Filling the Antibody Pipeline in Allergy: PIPE Cloning of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 against the Major Birch Pollen Allergen Bet v 1.

Birch pollen allergy is among the most prevalent pollen allergies in Northern and Central Europe. This IgE-mediated disease can be treated with allergen immunotherapy (AIT), which typically gives rise to IgG antibodies inducing tolerance. Although the main mechanisms of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) are known, questions regarding possible Fc-mediated effects of IgG antibodies remain unanswered. This can mainly be attributed to the unavailability of appropriate tools, i.e., well-characterised recombinant antibodies (rAbs). We hereby aimed at providing human rAbs of several classes for mechanistic studies and as possible candidates for passive immunotherapy. We engineered IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 sharing the same variable region against the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 using Polymerase Incomplete Primer Extension (PIPE) cloning. We tested IgE functionality and IgG blocking capabilities using appropriate model cell lines. In vitro studies showed IgE engagement with FcεRI and CD23 and Bet v 1-dependent degranulation. Overall, we hereby present fully functional, human IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 sharing the same variable region against Bet v 1 and showcase possible applications in first mechanistic studies. Furthermore, our IgG antibodies might be useful candidates for passive immunotherapy of birch pollen allergy.

Precision medicine in clinical oncology: the journey from IgG antibody to IgE.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and the incidence rates are constantly rising. The heterogeneity of tumors poses a big challenge for the treatment of the disease and natural antibodies additionally affect disease progression. The introduction of engineered mAbs for anticancer immunotherapies has substantially improved progression-free and overall survival of cancer patients, but little efforts have been made to exploit other antibody isotypes than IgG. RECENT FINDINGS: In order to improve these therapies, 'next-generation antibodies' were engineered to enhance a specific feature of classical antibodies and form a group of highly effective and precise therapy compounds. Advanced antibody approaches include among others antibody-drug conjugates, glyco-engineered and Fc-engineered antibodies, antibody fragments, radioimmunotherapy compounds, bispecific antibodies and alternative (non-IgG) immunoglobulin classes, especially IgE. SUMMARY: The current review describes solutions for the needs of next-generation antibody therapies through different approaches. Careful selection of the best-suited engineering methodology is a key factor in developing personalized, more specific and more efficient mAbs against cancer to improve the outcomes of cancer patients. We highlight here the large evidence of IgE exploiting a highly cytotoxic effector arm as potential next-generation anticancer immunotherapy.

Immune Effects of the Nitrated Food Allergen Beta-Lactoglobulin in an Experimental Food Allergy Model.

Food proteins may get nitrated by various exogenous or endogenous mechanisms. As individuals might get recurrently exposed to nitrated proteins via daily diet, we aimed to investigate the effect of repeatedly ingested nitrated food proteins on the subsequent immune response in non-allergic and allergic mice using the milk allergen beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) as model food protein in a mouse model. Evaluating the presence of nitrated proteins in food, we could detect 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) in extracts of different foods and in stomach content extracts of non-allergic mice under physiological conditions. Chemically nitrated BLG (BLGn) exhibited enhanced susceptibility to degradation in simulated gastric fluid experiments compared to untreated BLG (BLGu). Gavage of BLGn to non-allergic animals increased interferon-γ and interleukin-10 release of stimulated spleen cells and led to the formation of BLG-specific serum IgA. Allergic mice receiving three oral gavages of BLGn had higher levels of mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) compared to allergic mice receiving BLGu. Regardless of the preceding immune status, non-allergic or allergic, repeatedly ingested nitrated food proteins seem to considerably influence the subsequent immune response.

AllergoOncology: High innate IgE levels are decisive for the survival of cancer-bearing mice.

BACKGROUND: Atopics have a lower risk for malignancies, and IgE targeted to tumors is superior to IgG in fighting cancer. Whether IgE-mediated innate or adaptive immune surveillance can confer protection against tumors remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of active and passive immunotherapy to the tumor-associated antigen HER-2 in three murine models differing in Epsilon-B-cell-receptor expression affecting the levels of expressed IgE. METHODS: We compared the levels of several serum specific anti-HER-2 antibodies (IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgA) and the survival rates in low-IgE ΔM1M2 mice lacking the transmembrane/cytoplasmic domain of Epsilon-B-cell-receptors expressing reduced IgE levels, high-IgE KN1 mice expressing chimeric Epsilon-Gamma1-B-cell receptors with 4-6-fold elevated serum IgE levels, and wild type (WT) BALB/c. Prior engrafting mice with D2F2/E2 mammary tumors overexpressing HER-2, mice were vaccinated with HER-2 or vehicle control PBS using the Th2-adjuvant Al(OH)3 (active immunotherapy), or treated with the murine anti-HER-2 IgG1 antibody 4D5 (passive immunotherapy). RESULTS: Overall, among the three strains of mice, HER-2 vaccination induced significantly higher levels of HER-2 specific IgE and IgG1 in high-IgE KN1, while low-IgE ΔM1M2 mice had higher IgG2a levels. HER-2 vaccination and passive immunotherapy prolonged the survival in tumor-grafted WT and low-IgE ΔM1M2 strains compared with treatment controls; active vaccination provided the highest benefit. Notably, untreated high-IgE KN1 mice displayed the longest survival of all strains, which could not be further extended by active or passive immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Active and passive immunotherapies prolong survival in wild type and low-IgE ΔM1M2 mice engrafted with mammary tumors. High-IgE KN1 mice have an innate survival benefit following tumor challenge.

Near infrared photoimmunotherapy targeting bladder cancer with a canine anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody.

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody therapy is used in EGFR expressing cancers including lung, colon, head and neck, and bladder cancers, however results have been modest. Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a highly selective tumor treatment that employs an antibody-photo-absorber conjugate which is activated by NIR light. NIR-PIT is in clinical trials in patients with recurrent head and neck cancers using cetuximab-IR700 as the conjugate. However, its use has otherwise been restricted to mouse models. This is an effort to explore larger animal models with NIR-PIT. We describe the use of a recombinant canine anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb), can225IgG, conjugated to the photo-absorber, IR700DX, in three EGFR expressing canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines as a prelude to possible canine clinical studies. Can225-IR700 conjugate showed specific binding and cell-specific killing after NIR-PIT on EGFR expressing cells in vitro. In the in vivo study, can225-IR700 conjugate demonstrated accumulation of the fluorescent conjugate with high tumor-to-background ratio. Tumor-bearing mice were separated into 4 groups: (1) no treatment; (2) 100 µg of can225-IR700 i.v. only; (3) NIR light exposure only; (4) 100 µg of can225-IR700 i.v., NIR light exposure. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited by NIR-PIT treatment compared with the other groups (p < 0.001), and significantly prolonged survival was achieved (p < 0.001 vs. other groups) in the treatment groups. In conclusion, NIR-PIT with can225-IR700 is a promising treatment for canine EGFR-expressing cancers, including invasive transitional cell carcinoma in pet dogs, that could provide a pathway to translation to humans.

Bidirectional Regulation of COX-2 Expression Between Cancer Cells and Macrophages.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Our aim was to investigate the crosstalk between tumor and immune cells (M2 macrophages) and its effects on cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX2) regulation in canine mammary tumors (CMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sh1b CMT cells and human BT474 mammary or HT29 colon cancer cells were co-cultured with canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or with macrophage-like differentiated THP1 monocytes (dTHP1). Intracellular COX2 expression by PBMCs, dTHP1 and cancer cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Co-culturing of Sh1b and canine PBMCs induced COX2 overexpression in CMT cells. In turn, COX2 expression by PBMCs, mostly CD68+ macrophages, was attenuated by co-culture with Sh1b (p=0.0001). In accordance, co-culture with dTHP1 prompted intracellular production of COX2 in both Sh1b CMT cells and HT29 human colon cancer cells and reduced production of COX2 in BT474 human mammary cancer cells. The intracellular COX2 expression from dTHP1 decreased when treated with conditioned medium from cultured Sh1b and HT29 cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Bidirectional COX2 regulation between cancer and monocytes/macrophages might shape a tolerogenic tumor microenvironment in CMT.

Canine macrophages can like human macrophages be in vitro activated toward the M2a subtype relevant in allergy.

The M2a subtype of macrophages plays an important role in human immunoglobulin E (IgE-mediated allergies) and other Th2 type immune reactions. In contrast, very little is known about these cells in the dog. Here we describe an in vitro method to activate canine histiocytic DH82 cells and primary canine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) toward the M2a macrophages using human cytokines. For a side-by-side comparison, we compared the canine cells to human MDMs, and the human monocytic cell line U937 activated towards M1 and M2a cells on the cellular and molecular level. In analogy to activated human M2a cells, canine M2a, differentiated from both DH82 and MDMs, showed an increase in CD206 surface receptor expression compared to M1. Interestingly, canine M2a, but not M1 derived from MDM, upregulated the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI). Transcription levels of M2a-associated genes (IL10, CCL22, TGFß, CD163) showed a diverse pattern between the human and dog species, whereas M1 genes (IDO1, CXCL11, IL6, TNF-α) were similarly upregulated in canine and human M1 cells (cell lines and MDMs). We suggest that our novel in vitro method will be suitable in comparative allergology studies focussing on macrophages.

Development of a radiolabeled caninized anti-EGFR antibody for comparative oncology trials.

Due to large homology of human and canine EGFR, dogs suffering from spontaneous EGFR+ cancer can be considered as ideal translational models. Thereby, novel immunotherapeutic compounds can be developed for both human and veterinary patients. This study describes the radiolabeling of a canine anti-EGFR IgG antibody (can225IgG) with potential diagnostic and therapeutic value in comparative clinical settings. Can225IgG was functionalized with DTPA for subsequent chelation with the radionuclide 99mTc. Successful coupling of 10 DTPA molecules per antibody on average was proven by significant mass increase in MALDI-TOF spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis and immunoblots. Following functionalization and radiolabeling, 99mTc-DTPA-can225IgG fully retained its binding capacity towards human and canine EGFR in flow cytometry, immuno- and radioblots, and autoradiography. The affinity of radiolabeled can225IgG was determined to KD 0.8 ±0.0031 nM in a real-time kinetics assay on canine carcinoma cells by a competition binding technique. Stability tests of the radiolabeled compound identified TRIS buffered saline as the ideal formulation for short-term storage with 87.11 ±6.04% intact compound being still detected 60 minutes post radiolabeling. High stability, specificity and EGFR binding affinity pinpoint towards 99mTc-radiolabeled can225IgG antibody as an ideal lead compound for the first proof-of-concept diagnostic and therapeutic applications in canine cancer patients.

Functionally Active Fc Mutant Antibodies Recognizing Cancer Antigens Generated Rapidly at High Yields.

Monoclonal antibodies find broad application as therapy for various types of cancer by employing multiple mechanisms of action against tumors. Manipulating the Fc-mediated functions of antibodies that engage immune effector cells, such as NK cells, represents a strategy to influence effector cell activation and to enhance antibody potency and potentially efficacy. We developed a novel approach to generate and ascertain the functional attributes of Fc mutant monoclonal antibodies. This entailed coupling single expression vector (pVitro1) antibody cloning, using polymerase incomplete primer extension (PIPE) polymerase chain reaction, together with simultaneous Fc region point mutagenesis and high yield transient expression in human mammalian cells. Employing this, we engineered wild type, low (N297Q, NQ), and high (S239D/I332E, DE) FcR-binding Fc mutant monoclonal antibody panels recognizing two cancer antigens, HER2/neu and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4. Antibodies were generated with universal mutagenic primers applicable to any IgG1 pVitro1 constructs, with high mutagenesis and transfection efficiency, in small culture volumes, at high yields and within 12 days from design to purified material. Antibody variants conserved their Fab-mediated recognition of target antigens and their direct anti-proliferative effects against cancer cells. Fc mutations had a significant impact on antibody interactions with Fc receptors (FcRs) on human NK cells, and consequently on the potency of NK cell activation, quantified by immune complex-mediated calcium mobilization and by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of tumor cells. This strategy for manipulation and testing of Fc region engagement with cognate FcRs can facilitate the design of antibodies with defined effector functions and potentially enhanced efficacy against tumor cells.