In vitro functional test of two subclasses of an anti-RhD antibody produced by transient expression in COS cells

Maternofetal transplacental transport of recombinant IgG antibodies lacking effector functions

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) directs the transfer of maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies across the placenta and thus provides the fetus and newborn with passive protective humoral immunity. Pathogenic maternal IgG antibodies will also be delivered via the placenta and can cause alloimmunity, which may be lethal. A novel strategy to control pathogenic antibodies would be administration of a nondestructive IgG antibody blocking antigen binding while retaining binding to FcRn. We report on 2 human IgG3 antibodies with a hinge deletion and a C131S point mutation (IgG3ΔHinge) that eliminate complement activation and binding to all classical Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) and to C1q while binding to FcRn is retained. Additionally, 1 of the antibodies has a single point mutation in the Fc (R435H) at the binding site for FcRn (IgG3ΔHinge:R435H). We compared transplacental transport with wild-type IgG1 and IgG3, and found transport across trophoblast-derived BeWo cells and ex vivo placenta perfusions with hierarchies as follows: IgG3ΔHinge:R435H>wild-type IgG1≥IgG3ΔHinge and IgG3ΔHinge:R435H=wild-type IgG1=wild-type IgG3>>>IgG3ΔHinge, respectively. Collectively, IgG3ΔHinge:R435H was transported efficiently from the maternal to the fetal placental compartment. Thus, IgG3ΔHinge:R435H may be a good candidate for transplacental delivery of a nondestructive antibody to the fetus to combat pathogenic antibodies.

In vitro assessment of recombinant, mutant immunoglobulin G anti-D devoid of hemolytic activity for treatment of ongoing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn

BACKGROUND

A specific treatment for ongoing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to anti-D would be very attractive. One approach could be administration to the mother of nonhemolytic anti-D, which by crossing the placenta can block the binding of hemolytic maternal anti-D.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Two anti-D immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) heavy-chain mutants were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. To investigate whether these anti-D IgG3 mutants could inhibit the red blood cell-destructive activity of recombinant human (rHu)IgG1 with identical antigen-binding region as well as polyclonal anti-D having multiple D epitope specificities, two assays were used, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and a chemiluminescence (CL)-based method for detection of respiratory burst in peripheral blood monocytes.

RESULTS

The two IgG3 anti-D heavy-chain mutants inhibited the ADCC and CL responses mediated by a rHuIgG1 anti-D with identical antigen-binding region as the mutant antibodies, as well as the destructive activity mediated by a polyclonal anti-D.

CONCLUSION

The use of nonhemolytic anti-D may be an effective countermeasure against hemolysis in HDFN due to anti-D.

A Novel Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Mechanism Involved in Defense against Malaria Requires Costimulation of Monocytes FcγRII and FcγRIII

Clinical experiments have shown that the Ab-dependent cell-mediated inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum is a major mechanism controlling malaria parasitemia and thereby symptoms. In this study, we demonstrate that a single merozoite per monocyte (MN) is sufficient to trigger optimal antiparasitic activity. Using particulate Ag as pseudomerozoites, we show that only Ags, and no other parasite-derived factor, are required to trigger MN activation and that a single Ag is as potent as the complex combination of Ags constituting the merozoite surface. Moreover, we found that soluble Ags binding at least two Abs are as effective as the parasite at stimulating MN and that nonmalarial Ags are as efficient provided they are targeted by cytophilic Abs. Indeed, only cytophilic IgGs are potent and, in agreement with immunoepidemiological findings, IgG3 is superior to IgG1. Very low Ab concentrations (>700 pM), i.e., in the range of molecules having a hormonal effect, are effective, in contrast to Abs having a direct, neutralizing effect. Finally, Ab-dependent cell-mediated inhibition proved to require the synergistic activation of both FcgammaRIIa and FcgammaRIIIa which both distinguish it from other Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and implies that all MN are not equally effective. These findings have both fundamental and practical implications, particularly for vaccine discovery.

Functional in vitro studies of recombinant human immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A anti-D

BACKGROUND

The use of anti-D purified from human serum to prevent hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn due to D is well established. Owing to supply and safety reasons, however, an unlimited and non-plasma-derived source of antibodies for Rhesus prophylaxis is needed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Recombinant human immunoglobulin G (IgG)1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2 anti-D with the same variable region were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The effector functions of these antibodies were assessed by an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay and a chemiluminescence (CL) method for detection of respiratory burst.

RESULTS

In the ADCC assay, IgG1, IgG3, and IgA1 did the best and were as active as a currently used prophylactic polyclonal anti-D. IgG4 and IgA2 were moderately active, whereas IgG2 was not active. In the CL assay, IgG1 and IgG3 were active but much less so than a currently used prophylactic polyclonal anti-D. For some effector cell preparations, IgG4 was active in the CL assay, whereas IgG2, IgA1, and IgA2 were not. A mixture of IgG1 and IgG3 showed a synergistic effect in the CL assay and did as well as the prophylactic polyclonal anti-D in ADCC and CL. Mixtures of IgA1 and either IgG1 or IgG3 showed no synergistic effect.

CONCLUSION

A mixture of recombinant human IgG1 and IgG3 anti-D could be of value in future Rhesus prophylaxis.