1
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Romei MG, Leonard B, Katz ZB, Le D, Yang Y, Day ES, Koo CW, Sharma P, Bevers Iii J, Kim I, Dai H, Farahi F, Lin M, Shaw AS, Nakamura G, Sockolosky JT, Lazar GA. i-shaped antibody engineering enables conformational tuning of biotherapeutic receptor agonists. Nat Commun 2024; 15:642. [PMID: 38245524 PMCID: PMC10799922 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44985-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to leverage antibodies to agonize disease relevant biological pathways has tremendous potential for clinical investigation. Yet while antibodies have been successful as antagonists, immune mediators, and targeting agents, they are not readily effective at recapitulating the biology of natural ligands. Among the important determinants of antibody agonist activity is the geometry of target receptor engagement. Here, we describe an engineering approach inspired by a naturally occurring Fab-Fab homotypic interaction that constrains IgG in a unique i-shaped conformation. i-shaped antibody (iAb) engineering enables potent intrinsic agonism of five tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) targets. When applied to bispecific antibodies against the heterodimeric IL-2 receptor pair, constrained bispecific IgG formats recapitulate IL-2 agonist activity. iAb engineering provides a tool to tune agonist antibody function and this work provides a framework for the development of intrinsic antibody agonists with the potential for generalization across broad receptor classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Romei
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Leonard
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zachary B Katz
- Department of Research Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Le
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomic, Lipidomics, and Next Generation Sequencing, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yanli Yang
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric S Day
- Department of Pharma Technical Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher W Koo
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Preeti Sharma
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jack Bevers Iii
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid Kim
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Huiguang Dai
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Farzam Farahi
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - May Lin
- Department of Protein Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrey S Shaw
- Department of Research Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gerald Nakamura
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Greg A Lazar
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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2
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Niquille DL, Fitzgerald KM, Gera N. Biparatopic antibodies: therapeutic applications and prospects. MAbs 2024; 16:2310890. [PMID: 38439551 PMCID: PMC10936611 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2310890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Biparatopic antibodies (bpAbs) bind distinct, non-overlapping epitopes on an antigen. This unique binding mode enables new mechanisms of action beyond monospecific and bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) that can make bpAbs effective therapeutics for various indications, including oncology and infectious diseases. Biparatopic binding can lead to superior affinity and specificity, promote antagonism, lock target conformation, and result in higher-order target clustering. Such antibody-target complexes can elicit strong agonism, increase immune effector function, or result in rapid target downregulation and lysosomal trafficking. These are not only attractive properties for therapeutic antibodies but are increasingly being explored for other modalities such as antibody-drug conjugates, T-cell engagers and chimeric antigen receptors. Recent advances in bpAb engineering have enabled the construction of ever more sophisticated formats that are starting to show promise in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nimish Gera
- Biologics, Mythic Therapeutics, Waltham, MA, USA
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3
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Chen H, Lee SJ, Ouyang B, Suen N, Ye J, Lu C, Li Y. Effects of Fc glycosylation on the activity of WNT mimetic agonistic antibodies. Antib Ther 2024; 7:88-95. [PMID: 38371954 PMCID: PMC10873268 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies have been explored in a broad range of applications including receptor agonism. Given the importance of receptor conformation in signaling, the agonistic activity of antibodies that engage these receptors are influenced by many parameters. Tetravalent bispecific antibodies that target the frizzled and lipoprotein receptor-related protein receptors and subsequently activate WNT ("Wingless-related integration site" or "Wingless and Int-1" or "Wingless-Int") signaling have been constructed. Because WNT activation stimulates stem cell proliferation and tissue regeneration, immune effector functions should be eliminated from therapeutic antibodies targeting this pathway. Here, we report an unexpected effect of Fc glycosylation on the agonistic activity of WNT mimetic antibodies. Our findings underscore the importance of antibody format, geometry and epitope in agonistic antibody design, and highlight the need to establish appropriate early discovery screening strategies to identify hits for further optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Protein Sciences, Surrozen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sung-Jin Lee
- Discovery Biology, Surrozen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Brian Ouyang
- Protein Sciences, Surrozen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Nicholas Suen
- Protein Sciences, Surrozen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jay Ye
- Protein Sciences, Surrozen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Chenggang Lu
- Discovery Biology, Surrozen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Research, Surrozen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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4
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Sebastião MJ, Hoffman M, Escandell J, Tousi F, Zhang J, Figueroa B, DeMaria C, Gomes-Alves P. Identification of Mispairing Omic Signatures in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cells Producing a Tri-Specific Antibody. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2890. [PMID: 38001891 PMCID: PMC10669571 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody-based therapy has shown efficacy against cancer, autoimmune, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. Multispecific antibodies (MsAbs), including trispecifics (tsAbs), offer enhanced therapeutic potential by targeting different epitopes. However, when co-expressed from three or more different polypeptide chains, MsAb production can lead to incorrect chain assembly and co-production of mispaired species with impaired biological activity. Moreover, mispairing carries significant challenges for downstream purification, decreasing yields and increasing the cost of bioprocess development. In this study, quantitative transcriptomics and proteomics analyses were employed to investigate which signaling pathways correlated with low and high mispairing clone signatures. Gene and protein expression profiles of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) clones producing an tsAb were analyzed in the exponential growth and stationary (tsAb production) phase of fed-batch culture. Functional analysis revealed activated endoplasmic reticulum stress in high mispairing clones in both culture phases, while low mispairing clones exhibited expression profiles indicative of activated protein translation, as well as higher endocytosis and target protein degradation, suggesting the clearance of unfolded proteins through ubiquitin-mediated mechanisms. In addition, through transcriptomic profiling, we identified a group of genes that have the potential to be used as a biomarker panel tool for identifying high mispairing levels in the early stages of bioprocess development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Sebastião
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (M.J.S.)
- ITQB-NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Michael Hoffman
- Sanofi Cell Line and Cell Bank Development, Mammalian Platform, Global CMC Development, Framingham, MA 01701, USA (B.F.)
| | - José Escandell
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (M.J.S.)
- ITQB-NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Fatemeh Tousi
- Sanofi Bioanalytics Development, Global CMC Development, Framingham, MA 01701, USA
| | - Jin Zhang
- Sanofi Cell Line and Cell Bank Development, Mammalian Platform, Global CMC Development, Framingham, MA 01701, USA (B.F.)
| | - Bruno Figueroa
- Sanofi Cell Line and Cell Bank Development, Mammalian Platform, Global CMC Development, Framingham, MA 01701, USA (B.F.)
| | - Christine DeMaria
- Sanofi Cell Line and Cell Bank Development, Mammalian Platform, Global CMC Development, Framingham, MA 01701, USA (B.F.)
| | - Patrícia Gomes-Alves
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (M.J.S.)
- ITQB-NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
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5
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Noe P, Wang JH, Chung K, Cheng Z, Field JJ, Shen X, Cortesio CL, Pastuskovas CV, Phee H, Tarbell KV, Egen JG, Casbon AJ. Therapeutically targeting type I interferon directly to XCR1+ dendritic cells reveals the role of cDC1s in anti-drug antibodies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1272055. [PMID: 37942313 PMCID: PMC10628189 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1272055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are superior in antigen cross-presentation and priming CD8+ T cell anti-tumor immunity and thus, are a target of high interest for cancer immunotherapy. Type I interferon (IFN) is a potent inducer of antigen cross-presentation, but, unfortunately, shows only modest results in the clinic given the short half-life and high toxicity of current type I IFN therapies, which limit IFN exposure in the tumor. CD8+ T cell immunity is dependent on IFN signaling in cDC1s and preclinical studies suggest targeting IFN directly to cDC1s may be sufficient to drive anti-tumor immunity. Here, we engineered an anti-XCR1 antibody (Ab) and IFN mutein (IFNmut) fusion protein (XCR1Ab-IFNmut) to determine whether systemic delivery could drive selective and sustained type I IFN signaling in cDC1s leading to anti-tumor activity and, in parallel, reduced systemic toxicity. We found that the XCR1Ab-IFNmut fusion specifically enhanced cDC1 activation in the tumor and spleen compared to an untargeted control IFN. However, multiple treatments with the XCR1Ab-IFNmut fusion resulted in robust anti-drug antibodies (ADA) and loss of drug exposure. Using other cDC1-targeting Ab-IFNmut fusions, we found that localizing IFN directly to cDC1s activates their ability to promote ADA responses, regardless of the cDC1 targeting antigen. The development of ADA remains a major hurdle in immunotherapy drug development and the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the development of ADA responses in humans is not well understood. Our results reveal a role of cDC1s in ADA generation and highlight the potential ADA challenges with targeting immunostimulatory agents to this cellular compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Noe
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Joy H. Wang
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kyu Chung
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Zhiyong Cheng
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jessica J. Field
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Xiaomeng Shen
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Christa L. Cortesio
- Therapeutics Discovery, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Cinthia V. Pastuskovas
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Hyewon Phee
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kristin V. Tarbell
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jackson G. Egen
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Amy-Jo Casbon
- Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
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6
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Aaldijk AS, Verzijl CRC, Jonker JW, Struik D. Biological and pharmacological functions of the FGF19- and FGF21-coreceptor beta klotho. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1150222. [PMID: 37260446 PMCID: PMC10229096 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1150222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta klotho (KLB) is a fundamental component in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling as it serves as an obligatory coreceptor for the endocrine hormones fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Through the development of FGF19- and FGF21 mimetics, KLB has emerged as a promising drug target for treating various metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular disease. While rodent studies have significantly increased our understanding of KLB function, current clinical trials that test the safety and efficacy of KLB-targeting drugs raise many new scientific questions about human KLB biology. Although most KLB-targeting drugs can modulate disease activity in humans, individual patient responses differ substantially. In addition, species-specific differences in KLB tissue distribution may explain why the glucose-lowering effects that were observed in preclinical studies are not fully replicated in clinical trials. Besides, the long-term efficacy of KLB-targeting drugs might be limited by various pathophysiological conditions known to reduce the expression of KLB. Moreover, FGF19/FGF21 administration in humans is also associated with gastrointestinal side effects, which are currently unexplained. A better understanding of human KLB biology could help to improve the efficacy and safety of existing or novel KLB/FGFR-targeting drugs. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of KLB biology, including genetic variants and their phenotypic associations, transcriptional regulation, protein structure, tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and function. In addition, we will highlight recent developments regarding the safety and efficacy of KLB-targeting drugs in clinical trials. These insights may direct the development and testing of existing and future KLB-targeting drugs.
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7
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Advances in antibody-based therapy in oncology. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:165-180. [PMID: 36806801 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00516-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are a growing class of targeted cancer therapeutics, characterized by exquisite specificity, long serum half-life, high affinity and immune effector functions. In this review, we outline key advances in the field with a particular focus on recent and emerging classes of engineered antibody therapeutic candidates, discuss molecular structure and mechanisms of action and provide updates on clinical development and practice.
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8
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Jin L, Yang R, Geng L, Xu A. Fibroblast Growth Factor-Based Pharmacotherapies for the Treatment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Complications. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:359-382. [PMID: 36100222 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-032322-093904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, which comprises 22 structurally related proteins, plays diverse roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and metabolism. Among them, two classical members (FGF1 and FGF4) and two endocrine members (FGF19 and FGF21) are important regulators of whole-body energy homeostasis, glucose/lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. Preclinical studies have consistently demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of these FGFs for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Several genetically engineered FGF19 and FGF21 analogs with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties have been developed and progressed into various stages of clinical trials. These FGF analogs are effective in alleviating hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, and liver fibrosis in biopsy-confirmed NASH patients, whereas their antidiabetic and antiobesity effects are mildand vary greatly in different clinical trials. This review summarizes recent advances in biopharmaceutical development of FGF-based therapies against obesity-related metabolic complications, highlights major challenges in clinical implementation, and discusses possible strategies to overcome these hurdles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigang Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ranyao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Leiluo Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
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9
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Yanucil C, Kentrup D, Campos I, Czaya B, Heitman K, Westbrook D, Osis G, Grabner A, Wende AR, Vallejo J, Wacker MJ, Navarro-Garcia JA, Ruiz-Hurtado G, Zhang F, Song Y, Linhardt RJ, White K, Kapiloff M, Faul C. Soluble α-klotho and heparin modulate the pathologic cardiac actions of fibroblast growth factor 23 in chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int 2022; 102:261-279. [PMID: 35513125 PMCID: PMC9329240 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2022.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 is a phosphate-regulating hormone that is elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease and associated with cardiovascular mortality. Experimental studies showed that elevated FGF23 levels induce cardiac hypertrophy by targeting cardiac myocytes via FGF receptor isoform 4 (FGFR4). A recent structural analysis revealed that the complex of FGF23 and FGFR1, the physiologic FGF23 receptor in the kidney, includes soluble α-klotho (klotho) and heparin, which both act as co-factors for FGF23/FGFR1 signaling. Here, we investigated whether soluble klotho, a circulating protein with cardio-protective properties, and heparin, a factor that is routinely infused into patients with kidney failure during the hemodialysis procedure, regulate FGF23/FGFR4 signaling and effects in cardiac myocytes. We developed a plate-based binding assay to quantify affinities of specific FGF23/FGFR interactions and found that soluble klotho and heparin mediate FGF23 binding to distinct FGFR isoforms. Heparin specifically mediated FGF23 binding to FGFR4 and increased FGF23 stimulatory effects on hypertrophic growth and contractility in isolated cardiac myocytes. When repetitively injected into two different mouse models with elevated serum FGF23 levels, heparin aggravated cardiac hypertrophy. We also developed a novel procedure for the synthesis and purification of recombinant soluble klotho, which showed anti-hypertrophic effects in FGF23-treated cardiac myocytes. Thus, soluble klotho and heparin act as independent FGF23 co-receptors with opposite effects on the pathologic actions of FGF23, with soluble klotho reducing and heparin increasing FGF23-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Hence, whether heparin injections during hemodialysis in patients with extremely high serum FGF23 levels contribute to their high rates of cardiovascular events and mortality remains to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Yanucil
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dominik Kentrup
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Isaac Campos
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Brian Czaya
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kylie Heitman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David Westbrook
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Alexander Grabner
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Adam R. Wende
- Division of Molecular & Cellular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Julian Vallejo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Michael J. Wacker
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Jose Alberto Navarro-Garcia
- Cardiorenal Translational Laboratory, Institute of Research, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Ruiz-Hurtado
- Cardiorenal Translational Laboratory, Institute of Research, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Yuefan Song
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Robert J. Linhardt
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth White
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Michael Kapiloff
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Medicine, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Christian Faul
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
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10
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Ornitz DM, Itoh N. New developments in the biology of fibroblast growth factors. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1549. [PMID: 35142107 PMCID: PMC10115509 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is composed of 18 secreted signaling proteins consisting of canonical FGFs and endocrine FGFs that activate four receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs 1-4) and four intracellular proteins (intracellular FGFs or iFGFs) that primarily function to regulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels and other molecules. The canonical FGFs, endocrine FGFs, and iFGFs have been reviewed extensively by us and others. In this review, we briefly summarize past reviews and then focus on new developments in the FGF field since our last review in 2015. Some of the highlights in the past 6 years include the use of optogenetic tools, viral vectors, and inducible transgenes to experimentally modulate FGF signaling, the clinical use of small molecule FGFR inhibitors, an expanded understanding of endocrine FGF signaling, functions for FGF signaling in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, roles for FGF signaling in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, a continuing elaboration of mechanisms of FGF signaling in development, and an expanding appreciation of roles for FGF signaling in neuropsychiatric diseases. This article is categorized under: Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Stem Cells and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Ornitz
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nobuyuki Itoh
- Kyoto University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
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11
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She QY, Bao JF, Wang HZ, Liang H, Huang W, Wu J, Zhong Y, Ling H, Li A, Qin SL. Fibroblast growth factor 21: A "rheostat" for metabolic regulation? Metabolism 2022; 130:155166. [PMID: 35183545 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2022.155166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 21 is an evolutionarily conserved factor that plays multiple important roles in metabolic homeostasis. During the past two decades, extensive investigations have improved our understanding of its delicate metabolic roles and identified its pharmacological potential to mitigate metabolic disorders. However, most clinical trials have failed to obtain the desired results, which raises issues regarding its clinical value. Fibroblast growth factor 21 is dynamically regulated by nutrients derived from food intake and hepatic/adipose release, which in turn act on the central nervous system, liver, and adipose tissues to influence food preference, hepatic glucose, and adipose fatty acid output. Based on this information, we propose that fibroblast growth factor 21 should not be considered merely an anti-hyperglycemia or anti-obesity factor, but rather a means of balancing of nutrient fluctuations to maintain an appropriate energy supply. Hence, the specific functions of fibroblast growth factor 21 in glycometabolism and lipometabolism depend on specific metabolic states, indicating that its pharmacological effects require further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin-Ying She
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China; Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China
| | - Jing-Fu Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hui-Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huixin Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China
| | - Wentao Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China
| | - Yiwen Zhong
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China
| | - Hanxin Ling
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China
| | - Aiqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Shu-Lan Qin
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510999, China.
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12
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A Transgenic Heavy Chain IgG Mouse Platform as a Source of High Affinity Fully Human Single-Domain Antibodies for Therapeutic Applications. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2446:121-141. [PMID: 35157271 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2075-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The antibody repertoires of transgenic mice expressing human heavy chain only antibodies (HCAbs) can be retrieved from immune cells after antigen challenge. Compared with genetically modified rodents expressing conventional human antibodies (tetramers consisting of two heavy chains paired with two light chains), there is no chain pairing problem, since each antibody consists of a heavy chain dimer which is solely responsible for antigen binding. HCAbs can be obtained by classical hybridoma fusion, or the generation of phage libraries or eukaryotic cell libraries displaying or secreting HCAbs. Combined transcriptomic/serum proteomic approaches can also be used to determine the repertoire of antibodies, as well as single cell technologies such as the Beacon system that enable capture of immune cells of interest, analysis, and sequencing of antibodies in a short period of time. Here, we describe a protocol for obtaining monoclonal HCAbs from immunized Harbour transgenic mice through the generation and screening of HEK cell libraries of secreted antibodies. The method can be used routinely and is fast and affordable for everyone. Selected VH regions (single domains) are sequenced and individual HCAbs can be produced and purified from the same expression vector that is used for library generation (hIgG1 Fc). They can also be cloned into other expression plasmids and reformatted to equip them with a particular effector function, modify lifespan in serum, or optimize valency and avidity depending on the specific aim.
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13
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Natale V, Stadlmayr G, Benedetti F, Stadlbauer K, Rüker F, Wozniak-Knopp G. Trispecific antibodies produced from mAb 2 pairs by controlled Fab-arm exchange. Biol Chem 2022; 403:509-523. [PMID: 35089662 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies and antibody fragments are therapeutics of growing importance. They are clinically applied for effector cell engagement, enhanced targeting selectivity, addressing of multiple cellular pathways and active transfer of certain activities into difficult-to-reach compartments. These functionalities could profit from a third antigen specificity. In this work we have employed symmetrical bispecific parental antibodies of mAb2 format, which feature a novel antigen binding site in the CH3 domains, and engineered them with a minimal number of point mutations to guide the formation of a controlled Fab-arm exchanged trispecific antibody at a high yield after reduction and re-oxidation. Two model antibodies, one reactive with EGFR, Her2 and VEGF, and one with Fab-arms binding to Ang2 and VEGF and an Fc fragment binding to VEGF, were prepared and examined for heterodimeric status, stability, antigen binding properties and biological activity. Resulting molecules were of good biophysical characteristics and retained antigen reactivity and biological activity of the parental mAb2 constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Natale
- Department of Biotechnology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Stadlmayr
- Department of Biotechnology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Filippo Benedetti
- Department of Biotechnology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Stadlbauer
- Department of Biotechnology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Rüker
- Department of Biotechnology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gordana Wozniak-Knopp
- Department of Biotechnology, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
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14
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Bélanger K, Tanha J. High-efficacy, high-manufacturability human VH domain antibody therapeutics from transgenic sources. Protein Eng Des Sel 2021; 34:6276122. [PMID: 33991089 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) stems from their unique structural/pronounced, hence therapeutically desirable, features. From the outset-as therapeutic modalities-human antibody heavy chain variable domains (VHs) attracted a particular attention compared with 'naturally-occurring' camelid and shark heavy-chain-only antibody variable domains (VHHs and VNARs, respectively) due to their perceived lack of immunogenicity. However, they have not quite lived up to their initial promise as the VH hits, primarily mined from synthetic VH phage display libraries, have too often been plagued with aggregation tendencies, low solubility and low affinity. Largely unexplored, synthetic camelized human VH display libraries appeared to have remediated the aggregation problem, but the low affinity of the VH hits still persisted, requiring undertaking additional, laborious affinity maturation steps to render VHs therapeutically feasible. A wholesome resolution has recently emerged with the development of non-canonical transgenic rodent antibody discovery platforms that appear to facilely and profusely generate high affinity, high solubility and aggregation-resistant human VHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasandra Bélanger
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, Life Sciences Division, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Jamshid Tanha
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, Life Sciences Division, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
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15
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Zhong X, D’Antona AM. Recent Advances in the Molecular Design and Applications of Multispecific Biotherapeutics. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:13. [PMID: 33808165 PMCID: PMC8103270 DOI: 10.3390/antib10020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant protein-based biotherapeutics drugs have transformed clinical pipelines of the biopharmaceutical industry since the launch of recombinant insulin nearly four decades ago. These biologic drugs are structurally more complex than small molecules, and yet share a similar principle for rational drug discovery and development: That is to start with a pre-defined target and follow with the functional modulation with a therapeutic agent. Despite these tremendous successes, this "one target one drug" paradigm has been challenged by complex disease mechanisms that involve multiple pathways and demand new therapeutic routes. A rapidly evolving wave of multispecific biotherapeutics is coming into focus. These new therapeutic drugs are able to engage two or more protein targets via distinct binding interfaces with or without the chemical conjugation to large or small molecules. They possess the potential to not only address disease intricacy but also exploit new therapeutic mechanisms and assess undruggable targets for conventional monospecific biologics. This review focuses on the recent advances in molecular design and applications of major classes of multispecific biotherapeutics drugs, which include immune cells engagers, antibody-drug conjugates, multispecific tetherbodies, biologic matchmakers, and small-scaffold multispecific modalities. Challenges posed by the multispecific biotherapeutics drugs and their future outlooks are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Zhong
- Department of BioMedicine Design, Medicinal Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
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16
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Bringing the Heavy Chain to Light: Creating a Symmetric, Bivalent IgG-Like Bispecific. Antibodies (Basel) 2020; 9:antib9040062. [PMID: 33172091 PMCID: PMC7709125 DOI: 10.3390/antib9040062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific molecules are biologically significant, yet their complex structures pose important manufacturing and pharmacokinetic challenges. Nevertheless, owing to similarities with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), IgG-like bispecifics conceptually align well with conventional expression and manufacturing platforms and often exhibit potentially favorable drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties. However, IgG-like bispecifics do not possess target bivalency and current designs often require tedious engineering and purification to ensure appropriate chain pairing. Here, we present a near-native IgG antibody format, the 2xVH, which can create bivalency for each target or epitope and requires no engineering for cognate chain pairing. In this modality, two different variable heavy (VH) domains with distinct binding specificities are grafted onto the first constant heavy (CH1) and constant light (CL) domains, conferring the molecule with dual specificity. To determine the versatility of this format, we characterized the expression, binding, and stability of several previously identified soluble human VH domains. By grafting these domains onto an IgG scaffold, we generated several prototype 2xVH IgG and Fab molecules that display similar properties to mAbs. These molecules avoided the post-expression purification necessary for engineered bispecifics while maintaining a capacity for simultaneous dual binding. Hence, the 2xVH format represents a bivalent, bispecific design that addresses limitations of manufacturing IgG-like bispecifics while promoting biologically-relevant dual target engagement.
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17
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Geng L, Lam KSL, Xu A. The therapeutic potential of FGF21 in metabolic diseases: from bench to clinic. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2020; 16:654-667. [PMID: 32764725 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-020-0386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a stress-inducible hormone that has important roles in regulating energy balance and glucose and lipid homeostasis through a heterodimeric receptor complex comprising FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and β-klotho. Administration of FGF21 to rodents or non-human primates causes considerable pharmacological benefits on a cluster of obesity-related metabolic complications, including a reduction in fat mass and alleviation of hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disorders and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, native FGF21 is unsuitable for clinical use owing to poor pharmacokinetic and biophysical properties. A large number of long-acting FGF21 analogues and agonistic monoclonal antibodies for the FGFR1-β-klotho receptor complexes have been developed. Several FGF21 analogues and mimetics have progressed to early phases of clinical trials in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and NASH. In these trials, the primary end points of glycaemic control have not been met, whereas substantial improvements were observed in dyslipidaemia, hepatic fat fractions and serum markers of liver fibrosis in patients with NASH. The complexity and divergence in pharmacology and pathophysiology of FGF21, interspecies variations in FGF21 biology, the possible existence of obesity-related FGF21 resistance and endogenous FGF21 inactivation enzymes represent major obstacles to clinical implementation of FGF21-based pharmacotherapies for metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leiluo Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karen S L Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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18
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Abstract
Bispecific therapeutics target two distinct antigens simultaneously and provide novel functionalities that are not attainable with single monospecific molecules or combinations of them. The unique potential of bispecific therapeutics is driving extensive efforts to discover synergistic dual targets, design molecular formats to integrate bispecific elements, and accelerate successful clinical translation. In particular, the past decade has witnessed a boom in the design and development of bispecific antibody formats with more than 100 collections to date. Despite the remarkable progress that has been made to expand the number of formats, qualitative fine-tuning of bispecific formats is needed to achieve optimal dual-target engagement based on understanding of the spatiotemporal interdependence of the two physically linked binding specificities and the complex target biology associated with bispecific approaches. This review provides insights into the design parameters - including affinity, valency, and geometry - that need to be considered at an early stage of development in order to take the best advantage of bispecific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Yongso-ro 45, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea.
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19
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Dickopf S, Georges GJ, Brinkmann U. Format and geometries matter: Structure-based design defines the functionality of bispecific antibodies. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1221-1227. [PMID: 32542108 PMCID: PMC7283971 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Multispecific antibodies can be generated in different formats. More than two decades of R&D in the field of bispecific antibody engineering revealed that the design and choice of format can have a profound impact on the antibody functionality. This holds in particular true for entities that elicit (inter-)cellular processes such as receptor activation, receptor internalization, receptor clustering or the formation of immunological synapses between two cells. This review covers design parameters that influence the functionality of multispecific formats, with particular focus on T cell-recruiting bispecific antibodies. We describe formats that display the same size and domain sequences but a varying geometry. The structural composition of (artificial) immune synapses is reviewed and allows conclusions why some formats that share size and domain composition are more effective than others. To support the statement that the geometry matters, we present a recently designed antibody format that is characterized by its compact shape. The TriFab-Contorsbody consists of two tumor cell-targeting entities and one moiety for T cell recruitment. The unique barrel-like shape provides a 35-fold increase in potency compared to an IgG-like molecule with identical domain sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Dickopf
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Guy J Georges
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
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20
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Shen S, Sckisel G, Sahoo A, Lalani A, Otter DD, Pearson J, DeVoss J, Cheng J, Casey SC, Case R, Yang M, Low R, Daris M, Fan B, Agrawal NJ, Ali K. Engineered IL-21 Cytokine Muteins Fused to Anti-PD-1 Antibodies Can Improve CD8+ T Cell Function and Anti-tumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:832. [PMID: 32457754 PMCID: PMC7225340 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors that block the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) pathway can potentiate endogenous antitumor immunity and have markedly improved cancer survival rates across a broad range of indications. However, these treatments work for only a minority of patients. The efficacy of anti-PD-1 inhibitors may be extended by cytokines, however, the incorporation of cytokines into therapeutic regimens has significant challenges. In their natural form when administered as recombinant proteins, cytokine treatments are often associated with low response rates. Most cytokines have a short half-life which limits their exposure and efficacy. In addition, cytokines can activate counterregulatory pathways, in the case of immune-potentiating cytokines this can lead to immune suppression and thereby diminish their potential efficacy. Improving the drug-like properties of natural cytokines using protein engineering can yield synthetic cytokines with improved bioavailability and tissue targeting, allowing for enhanced efficacy and reduced off-target effects. Using structure guided engineering we have designed a novel class of antibody-cytokine fusion proteins consisting of a PD-1 targeting antibody fused together with an interleukin-21 (IL-21) cytokine mutein. Our bifunctional fusion proteins can block PD-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction whilst simultaneously delivering IL-21 cytokine to PD-1 expressing T cells. Targeted delivery of IL-21 can improve T cell function in a manner that is superior to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Fusion of engineered IL-21 variants to anti-PD1 antibodies can improve the drug-like properties of IL-21 cytokine leading to improved cytokine serum half-life allowing for less frequent dosing. In addition, we show that targeted delivery of IL-21 can minimize any potential detrimental effect on local antigen-presenting cells. A highly attenuated IL-21 mutein variant (R9E:R76A) fused to a PD-1 antibody provides protection in a humanized mouse model of cancer that is refractory to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Collectively, our preclinical data demonstrate that this approach may improve upon and extend the utility of anti-PD-1 therapeutics currently in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanling Shen
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Gail Sckisel
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Anupama Sahoo
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Almin Lalani
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Doug Den Otter
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Josh Pearson
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jason DeVoss
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jay Cheng
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie C. Casey
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ryan Case
- Discovery Attribute Sciences, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Melissa Yang
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Ray Low
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Mark Daris
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Bin Fan
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Neeraj J. Agrawal
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Khaled Ali
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
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21
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Nie S, Wang Z, Moscoso-Castro M, D'Souza P, Lei C, Xu J, Gu J. Biology drives the discovery of bispecific antibodies as innovative therapeutics. Antib Ther 2020; 3:18-62. [PMID: 33928225 PMCID: PMC7990219 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A bispecific antibody (bsAb) is able to bind two different targets or two distinct epitopes on the same target. Broadly speaking, bsAbs can include any single molecule entity containing dual specificities with at least one being antigen-binding antibody domain. Besides additive effect or synergistic effect, the most fascinating applications of bsAbs are to enable novel and often therapeutically important concepts otherwise impossible by using monoclonal antibodies alone or their combination. This so-called obligate bsAbs could open up completely new avenue for developing novel therapeutics. With evolving understanding of structural architecture of various natural or engineered antigen-binding immunoglobulin domains and the connection of different domains of an immunoglobulin molecule, and with greatly improved understanding of molecular mechanisms of many biological processes, the landscape of therapeutic bsAbs has significantly changed in recent years. As of September 2019, over 110 bsAbs are under active clinical development, and near 180 in preclinical development. In this review article, we introduce a system that classifies bsAb formats into 30 categories based on their antigen-binding domains and the presence or absence of Fc domain. We further review the biology applications of approximately 290 bsAbs currently in preclinical and clinical development, with the attempt to illustrate the principle of selecting a bispecific format to meet biology needs and selecting a bispecific molecule as a clinical development candidate by 6 critical criteria. Given the novel mechanisms of many bsAbs, the potential unknown safety risk and risk/benefit should be evaluated carefully during preclinical and clinical development stages. Nevertheless we are optimistic that next decade will witness clinical success of bsAbs or multispecific antibodies employing some novel mechanisms of action and deliver the promise as next wave of antibody-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Nie
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and ,To whom correspondence should addressed. Jijie Guor Siwei Nie. or
| | - Zhuozhi Wang
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and
| | | | - Paul D'Souza
- Clarivate Analytics, Friars House, 160 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8EZ, UK
| | - Can Lei
- Clarivate Analytics, Friars House, 160 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8EZ, UK
| | - Jianqing Xu
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and
| | - Jijie Gu
- WuXi Biologics, 299 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, China and ,To whom correspondence should addressed. Jijie Guor Siwei Nie. or
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22
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Georges GJ, Dengl S, Bujotzek A, Hesse F, Fischer JA, Gärtner A, Benz J, Lauer ME, Ringler P, Stahlberg H, Plath F, Brinkmann U, Imhof-Jung S. The Contorsbody, an antibody format for agonism: Design, structure, and function. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1210-1220. [PMID: 32542107 PMCID: PMC7283085 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The careful design of the antibody architecture is becoming more and more important, especially when the purpose is agonism. We present the design of a novel antibody format that is able to promote receptor dimerization and induce signal transduction resulting in cell proliferation. Mono-specific bivalent Y-shape IgGs made of two light chains and two heavy chains are engineered into single chain dimers of two modified heavy chains, resulting in the fixation of the two Fab fragments along the Fc dimerizing moiety. By this, an antagonist of the Her-receptor family, Trastuzumab, is re-formatted into an agonist by simply incorporating the original binding motif into a different geometrically and sterically constrained conformation. This novel format, named Contorsbody, retains antigen binding properties of the parental IgGs and can be produced by standard technologies established for recombinant IgGs. Structural analyses using molecular dynamics and electron microscopy are described to guide the initial design and to confirm the Contorsbody as a very compact molecule, respectively. Contorsbodies show increased rigidity compared to IgGs and their Fab moieties are positioned parallel and adjacent to each other. This geometry has an increased potential to trigger cell surface antigen or receptor ‘cis’-dimerization without ‘trans’-bridging of cells or mere receptor blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy J. Georges
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
- Corresponding author.
| | - Stefan Dengl
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Bujotzek
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Friederike Hesse
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Jens A.A. Fischer
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Achim Gärtner
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Benz
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Chemical Biology, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E. Lauer
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Chemical Biology, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Ringler
- C-CINA, Center for Celullar Imaging and Nano Analytics, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henning Stahlberg
- C-CINA, Center for Celullar Imaging and Nano Analytics, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Friederike Plath
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Pharma Technical Development, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Imhof-Jung
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
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23
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Azubel M, Carter SD, Weiszmann J, Zhang J, Jensen GJ, Li Y, Kornberg RD. FGF21 trafficking in intact human cells revealed by cryo-electron tomography with gold nanoparticles. eLife 2019; 8:43146. [PMID: 30688648 PMCID: PMC6349402 DOI: 10.7554/elife.43146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The fibroblast growth factor FGF21 was labeled with molecularly defined gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), applied to human adipocytes, and imaged by cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). Most AuNPs were in pairs about 80 Å apart, on the outer cell surface. Pairs of AuNPs were also abundant inside the cells in clathrin-coated vesicles and endosomes. AuNPs were present but no longer paired in multivesicular bodies. FGF21 could thus be tracked along the endocytotic pathway. The methods developed here to visualize signaling coupled to endocytosis can be applied to a wide variety of cargo and may be extended to studies of other intracellular transactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Azubel
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Stephen D Carter
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
| | - Jennifer Weiszmann
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Inc. Discovery Research, South San Francisco, United states
| | - Jun Zhang
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Inc. Discovery Research, South San Francisco, United states
| | - Grant J Jensen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United states
| | - Yang Li
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Inc. Discovery Research, South San Francisco, United states.,Surrozen Inc, South San Francisco, United states
| | - Roger D Kornberg
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
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Clarke SC, Ma B, Trinklein ND, Schellenberger U, Osborn MJ, Ouisse LH, Boudreau A, Davison LM, Harris KE, Ugamraj HS, Balasubramani A, Dang KH, Jorgensen B, Ogana HAN, Pham DT, Pratap PP, Sankaran P, Anegon I, van Schooten WC, Brüggemann M, Buelow R, Force Aldred S. Multispecific Antibody Development Platform Based on Human Heavy Chain Antibodies. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3037. [PMID: 30666250 PMCID: PMC6330309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Heavy chain-only antibodies (HCAbs) do not associate with light chains and their VH regions are functional as single domains, forming the smallest active antibody fragment. These VH regions are ideal building blocks for a variety of antibody-based biologics because they tolerate fusion to other molecules and may also be attached in series to construct multispecific antibodies without the need for protein engineering to ensure proper heavy and light chain pairing. Production of human HCAbs has been impeded by the fact that natural human VH regions require light chain association and display poor biophysical characteristics when expressed in the absence of light chains. Here, we present an innovative platform for the rapid development of diverse sets of human HCAbs that have been selected in vivo. Our unique approach combines antibody repertoire analysis with immunization of transgenic rats, called UniRats, that produce chimeric HCAbs with fully human VH domains in response to an antigen challenge. UniRats express HCAbs from large transgenic loci representing the entire productive human heavy chain V(D)J repertoire, mount robust immune responses to a wide array of antigens, exhibit diverse V gene usage and generate large panels of stable, high affinity, antigen-specific molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biao Ma
- Teneobio, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Laure-Hélène Ouisse
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, Inserm UMR 1064, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Duy T Pham
- Teneobio, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Ignacio Anegon
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, Inserm UMR 1064, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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