两株中和性抗hTNFα单抗可变区与hTNFα相互作用的计算机模拟及实验研究

在SGI图形工作站上,用同源蛋白结构预测的方法,建立了2株中和性抗hTNFα小鼠单抗(1C₃E₆,3F₆A₁₀)可变区的三维结构模型;并在实验研究2株单抗表位特异性的基础上,根据2株单抗与hTNFα分子表面的形状、静电性、疏水性、氢键等性质,对2株单抗可变区与hTNFα分子的可能结合模式进行了模拟和分析。再根据结合模型,设计并制备了2个hTNFα突变体,然后从实验与计算机模拟两方面着手,对比研究了hTNFα突变前后与两株单抗的结合能力与结合方式的变化。对比研究结果支持了结合模型,该结合模型的建立,为下一步的抗体人源化或小分子化改造等打下了基础。     

hTNF受体在BHK细胞中的表达及其与hTNF—α的相互作用

将两种人肿瘤坏死因子（ｈＴＮＦ）受体ｈＴＮＦＲ５５和ｈＴＮＦＲ７５基因分别克隆到表达载体ｐｃＤＮＡ３、ｐＤＲ２以及ｐＸＪ４１中,以脂质体介导的方法转染ＢＨＫ细胞,用［１２５Ｉ］ＴＮＦα筛选出阳性克隆,并进一步鉴定了表达两种ｈＴＮＦＲｓ的细胞株;反转录（ＲＴ）ＰＣＲ和ＥＬＩＳＡ结果表明两种ｈＴＮＦＲｓ在ＲＮＡ转录和蛋白质合成水平均获得了表达。但ｈＴＮＦα不能引发这些细胞株的细胞毒活性;结合野生型ｈＴＮＦα及其突变体Ｒ２Ｋ的细胞毒活性和体内毒性的测定结果,利用这些细胞株进一步测定了突变体ｈＴＮＦαＲ２Ｋ和野生型ｈＴＮＦα分别与两种受体的竞争结合活性,从而为两种受体以及ｈＴＮＦα的结构和功能研究的进一步深入奠定了一定的基础。     

突变型hTNFα重组体的构建及其在真核细胞中的表达

选择一种高效低毒的ｈＴＮＦαｃＤＮＡ突变体为目的基因,以质粒ｐｃＤＮＡ３１（＋）为载体,构建了ｈＴＮＦα重组体ｐｃＤＮＡ３１（＋）－ｈＴＮＦα。经限制性内切酶分析证实了重组体结构的正确性,用ＤＮＡ－磷酸钙共沉淀法将重组体导入鼠成纤维细胞ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３中,测其瞬时表达,证明重组体有表达突变型ｈＴＮＦα蛋白的功能。突变型ｈＴＮＦα表达质粒的成功构建,为其应用于肿瘤的基因治疗提供了前提     

3种人肿瘤坏死因子衍生物的研制

本文在详细分析肿瘤坏死因子（ＴＮＦ）结构的基础上应用ＰＣＲ技术和基因工程手段改造人ＴＮＦ分子,构建了３种人ＴＮＦ的衍生物。３种人ＴＮＦ衍生物是;Ｎ端缺失７个氨基酸且８、９、１０位的ＰｒｏＳｅｒＡｓｐ改为ＡｒｇＬｙｓＡｒｇ的ＴＮＦ（简写为ｈＴＮＦＤ１）：Ｃ端１５７位Ｌｅｕ改为Ｐｈｅ的ＴＮＦ（简写为ｈＴＮＦＤ２）;Ｎ端和Ｃ端同时作上述改变的ＴＮＦ（简写为ｈＴＮＦＤ３）。这３种衍生物在大肠杆菌中均获得较高表述,它们对Ｌ９２９细胞的细胞毒活性较重组天然人ＴＮＦ有很大升高,尤其是ｈＴＮＦＤ１和ｈＴＮＦＤ３,升高达３个数量级。文中对３种衍生物活性升高的原因作了分析。     

一种新型人肿瘤坏死因子突变体在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

采用多位点突变引物和ＰＣＲ方法对合成的人肿瘤坏死因子进行了突变,通过这一突变,人肿瘤坏死因子的第二位精氨酸的密码子ＣＧＴ被变为赖氨酸密码子ＡＡＡ,将突变后的基因插入表达载体ｐＳＢ－９２的ＰＬ启动子下游得到重组质粒ｐＳＢ－ＴＮＦ－Ｋ２,并在大肠杆菌中进行表达。突变体［Ｌｙｓ２］ｈＴＮＦ－α的表达产率达到菌体内总蛋白质的６０％以上,且为一可溶性蛋白质并易于纯化。同野生型ｈＴＮＦ－α相比,［Ｌｙｓ２］ｈＴＮＦ－α具有稍低的毒性,但对于某些人肿瘤细胞株表现出高于数十到数百倍的抑制活性．     

借助计算机模建与缺失突变技术确定抗人TNF-α单抗Z12识别的抗原表位

钓取抗人肿瘤坏死因子-α(hTNF-α)抗体Z12重、轻链可变区(VH, VL)基因, 根据其氨基酸序列, 运用同源模建方法分别模拟VH和VL结构域的空间构象, 并搭建Fv片段的整体三维结构, 利用分子对接方法建立Fv/hTNF-α作用的复合物模型, 据此模型推测Z12抗体识别的表位为hTNF-α141~146位. 将hTNF-α分为N端1~91和C端92~157两段进行原核表达, 检测结果表明Z12抗体识别的抗原表位位于hTNF-α C端92~157区, 初步证实预测结果可靠. 进一步的实验研究表明, 当把hTNF-α141~146位氨基酸缺失后, Z12抗体识别该缺失体的能力几乎丧失, 提示此抗体特异性识别抗原分子141~146位氨基酸残基.     

HFRSV内影3像型抗独特型人单抗重链可变区基因克隆

利用反转录－ＰＣＲ方法,从分泌肾综合症出血热病毒内影像型抗独特型人单抗杂交瘤细胞系中,成功地克隆了抗ＨＦＲＳＶ １ｄ人单抗链可变区基因,并将此基因重组入Ｍ１３噬菌体ＤＮＡ中,测定了此重链可变区基因全序列,经计算机分析,基因全长共３５１ｂｐ１１７个氨基酸,氨基酸序列同源性分析发现所推得的单抗ＣＤＲ２区与ＨＦＲＳＶＧ２蛋白Ｃ端有同源区,此区可能具有较强的抗原性。     

HFRSV内影像型抗独特型人单抗重链可变区基因克隆

利用反转录－ＰＣＲ方法,从分泌肾综合症出血热病毒（ＨＦＲＳＶ）内影像型抗独特型人单抗杂交瘤细胞系（Ｃ８）中,成功地克隆了抗ＨＦＲＳＶ１ｄ人单抗重链可变区基因,并将此基因重组入Ｍ１３噬菌体ＤＮＡ中,测定了此重链可变区基因全序列。经计算机分析,基因全长共３５１ｂｐ、编码１１７个氨基酸,氨基酸序列同源性分析发现所推得的该单抗ＣＤＲ２区与ＨＦＲＳＶＧ２蛋白Ｃ端有同源区,此区可能具有较强的抗原性。     

人白介素15及突变体的分子设计

以人白介素－２晶体结构为模板同源模型建人白介素１５及其两株突变体（Ｎ端缺失４个氨基酸、Ｃ端缺失３个氨基酸）的空间构象。在ＣＶＦＦ力场下,经过分子力学优化、常温分子动力学模拟获得稳定立体结构模型。借助空间构象残基的亲疏水性分析,利用Ｄｅｌｐｈｉ一性分析蛋白表达静电分布,进行从理论上预测人白介素１５及两株突变体生物学功能的性、差异性。结合分子生物实验,在ＰＢＶ２２０载体中克隆表达获得人白介素１５及两载     

针对炭疽保护性抗原不同结构域的中和性单克隆抗体的筛选和鉴定

炭疽保护性抗原（PA）是炭疽毒素的重要组分,同时也是现有炭疽疫苗的主要有效成分,在炭疽杆菌的致病与免疫中发挥关键作用。以重组PA为免疫原,采用B淋巴细胞杂交瘤技术,结合炭疽毒素敏感细胞的毒性中和试验,大量筛选抗PA单克隆抗体,获得了9株炭疽毒素中和性单抗。进一步分析表明这些单抗以IgG1亚类为主,分别识别PA 3个结构域的4个不同中和表位区。针对结构域2的4株单抗识别同一表位区,其中3株单抗的中和活性强于抗PA多抗;针对结构域4的4株单抗识别两个不同表位区;另有1株单抗识别位于结构域3的表位。实验结果提示PA具有多个中和表位,分别位于其不同结构域,其中结构域2、4包含主要中和表位。实验中获得的针对不同表位的中和性单抗为深入研究PA的免疫保护机理提供了工具,也为研制针对炭疽毒素的被动免疫制剂和治疗药物打下基础。     

Expression of genes for orthopoxviral TNF-binding proteins in insect cells and investigation of the recombinant TNF-binding proteins

Genes for TNF-binding proteins (CrmBs) of the variola virus (VARV), monkeypox virus (MPXV) or cowpox virus (CPXV) were isolated by PCR from viral genomes and expressed in a baculovirus system in the Sf21 insect cell line. Properties of the purified recombinant proteins were studied by various physicochemical and immunological methods. Using solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, it was shown that viral proteins inhibited hTNF binding with polyclonal anti-hTNF antibodies, with the efficiency of inhibition decreasing in the series VARV-CrmB > CPXV-CrmB > MPXV-CrmB. Biological activity of the recombinant protein preparations was assessed by their ability to neutralize TNF cytotoxicity on the L929 murine fibroblast cells line. CrmBs were shown to neutralize cytotoxicity of human, mouse, and rabbit TNF in a species-specific manner. It was also shown that the efficiency of VARV-CrmB in inhibiting hTNF cytotoxicity exceeded that of polyclonal anti-hTNF antibodies. Orthopoxviral CrmB proteins can provide a basis for development of new anti-TNF drugs.__________Translated from Molekulyarnaya Biologiya, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2005, pp. 245–254.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Gileva, Ryazankin, Nepomnyashchikh, Totmenin, Maxutov, Lebedev, Afinogenova, Pustoshilova, Shchelkunov.     

Expression and subcellular location of native and mutant hTNF alpha proteins in Escherichia coli.

Several mutant hTNF alpha genes were constructed by deletion and stepwise reconstitution of regions coding for C-terminal sequences. The mutant hTNF alpha proteins behaved differently from native hTNF alpha when expressed in Escherichia coli. They were either sensitive to proteolytic degradation or formed insoluble aggregates depending on the strains and conditions used for expression. By contrast, native hTNF alpha was always present in a soluble form and had a tendency to associate with the cytoplasmic membrane. It was even transported to the periplasmic space in E. coli as shown by both cell fractionation and immunoelectron microscopy. The different behaviour of mutant hTNF alpha proteins probably results from a disturbance of protein folding.     

Species specificity of human and murine tumor necrosis factor. A comparative study of tumor necrosis factor receptors

Recombinant murine and human tumor necrosis factor (mTNF and hTNF, respectively) were radioiodinated to high specific activity using a solid-phase lactoperoxidase method. A single class of high affinity receptors for 125I-TNF was identified on TNF-sensitive murine L cells and human HeLa S2 cells. Competitive radioligand binding assays were used to study the species specificity of TNF preparations. Unlabeled hTNF competed 30-fold less effectively than mTNF for binding to L cell receptors, whereas mTNF competed to approximately the same extent as hTNF for binding to HeLa cell receptors. A similar species specificity was observed in cytotoxicity assays; hTNF was more cytotoxic for HeLa cells than mTNF. Conversely, mTNF was more growth inhibitory and cytotoxic for L cells than hTNF. mTNF. and hTNF.receptor complexes were compared by gel filtration chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis before and after cross-linking with bis[2-(succinimidooxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]sulfone (BSOCOES). These complexes eluted in gel filtration at a position corresponding to a globular protein of 350,000 Mr. Gel autoradiographs of the fractions containing cross-linked complexes showed bands of 95,000 and 75,000 Mr as well as small amounts of higher Mr bands. mTNF and hTNF treated with BSOCOES formed cross-linked dimers and trimers. Therefore, we were unable to determine whether the 95,000 and 75,000 Mr bands represented two distinct subunits of receptors or one subunit to which either a dimer or a monomer of TNF was cross-linked. These results demonstrate species specificity in the TNF-receptor interaction. In addition, the affinity labeling studies in two species give an identical pattern for the TNF X receptor complexes, suggesting that the receptors have similar subunit composition.     

Heterotrimers formed by tumor necrosis factors of different species or muteins

Incubation of murine tumor necrosis factor (mTNF) at subnanomolar concentrations results in partial dissociation of the trimers, coinciding with a decrease in bioactivity. Using size-exclusion chromatography, we observed that the conversion of labeled mTNF to monomers is not only prevented by coincubation with an excess of unlabeled mTNF but also with unlabeled human TNF (hTNF). Moreover, after coincubation of mTNF and hTNF four different TNF complexes were revealed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, viz. homotrimeric mTNF and hTNF, as well as two complexes with an intermediate migration pattern. Analytical gel filtration in combination with native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot immunodetection indicated that these new complexes consisted of heterotrimeric TNF molecules. We conclude that an exchange of monomers takes place during coincubation of two different species of TNF, which results in homotrimeric and heterotrimeric TNF. To assess receptor interaction in vitro, TNF heterotrimeric molecules were used as obtained after incubation of mTNF with labeled hTNF (which only binds to mTNF receptor I) or with labeled mutein mTNF75 (specific for mTNF receptor II). These heterotrimers were retained by both mTNF receptors, which means that the mTNF subunits incorporated in heterotrimeric complexes still can bind to both types of TNF receptor. In addition, the gradual decrease in mTNF bioactivity during preincubation at subnanomolar concentrations was prevented by the presence of mutein mTNF75, which is inactive in an L929 cytotoxicity assay, indicating that heterotrimerization can influence the overall bioactivity.     

An extensive phenotypic characterization of the hTNFα transgenic mice

Background

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is implicated in a wide variety of pathological and physiological processes, including chronic inflammatory conditions, coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, and cachexia. Transgenic mice expressing human TNFα (hTNFα) have previously been described as a model for progressive rheumatoid arthritis. In this report, we describe extensive characterization of an hTNFα transgenic mouse line.

Results

In addition to arthritis, these hTNFα transgenic mice demonstrated major alterations in body composition, metabolic rate, leptin levels, response to a high-fat diet, bone mineral density and content, impaired fertility and male sexual function. Many phenotypes displayed an earlier onset and a higher degree of severity in males, pointing towards a significant degree of sexual dimorphism in response to deregulated expression of TNFα.

Conclusion

These results highlight the potential usefulness of this transgenic model as a resource for studying the progressive effects of constitutively expressed low levels of circulating TNFα, a condition mimicking that observed in a number of human pathological conditions.     

Synthesis and maturation of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor in eukaryotic systems

The biosynthesis of human tumor necrosis factor (hTNF) was studied. The amino-terminal extension of the hTNF precursor (26 kDa polypeptide) was not cleaved off in a cell-free system supplemented with dog pancreas microsomes. Correct maturation of pre-hTNF was nevertheless not restricted to the macrophage system: in the medium of a TNF-producing, transformed CHO cell line, a (weak) approximately 20 kDa, an approximately 18.5 kDa (doublet) and a 17 kDa TNF polypeptide, the latter corresponding to mature hTNF, were revealed by specific immunoprecipitation. Similar results were obtained with Xenopus laevis oocytes, injected with hTNF mRNA, except that the 20 kDa band was lacking. The results are discussed in relation to the secretion mechanism of hTNF.     

Identification of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) amino acids crucial for binding to the murine p75 TNF receptor and construction of receptor-selective mutants.

The bioactivity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is mediated by two TNF receptors (TNF-Rs), more particularly TNF-RI and TNF-RII. Although human TNF (hTNF) and murine TNF (mTNF) are very homologous, hTNF binds only to mTNF-RI. By measuring the binding of a panel of mTNF/hTNF chimeras to both mTNF-R, we pinpointed the TNF region that mediates the interaction with mTNF-RII. Using site-specific mutagenesis, we identified amino acids 71-73 and 89 as the main interacting residues. Mutein hTNF-S71D/T72Y/H73 Delta/T89E interacts with both types of mTNF-R and is active in CT6 cell proliferation assays mediated by mTNF-RII. Mutein mTNF-D71S/Y72T/Delta 73H/E89T binds to mTNF-RI only and is no longer active on CT6 cells. However, the L929s cytotoxicity of this mutein (an effect mediated by mTNF-RI triggering) was also 100-fold lower than that of wild-type mTNF due to enhanced dissociation during incubation at subnanomolar concentrations. The additional mutation of amino acid 102, resulting in the mutein mTNF-D71S/Y72T/Delta 73H/E89T/P102Q, restored the trimer stability, which led to an enhanced specific activity on L929s cells. Hence the specific activity of a TNF species is governed not only by its receptor binding characteristics but also by its trimer stability after incubation at subnanomolar concentrations. In conclusion, the mutation of TNF amino acids 71-73, 89, and 102 is sufficient to obtain a mTNF mutein selective for mTNF-RI and a hTNF mutein that, unlike wild-type hTNF, also acts on mTNF-RII.     

The p70 tumor necrosis factor receptor mediates cytotoxicity.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) selectively kills tumor cells, but this specificity is not clearly understood. Two distinctly different cell surface receptors (TNFRs), proteins of 55 kd (p55) and 70-80 kd (p70), mediate TNF action. Mouse TA1 cells are not killed by human (h) TNF, but are killed by mouse (m) TNF alone. Since the mouse p70 TNFR is recognized only by mTNF, these results implicate p70 receptor action in TA1 cell killing. Human HeLa cells have mainly the p55 receptor and are not killed by hTNF alone. When transfected with the human p70 TNFR, HeLa p70 die within 24 hr. HeLa p70 cells also show reduced c-fos and manganous superoxide dismutase induction by TNF. NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts are sensitive to only mTNF, but overexpression of the human p70 receptor causes cell death by hTNF and increased sensitivity to mTNF. These results provide a direct function for the p70 TNFR in TNF-induced cytotoxicity.