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Nador E, Xia C, Santangelo PJ, Whaley KJ, Costello CE, Anderson DJ. Platform-Specific Fc N-Glycan Profiles of an Antisperm Antibody. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:17. [PMID: 38534207 DOI: 10.3390/antib13010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
IgG Fc N-glycosylation is necessary for effector functions and is an important component of quality control. The choice of antibody manufacturing platform has the potential to significantly influence the Fc glycans of an antibody and consequently alter their activity and clinical profile. The Human Contraception Antibody (HCA) is an IgG1 antisperm monoclonal antibody (mAb) currently in clinical development as a novel, non-hormonal contraceptive. Part of its development is selecting a suitable expression platform to manufacture HCA for use in the female reproductive tract. Here, we compared the Fc glycosylation of HCA produced in two novel mAb manufacturing platforms, namely transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana benthamiana; HCA-N) and mRNA-mediated expression in human vaginal cells (HCAmRNA). The Fc N-glycan profiles of the two HCA products were determined using mass spectrometry. Major differences in site occupancy, glycan types, and glycoform distributions were revealed. To address how these differences affect Fc function, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) assays were performed. The level of sperm phagocytosis was significantly lower in the presence of HCA-N than HCAmRNA. This study provides evidence that the two HCA manufacturing platforms produce functionally distinct HCAs; this information could be useful for the selection of an optimal platform for HCA clinical development and for mAbs in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellena Nador
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Chaoshuang Xia
- Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Philip J Santangelo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Catherine E Costello
- Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Deborah J Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Thurman AR, Moench TR, Hoke M, Politch JA, Cabral H, Mausser E, Nador E, Morton J, Hamorsky K, Swope K, Bratcher B, Anderson DJ, Whaley KJ. ZB-06, a vaginal film containing an engineered human contraceptive antibody (HC4-N), demonstrates safety and efficacy in a phase 1 postcoital test and safety study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023:S0002-9378(23)00139-4. [PMID: 36870409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With an unplanned pregnancy rate of 50% or more in many countries, there is an urgent need for contraceptives that are more accessible and acceptable. To meet the growing demand for new contraceptives, ZabBio developed ZB-06, a vaginal film containing HC4-N, a human contraceptive antibody (HCA) that inactivates sperm. OBJECTIVES To assess the potential contraceptive activity of the ZB-06 film using a surrogate assessment for contraceptive efficacy, the postcoital test (PCT). We also assessed clinical safety of film use among healthy heterosexual couples. Serum, cervical mucus (CM) and vaginal fluid HC4-N antibody concentrations and sperm agglutination potency were determined after single film use. Changes in the concentration of soluble pro-inflammatory cytokines and vaginal Nugent score after film use were measured as sub-clinical safety endpoints. STUDY DESIGN Phase I first-in-woman, open-label, proof-of-concept, PCT and safety study. RESULTS Twenty healthy women were enrolled in the study and 8 heterosexual couples completed all study visits. The product was safe for both female participants and their male sexual partners. The PCT performed on ovulatory CM at baseline (no product use), revealed a mean of 25.9 (± 30.6) progressively motile sperm (PMS) per high power field (hpf). After use of a single ZB-06 film prior to intercourse, this number dropped to 0.04 (± 0.06) PMS/hpf (p<0.0001). At the follow up PCT visit approximately one month later (no product use), a mean of 47.4 (± 37.4) PMS/hpf was observed, indicating contraceptive reversibility. CONCLUSIONS A single dose of the ZB-06 film applied prior to intercourse was safe and met efficacy surrogate benchmarks of excluding progressively motile sperm from ovulatory CM. These data indicate that ZB-06 is a viable contraceptive candidate warranting further development and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R Thurman
- CONRAD, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.
| | | | | | - Joseph A Politch
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Howard Cabral
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Emilie Mausser
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Ellena Nador
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | | | - Deborah J Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin J Whaley
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
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Mausser E, Nador E, Politch JA, Pauly MR, Marathe JG, Moench TR, Zeitlin L, Whaley KJ, Anderson DJ. LALAPG variant of the Human Contraception Antibody (HCA) reduces Fc-mediated effector functions while maintaining sperm agglutination activity. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282147. [PMID: 36996137 PMCID: PMC10062632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
High rates of unintended pregnancies worldwide indicate a need for more accessible and acceptable methods of contraception. We have developed a monoclonal antibody, the Human Contraception Antibody (HCA), for use by women in vaginal films and rings for contraception. The divalent F(ab')2 region of HCA binds to an abundant male reproductive tract-specific antigen, CD52g, and potently agglutinates sperm. Certain other antibody activities mediated by the Fc region such as mucus trapping, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) could have beneficial or negative effects. The purpose of this study was to document HCA Fc effector functions and determine whether an engineered variant of HCA with a modified Fc region, HCA-LALAPG, retains desirable contraceptive activity while minimizing Fc-mediated effects. Fab and Fc functions were compared between HCA and HCA-LALAPG. Fab activity was assessed using sperm agglutination and modified swim-up ("sperm escape") assays. Fc functions were assessed by CDC (sperm immobilization), ADCP, and cervical mucus penetration assays. HCA and HCA-LALAPG showed equivalent activity in assays of Fab function. In the assays of Fc function, HCA supported strong CDC, ADCP, and sperm trapping in cervical mucus whereas HCA-LALAPG demonstrated little to no activity. HCA and the HCA-LALAPG variant were both highly effective in the sperm agglutination assays but differed in Fc mediated functions. Use of the HCA-LALAPG variant for contraception in women could reduce antibody-mediated inflammation and antigen presentation but may have reduced contraceptive efficacy due to much weaker sperm trapping in mucus and complement-dependent sperm immobilization activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Mausser
- Division of Medical Sciences, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ellena Nador
- Division of Medical Sciences, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph A Politch
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael R Pauly
- ZabBio, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Jai G Marathe
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Thomas R Moench
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
- Mucommune, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Larry Zeitlin
- ZabBio, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin J Whaley
- ZabBio, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Deborah J Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Baldeon-Vaca G, Marathe JG, Politch JA, Mausser E, Pudney J, Doud J, Nador E, Zeitlin L, Pauly M, Moench TR, Brennan M, Whaley KJ, Anderson DJ. Production and characterization of a human antisperm monoclonal antibody against CD52g for topical contraception in women. EBioMedicine 2021; 69:103478. [PMID: 34256345 PMCID: PMC8324805 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 40% of human pregnancies are unintended, indicating a need for more acceptable effective contraception methods. New antibody production systems make it possible to manufacture reagent-grade human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for clinical use. We used the Nicotiana platform to produce a human antisperm mAb and tested its efficacy for on-demand topical contraception. METHODS Heavy and light chain variable region DNA sequences of a human IgM antisperm antibody derived from an infertile woman were inserted with human IgG1 constant region sequences into an agrobacterium and transfected into Nicotiana benthamiana. The product, an IgG1 mAb ["Human Contraception Antibody" (HCA)], was purified on Protein A columns, and QC was performed using the LabChip GXII Touch protein characterization system and SEC-HPLC. HCA was tested for antigen specificity by immunofluorescence and western blot assays, antisperm activity by sperm agglutination and complement dependent sperm immobilization assays, and safety in a human vaginal tissue (EpiVaginal™) model. FINDINGS HCA was obtained at concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 4 mg/ml and consisted of > 90% IgG monomers. The mAb specifically reacted with a glycan epitope on CD52g, a glycoprotein produced in the male reproductive tract and found in abundance on sperm. HCA potently agglutinated sperm under a variety of relevant physiological conditions at concentrations ≥ 6.25 µg/ml, and mediated complement-dependent sperm immobilization at concentrations ≥ 1 µg/ml. HCA and its immune complexes did not induce inflammation in EpiVaginal™ tissue. INTERPRETATION HCA, an IgG1 mAb with potent sperm agglutination and immobilization activity and a good safety profile, is a promising candidate for female contraception. FUNDING This research was supported by grants R01 HD095630 and P50HD096957 from the National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Baldeon-Vaca
- Division of Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Jai G Marathe
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 670 Albany St. Rm 516, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Joseph A Politch
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 670 Albany St. Rm 516, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Emilie Mausser
- Division of Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Jeffrey Pudney
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 670 Albany St. Rm 516, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - James Doud
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 670 Albany St. Rm 516, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Ellena Nador
- Division of Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Larry Zeitlin
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - Michael Pauly
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - Thomas R Moench
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - Miles Brennan
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, United States; ZabBio, Inc. 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - Kevin J Whaley
- Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, United States; ZabBio, Inc. 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, United States
| | - Deborah J Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 670 Albany St. Rm 516, Boston, MA 02118, United States.
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