Prolonged in vivo residence times of antibody fragments associated with albumin.

Antibody fragments can be expressed at a high level in microbial systems, but they may have limited therapeutic value because they are rapidly eliminated from the body. We demonstrate here that site-specific conjugation or binding of bacterially derived Fab' to the long-lived protein serum albumin allows full retention of the antibody's binding characteristics while imparting the albumin's longevity in vivo. In rats the area under the curve for Fab' conjugated to rat serum albumin was 17-fold greater than for the control of Fab' conjugated to cysteine. Again, a bispecific F(ab')(2) with specificity for rat serum albumin showed an area under the curve about 8-fold greater than did a F(ab')(2) without specificity to albumin. Genetic fusions of scFv to albumin were similarly long-lived and could be expressed in yeast to provide the basis of a cost-effective production system.

Crystallohydrodynamics for solving the hydration problem for multi-domain proteins: open physiological conformations for human IgG.

Hydrodynamic methods provide a route for studying the low-resolution conformation--in terms of time-averaged spatial orientation of the Fab' and Fc domains relative to each other--of the human IgG subclasses, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 in the environment in which many exist naturally---a solution. Representative modelling strategies are now available using 'shell-bead' or 'shell' modelling of the surface of the molecules with the size-independent programme SOLPRO [J. Garcia de la Torre, S.E. Harding, B. Carrasco, Eur. Biophys. J. 28 (1999) 119-132]. The shell model fits to the equivalent inertial surface ellipsoids of the published crystal structures for the Fab' and Fc domains of IgG are made and an apparent hydration delta(app) of 0.51g/g for Fab' and 0.70 g/g for the glycoprotein Fc are obtained, which yield an average value of (0.59+/-0.07) g/g for the intact antibody (2 Fab'+1 Fc). The relative orientations of these domains for each of the IgG subclasses is then found (using where appropriate a cylindrical hinge) from SOLPRO by modelling the Perrin function, P (i.e. 'frictional ratio due to shape') using this delta(app) and experimentally measured sedimentation coefficients. All the IgG subclasses appear as open, rather than compact structures with the degree of openness IgG3>IgG1>(IgG2, IgG4), with IgG3 and IgG1 non-coplanar. The hingeless mutant IgGMcg, with s degrees (20,w) approximately 6.8 S yields a coplanar structure rather similar to IgG2 and IgG4 and consistent with its crystallographic structure. The extension of this procedure for representing solution conformations of other antibody classes and other multi-domain proteins is indicated.

Molecular cloning and expression of the Fabs of human autoantibodies in Escherichia coli. Determination of the heavy or light chain contribution to the anti-DNA/-cardiolipin activity of the Fab.

The Fabs of three human autoantibodies (B3/33H11, anti-DNA; UK4, anti-phospholipid) and six related hybrids have been cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis of the recombinant Fab demonstrated the purified Fab to be of correct size and in assembled form. Protein expression levels of up to 5-9 mg per liter of culture were achievable. A sensitive and reliable comparative anti-DNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, involving a defined biotinylated 35-mer oligonucleotide in its single- or double-stranded form, is also described. Crithidia assay and anti-DNA or anti-cardiolipin antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses demonstrated convincing binding of the recombinant Fab proteins to DNA/cardiolipin, confirming the expression of functional molecule. The comparative DNA/cardiolipin binding analyses of the nine Fabs revealed that the anti-DNA (light, B3/33H11) or anti-cardiolipin (heavy, UK4) activity lies predominantly on one of the two chains. However, a compatible partner chain is necessary for optimum antigen binding activity of the antibody.

Effect of Sch 55700, a humanized monoclonal antibody to human interleukin-5, on eosinophilic responses and bronchial hyperreactivity.

This report describes the development and the biology of Sch 55700, a humanized monoclonal antibody to human IL-5 (hIL-5). Sch 55700 was synthesized using CDR (complementarity determining regions) grafting technology by incorporating the antigen recognition sites for hIL-5 onto consensus regions of a human IgG4 framework. In vitro, Sch 55700 displays high affinity (Kd = 20 pmol/l) binding to hIL-5, inhibits the binding of hIL-5 to Ba/F3 cells (IC50 = 0.5 nmol/l) and blocks IL-5 mediated proliferation of human erythroleukemic TF-1 cells. In allergic mice, Sch 55700 (0.1-10 mg/kg, i.p. or i.m.) inhibits the influx of eosinophils in the lungs, demonstrates long duration of activity and the anti-inflammatory activity of this compound is additive with oral prednisolone. In allergic guinea pigs, Sch 55700 (0.03-30 mg/kg i.p.) inhibits both the pulmonary eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness and at 30 mg/kg, i.p. inhibited allergic, but not histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. In allergic rabbits, Sch 55700 blocks cutaneous eosinophilia. Sch 55700 (0.1-1 mg/kg i.p.) also blocks the pulmonary eosinophilia and neutrophilia caused by tracheal injection of hIL-5 in guinea pigs. In allergic cynomolgus monkeys, a single dose of Sch 55700 (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) blocks the pulmonary eosinophilia caused by antigen challenge for up to six months. Sch 55700 is, therefore, a potent antibody against IL-5 in vitro and in a variety of species in vivo that could be used to establish the role of IL-5 in human eosinophilic diseases such as asthma.

Recombinant anti-polyamine antibodies: identification of a conserved binding site motif.

Polyamines are small linear polycations found ubiquitously in eukaryotic cells. They are involved in nucleic acid and protein synthesis and rises in cellular polyamine levels have been correlated with cell proliferation. Antibodies to these molecules have potential as prognostic indicators of disease conditions and indicators of treatment efficacy. Antipolyamine monoclonal antibodies of differing but defined specificities have been generated in our laboratory using polyamine ovalbumin conjugates as immunogens. These antibodies show small but significant cross reactivities with other polyamine species; IAG-1 cross reacts with spermidine (8%), JAC-1 with spermine (6%) and JSJ-1 with both putrescine (11%) and spermine (6%). We have rescued and sequenced the heavy and light chain variable regions of all three of these antibodies. While the light chains of two antibodies, IAG-1 and JSJ-1, were 93% homologous at the amino acid level, none of the heavy chains displayed any significant sequence homology. However, computer-generated models of all three antibody binding sites revealed a three-dimensionally conserved polyamine binding site motif. The polyamine appears to bind into a negatively charged cleft lined with acidic and polar residues. The cleft is partially or completely closed at one end and the specificity of the interaction is determined by placement of acidic residues in the cleft. Aromatic residues contribute to polyamine binding interacting with the carbon backbone. The polyamine-binding motif we have identified is very similar to that observed in the crystal structure of PotD, the primary receptor of the polyamine transport system in Escherichia coli.

Comprehensive pharmacokinetics of a humanized antibody and analysis of residual anti-idiotypic responses.

A murine antibody to human tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (CB0010) was complementarity-determining region (CDR)-grafted using human IgG4 heavy and kappa light chain constant regions. In cynomolgus monkeys, the grafted antibody (CDP571) was eliminated with a half-life of 40-90 hr, two to three times longer than CB0010, and immunogenicity was reduced by > 90%. Responses to the constant regions were almost entirely eliminated and responses to the CDR loop (anti-idiotype) were lowered. CDP571 was given to 24 human volunteers in doses from 0.1 to 10.0 mg/kg. It was well tolerated, with a half-life of approximately 13 days. Anti-CDP571 antibodies were low or undetectable at higher doses. At lower doses, anti-CDP571 peaked at 2 weeks and then declined. The response was primarily IgM (in contrast to the cynomolgus monkey, where by 5 weeks IgG predominated) and was against a conformational epitope comprising heavy and light chain CDR loops. No antibodies were detected against the gamma 4/kappa domains or frameworks. The response had little or no effect on CDP571 binding to TNF-alpha or on plasma clearance.

Humanization of the murine anti-human CD3 monoclonal antibody OKT3.

OKT3 is a murine monoclonal antibody which recognizes an epitope on the epsilon-subunit within the human CD3 complex. OKT3 possesses potent immunosuppressive properties in vivo and has been proven effective in the treatment of renal, heart and liver allograft rejection. Despite its efficacy, significant problems remain associated with OKT3 therapy, i.e. T-cell activation and the anti-murine antibody response. To address the problem of the anti-murine antibody response we have constructed humanized versions of OKT3. One of the humanized derivatives, gOKT3-7 incorporating the OKT3 complementarity determining regions plus a small number of alterations to the human framework, has an affinity of 1.4 x 10(9) M-1 compared with 1.2 x 10(9) M-1 for the murine OKT3. A humanized antibody (gOKT3-1) incorporating only the CDRs from OKT3 was found to be functionally inactive, confirming the requirement for nonCDR substitutions. gOKT3-7 retains the ability of mOKT3 to induce T cell proliferation in vitro and appears to be a good candidate for further development for in vivo therapy.

Humanized OKT3 antibodies: successful transfer of immune modulating properties and idiotype expression.

Antibodies that possess the Ag-binding regions of OKT3 within the context of a human framework (Hu-OKT3 Ab) offer distinct advantages for optimizing anti-CD3 mAb therapy. First, manipulation of Ab genes to produce humanized Ab that retain Ag-binding activity may circumvent antigenicity problems. Second, Ab gene engineering provides a means for modifying functional properties, including T cell activation and immune suppression. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional properties of Hu-OKT3 Ab and to compare the functional properties and idiotypes of Hu-OKT3 Ab to those of murine OKT3. Three Hu-OKT3 IgG4 Ab, a chimeric OKT3 antibody (cOKT3-1) (grafted sequences comprising all OKT3 VH and VL regions) and two complementarity determining region (CDR)-grafted antibodies, gOKT3-5 and gOKT3-6 (grafted sequences comprising only OKT3 VH and VL CDR and some framework amino acids, were analyzed. Initial studies demonstrated that the cOKT3 and gOKT3-5 Ab bound selectively to T cells and competitively inhibited OKT3-FITC binding with avidities similar to that of murine OKT3. Binding avidity of the gOKT3-6 Ab was markedly less than that of the other two Hu-OKT3 Ab. Serologic analysis suggested that cOKT3 and gOKT3-5 Ab possess idiotypes (combining sites) similar to murine OKT3. T cell activation potency of all three Hu-OKT3 Ab was assessed by proliferation, induction of activation marker expression (IL-2R and Leu 23), and lymphokine production (TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma). The cOKT3 and gOKT3-5 Ab demonstrated T cell activation potencies similar to murine OKT3 as assessed by each parameter. CD3 coating and modulation by these two Ab was effective but somewhat less potent than that observed with OKT3. Finally, cOKT3 and gOKT3-5 Ab both inhibited CTL activity comparably to murine OKT3. In conclusion, these studies indicate that gOKT3-5 and cOKT3 Ab possess immune modulating properties similar to murine OKT3 and thus offer attractive alternatives to murine OKT3 for in vivo therapy.

Colchicine induced polyploidy in chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.).

The most successful induction of tetraploidy was obtained with 2 hour treatment by 0.25% aqueous colchicine solution of 18-hour watersoaked desi chickpeas material. However, kabuli types needed only 1 hour treatment under similar conditions. Gigantism accompanied induction of polyploidy in desi as well as kabuli types but yield and fertility were greatly reduced. The meiotic abnormalities accompanying polyploidy were multivalent association of chromosomes followed by unequal disjunction, chromosome bridges, laggards etc. The percentage of stainable pollen, however, was at par between diploids and tetraploids. Gene control of percentage seed setting was observed in both levels of ploidy. A striking feature of the studies was the high seed setting percentage in 4n F 1 material resulting from diverse crosses, viz., desi×kabuli. A probable reduction in multivalent association coupled with yield increases in segregants from the later generation of tetraploids indicates the possibility of selection for higher yield and fertility from polyploids, particularly from some hybrid material.