年代,单域抗体最早在骆驼科动物中被发现,之后在护士鲨、大星鲨和鳐鱼等软骨鱼纲动物中也发现了类似的抗体。单域抗体虽然结构简单,但仍然可以达到与传统抗体相当甚至更高的与特异抗原结合的亲和力。相比于传统抗体,单域抗体具有分子量小、稳定性强、易于重组表达等优点。近年来在生物学基础研究和医学临床应用方面均备受关注并被广泛应用。文中将从单域抗体的结构特征、理化性质、筛选方法及其在生物医学领域的重要应用进展进行综述。     

单域重链抗体的分子特征

源于软骨鱼或骆驼科动物的同型重链二聚体无轻链,用基因工程方法获得其单一重链可变区可保留完整的抗原结合活性,称为单域重链抗体。单域重链抗体具有分子小、稳定性高、体内组织渗透性好、可溶性好、易表达、抗原识别表位独特的结构特征,近年来在生物技术研究与诊断治疗应用领域得到广泛关注,取得了快速发展。     

抗脂多糖纳米抗体的筛选及其五聚体的制备

目的：筛选抗脂多糖（LPS）纳米单域抗体,并制备抗LPS纳米抗体五聚体。方法：以LPS为抗原,从驼源天然单域重链抗体库中筛选抗LPS纳米抗体,利用分子克隆技术将抗LPS单域抗体基因组装入志贺杆菌样毒素B亚基蛋白结构域（VTB）的五聚体特异性表达载体中进行可溶性表达,并用ELISA法鉴定所获抗体的抗原结合活性和特异性。结果：获得抗LPS纳米单域抗体及LPS纳米抗体五聚体;经鉴定,LPS纳米抗体五聚体的抗原结合活性优于抗LPS单域抗体。结论：利用驼源天然单域重链抗体库制备了抗LPS纳米单域抗体及抗LPS纳米抗体五聚体,为脓毒血症的分子诊断、预后判断及寻找生物治疗新靶点奠定了基础。     

单域抗体研究进展

近年来用基因工程方法从软骨鱼和骆驼科动物中克隆到的单域抗体（single—domain antibody,sdAb）具有无轻链、单一重链可变区保留了完整的抗原结合活性的特征。这类单域抗体具有分子小、稳定性高、体内组织渗透性好、可溶性好、易表达、抗原识别表位独特的特性,已引起生物技术研究与诊断治疗应用领域的广泛关注,取得了快速发展。综述了这类单域抗体发展历史、分子类别、结构特征、理化特征、分子演化及应用前景。     

骆驼来源单域抗体在免疫治疗中的研究进展

近几年多种单克隆抗体药物已成功上市并用于治疗人类多种疾病,但因单克隆抗体的复杂结构和高昂的生产成本,限制了其在临床上的广泛应用。随着生物技术的进步,使抗体朝着小型化的基因工程单域抗体发展。20世纪末,在骆驼科动物(camelidae)和护士鲨(nurse shark)体内发现一种天然缺失轻链的重链抗体(heavy chain antibody,HCAb),这种特殊抗体的抗原结合位点仅由单一结构域构成。该结构域在骆驼中称为VHH,经基因重组修饰易于进行工程表达,产物即称为VHH单域抗体,具有分子量小,可溶性好,稳定性高及组织穿透力强等优势,在调节免疫功能方面的应用前景更加广阔。就目前国际上对骆驼来源的VHH单域抗体在免疫治疗应用研究的进展情况进行综述,为基因工程单域抗体改造提供新思路。     

再循环抗体的研究进展

单克隆抗体因其与抗原结合具有高度特异性与强亲和力,已成为抗体药物研发的主要类型。但随着天然单克隆抗体的深入研究,它的诸多缺陷也浮出水面,如与抗原结合次数有限、带来非预期的抗体清除效应和抗原累积效应。人们不再局限于天然抗体的筛选,而是想通过改造提升抗体药物的药效。近年来,一类新型再循环抗体的问世,很好地解决了天然单克隆抗体发展的瓶颈。再循环抗体可以在胞外结合抗原,在细胞内与抗原解离,使抗体结合抗原次数最大化,减少抗原介导的抗体清除效应和抗体介导的抗原累积效应,并且再循环抗体可以通过进一步的Fc改造来加强与Fc受体的亲和力。文中综述了再循环抗体的研究进展,包括其特点、改造方法及展望。     

临床诊断与治疗的新工具——可变淋巴细胞受体

单克隆抗体(Monoclonal antibody, mAb)在癌症以及自身免疫等疾病的诊断与治疗中得到广泛应用, 并且取得了重大进展。当今应用于临床的单克隆抗体是在免疫球蛋白的基础上进行改造研发而得。然而近期发现的无颌类脊椎动物的特异性抗原受体-可变淋巴细胞受体(Variable lymphocyte receptor, VLR), 为抗体类试剂或药物的研发提供了新的视角。与免疫球蛋白(Immunoglobulins, Ig)相比, VLR与抗原结合的特异性、亲和力及稳定性都优于Ig类抗体, 并且抗原特异性单克隆VLR的制备技术日趋成熟。因此, VLR在临床诊断和治疗中具有更高的应用价值, 并可能成为新一代的抗体药物。文章就VLR的基本特征、制备方法及其应用前景进行综述, 为实现VLR在临床诊断与治疗等领域中的应用提供有益参考。     

纳米抗体研究进展

纳米抗体是由骆驼科动物缺失轻链的天然重链抗体的可变区(VHH)组成的单域抗体,其可变区的相对分子质量约为15×10~3。与传统抗体相比,纳米抗体具有相对分子质量小、亲和力高、稳定性高、溶解性好、免疫原性低、穿透力强、人源化简单等优势。基于纳米抗体的特性以及骆驼天然重链抗体的VHH单域抗体的特殊结构,使其在基础医学研究以及疾病诊断和治疗方面具有广阔的应用前景。     

纳米抗体技术及其在疾病诊断和治疗中的应用

单克隆抗体具有特异性结合抗原的能力,已被广泛应用于疾病诊断及治疗领域.但因单克隆抗体的组织渗透能力较差、体内的保留时间较长以及制备过程繁琐,从而限制了其在临床中的应用.自1993年首次报道在骆驼体内天然存在的单链抗体(HCAb)以来,由于其可变区间VHH(纳米抗体)具有体积小、溶解度高、特异性强以及可在细菌中大量表达等优点,较之传统单克隆抗体,VHH在疾病的诊断治疗及药物开发等医学领域具有更广阔的应用前景.本文综述了:纳米抗体的骨架区及互补决定区与传统抗体重链相应区间的结构比较;纳米抗体库的构建以及运用噬菌体展示技术对VHH库的筛选;纳米抗体技术在疾病诊断中的应用及其用于分子显像的优势,以及纳米抗体作为抗肿瘤免疫偶联物的靶向组分在癌症治疗领域中的最新进展.     

抗人OX40单克隆抗体的制备和初步鉴定

目的:获得全人源抗人OX40特异性抗体候选株,为相关药物开发奠定基础。方法:依托本实验室构建的大容量全合成全人源噬菌体单链抗体库平台,以OX40为抗原进行固相筛选,经过3轮条件渐进严苛的筛选后,阳性克隆得到富集;将其中富集效果最好的一株单链抗体scFv-1改造成全抗体(Ig G1)形式,改造成功的重组质粒按照一定比例转染HEK293-F细胞进行抗体的瞬时表达;基于AKTA系统对全抗体进行纯化,将纯化得到的全抗体重命名为OX40mab-1。通过ELISA、间接免疫荧光、流式细胞术等试验分别验证OX40mab-1与抗原的结合活性、特异性、血清稳定性;通过BIAcore 3000初步测定抗体亲和力。结果:3轮筛选后得到1株富集率达95%的单链抗体,改造成全抗体形式后,与抗原OX40的结合EC50为0.015μmol/L;该抗体与其他无关抗原均不结合,特异性良好;37℃血清放置15 d后,与抗原依具有较好的结合活性,血清稳定性良好;经BIAcore 3000初步测定该抗体亲和力为251 nmol/L。结论:获得1株理化性质良好、特异性较好的抗OX40全人源单克隆抗体OX40mab-1,具有继续开发价值。     

Structure of a shark IgNAR antibody variable domain and modeling of an early-developmental isotype

The new antigen receptor (IgNAR) antibodies from sharks are disulphide bonded dimers of two protein chains, each containing one variable and five constant domains. Three types of IgNAR variable domains have been discovered, with Type 3 appearing early in shark development and being overtaken by the antigen-driven affinity-matured Type 1 and 2 response. Here, we have determined the first structure of a naturally occurring Type 2 IgNAR variable domain, and identified the disulphide bond that links and stabilizes the CDR1 and CDR3 loops. This disulphide bridge locks the CDR3 loop in an "upright" conformation in contrast to other shark antibody structures, where a more lateral configuration is observed. Further, we sought to model the Type 3 isotype based on the crystallographic structure reported here. This modeling indicates (1) that internal Type 3-specific residues combine to pack into a compact immunoglobulin core that supports the CDR loop regions, and (2) that despite apparent low-sequence variability, there is sufficient plasticity in the CDR3 loop to form a conformationally diverse antigen-binding surface.     

Improving the pharmacokinetic properties of biologics by fusion to an anti-HSA shark VNAR domain

Advances in recombinant antibody technology and protein engineering have provided the opportunity to reduce antibodies to their smallest binding domain components and have concomitantly driven the requirement for devising strategies to increase serum half-life to optimise drug exposure, thereby increasing therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we adopted an immunization route to raise picomolar affinity shark immunoglobulin new antigen receptors (IgNARs) to target human serum albumin (HSA). From our model shark species, Squalus acanthias, a phage display library encompassing the variable binding domain of IgNAR (VNAR) was constructed, screened against target, and positive clones were characterized for affinity and specificity. N-terminal and C-terminal molecular fusions of our lead hit in complex with a naïve VNAR domain were expressed, purified and exhibited the retention of high affinity binding to HSA, but also cross-selectivity to mouse, rat and monkey serum albumin both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the naïve VNAR had enhanced pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics in both N- and C-terminal orientations and when tested as a three domain construct with naïve VNAR flanking the HSA binding domain at both the N and C termini. Molecules derived from this platform technology also demonstrated the potential for clinical utility by being available via the subcutaneous route of delivery. This study thus demonstrates the first in vivo functional efficacy of a VNAR binding domain with the ability to enhance PK properties and support delivery of multifunctional therapies.     

Improving the pharmacokinetic properties of biologics by fusion to an anti-HSA shark VNAR domain

Advances in recombinant antibody technology and protein engineering have provided the opportunity to reduce antibodies to their smallest binding domain components and have concomitantly driven the requirement for devising strategies to increase serum half-life to optimise drug exposure, thereby increasing therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we adopted an immunization route to raise picomolar affinity shark immunoglobulin new antigen receptors (IgNARs) to target human serum albumin (HSA). From our model shark species, Squalus acanthias, a phage display library encompassing the variable binding domain of IgNAR (VNAR) was constructed, screened against target, and positive clones were characterized for affinity and specificity. N-terminal and C-terminal molecular fusions of our lead hit in complex with a naïve VNAR domain were expressed, purified and exhibited the retention of high affinity binding to HSA, but also cross-selectivity to mouse, rat and monkey serum albumin both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the naïve VNAR had enhanced pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics in both N- and C-terminal orientations and when tested as a three domain construct with naïve VNAR flanking the HSA binding domain at both the N and C termini. Molecules derived from this platform technology also demonstrated the potential for clinical utility by being available via the subcutaneous route of delivery. This study thus demonstrates the first in vivo functional efficacy of a VNAR binding domain with the ability to enhance PK properties and support delivery of multifunctional therapies.     

Isolation and characterization of an IgNAR variable domain specific for the human mitochondrial translocase receptor Tom70.

The new antigen receptor (IgNAR) from sharks is a disulphide bonded dimer of two protein chains, each containing one variable and five constant domains, and functions as an antibody. In order to assess the antigen-binding capabilities of isolated IgNAR variable domains (VNAR), we have constructed an in vitro library incorporating synthetic CDR3 regions of 15-18 residues in length. Screening of this library against the 60 kDa cytosolic domain of the 70 kDa outer membrane translocase receptor from human mitochondria (Tom70) resulted in one dominant antigen-specific clone (VNAR 12F-11) after four rounds of in vitro selection. VNAR 12F-11 was expressed into the Escherichia coli periplasm and purified by anti-FLAG affinity chromatography at yields of 3 mg x L(-1). Purified protein eluted from gel filtration columns as a single monomeric protein and CD spectrum analysis indicated correct folding into the expected beta-sheet conformation. Specific binding to Tom70 was demonstrated by ELISA and BIAcore (Kd = 2.2 +/- 0.31 x 10(-9) m-1) indicating that these VNAR domains can be efficiently displayed as bacteriophage libraries, and selected against target antigens with an affinity and stability equivalent to that obtained for other single domain antibodies. As an initial step in producing 'intrabody' variants of 12F-11, the impact of modifying or removing the conserved immunoglobulin intradomain disulphide bond was assessed. High affinity binding was only retained in the wild-type protein, which combined with our inability to affinity mature 12F-11, suggests that this particular VNAR is critically dependent upon precise CDR loop conformations for its binding affinity.     

Analysis of the binding loops configuration and surface adaptation of different crystallized single‐domain antibodies in response to various antigens

Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the biomedical field through their ubiquitous utilization in different diagnostics and therapeutic applications. Despite this widespread use, their large size and structural complexity have limited their versatility in specific applications. The antibody variable region that is responsible for binding antigen is embodied within domains that can be rescued individually as single‐domain antibody (sdAb) fragments. Because of the unique characteristics of sdAbs, such as low molecular weight, high physicochemical stability, and the ability to bind antigens inaccessible to conventional antibodies, they represent a viable alternative to full‐length antibodies. Consequently, 149 crystal structures of sdAbs, originating from human (VH), camelids (VHH), or sharks (VNAR), were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank, and their structures were compared. The 3 types of sdAbs displayed complementarity determining regions (CDRs) with different lengths and configurations. CDR3 of the VHH and VNAR domains were dominated by pleated and extended orientations, respectively. Although VNAR showed the smallest average molecular weight and molecular surface area compared with VHH and VH antibodies. However, the solvent accessible surface area measurements of the 3 tested sdAbs types were very similar. All the antihapten VHH antibodies showed pleated CDR3, which were sufficient to create a binding pocket to accommodate haptens (methotrexate and azo dyes) in terms of shape and electrostatic potential. The sdAbs that recognized lysozyme showed more diversity in their CDR3 orientation to enable them to recognize various topographies of lysozyme. Subsequently, the three sdAb classes were different in size and surface area and have shown distinguishable ability to optimize their CDR length and orientation to recognize different antigen classes.     

Antibody informatics for drug discovery

More and more antibody therapeutics are being approved every year, mainly due to their high efficacy and antigen selectivity. However, it is still difficult to identify the antigen, and thereby the function, of an antibody if no other information is available. There are obstacles inherent to the antibody science in every project in antibody drug discovery. Recent experimental technologies allow for the rapid generation of large-scale data on antibody sequences, affinity, potency, structures, and biological functions; this should accelerate drug discovery research. Therefore, a robust bioinformatic infrastructure for these large data sets has become necessary. In this article, we first identify and discuss the typical obstacles faced during the antibody drug discovery process. We then summarize the current status of three sub-fields of antibody informatics as follows: (i) recent progress in technologies for antibody rational design using computational approaches to affinity and stability improvement, as well as ab-initio and homology-based antibody modeling; (ii) resources for antibody sequences, structures, and immune epitopes and open drug discovery resources for development of antibody drugs; and (iii) antibody numbering and IMGT. Here, we review “antibody informatics,” which may integrate the above three fields so that bridging the gaps between industrial needs and academic solutions can be accelerated. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Recent advances in molecular engineering of antibody.     

The structure of dual-variable-domain immunoglobulin molecules alone and bound to antigen

A dual-specific, tetravalent immunoglobulin G-like molecule, termed dual variable domain immunoglobulin (DVD-Ig™), is engineered to block two targets. Flexibility modulates Fc receptor and complement binding, but could result in undesirable cross-linking of surface antigens and downstream signaling. Understanding the flexibility of parental mAbs is important for designing and retaining functionality of DVD-Ig™ molecules. The architecture and dynamics of a DVD-Ig™ molecule and its parental mAbs was examined using single particle electron microscopy. Hinge angles measured for the DVD-Ig™ molecule were similar to the inner antigen parental mAb. The outer binding domain of the DVD-Ig™ molecule was highly mobile and three-dimensional (3D) analysis showed binding of inner antigen caused the outer domain to fold out of the plane with a major morphological change. Docking high-resolution X-ray structures into the 3D electron microscopy map supports the extraordinary domain flexibility observed in the DVD-Ig™ molecule allowing antigen binding with minimal steric hindrance.     

Calcium-dependent antigen binding as a novel modality for antibody recycling by endosomal antigen dissociation

The pH-dependent antigen binding antibody, termed a recycling antibody, has recently been reported as an attractive type of second-generation engineered therapeutic antibody. A recycling antibody can dissociate antigen in the acidic endosome, and thus bind to its antigen multiple times. As a consequence, a recycling antibody can neutralize large amounts of antigen in plasma. Because this approach relies on histidine residues to achieve pH-dependent antigen binding, which could limit the epitopes that can be targeted and affect the rate of antigen dissociation in the endosome, we explored an alternative approach for generating recycling antibodies. Since calcium ion concentration is known to be lower in endosome than in plasma, we hypothesized that an antibody with antigen-binding properties that are calcium-dependent could be used as recycling antibody. Here, we report a novel anti-interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody, identified from a phage library that binds to IL-6R only in the presence of a calcium ion. Thermal dynamics and a crystal structure study revealed that the calcium ion binds to the heavy chain CDR3 region (HCDR3), which changes and possibly stabilizes the structure of HCDR3 to make it bind to antigen calcium dependently (PDB 5AZE). In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that this calcium-dependent antigen-binding antibody can dissociate its antigen in the endosome and accelerate antigen clearance from plasma, making it a novel approach for generating recycling antibody.     

Prediction of antigenic determinants of trichosanthin by molecular modeling

The antigenic determinants of trichosanthin were predicted by molecular modeling.First,the threedimensional structure model of the antigen-binding fragment of anti-trichosanthin immunoglobulin E was built on the basis of its amino-acid sequence and the known three-dimensional structure of an antibody with similar sequence.Secondly,the preferable antigen-antibody interactions were obtained based on the known three-dimensional structure of trichosanthin and of the hypervariable regions of anti-trichosanthin immunoglobulin E.Two regions in the molecular surface of trichosanthin were found to form extensive interactions with the hypervariable regions of the antibody and have been predicted to be the possible antigenic determinants:one is composed of two polypeptide segments,Ile201-Glu210 and Ile225-Asp229,which are close to each other in the three-dimensional structure;and the other is the segment Lys173-Thr178.The former region seems to be the more reasonable antigenic determinant than the latter one.