Atomic resolution model of the antibody Fc interaction with the complement C1q component

Dual Fc optimization to increase the cytotoxic activity of a CD19-targeting antibody

Targeting CD19 represents a promising strategy for the therapy of B-cell malignancies. Although non-engineered CD19 antibodies are poorly effective in mediating complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) or antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), these effector functions can be enhanced by Fc-engineering. Here, we engineered a CD19 antibody with the aim to improve effector cell-mediated killing and CDC activity by exchanging selected amino acid residues in the Fc domain. Based on the clinically approved Fc-optimized antibody tafasitamab, which triggers enhanced ADCC and ADCP due to two amino acid exchanges in the Fc domain (S239D/I332E), we additionally added the E345K amino acid exchange to favor antibody hexamerization on the target cell surface resulting in improved CDC. The dual engineered CD19-DEK antibody bound CD19 and Fcγ receptors with similar characteristics as the parental CD19-DE antibody. Both antibodies were similarly efficient in mediating ADCC and ADCP but only the dual optimized antibody was able to trigger complement deposition on target cells and effective CDC. Our data provide evidence that from a technical perspective selected Fc-enhancing mutations can be combined (S239D/I332E and E345K) allowing the enhancement of ADCC, ADCP and CDC with isolated effector populations. Interestingly, under more physiological conditions when the complement system and FcR-positive effector cells are available as effector source, strong complement deposition negatively impacts FcR engagement. Both effector functions were simultaneously active only at selected antibody concentrations. Dual Fc-optimized antibodies may represent a strategy to further improve CD19-directed cancer immunotherapy. In general, our results can help in guiding optimal antibody engineering strategies to optimize antibodies’ effector functions.

A structural perspective on the design of decoy immune modulators

Therapeutic mAbs have dominated the class of immunotherapeutics in general and immune checkpoint inhibitors in particular. The high specificity of mAbs to the target molecule as well as their extended half-life and (or) the effector functions raised by the Fc part are some of the important aspects that contribute to the success of this class of therapeutics. Equally potential candidates are decoys and their fusions that can address some of the inherent limitations of mAbs, like immunogenicity, resistance development, low bio-availability and so on, besides maintaining the advantages of mAbs. The decoys are molecules that trap the ligands and prevent them from interacting with the signaling receptors. Although a few FDA-approved decoy immune modulators are very successful, the potential of this class of drugs is yet to be fully realized. Here, we review various strategies employed in fusion protein therapeutics with a focus on the design of decoy immunomodulators from the structural perspective and discuss how the information on protein structure and function can strategically guide the development of next-generation immune modulators.

Enhancing CDC and ADCC of CD19 Antibodies by Combining Fc Protein-Engineering with Fc Glyco-Engineering

Background: Native cluster of differentiation (CD) 19 targeting antibodies are poorly effective in triggering antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), which are crucial effector functions of therapeutic antibodies in cancer immunotherapy. Both functions can be enhanced by engineering the antibody’s Fc region by altering the amino acid sequence (Fc protein-engineering) or the Fc-linked glycan (Fc glyco-engineering). We hypothesized that combining Fc glyco-engineering with Fc protein-engineering will rescue ADCC and CDC in CD19 antibodies. Results: Four versions of a CD19 antibody based on tafasitamab’s V-regions were generated: a native IgG1, an Fc protein-engineered version with amino acid exchanges S267E/H268F/S324T/G236A/I332E (EFTAE modification) to enhance CDC, and afucosylated, Fc glyco-engineered versions of both to promote ADCC. Irrespective of fucosylation, antibodies carrying the EFTAE modification had enhanced C1q binding and were superior in inducing CDC. In contrast, afucosylated versions exerted an enhanced affinity to Fcγ receptor IIIA and had increased ADCC activity. Of note, the double-engineered antibody harboring the EFTAE modification and lacking fucose triggered both CDC and ADCC more efficiently. Conclusions: Fc glyco-engineering and protein-engineering could be combined to enhance ADCC and CDC in CD19 antibodies and may allow the generation of antibodies with higher therapeutic efficacy by promoting two key functions simultaneously.

Antibody Structure and Function: The Basis for Engineering Therapeutics

Antibodies and antibody-derived macromolecules have established themselves as the mainstay in protein-based therapeutic molecules (biologics). Our knowledge of the structure–function relationships of antibodies provides a platform for protein engineering that has been exploited to generate a wide range of biologics for a host of therapeutic indications. In this review, our basic understanding of the antibody structure is described along with how that knowledge has leveraged the engineering of antibody and antibody-related therapeutics having the appropriate antigen affinity, effector function, and biophysical properties. The platforms examined include the development of antibodies, antibody fragments, bispecific antibody, and antibody fusion products, whose efficacy and manufacturability can be improved via humanization, affinity modulation, and stability enhancement. We also review the design and selection of binding arms, and avidity modulation. Different strategies of preparing bispecific and multispecific molecules for an array of therapeutic applications are included.

Genetic Diversity of IGHM and IGHE in the Leporids Revealed Different Patterns of Diversity in the Two European Rabbit Subspecies (O. cuniculus algirus and O. c. cuniculus)

Simple Summary

The study of European rabbit immunoglobulin genes has contributed decisively to the current knowledge on antibody structure and diversification. The European rabbit has also been increasingly used as an animal model for the study of many human diseases, such as syphilis, tuberculosis, and AIDS. As such, the study of its immune system genes is of crucial relevance, but the study of rabbit immunoglobulins has focused only on the IgG and IgA antibodies. In this study, we added to the knowledge of the rabbit immune system by investigating the genetic diversity of two antibodies, IgM and IgE, in wild and domestic rabbits as well as other rabbit close species. With the data obtained in this study, we showed a high similarity between the different rabbit close species studied and we pointed out important genetic differences in the wild and domestic rabbits. Our findings are a valuable tool for the management of rabbit wild populations and domestic breeds and may contribute to the identification of immunoglobulins genetic variants with greater efficiency against pathogens.

Abstract

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been an important model for immunological studies but the study of its immunoglobulins (Ig) has been restricted to its unique IgA and IgG. Here, we studied the genetic diversity of IgM and IgE in several species of leporids and performed population genetics studies on European rabbit wild populations and domestic breeds. The leporids sequencing showed that these Ig are well conserved (98% sequence similarity among leporids), For IgM the Cµ1 and Cµ4 were the most diverse and most conserved domains, respectively, while for IgE the Cε1 was the most diverse domain and Cε2 and Cε3 the most conserved domains. The differences in the pattern of most conserved and most diverse domain between the Ig isotypes are most likely related to each isotype function. The genetic population data showed contrasting results for IgM and IgE. For both Ig, as expected, a greater diversity was observed in the original species range, the Iberian Peninsula. However, unexpectedly the genetic diversity found for IgE in the domestic animals is higher than that for the French wild populations. These results will increase knowledge of the genetic diversity of leporids and wild and domestic rabbit populations and are important tools for the management of wild populations and rabbitries.

Atomistic Modeling of Scattering Curves for Human IgG1/4 Reveals New Structure-Function Insights

Small angle x-ray and neutron scattering are techniques that give solution structures for large macromolecules. The creation of physically realistic atomistic models from known high-resolution structures to determine joint x-ray and neutron scattering best-fit structures offers a, to our knowledge, new method that significantly enhances the utility of scattering. To validate this approach, we determined scattering curves for two human antibody subclasses, immunoglobulin G (IgG) 1 and IgG4, on five different x-ray and neutron instruments to show that these were reproducible, then we modeled these by Monte Carlo simulations. The two antibodies have different hinge lengths that connect their antigen-binding Fab and effector-binding Fc regions. Starting from 231,492 and 190,437 acceptable conformations for IgG1 and IgG4, respectively, joint x-ray and neutron scattering curve fits gave low goodness-of-fit R factors for 28 IgG1 and 2748 IgG4 structures that satisfied the disulphide connectivity in their hinges. These joint best-fit structures showed that the best-fit IgG1 models had a greater separation between the centers of their Fab regions than those for IgG4, in agreement with their hinge lengths of 15 and 12 residues, respectively. The resulting asymmetric IgG1 solution structures resembled its crystal structure. Both symmetric and asymmetric solution structures were determined for IgG4. Docking simulations with our best-fit IgG4 structures showed greater steric clashes with its receptor to explain its weaker FcγRI receptor binding compared to our best-fit IgG1 structures with fewer clashes and stronger receptor binding. Compared to earlier approaches for fitting molecular antibody structures by solution scattering, we conclude that this joint fit approach based on x-ray and neutron scattering data, combined with Monte Carlo simulations, significantly improved our understanding of antibody solution structures. The atomistic nature of the output extended our understanding of known functional differences in Fc receptor binding between IgG1 and IgG4.

Glycoengineered antibodies: towards the next-generation of immunotherapeutics

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are currently the largest and fastest growing class of biopharmaceuticals, and they address unmet medical needs, e.g., in oncology and in auto-immune diseases. Their clinical efficacy and safety is significantly affected by the structure and composition of their glycosylation profile which is commonly heterogeneous, heavily dependent on the manufacturing process, and thus susceptible to variations in the cell culture conditions. Glycosylation is therefore considered a critical quality attribute for mAbs. Commonly, in currently marketed therapeutic mAbs, the glycosylation profile is suboptimal in terms of biological properties such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity or may give rise to safety concerns due to the presence of non-human glycans. This article will review recent innovative developments in chemo-enzymatic glycoengineering, which allow generating mAbs carrying single, well-defined, uniform Fc glycoforms, which confers the desired biological properties for the target application. This approach offers significant benefits such as enhanced Fc effector functions, improved safety profiles, higher batch-to-batch consistency, decreased risks related to immunogenicity and manufacturing process changes, and the possibility to manufacture mAbs, in an economical manner, in non-mammalian expression systems. Overall, this approach could facilitate and reduce mAb manufacturing costs which in turn would translate into tangible benefits for both patients and manufacturers. The first glycoengineered mAbs are about to enter clinical trials and it is expected that, once glycoengineering reagents are available at affordable costs, and in-line with regulatory requirements, that targeted remodeling of antibody Fc glycosylation will become an integral part in manufacturing the next-generation of immunotherapeutics.

Through the barricades: overcoming the barriers to effective antibody-based cancer therapeutics

Since the turn of the century, cancer therapy has undergone a transformation in terms of new treatment modalities and renewed optimism in achieving long-lived tumor control and even cure. This is, in large part, thanks to the widespread incorporation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) into standard treatment regimens. These new therapies have, across many settings, significantly contributed to improved clinical responses, patient quality of life and survival. Moreover, the flexibility of the antibody platform has led to the development of a wide range of innovative and combinatorial therapies that continue to augment the clinician's armory. Despite these successes, there is a growing awareness that in many cases mAb therapy remains suboptimal, primarily due to inherent limitations imposed by the immune system's own homeostatic controls and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, we discuss the principal barriers that act to constrain the tumor-killing activity of antibody-based therapeutics, particularly those involving antibody glycans, using illustrative examples from both pre-clinical and market approved mAbs. We also discuss strategies that have been, or are in development to overcome these obstacles. Finally, we outline how the growing understanding of the biological terrain in which mAbs function is shaping innovation and regulation in cancer therapeutics.

Structure of the Fc fragment of the NIST reference antibody RM8671

As the link between antigen binding and immune activation, the antibody Fc region has received extensive structural study. In this report, the structure of the Fc fragment of the NIST IgG1 mAb (reference material 8671) is described at 2.1 Å resolution in space group P212121, with approximate unit-cell parameters a = 50, b = 80, c = 138 Å. Prior Fc structures with a wide variety of modifications are also surveyed, focusing on those in the same crystal form. To facilitate the analysis of conformations, a reference frame and a two-parameter metric are proposed, considering the CH2 domains as mobile with respect to a fixed dimeric CH3 core. Over several human Fc structures, a significant variation in Fc elbow conformations is observed, which may serve to facilitate the regulation of Fc effector signaling.

An Fc Double-Engineered CD20 Antibody with Enhanced Ability to Trigger Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity and Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Engineering of the antibody's fragment crystallizable (Fc) by modifying the amino acid sequence (Fc protein engineering) or the glycosylation pattern (Fc glyco-engineering) allows enhancing effector functions of tumor targeting antibodies. Here, we investigated whether complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of CD20 antibodies could be improved simultaneously by combining Fc protein engineering and glyco-engineering technologies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Four variants of the CD20 antibody rituximab were generated: a native IgG1, a variant carrying the EFTAE modification (S267E/H268F/S324T/G236A/I332E) for enhanced CDC as well as glyco-engineered, non-fucosylated derivatives of both to boost ADCC. The antibodies bound CD20 specifically with similar affinity. Antibodies with EFTAE modification were more efficacious in mediating CDC, irrespective of fucosylation, than antibodies with wild-type sequences due to enhanced C1q binding. In contrast, non-fucosylated variants had an enhanced affinity to FcγRIIIA and improved ADCC activity. Importantly, the double-engineered antibody lacking fucose and carrying the EFTAE modification mediated both CDC and ADCC with higher efficacy than the native CD20 IgG1 antibody.

CONCLUSION

Combining glyco-engineering and protein engineering technologies offers the opportunity to simultaneously enhance ADCC and CDC activities of therapeutic antibodies. This approach may represent an attractive strategy to further improve antibody therapy of cancer and deserves further evaluation.

IgG Fc domains that bind C1q but not effector Fcγ receptors delineate the importance of complement-mediated effector functions

Engineered crystallizable fragment (Fc) regions of antibody domains, which assume a unique and unprecedented asymmetric structure within the homodimeric Fc polypeptide, enable completely selective binding to the complement component C1q and activation of complement via the classical pathway without any concomitant engagement of the Fcγ receptor (FcγR). We used the engineered Fc domains to demonstrate in vitro and in mouse models that for therapeutic antibodies, complement-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CDCC) and complement-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (CDCP) by immunological effector molecules mediated the clearance of target cells with kinetics and efficacy comparable to those of the FcγR-dependent effector functions that are much better studied, while they circumvented certain adverse reactions associated with FcγR engagement. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of CDCC and CDCP in monoclonal-antibody function and provide an experimental approach for delineating the effect of complement-dependent effector-cell engagement in various therapeutic settings.

Advances in Therapeutic Fc Engineering - Modulation of IgG-Associated Effector Functions and Serum Half-life

Today, monoclonal immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) antibodies have become a major option in cancer therapy especially for the patients with advanced or metastatic cancers. Efficacy of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is achieved through both its antigen-binding fragment (Fab) and crystallizable fragment (Fc). Fab can specifically recognize tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and thus modulate TAA-linked downstream signaling pathways that may lead to the inhibition of tumor growth, induction of tumor apoptosis, and differentiation. The Fc region can further improve mAbs’ efficacy by mediating effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis. Moreover, Fc is the region interacting with the neonatal Fc receptor in a pH-dependent manner that can slow down IgG’s degradation and extend its serum half-life. Loss of the antibody Fc region dramatically shortens its serum half-life and weakens its anticancer effects. Given the essential roles that the Fc region plays in the modulation of the efficacy of mAb in cancer treatment, Fc engineering has been extensively studied in the past years. This review focuses on the recent advances in therapeutic Fc engineering that modulates its related effector functions and serum half-life. We also discuss the progress made in aglycosylated mAb development that may substantially reduce the cost of manufacture but maintain similar efficacies as conventional glycosylated mAb. Finally, we highlight several Fc engineering-based mAbs under clinical trials.

Engineered IgG1-Fc--one fragment to bind them all

The crystallizable fragment (Fc) of the immunoglobulin class G (IgG) is a very attractive scaffold for the design of novel therapeutics due to its quality of uniting all essential antibody functions. This article reviews the functionalization of this homodimeric glycoprotein by diversification of structural loops of CH3 domains for the design of Fcabs, i.e. antigen-binding Fc proteins. It reports the design of libraries for the selection of nanomolar binders with wildtype-like in vivo half-life and correlation of Fc receptor binding and ADCC. The in vitro and preclinical biological activity of selected Fcabs is compared with that of clinically approved antibodies. Recently, the great potential of the scaffold for the development of therapeutics for clinical use has been shown when the HER2-binding Fcab FS102 entered clinical phase I. Furthermore, methods for the engineering of biophysical properties of Fcabs applicable to proteins in general are presented as well as the different approaches in the design of heterodimeric Fc-based scaffolds used in the generation of bispecific monoclonal antibodies. Finally, this work critically analyzes and compares the various efforts in the design of highly diverse and functional libraries that have been made in the engineering of IgG1-Fc and structurally similar scaffolds.

Human IgG4: a structural perspective

IgG4, the least represented human IgG subclass in serum, is an intriguing antibody with unique biological properties, such as the ability to undergo Fab-arm exchange and limit immune complex formation. The lack of effector functions, such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity, is desirable for therapeutic purposes. IgG4 plays a protective role in allergy by acting as a blocking antibody, and inhibiting mast cell degranulation, but a deleterious role in malignant melanoma, by impeding IgG1-mediated anti-tumor immunity. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the interaction between IgG4 and Fcγ receptors. Despite a wealth of structural information for the IgG1 subclass, including complexes with Fcγ receptors, and structures for intact antibodies, high-resolution crystal structures were not reported for IgG4-Fc until recently. Here, we highlight some of the biological properties of human IgG4, and review the recent crystal structures of IgG4-Fc. We discuss the unexpected conformations adopted by functionally important Cγ2 domain loops, and speculate about potential implications for the interaction between IgG4 and FcγRs.

Optimization of protein-protein docking for predicting Fc-protein interactions

The antibody crystallizable fragment (Fc) is recognized by effector proteins as part of the immune system. Pathogens produce proteins that bind Fc in order to subvert or evade the immune response. The structural characterization of the determinants of Fc-protein association is essential to improve our understanding of the immune system at the molecular level and to develop new therapeutic agents. Furthermore, Fc-binding peptides and proteins are frequently used to purify therapeutic antibodies. Although several structures of Fc-protein complexes are available, numerous others have not yet been determined. Protein-protein docking could be used to investigate Fc-protein complexes; however, improved approaches are necessary to efficiently model such cases. In this study, a docking-based structural bioinformatics approach is developed for predicting the structures of Fc-protein complexes. Based on the available set of X-ray structures of Fc-protein complexes, three regions of the Fc, loosely corresponding to three turns within the structure, were defined as containing the essential features for protein recognition and used as restraints to filter the initial docking search. Rescoring the filtered poses with an optimal scoring strategy provided a success rate of approximately 80% of the test cases examined within the top ranked 20 poses, compared to approximately 20% by the initial unrestrained docking. The developed docking protocol provides a significant improvement over the initial unrestrained docking and will be valuable for predicting the structures of currently undetermined Fc-protein complexes, as well as in the design of peptides and proteins that target Fc.

Leporid immunoglobulin G shows evidence of strong selective pressure on the hinge and CH3 domains

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the predominant serum immunoglobulin and has the longest serum half-life of all the antibody classes. The European rabbit IgG has been of significant importance in immunological research, and is therefore well characterized. However, the IgG of other leporids has been disregarded. To evaluate the evolution of this gene in leporids, we sequenced the complete IGHG for six other genera: Bunolagus, Brachylagus, Lepus, Pentalagus, Romerolagus and Sylvilagus. The newly sequenced leporid IGHG gene has an organization and structure similar to that of the European rabbit IgG. A gradient in leporid IgG constant domain diversity was observed, with the CH1 being the most conserved and the CH3 the most variable domain. Positive selection was found to be acting on all constant domains, but with a greater incidence in the CH3 domain, where a cluster of three positively selected sites was identified. In the hinge region, only three polymorphic positions were observed. The same hinge length was observed for all leporids. Unlike the variation observed for the European rabbit, all 11 Lepus species studied share exactly the same hinge motif, suggesting its maintenance as a result of an advantageous structure or conformation.

Fc Engineering of Human IgG1 for Altered Binding to the Neonatal Fc Receptor Affects Fc Effector Functions

Engineering of the constant Fc part of monoclonal human IgG1 (hIgG1) Abs is an approach to improve effector functions and clinical efficacy of next-generation IgG1-based therapeutics. A main focus in such development is tailoring of in vivo half-life and transport properties by engineering the pH-dependent interaction between IgG and the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), as FcRn is the main homeostatic regulator of hIgG1 half-life. However, whether such engineering affects binding to other Fc-binding molecules, such as the classical FcγRs and complement factor C1q, has not been studied in detail. These effector molecules bind to IgG1 in the lower hinge-CH2 region, structurally distant from the binding site for FcRn at the CH2-CH3 elbow region. However, alterations of the structural composition of the Fc may have long-distance effects. Indeed, in this study we show that Fc engineering of hIgG1 for altered binding to FcRn also influences binding to both the classical FcγRs and complement factor C1q, which ultimately results in alterations of cellular mechanisms such as Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis, and Ab-dependent complement-mediated cell lysis. Thus, engineering of the FcRn-IgG1 interaction may greatly influence effector functions, which has implications for the therapeutic efficacy and use of Fc-engineered hIgG1 variants.

The solution structures of two human IgG1 antibodies show conformational stability and accommodate their C1q and FcγR ligands

The human IgG1 antibody subclass shows distinct properties compared with the IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 subclasses and is the most exploited subclass in therapeutic antibodies. It is the most abundant subclass, has a half-life as long as that of IgG2 and IgG4, binds the FcγR receptor, and activates complement. There is limited structural information on full-length human IgG1 because of the challenges of crystallization. To rectify this, we have studied the solution structures of two human IgG1 6a and 19a monoclonal antibodies in different buffers at different temperatures. Analytical ultracentrifugation showed that both antibodies were predominantly monomeric, with sedimentation coefficients s20,w (0) of 6.3-6.4 S. Only a minor dimer peak was observed, and the amount was not dependent on buffer conditions. Solution scattering showed that the x-ray radius of gyration Rg increased with salt concentration, whereas the neutron Rg values remained unchanged with temperature. The x-ray and neutron distance distribution curves P(r) revealed two peaks, M1 and M2, whose positions were unchanged in different buffers to indicate conformational stability. Constrained atomistic scattering modeling revealed predominantly asymmetric solution structures for both antibodies with extended hinge structures. Both structures were similar to the only known crystal structure of full-length human IgG1. The Fab conformations in both structures were suitably positioned to permit the Fc region to bind readily to its FcγR and C1q ligands without steric clashes, unlike human IgG4. Our molecular models for human IgG1 explain its immune activities, and we discuss its stability and function for therapeutic applications.

Antibodies: Computer-Aided Prediction of Structure and Design of Function

With the advent of high-throughput sequencing, and the increased availability of experimental structures of antibodies and antibody-antigen complexes, comes the improvement of computational approaches to predict the structure and design the function of antibodies and antibody-antigen complexes. While antibodies pose formidable challenges for protein structure prediction and design due to their large size and highly flexible loops in the complementarity-determining regions, they also offer exciting opportunities: the central importance of antibodies for human health results in a wealth of structural and sequence information that—as a knowledge base—can drive the modeling algorithms by limiting the conformational and sequence search space to likely regions of success. Further, efficient experimental platforms exist to test predicted antibody structure or designed antibody function, thereby leading to an iterative feedback loop between computation and experiment. We briefly review the history of computer-aided prediction of structure and design of function in the antibody field before we focus on recent methodological developments and the most exciting application examples.

Site-specific antibody-drug conjugation through an engineered glycotransferase and a chemically reactive sugar

Conjugation of small molecule drugs to specific sites on the antibody molecule has been increasingly used for the generation of relatively homogenous preparations of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with physicochemical properties similar or identical to those of the naked antibody. Previously a method for conjugation of small molecules to glycoproteins through existing glycans by using an engineered glycotransferase and a chemically reactive sugar as a handle was developed. Here, for the first time, we report the use of this method with some modifications to generate an ADC from a monoclonal antibody, m860, which we identified from a human naïve phage display Fab library by panning against the extracellular domain of human HER2. M860 bound to cell surface-associated HER2 with affinity comparable to that of Trastuzumab (Herceptin), but to a different epitope. The m860ADC was generated by enzymatically adding a reactive keto-galactose to m860 using an engineered glycotransferase and conjugating the reactive m860 to aminooxy auristatin F. It exhibited potent and specific cell-killing activity against HER2 positive cancer cells, including trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells. This unique ADC may have utility as a potential therapeutic for HER2 positive cancers alone or in combination with other drugs. Our results also validate the keto-galactose/engineered glycotransferase method for generation of functional ADCs, which could potentially also be used for preparation of ADCs targeting other disease markers.

The Fab conformations in the solution structure of human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) restrict access to its Fc region: implications for functional activity

Human IgG4 antibody shows therapeutically useful properties compared with the IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 subclasses. Thus IgG4 does not activate complement and shows conformational variability. These properties are attributable to its hinge region, which is the shortest of the four IgG subclasses. Using high throughput scattering methods, we studied the solution structure of wild-type IgG4(Ser(222)) and a hinge mutant IgG4(Pro(222)) in different buffers and temperatures where the proline substitution suppresses the formation of half-antibody. Analytical ultracentrifugation showed that both IgG4 forms were principally monomeric with sedimentation coefficients s20,w(0) of 6.6-6.8 S. A monomer-dimer equilibrium was observed in heavy water buffer at low temperature. Scattering showed that the x-ray radius of gyration Rg was unchanged with concentration in 50-250 mm NaCl buffers, whereas the neutron Rg values showed a concentration-dependent increase as the temperature decreased in heavy water buffers. The distance distribution curves (P(r)) revealed two peaks, M1 and M2, that shifted below 2 mg/ml to indicate concentration-dependent IgG4 structures in addition to IgG4 dimer formation at high concentration in heavy water. Constrained x-ray and neutron scattering modeling revealed asymmetric solution structures for IgG4(Ser(222)) with extended hinge structures. The IgG4(Pro(222)) structure was similar. Both IgG4 structures showed that their Fab regions were positioned close enough to the Fc region to restrict C1q binding. Our new molecular models for IgG4 explain its inability to activate complement and clarify aspects of its stability and function for therapeutic applications.

Crystal structure of deglycosylated human IgG4-Fc

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The first crystal structure of deglycosylated human IgG4-Fc is reported at 2.7 Å resolution.

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The asymmetric unit comprises a novel interlocked arrangement of two IgG4-Fc molecules.

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The C_H2 domains are oriented in an “open” arrangement.

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The structure of the C_H2 domain DE loop is altered in the absence of carbohydrate.

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Crystal packing reveals a hexameric Fc arrangement.

The Fc region of IgG antibodies, important for effector functions such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis and complement activation, contains an oligosaccharide moiety covalently attached to each C_H2 domain. The oligosaccharide not only orients the C_H2 domains but plays an important role in influencing IgG effector function, and engineering the IgG-Fc oligosaccharide moiety is an important aspect in the design of therapeutic monoclonal IgG antibodies. Recently we reported the crystal structure of glycosylated IgG4-Fc, revealing structural features that could explain the anti-inflammatory biological properties of IgG4 compared with IgG1. We now report the crystal structure of enzymatically deglycosylated IgG4-Fc, derived from human serum, at 2.7 Å resolution. Intermolecular C_H2-C_H2 domain interactions partially bury the C_H2 domain surface that would otherwise be exposed by the absence of oligosaccharide, and two Fc molecules are interlocked in a symmetric, open conformation. The conformation of the C_H2 domain DE loop, to which oligosaccharide is attached, is altered in the absence of carbohydrate. Furthermore, the C_H2 domain FG loop, important for Fcγ receptor and C1q binding, adopts two different conformations. One loop conformation is unique to IgG4 and would disrupt binding, consistent with IgG4's anti-inflammatory properties. The second is similar to the conserved conformation found in IgG1, suggesting that in contrast to IgG1, the IgG4 C_H2 FG loop is dynamic. Finally, crystal packing reveals a hexameric arrangement of IgG4-Fc molecules, providing further clues about the interaction between C1q and IgG.

Complement is activated by IgG hexamers assembled at the cell surface

Complement activation by antibodies bound to pathogens, tumors, and self antigens is a critical feature of natural immune defense, a number of disease processes, and immunotherapies. How antibodies activate the complement cascade, however, is poorly understood. We found that specific noncovalent interactions between Fc segments of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies resulted in the formation of ordered antibody hexamers after antigen binding on cells. These hexamers recruited and activated C1, the first component of complement, thereby triggering the complement cascade. The interactions between neighboring Fc segments could be manipulated to block, reconstitute, and enhance complement activation and killing of target cells, using all four human IgG subclasses. We offer a general model for understanding antibody-mediated complement activation and the design of antibody therapeutics with enhanced efficacy.

Structural determinants of unique properties of human IgG4-Fc

Human IgG4, normally the least abundant of the four subclasses of IgG in serum, displays a number of unique biological properties. It can undergo heavy-chain exchange, also known as Fab-arm exchange, leading to the formation of monovalent but bispecific antibodies, and it interacts poorly with FcγRII and FcγRIII, and complement. These properties render IgG4 relatively “non-inflammatory” and have made it a suitable format for therapeutic monoclonal antibody production. However, IgG4 is also known to undergo Fc-mediated aggregation and has been implicated in auto-immune disease pathology. We report here the high-resolution crystal structures, at 1.9 and 2.35 Å, respectively, of human recombinant and serum-derived IgG4-Fc. These structures reveal conformational variability at the C_H3–C_H3 interface that may promote Fab-arm exchange, and a unique conformation for the FG loop in the C_H2 domain that would explain the poor FcγRII, FcγRIII and C1q binding properties of IgG4 compared with IgG1 and -3. In contrast to other IgG subclasses, this unique conformation folds the FG loop away from the C_H2 domain, precluding any interaction with the lower hinge region, which may further facilitate Fab-arm exchange by destabilisation of the hinge. The crystals of IgG4-Fc also display Fc–Fc packing contacts with very extensive interaction surfaces, involving both a consensus binding site in IgG-Fc at the C_H2–C_H3 interface and known hydrophobic aggregation motifs. These Fc–Fc interactions are compatible with intact IgG4 molecules and may provide a model for the formation of aggregates of IgG4 that can cause disease pathology in the absence of antigen.

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The first high-resolution crystal structures of IgG4-Fc have been solved.

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Arg409 adopts two conformations, each with a different effect on the C_H3–C_H3 interface.

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Crystal packing analysis reveals a novel Fc–Fc interface.

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The C_H2 domain FG loop adopts a unique conformation, affecting FcγR and C1q binding.

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The IgG4-Fc crystal structures explain unique biological properties of IgG4.

TUNABLE COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION BY PARTICLES WITH VARIABLE SIZE AND Fc DENSITY

The complement system is an integral innate immune component that is made up of a cascade of enzymatic proteins that, once activated, results in lysis of invading pathogens, opsonization or recruitment of other innate and/or acquired immune responders, or some combination of the three. Due to the importance of the signal amplification and control points present in the cascade, complement is highly sensitive to subtle variations in initiation conditions, including nanoscale changes to molecular spacing. Using Fc-functionalized microparticles and nanoparticles, we find that activation requires a minimum threshold surface concentration of Fc of at least 20% surface coverage. This result indicates that a high surface density Fc is necessary for micro/nanoparticle complement activation through the classical pathway. In addition, the magnitude of the response was dependent on the size of the particle, with larger particles causing decreased activation. We hypothesize that a high density of Fc is needed to efficiently bind and closely appose molecular initiators of the complement cascade, from initiation to terminal complement complex formation. These fundamental studies of the interaction of microparticles and nanoparticles with the immune system suggest design rules for particle size and molecular density that impact immunostimulation through the complement system. Providing a therapeutic agent to modulate the complement response could aid a variety of treatment strategies. Engineered nanoparticles with controlled gaps between molecular activators could lead to new types of immunomodulatory agents.

The solution structure of rabbit IgG accounts for its interactions with the Fc receptor and complement C1q and its conformational stability

Solution structures for antibodies are critical to understand function and therapeutic applications. The stability of the solution structure of rabbit IgG in different buffers and temperatures was determined by analytical ultracentrifugation and X-ray and neutron scattering. Rabbit IgG showed a principally monomeric species, which is well resolved from small amounts of a dimeric species. The proportion of dimer increased with increased concentration, decreased temperature and heavy water from 8% to 25% in all buffers except for high salt (250 mM NaCl). The Guinier X-ray radius of gyration R(G) likewise increased with concentration in 137 mM NaCl buffer but was unchanged in 250 mM NaCl buffer. The Guinier neutron R(G) values increased as the temperature decreased. The X-ray and neutron distance distribution curves P(r) revealed two peaks, M1 and M2, whose positions did not change with concentration to indicate unchanged structures under all these conditions. The maximum dimension increased with concentration because of dimer formation. Constrained scattering modeling reproducibly revealed very similar asymmetric solution structures for monomeric rabbit IgG in different buffers, in which the Fab-Fc and Fab-Fab pairs were separated by maximally extended hinge structures. The dimer was best modeled by two pairs of Fab regions forming tip-to-tip contacts. The intact rabbit IgG structures explained the ability of its two ligands, the Fc receptor and complement C1q, to bind to the top of its Fc region that is fully accessible and unhindered by the Fab regions.