Characterization of neutralizing mouse‐human chimeric and shuffling antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin A

Mouse‐human chimeric monoclonal antibodies that could neutralize botulinum neurotoxins were developed and an attempt was made to establish mouse hybridoma cell clones that produced monoclonal antibodies that neutralized botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A). Four clones (2–4, 2–5, 9–4 and B1) were selected for chimerization on the basis of their neutralizing activity against BoNT/A and the cDNA of the variable regions of their heavy (V_H) and light chains (V_L) were fused with the upstream regions of the constant counterparts of human kappa light and gamma 1 heavy chain genes, respectively. CHO‐DG44 cells were transfected with these plasmids and mouse‐human chimeric antibodies (AC24, AC25, AC94 and ACB1) purified to examine their binding and neutralizing activities. Each chimeric antibody exhibited almost the same capability as each parent mouse mAb to bind and neutralize activities against BoNT/A. From the chimeric antibodies against BoNT/A, shuffling chimeric antibodies designed with replacement of their V_H or V_L domains were constructed. A shuffling antibody (AC2494) that derived its V_H and V_L domains from chimeric antibodies AC24 and AC94, respectively, showed much higher neutralizing activity than did other shuffling antibodies and parent counterparts. This result indicates that it is possible to build high‐potency neutralizing chimeric antibodies by selecting and shuffling V_H and V_L domains from a variety of repertoires. A shuffling chimeric antibody might be the best candidate for replacing horse antitoxin for inducing passive immunotherapy against botulism.     

Construction of TNF-binding proteins by grafting hypervariable regions of F10 antibody on human fibronectin domain scaffold

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. To study the possibility of constructing TNF-binding proteins by grafting hypervariable regions of immunoglobulins (CDR), we have replaced amino acid sequences of loops from the tenth type III domain of human fibronectin (¹⁰Fn3) by amino acid sequences of CDR from the light and heavy chains of the anti-TNF antibody F10. The assessment of TNF-binding properties of the resulting proteins by ELISA has revealed the highest activity of Hd3 containing sequences CDR-H1 and CDR-H2 of the antibody F10 and of Hd2 containing sequences CDR-H1 and CDR-H3. The proteins constructed by us on the fibronectin domain scaffold specifically bound TNF during Western blotting and also weakened its cytotoxic effect on L929 line cells. The highest neutralizing activity was demonstrated by the proteins Hd2 and Hd3, which induced, respectively, 10- and 50-fold increase in the EC₅₀ of TNF.     

Construction and high cytoplasmic expression of a tumoricidal single-chain antibody against hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hep27 monoclonal (Hep27 Mab) is an antibody against hepatocellular carcinoma. Hep27 Mab itself can inhibit the growth of a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HCC-S102). We attempted to produce a single-chain fragment (scFv), a small fragment containing an antigen-binding site of Hep27 Mab, by using DNA-recombinant techniques.

Results

The sequences encoding the variable regions of heavy (V_H) and light (V_L) chains of a murine Hep27 Mab were linked together by a linker peptide (Gly4Ser)₃ and tagged with a hexa-histidine at the C-terminal; the resultant DNA construct was expressed in E. coli as an insoluble protein. The denatured scFv was refolded and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (12 mg/l with a molecular weight of 27 kDa). Hep27scFv exhibited a tumoricidal activity against the HCC-S102 cell as its parental antibody (Hep27 Mab).

Conclusion

This scFv may be a potential candidate for a targeting agent in HCC immunodiagnosis or immunotherapy.     

The critical role of arginine residues in the binding of human monoclonal antibodies to cardiolipin

Previously we reported that the variable heavy chain region (V_H) of a human beta₂ glycoprotein I-dependent monoclonal antiphospholipid antibody (IS4) was dominant in conferring the ability to bind cardiolipin (CL). In contrast, the identity of the paired variable light chain region (V_L) determined the strength of CL binding. In the present study, we examine the importance of specific arginine residues in IS4V_H and paired V_L in CL binding. The distribution of arginine residues in complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of V_H and V_L sequences was altered by site-directed mutagenesis or by CDR exchange. Ten different 2a2 germline gene-derived V_L sequences were expressed with IS4V_H and the V_H of an anti-dsDNA antibody, B3. Six variants of IS4V_H, containing different patterns of arginine residues in CDR3, were paired with B3V_L and IS4V_L. The ability of the 32 expressed heavy chain/light chain combinations to bind CL was determined by ELISA. Of four arginine residues in IS4V_H CDR3 substituted to serines, two residues at positions 100 and 100 g had a major influence on the strength of CL binding while the two residues at positions 96 and 97 had no effect. In CDR exchange studies, V_L containing B3V_L CDR1 were associated with elevated CL binding, which was reduced significantly by substitution of a CDR1 arginine residue at position 27a with serine. In contrast, arginine residues in V_L CDR2 or V_L CDR3 did not enhance CL binding, and in one case may have contributed to inhibition of this binding. Subsets of arginine residues at specific locations in the CDRs of heavy chains and light chains of pathogenic antiphospholipid antibodies are important in determining their ability to bind CL.     

Gm and Km frequencies in a Portugese population

Summary Serum samples from 79 healthy subjects and 31 patients with type I amyloid neuropathy were typed for nine Gm markers. No significant associations were found between any of the Gm phenotypes and the disease. The frequencies of the various phenotypes showed satisfactory agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg distribution. One individual had an unusual Gm phenotype.Publication no. 526 from the Department of Basic and Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of South Carolina. Research supported in part by USPHS Grants CA-25746 and AI-07063, and by South Carolina State Appropriations for Research     

Both VH and VL regions contribute to the antigenicity of anti-idiotypic antibody that mimics melanoma associated ganglioside GM3

Previously we developed a murine monoclonal anti-idiotype (antiid) antibody (4C10) that mimics the melanoma-associated ganglioside antigen GM₃, that is, it carries the internal image of GM₃. 4C10 was made against the human monoclonal antibody (HuMAb) L612, which reacts with several types of human cancer cells, including melanoma and breast cancer. To reduce mouse components of 4C10, the constant region was replaced by a human constant domain to form the murine/human chimeric anti-id antibody TVE-1. In the present study, we sought to determine which chain (V_H or V_L) of the anti-id is responsible for the antigenicity of GM₃. The TVE-1 V_H and V_L expression vectors were simultaneously transfected with either the V_H or V_L expression vector of a murine-human chimeric IgG antidansyl haptenic antibody, resulting in the construction of three different combinations of V_H and V_L chimeric antibodies. These IgG molecules were produced from the transfectomas, and their reactivity to HuMAb L612 was tested. Neither of the IgG proteins that had cross-combined the V_H-V_L pair showed positive results, suggesting that both heavy and light chains are required to express the antigenicity. The in vivo antigenicity of this chimeric anti-id was confirmed by skin tests in melanoma patients receiving active specific immuntherapy.     

Rotational dynamics of monoclonal anti-dansyl immunoglobulins

The rotational motions of monoclonal mouse anti-dansyl immunoglobulins were studied by nanosecond fluorescence emission anisotropic spectroscopy using a mode-locked argon-ion laser as the pulsed excitation source. Three homogeneous antibodies of the immunoglobulin Gl (IgGl) subclass containing different V regions were prepared. The fluorescence emission maxima of these antibodies (designated as DNS1, DNS2 and DNS3) are at 515, 480 and 500 nm, respectively. Their mean rotational correlation times, 〈φ〉, are 84, 109 and 96 ns, respectively. The binding of protein A or a monoclonal anti-allotype antibody to the F_c unit of DNS1 increased 〈φ〉 to 142 and 150 ns, respectively, whereas reduction of the disulfide bond between the heavy chains decreased 〈φ〉 to 48 ns. These nanosecond measurements show that the rotational motion of the F_ab arms in mouse IgGl is restricted.     

Genetic control of antibody specificity in the mouse

Genetic markers related to the antigen binding specificity of mouse immunoglobulins (idiotypes and fine specificity characteristics) are used to investigate the polymorphism of genes encoding heavy chain variable regions (V _H genes). The distribution of eight such specificity related markers in inbred strains and their segregation together with allotype indicate linkage to genes that specify the heavy chain constant regions (C _H genes). A number of recombinant mice allowed the construction of a chromosomal map consisting of threeV _H subloci, oneC _h sublocus, and a region which contains nonimmunoglobulin coding genes. All data are consistent with a linear arrangement of genes in this linkage group so thatV _H andC _H genes are discontinuous. Each of theV _H subloci is correlated to a particular set of antigen binding specificities which include protein antigens, polysaccharides, and haptens. This suggests that specific complementarity determining sequence portions are conserved in the germ line of the mouse.     

A fusion‐protein approach enabling mammalian cell production of tumor targeting protein domains for therapeutic development

A single chain Fv fragment (scFv) is a fusion of the variable regions of heavy (V_H) and light (V_L) chains of immunoglobulins. They are important elements of chimeric antigen receptors for cancer therapy. We sought to produce a panel of 16 extracellular protein domains of tumor markers for use in scFv yeast library screenings. A series of vectors comprising various combinations of expression elements was made, but expression was unpredictable and more than half of the protein domains could not be produced using any of the constructs. Here we describe a novel fusion expression system based on mouse TEM7 (tumor endothelial marker 7), which could facilitate protein expression. With this approach we could produce all but one of the tumor marker domains that could not otherwise be expressed. In addition, we demonstrated that the tumor associated antigen hFZD10 produced as a fusion protein with mTEM7 could be used to enrich scFv antibodies from a yeast display library. Collectively our study demonstrates the potential of specific fusion proteins based on mTEM7 in enabling mammalian cell production of tumor targeting protein domains for therapeutic development.     

基因工程二硫键抗体

二硫键抗体(dsFv)的概念最早出现于1990年,它是将抗体重链可变区(V_H)和轻链可变区(V_L)的各一个氨基酸残基突变为半胱氨酸,通过链间二硫键连接抗体可变区(Fv)的片段抗体.通用的突变位点是重链的44位和轻链的100位或重链的105位和轻链的43位.dsFv最显著的优点是生化性质稳定,能够耐受环境条件的剧烈作用,在血液中的半衰期长达14 d以上,符合临床给药要求.动物实验显示,dsFv-毒素在不对动物造成毒副作用的情况下,可完全抑制肿瘤生长.     

Structure of Fab fragment of malaria transmission blocking antibody 2A8 against P. vivax P25 protein

Understanding the structural basis of recognition between antigen and antibody requires the structural comparison of free and complexed components. Previously, we have reported the crystal structure of the complex between Fab fragment of murine monoclonal antibody 2A8 (Fab2A8) and Plasmodium vivax P25 protein (Pvs25) at 3.2 Å resolution. We report here the crystallization and X-ray structure of native Fab2A8 at 4.0 Å resolution. The 2A8 antibody generated against Pvs25 prevents the formation of P. vivax oocysts in the mosquito, when assayed in membrane feeding experiment.Comparison of native Fab2A8 structure with antigen bound Fab2A8 structure indicates the significant conformational changes in CDR-H1 and CDR-H3 regions of V_H domain and CDR-L3 region of V_L domain of Fab2A8. Upon complex formation, the relative orientation between V_L and V_H domains of Fab2A8 is conserved, while significant differences are observed in elbow angles of heavy and light chains. The combing site residues of complexed Fab2A8 exhibited the reduced temperature factor compared to native Fab2A8, suggesting a loss of conformational entropy upon antigen binding.     

Hybrid immunoglobulin isotypes of identical specificity produced by genetic recombination in Escherichia coli and expression in lymphoid cells

We have produced a series of hybrid IgG₁-IgG_2a mouse immunoglobulins with identical light chains (L) and variable regions to facilitate the identification of structural features associated with functional differnces between immunoglobulin isotypes. Hybrid heavy chain (H) constant region gene segments were generated by genetic recombination in Escherichia coli between plasmids carrying mouse γ¹ and γ^2a gene segments. Crossovers occured through out these segments although the frequency was highest in regions of high nucleotide sequence homology. Eleven variant immunoglobulins produced by transfected hybridoma cell lines are assembled into H₂L₂ tetramers and properly glycosylated. In addition, all 11 immunoglbulins have identical antigen combining sites specific for the fluorescent hapten ε-dansyll-L-lysine. Protein A binding was used as probe of the structural integrity of the Fc portion of the variant antibodies. Differeneces in protein A binding between IgG₁ and IgG_2a appear to be due to amino acid differances at postions 252 (Thr→Met) and 254 (Thr→Ser) of the heavy chain (EU numbering).     

Functional expression of single-chain antibody to leukotriene C4

Leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) is synthesized by binding of glutathione to LTA₄, an epoxide derived from arachidonic acid, and further metabolized to LTD₄ and LTE₄. We previously prepared a monoclonal antibody with a high affinity and specificity to LTC₄. To explore the structure of the antigen-binding site of a monoclonal antibody against LTC₄ (mAbLTC), we isolated full-length cDNAs for heavy and light chains of mAbLTC. The heavy and light chains consisted of 461 and 238 amino acids including a signal peptide with molecular weights of 51,089 and 26,340, respectively. An expression plasmid encoding a single-chain antibody comprising variable regions of mAbLTC heavy and light chains (scFvLTC) was constructed and expressed in COS-7 cells. The recombinant scFvLTC showed a high affinity with LTC₄ comparable to mAbLTC. The scFvLTC also bound to LTD₄ and LTE₄ with 48% and 17% reactivities, respectively, as compared with LTC₄ binding, whereas the antibody showed almost no affinity for LTB₄.     

Production and characterization of an anti-(MUC1 mucin) recombinant diabody

A recombinant diabody fragment based on the anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibody, C595 has been produced in a bacterial expression system. Substitution of a 7-amino-acid linker sequence (Gly₆Ser) for the original single-chain (sc)Fv 15-amino-acid linker (Gly₄Ser)_3, using polymerase-chain-reaction-based strategies, forces variable heavy (V_H) and light (V_L) domains to pair with complementary domains on neighbouring scFv molecules, forming a scFv dimer (diabody). This recombinant protein shows similar binding characteristics to the parental C595 monoclonal antibody. The ability to bind to MUC1 mucin on carcinoma cell surfaces will allow its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic reagent of clinical utility to be investigated. Received: 16 September 1998 / Accepted: 2 December 1998     

Linkage relationships of biochemical markers to Q- and C-band variants in a large black kindred

Summary Lod scores are reported for 86 biochemical to cytogenetic marker comparisons in a Black kindred. Analysis with unconfirmed locus assignments resulted in 12 exclusions of close linkage.This paper is based on a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree at North Carolina State University, Raleigh.Research supported by the National Heart and Lung Institute Grant HLO-3341, National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH 26621, and National Institute of General Medical Sciences Grant GN 16697; paper number 6281 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, North Carolina.     

Genetic characterization of mouse immunoglobulin allotypic determinants (allotopes) defined by monoclonal antibodies

We have generated a new series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing allotypic determinants on mouse IgG₁, IgG_2a, and IgG_2b. In this communication we describe their reactivities with immunoglobulins of the inbred mouse strains. Comparison with serology charts indicates that many of these monoclonal antibodies detect allotypic specificities previously defined by conventional antisera; others define previously undescribed specificities. Strain and isotype distribution allows us to assign five new allotypic specificities to Igh-1 and three new specificities to Igh-3. In addition, on the basis of reactivity with the monoclonal antibodies, we have defined a new Igh haplotype in SWR/J mice, Igh ^p.Abbreviations used in this paper Igh immunoglobulin heavy chain - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

Evolution of variable and constant domains and joining segments of rearranging immunoglobulins

The rearranging immunoglobulins (Igs) are a family of recognition and defense proteins found in all vertebrate classes. These proteins consist of two types of polypeptide chains; each of these contains a variable (V) domain, a joining (J) segment, and a constant (C) region, which can itself consist of one to four domains. The distinction between light and heavy chains is an ancient one phylogenetically that is reflected in the structures of V, J, and C regions. Despite the early emergence of these genetic elements, conservatism is apparent in the peptide structures encoded by V, J, and C exons. C regions of heavy chains did not evolve as single units; rather the individual domains show their own clustering patterns, which apparently are independent of heavy-chain designation or species. C-region domains of light chains and the T cell receptor beta chain are similar to one another and to the most carboxyl-terminal domain of heavy chains. Comparison of the light chains of sharks, bullfrogs, chickens, and mammals indicated that a phylogenetic distinction can be made between kappa and lambda light chains. V and J segments of the rearranging T cell receptors alpha, gamma, and delta are homologous to the corresponding segments of Igs, but their C regions form a group that is markedly distinct from those of conventional Igs and Tcr beta.     

Amino acid sequence of the N-terminal sixty-nine residues of heavy chain derived from a homogeneous rabbit antibody

The sequence of the N-terminal 69 residues of heavy chain from a homogeneous rabbit antibody to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide was determined. The sequence is similar to that found in heavy chains of normal pooled rabbit immunoglobulins of the same allotype Aa1. Two regions of the homogeneous heavy chain (residues 35-46 and 62-69) are very similar to corresponding regions of heavy chains from rabbit Aa2 immunoglobulin, as well as from mouse, guinea-pig and human immunoglobulins. In contrast, residues 47-62 appear to be variable. Comparison in this section with another homogeneous anti-pneumococcal antibody (Strosberg et al., 1972) of related specificity and of the same allotype indicates sequence variation in at least three positions. An antibody to group C streptococcal carbohydrate of allotype Aa2 (Fleischman, 1971) differs by five amino acids in the same region of the heavy chain. Sequence variability between these three antibodies does not occur in homologous positions within this variable section. Allotype-related sequences could not be identified in section 34-65.     

Production of humanized F(ab’)<Subscript>2</Subscript> fragment of rabies blocking antibodies in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis> yeast

The yeast strain Pichia pastoris, a producer of humanized F(ab’)₂ fragments of rabies-blocking antibodies, has been obtained. Human chaperone BiP coexpression caused a twofold increase of the immunoglobulins secretion level. The use of Fos and Jun zippers in the composition of heavy chains facilitated the dimerization of F(ab’)₂ fragments of the shared pool of secreted immunoglobulins up to 75%.     

Cortactin Controls Surface Expression of the Voltage-gated Potassium Channel KV10.1

K_V10.1 is a voltage-gated potassium channel aberrantly expressed in many cases of cancer, and participates in cancer initiation and tumor progression. Its action as an oncoprotein can be inhibited by a functional monoclonal antibody, indicating a role for channels located at the plasma membrane, accessible to the antibody. Cortactin is an actin-interacting protein implicated in cytoskeletal architecture and often amplified in several types of cancer. In this study, we describe a physical and functional interaction between cortactin and K_V10.1. Binding of these two proteins occurs between the C terminus of K_V10.1 and the proline-rich domain of cortactin, regions targeted by many post-translational modifications. This interaction is specific for K_V10.1 and does not occur with K_V10.2. Cortactin controls the abundance of K_V10.1 at the plasma membrane and is required for functional expression of K_V10.1 channels.