Effector properties and glycosylation patterns of recombinant human anti-D-IgG1 antibodies produced by human PER.C6(®) cells.

ABSTRACT

Creation of effective monoclonal anti-D immunoglobulin for prevention of hemolytic disease of the newborn remains an unsolved problem because there is still no producer cell strain providing stable production and adequate glycosylation of antibodies. Recombinant anti-D have been obtained on the basis of human PER.C6(®) cells and characterized. Anti-D antibodies expressed in PER.C6(®) exhibited lower hemolytic activity in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) reaction mediated by low-affinity Fcγ receptors in comparison with identical antibodies of lymphoblastoid origin. Monoclonal antibodies produced by PER.C6(®) are completely fucosylated and desialylated, i.e. are characterized by abnormal glycosylation. Addition of kifunensine (α-mannosidase I inhibitor) to the medium led to production of antibodies with high hemolytic activity. Reduced activity of monoclonal antibodies in PER.C6(®) cells and the effect of kifunensine (causing synthesis of defucosylated glycans) suggest that the absence of fucose is the key factor responsible for Fc affinity for low-affinity receptors.