anti-Rha Antibodies Research Articles

In Situ Self-Assembly of Antibody-Rhamnose Complex as a Pre-Targeting Strategy for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy.

Enhancing the Fc effector functions of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is a proven strategy for improving cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we present a novel pre-targeting approach that integrates host-guest chemistry with an antibody-recruiting concept to create mAbs with superior effector functions. Using rituximab (RTX), a clinically approved anti-CD20 mAb, as our model, we modified RTX by conjugating it with adamantane (Ada) derivatives and various polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers to produce RTX-Ada conjugates. These conjugates effectively formed RTX-rhamnose (Rha) complexes in situ through self-assembly, driven by host-guest interactions with Rha-modified β-cyclodextrin. This mechanism successfully redirected endogenous anti-Rha antibodies to target cells, enhancing the availability of Fc domains for improved effector functions, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). A structure-activity relationship study indicated that the potency of these in situ complexes was significantly influenced by the length of the PEG linker used; shorter PEG linkers correlated with higher CDC activity. Given the variability in endogenous antibody levels among individuals, this strategy presents a flexible and promising platform for enhancing the efficacy of mAb-based cancer immunotherapy.

Supramolecular assembly of antibody-rhamnose complex to enhance the complement-dependent cytotoxicity for cancer immunotherapy

Enhancing the complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has the potential to improve their clinical performance. In this study, we describe an innovative antibody-hapten supramolecular complex strategy to amplify CDC activity. We selected Rituximab (RTX), an approved anti-CD20 mAb, and conjugated it with adamantane (Ada) to generate RTX-Ada. After targeting CD20-positive cells, this conjugate can interact with rhamnose (Rha)-modified β-cyclodextrin via host-guest interaction, in situ forming a supramolecular complex that can recruit anti-Rha antibodies onto CD20-positive cancer cells. This complex provides a larger number of Fc domains for complement system activation, leading to enhanced CDC. Our study demonstrates the potential of antibody-based supramolecular complexes for cancer immunotherapy, offering a promising approach to improve the efficacy of mAb-based cancer treatments.

Monophosphoryl Lipid A-Rhamnose Conjugates as a New Class of Vaccine Adjuvants.

Adjuvant is an integral part of all vaccine formulations but only a few adjuvants with limited efficacies or application scopes are available. Thus, developing more robust and diverse adjuvants is necessary. To this end, a new class of adjuvants having α- and β-rhamnose (Rha) attached to the 1- and 6'-positions of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) was designed, synthesized, and immunologically evaluated in mice. The results indicated a synergistic effect of MPLA and Rha, two immunostimulators that function via interacting with toll-like receptor 4 and recruiting endogenous anti-Rha antibodies, respectively. All the tested MPLA-Rha conjugates exhibited potent adjuvant activities to promote antibody production against both protein and carbohydrate antigens. Overall, MPLA-α-Rha exhibited better activities than MPLA-β-Rha, and 6'-linked conjugates were slightly better than 1-linked ones. Particularly, MPLA-1-α-Rha and MPLA-6'-α-Rha were the most effective adjuvants in promoting IgG antibody responses against protein antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin and carbohydrate antigen sTn, respectively.

Rhamnose modified antibodies show improved immune killing towards EGFR-positive solid tumor cells

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have shown clinical efficacy in colorectal cancer and other solid cancers. Enhancing the effector functions of these anti-EGFR mAbs is believed to be a valuable approach to achieve improved efficacy in clinical setting. Here, we report the development of an effector function-enhanced antibody by rhamnose (Rha) functionalization. Cetuximab, a human/mouse chimeric anti-EGFR mAb, was selected and site-specifically conjugated with Rha haptens. The obtained cetuximab-Rha conjugate was shown to be able to selectively redirect amounts of endogenous anti-Rha antibodies onto EGFR-positive solid tumor cells and thereby provide more Fc domains to achieve enhancement of effector functions including complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP). Particularly, CDC, one powerful cell killing mechanism which is inactive in cetuximab, was dramatically improved. This study demonstrates the potential of rhamnose-modified antibody for EGFR-positive solid tumor immunotherapy.

CD44 and EGFR Dual-Targeted Antibody-Recruiting Complex Based on Hyaluronic Acid Grafted with β-Cyclodextrin and Multivalent Rhamnose for Cancer Immunotherapy

AbstractA new generation of multivalent antibody-recruiting molecules (ARMs) with dual-targeting tumor-binding termini (TBT), including hyaluronic acid targeting CD44 and nanobody 7D12 or peptide GE11 targeting EGFR, was constructed for cancer immunotherapy. The 7D12 or GE11 were assembled onto β-cyclodextrin-grafted hyaluronic acid (HACD) with multivalent rhamnose via host-guest interaction to form macromolecule complexes. The immunological studies proved that these complexes had dual-targetability on CD44 and EGFR and the rhamnose on HACD could recruit anti-Rha antibodies to mediate cytotoxicity against the targeted tumor cells. This bispecific ARM strategy provides a platform for cancer immunotherapy.

Supramolecular complex glycoconjugate vaccine generates self-enhancement effects for carbohydrate antigen delivery

Targeting delivery of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA)-based vaccine to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) mediated by endogenous antibodies can improve the immunogenicity of TACA. However, an essential requirement of this approach is to generate high titers of endogenous antibodies in vivo through pre-immunization, which complicates the immunization procedure and may cause side effects. Herein, we report a new generation of APC-targeting TACA-based supramolecular complex vaccine, assembled by sialyl Thomsen-nouveau-bovine serum albumin-adamantine (sTn-BSA-Ada) and heptavalent rhamnose (Rha)-modified β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) via host–guest interaction. The complex vaccine retained anti-Rha antibodies recruiting capability and facilitated the APCs uptake of the vaccine via the interaction of the Fc-domain with the Fc receptors on APCs. We demonstrate that direct immunization of complex vaccine elicited anti-Rha and anti-sTn specific immune response synchronously, generating a novel self-enhancement effect that can improve the antigen delivery to APCs in high efficacy. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) study proved that complex vaccine 4 with polyethylene glycol 6 (PEG6) linker in host molecule provoked a robust and specific sTn immune response comparable to the pre-immunization approach. The antisera induced by complex vaccine, either through direct immunization or pre-immunization, exhibited equal potency of cytotoxicity against the sTn expression cancer cells. This study provides a general platform for TACA-based vaccines with self-enhancement effects without the need for pre-immunization.

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of a Rhamnose-Functionalized Bispecific Nanobody as a Bispecific Antibody Mimic for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are next-generation therapeutics for complex cancer treatment. Herein, we developed a dual-targeting non-IgG format of bsAbs by using a bispecific nanobody (bsNb) that can simultaneously target EGFR and HER2 on tumor cells. Site-specific modification of the anti-EGFR-HER2 bsNb was conducted using the rhamnose (Rha) hapten via sortase A-mediated ligation to reconstitute the missing crystallizable fragment (Fc) effector biological functions. Functionally similar to bsAbs, bsNb-Rha conjugates retained dual-targeting activity and exerted potent anticancer effects via the Fc-domain-mediated engagement of endogenous anti-Rha antibodies. Further, an optimized bsNb-Rha conjugate exhibited markedly improved pharmacokinetics and efficient inhibitory effects against xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Our strategy provides a general and cost-effective platform to generate a new bsAb format for cancer immunotherapy.

Chemical Synthesis of Antibody-Hapten Conjugates Capable of Recruiting the Endogenous Antibody to Magnify the Fc Effector Immunity of Antibody for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with enhanced effector functions in cancer immunotherapy, such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), could improve the clinical performance. Here, we develop an mAb-hapten conjugate strategy to augment the mAb effector functions with the engagement of endogenous antibodies. An "off-the-shelf" mAb, rituximab, is site-specifically conjugated with the rhamnose (Rha) hapten to generate rituximab-Rha conjugates. The octopus-like conjugates could recruit anti-Rha antibodies onto the cancer cell surface and further form an immune complex that is able to provide multivalent Fc domains to interact with immune cells or complement protein C1q, leading to magnified ADCC and CDC simultaneously. One optimal conjugate R2 with PEG2 as a linker exhibits the most potent in vitro cancer cell killing activity and significant in vivo antitumor efficacy in a xenograft model. This is a general and cost-effective approach to generate mAb with improved effector functions that may have broad applications.

Liposomal Fc Domain Conjugated to a Cancer Vaccine Enhances Both Humoral and Cellular Immunity.

Targeted delivery of antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) by utilizing natural anticarbohydrate antibodies is a promising approach for selective uptake and enhanced antigen presentation. Previously, we reported that in the presence of a natural antibody, anti-rhamnose antibody (anti-Rha), the bacterial sugar rhamnose conjugated with liposomal cancer antigen MUC1-Tn enhances antigen presentation by APCs such as dendritic cells by targeting Fc gamma receptors. The idea was to utilize the natural human anti-Rha antibodies present in human serum for targeted delivery of cancer-specific antigens. Recently, we found that the IgG3 antibody isotype was the most prevalent anti-Rha antibody generated in mice immunized with rhamnose-Ficoll (Rha-Ficoll) antigen. In this manuscript, we have conjugated the murine IgG3-Fc with a MUC1-containing cancer vaccine and compared the humoral and cellular immune response to this vaccine with one targeted via the human anti-Rha antibody and to the MUC1 vaccine alone. This Fc approach enhanced antibody production and T-cell proliferation almost to the same level as using the anti-Rha antibody. These results suggest that targeting Fc directly to dendritic cells can be an alternative approach to human anti-Rha for generating effective antigen-primed T-cells.

Augmenting Vaccine Immunogenicity through the Use of Natural Human Anti-rhamnose Antibodies.

Utilizing natural antibodies to augment vaccine immunogenicity is a promising approach toward cancer immunotherapy. Anti-rhamnose (anti-Rha) antibodies are some of the most common natural anti-carbohydrate antibodies present in human serum. Therefore, rhamnose can be utilized as a targeting moiety for a rhamnose-containing vaccine to prepare an effective vaccine formulation. It was shown previously that anti-Rha antibody generated in mice binds effectively with Rha-conjugated vaccine and is picked up by antigen presenting cells (APCs) through stimulatory Fc receptors. This leads to the effective uptake and processing of antigen and eventually presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In this article, we show that natural human anti-Rha antibodies can also be used in a similar mechanism and immunogenicity can be enhanced by targeting Rha-conjugated antigens. In doing so, we have purified human anti-Rha antibodies from human serum using a rhamnose affinity column. In vitro, human anti-Rha antibodies are shown to enhance the uptake of a model antigen, Rha-ovalbumin (Rha-Ova), by APCs. In vivo, they improved the priming of CD4+ T cells to Rha-Ova in comparison to non-anti-Rha human antibodies. Additionally, increased priming of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells toward the cancer antigen MUC1-Tn was observed in mice that received human anti-Rha antibodies prior to vaccination with a rhamnose-modified MUC1-Tn cancer vaccine. The vaccine conjugate contained Pam3CysSK4, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist linked via copper-free cycloaddition chemistry to a 20-amino-acid glycopeptide derived from the tumor marker MUC-1 containing the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen α-N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc). The primed CD8+ T cells released IFN-γ and killed tumor cells. Therefore, we have confirmed that human anti-Rha antibodies can be effectively utilized as a targeting moiety for making an effective vaccine.

Augmenting vaccine immunogenicity through the use of natural human anti-Rha antibodies and monoclonal Fc domains

Abstract In order to obtain an effective cellular and humoral immune response, a vaccine construct has to be captured, processed and presented by antigen presenting cells (APCs) through their major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. One effective way to enhance antigen presentation is through an antibody-dependent antigen uptake mechanism by targeting FcγR receptors of APCs that can bind with the Fc portion of an immune complexed antibody. Anti-Rhamnose (Anti-Rha) antibody is among the most common natural anti-carbohydrate antibodies present in human serum. Therefore, rhamnose can be utilized as a targeting moiety for a rhamnose-containing vaccine to prepare an effective vaccine formulation. Binding rhamnose of a rhamnose-containing vaccine with murine anti-Rha antibody has previously been proven effective for capturing and processing of antigen by APCs via stimulatory Fc receptors. We show that human anti-Rha antibodies enhance the uptake of rhamnose-containing antigen by murine APCs in vitro. In-vivo, passive transfer of human anti-Rha antibodies into mice improves the priming of T cells to Rha-antigen. We synthesized and tested an anti-cancer vaccine containing a lipoglycopeptide cancer antigen in a Rha-bearing liposome and demonstrated improved immunogenicity. Also, we showed that direct conjugation of the Fc domain of an antibody to a liposomal vaccine instead of rhamnose can be a good approach for efficient uptake and presentation, as we can bypass the need for anti-Rha antibodies. A liposomal vaccine bearing IgG3Fc has been found to be equally effective as the Rha-vaccine at priming CD4+ T cells. Priming of CD8+ T cells for IFN-γ release and tumor cytotoxicity was promising in comparison to anti-Rha antibody targeting.

L-Rhamnose Enhances the Immunogenicity of Melanoma-Associated Antigen A3 for Stimulating Antitumor Immune Responses.

Vaccines based on melanoma-associated antigens (MAGEs) present a promising strategy for tumor immunotherapy, albeit with weak immunogenicity. In this study, the xenoantigen L-rhamnose (Rha) was chemically conjugated with truncated MAGE-A3 (tMAGE-A3) to generate Rha-tMAGE-A3. The product showed good antigenicity with anti-Rha antibodies purified from human serum. FITC-labeled Rha-tMAGE-A3 was detected in THP-1 human macrophage cells via the anti-Rha antibody-dependent antigen uptake process. Furthermore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with Rha-tMAGE-A3 in the presence of anti-Rha antibodies showed better cytotoxicity toward A375 human melanoma cells surfaced by MAGE-A3 antigen compared to PBMCs stimulated with tMAGE-A3. All data reveal that linking of Rha epitopes to MAGE enhances the immunogenicity of MAGE by harnessing the immune effector functions of human naturally existing anti-Rha antibodies. Rha epitopes could become immunogenicity enhancers of tumor associated antigens in the development of tumor immunotherapies.

Synthesis of a Liposomal MUC1 Glycopeptide-Based Immunotherapeutic and Evaluation of the Effect of l-Rhamnose Targeting on Cellular Immune Responses.

Generation of a CD8(+) response to extracellular antigen requires processing of the antigen by antigen presenting cells (APC) and cross-presentation to CD8(+) T cell receptors via MHC class I molecules. Cross-presentation is facilitated by efficient antigen uptake followed by immune-complex-mediated maturation of the APCs. We hypothesize that improved antigen uptake of a glycopeptide sequence containing a CD8(+) T cell epitope could be achieved by delivering it on a liposome surface decorated with an immune complex-targeting ligand, an l-Rhamnose (Rha) epitope. We synthesized a 20-amino-acid glycopeptide TSAPDT(GalNAc)RPAPGSTAPPAHGV from the variable number tandem repeat region of the tumor marker MUC1 containing an N-terminal azido moiety and a tumor-associated α-N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) at the immunogenic DTR motif. The MUC1 antigen was attached to Pam3Cys, a Toll-like receptor-2 ligand via copper(I)-catalyzed azido-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAc) chemistry. The Rha-decorated liposomal Pam3Cys-MUC1-Tn 4 vaccine was evaluated in groups of C57BL/6 mice. Some groups were previously immunized to generate anti-Rha antibodies. Anti-Rha antibody expressing mice that received the Rha liposomal vaccine showed higher cellular immunogenicity compared to the control group while maintaining a strong humoral response.

Synthesis of α-l-rhamnosyl ceramide and evaluation of its binding with anti-rhamnose antibodies

An α-l-rhamnosyl ceramide (1, α-l-RhaCer) has been prepared that was recognized by anti-l-rhamnose (anti-Rha) antibodies. During these studies we explored the use of an α-l-rhamnosyl thioglycoside and a trichloroacetimidate as a glycosyl donors. Subsequently, the acceptors desired for glycosylation, 3-O-benzoylazidosphingosine or 3-O-alloxycarbonylsphingosine, were prepared from d-xylose. The thioglycoside donor, 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1-(4-tolyl)thio-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, and the trichloroacetimidate donor, 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1-(2,2,2-trichloroethanimidate)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, were synthesized in 50% and 78% yield overall, respectively. The synthesis of the glycosylation acceptor employed an addition–fragmentation olefination that was successfully carried out in 53% yield. With the successful synthesis of key intermediates, α-l-RhaCer (1) was prepared without any insurmountable obstacles. Anti-Rha antibodies were prepared in BALB/c mice by immunizing them with rhamnose-ovalbumin (Rha-Ova) with Sigma Adjuvant System (SAS) and the anti-l-Rha antibodies were isolated from the blood sera. Liposomes and EL4 tumor cells were used as model systems to demonstrate the ability of 1 to insert into a lipid bilayer. The interaction of the liposomes or the EL4 cells with α-l-RhaCer (1) and anti-Rha antibodies were investigated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively, to confirm the ability of glycolipid 1 to be displayed on the tumor cell surface as well as the ability to be recognized by anti-Rha antibodies.

Synthesis and immunological evaluation of a MUC1 glycopeptide incorporated into l-rhamnose displaying liposomes.

MUC1 variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) conjugated to tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) have been shown to break self-tolerance in humanized MUC1 transgenic mice. Therefore, we hypothesize that a MUC1 VNTR TACA-conjugate can be successfully formulated into a liposome-based anticancer vaccine. The immunogenicity of the vaccine should be further augmented by incorporating surface-displayed l-rhamnose (Rha) epitopes onto the liposomes to take advantage of a natural antibody-dependent antigen uptake mechanism. To validate our hypothesis, we synthesized a 20-amino-acid MUC1 glycopeptide containing a GalNAc-O-Thr (Tn) TACA by SPPS and conjugated it to a functionalized Toll-like receptor ligand (TLRL). An l-Rha-cholesterol conjugate was prepared using tetra(ethylene glycol) (TEG) as a linker. The liposome-based anticancer vaccine was formulated by the extrusion method using TLRL-MUC1-Tn conjugate, Rha-TEG-cholesterol, and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) in a total lipid concentration of 30 mM. The stability, homogeneity, and size characterization of the liposomes was evaluated by SEM and DLS measurements. The formulated liposomes demonstrated positive binding with both anti-Rha and mouse anti-human MUC1 antibodies. Groups of female BALB/c mice were immunized and boosted with a rhamnose-Ficoll (Rha-Ficoll) conjugate formulated with alum as adjuvant to generate the appropriate concentration of anti-Rha antibodies in the mice. Anti-Rha antibody titers were >25-fold higher in the groups of mice immunized with the Rha-Ficoll conjugate than the nonimmunized control groups. The mice were then immunized with the TLRL-MUC1-Tn liposomal vaccine formulated either with or without the surface displaying Rha epitopes. Sera collected from the groups of mice initially immunized with Rha-Ficoll and later vaccinated with the Rha-displaying TLRL-MUC1-Tn liposomes showed a >8-fold increase in both anti-MUC1-Tn and anti-Tn antibody titers in comparison to the groups of mice that did not receive Rha-Ficoll. T-cells from BALB/c mice primed with a MUC1-Tn peptide demonstrated increased proliferation to the Rha-liposomal vaccine in the presence of antibodies isolated from Rha-Ficoll immunized mice compared to nonimmune mice, supporting the proposed effect on antigen presentation. The anti-MUC1-Tn antibodies in the vaccinated mice serum recognized MUC1 on human leukemia U266 cells. Because this vaccine uses separate rhamnose and antigenic epitope components, the vaccine can easily be targeted to different antigens or epitopes by changing the peptide without having to change the other components.

Development and characterization of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against the pandemic H1N1 virus (2009)

The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic was a major international public health crisis which caused considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. The goal of this study was to produce anti-H1 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for improving diagnostic immunological assays and to develop potential immunotherapeutics. Nine MAbs were produced after immunizing mice with recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein from A/California/06/09. Two spleenocyte myeloma fusions yielded 1588 hybridoma cultures. After screening the hybridoma culture supernatants for antibody reactivity to rHA, nine clones were selected for further characterization. Cross-reactivity studies of the anti-rHA antibodies against a panel of influenza viruses (H1-H16) revealed eight out of nine MAbs were specific to the pandemic H1 subtype, except for MAb F256G2sc1 which also cross-reacted with H5 subtype virus. All MAbs were of the IgG1κ isotype, except F256G2sc1 which was IgG2aκ. The anti-rHA MAbs had binding affinities to rHA that ranged from a K(D) (disassociation constant) of 1.34×10(-9)M (F255G7sc1) to the weakest affinity of 4.60×10(-8)M (F255G4sc1). Interestingly, in a plaque reduction neutralization assay, all MAbs except F255G3sc1 demonstrated neutralizing ability. Furthermore, all MAbs except F255G3sc1 and F255G9sc1 exhibited anti-hemagglutinin activity against pandemic H1N1 viruses, but not against classical North American swine influenza viruses of the same subtype. Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) demonstrated that all MAbs except F255G1sc1 and F255G3sc1 were able to detect 2009 pandemic H1N1 (2009) virus- infected MDCK cells. The MAbs were also evaluated for potential use in competitive ELISA (cELISA), and with the exception of F255G3sc1, all MAbs showed competitive activity with serum collected from pigs infected with pandemic H1N1 virus (2009). The developed MAbs have demonstrated utility as immunodiagnostic and research reagents, and their neutralizing capabilities also hold potential for designing antiviral drugs against pandemic influenza.

Synthesis of a Single-Molecule l-Rhamnose-Containing Three-Component Vaccine and Evaluation of Antigenicity in the Presence of Anti-l-Rhamnose Antibodies

Carbohydrates are generally considered to be poorly immunogenic. Therefore, new approaches for enhancing their immunogenicity are important for the development of carbohydrates as vaccine components. We hypothesized that conjugation of an l-rhamnose (Rha) moiety to a carbohydrate antigen would enhance the antigenicity of the antigen in mice possessing anti-Rha antibodies via an antibody-dependent antigen uptake mechanism. To explore this hypothesis, we synthesized a single-molecule three-component vaccine containing the GalNAc-O-Thr (Tn) tumor-specific antigen, a 20 amino acid helper T-cell epitope (YAF) derived from an outer-membrane protein of Neisseria meningitides, and a Rha moiety. The vaccine was synthesized by automated Fmoc-based solid-phase peptide synthesis and deacetylated by brief treatment with NaOMe. Groups of female BALB/c mice were immunized and boosted with Rha-ovalbumin (Rha-OVA) formulated with either TiterMax Gold or Sigma Adjuvant System for a period of 35 days in order to determine optimal conditions for generating anti-Rha titers in mice. Anti-Rha antibody titers were >100 fold higher in groups of mice immunized with Rha-OVA than in the control groups. Mice producing anti-Rha were challenged with Rha-YAF-Tn or YAF-Tn. Sera collected from the groups initially immunized with Rha-OVA and later challenged with Rha-YAF-Tn showed a 2-fold increase in anti-Tn titer at 1/100 serum dilution relative to mice not immunized with Rha-OVA. An in vitro T-cell proliferation study using cells primed with either Rha-YAF-Tn or YAF-Tn was done to examine possible differences in antigen uptake and presentation due to anti-Rha antibody and chemical modification. Proliferation of T cells was stimulated by a 10-fold lower antigen concentration in the presence of Rha antibodies. The results strongly suggest that T cells present in the spleen were presented with higher concentrations of Rha-YAF-Tn as a result of the presence of the anti-Rha antibodies.

L-Rhamnose Antigen: A Promising Alternative to α-Gal for Cancer Immunotherapies

The targeting of autologous vaccines toward antigen presenting cells (APCs) via the in vivo complexation between anti α-Gal (anti-Gal) antibodies and α-Gal antigens presents a promising cancer immunotherapy with enhanced immunogenicity. This strategy takes advantage of the ubiquitous anti-Gal antibody in human serum. In contrast to the α-Gal epitope, the recent identification of high titers of anti-l-rhamnose (anti-Rha) antibodies in humans reveals a new approach toward immunotherapy employing l-rhamnose (Rha) monosaccharides. In order to evaluate this simple antigen in preclinical applications, we have synthesized Rha-conjugated immunogens and successfully induced high titers of anti-Rha antibodies in wildtype mice. Moreover, our studies demonstrate for the first time that wildtype mice could replace α1,3galactosyltransferase knockout (α1,3GT KO) mice in such antigen/antibody-mediated vaccine design when developing cancer immunotherapies.

High prevalence of autoantibodies to RNA helicase A in Mexican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

IntroductionAutoantibodies to RNA helicase A (RHA) were reported as a new serological marker of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with early stage of the disease. Anti-RHA and other autoantibodies in Mexican SLE patients and their correlation with clinical and immunological features were examined.MethodsAutoantibodies in sera from 62 Mexican SLE patients were tested by immunoprecipitation of 35S-labeled K562 cell extract and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (anti-U1RNP/Sm, ribosomal P, β2GPI, and dsDNA). Anti-RHA was screened based on the immunoprecipitation of the 140-kDa protein, the identity of which was verified by Western blot using rabbit anti-RHA serum. Clinical and immunological characteristics of anti-RHA-positive patients were analyzed.ResultsAnti-RHA was detected in 23% (14/62) of patients, a prevalence higher than that of anti-Sm (13%, 8/62). Prevalence and levels of various autoantibodies were not clearly different between anti-RHA (+) vs. (-) cases, although there was a trend of higher levels of anti-RHA antibodies in patients without anti-U1RNP/Sm (P = 0.07). Both anti-RHA and -Sm were common in cases within one year of diagnosis; however, the prevalence and levels of anti-RHA in patients years after diagnosis did not reduce dramatically, unlike a previous report in American patients. This suggests that the high prevalence of anti-RHA in Mexican patients may be due to relatively stable production of anti-RHA.ConclusionsAnti-RHA was detected at high prevalence in Mexican SLE patients. Detection of anti-RHA in races in which anti-Sm is not common should be clinically useful. Racial difference in the clinical significance of anti-RHA should be clarified in future studies.

Association of RNA Helicase A with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Particles

RNA helicase A (RHA) belongs to the DEAH family of proteins that are capable of unwinding double-stranded RNA structure. In addition to its involvement in the metabolism of cellular RNA, RHA has been shown to stimulate RNA transcription from the long terminal repeat promoter of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) as well as to enhance Rev/Rev response element-mediated gene expression. In this study, we provide evidence that RHA associates with HIV-1 Gag in an RNA-dependent manner. This interaction results in specific incorporation of RHA into HIV-1 particles. Knockdown of endogenous RHA in virus producer cells leads to generation of HIV-1 particles that are less infectious in part as a result of restricted reverse transcription. Therefore, RHA represents the first example of cellular RNA helicases that participate in HIV-1 particle production and promote viral reverse transcription.