Fc Region Of Antibody Research Articles

Therapy for Ongoing Graft-Versus-Host Disease Induced Across the Major or Minor Histocompatibility Barrier in Mice With Anti-CD3F(ab′)2-Ricin Toxin A Chain Immunotoxin

A new pharmacologic agent, anti-CD3F(ab')2-ricin toxin A chain (RTA), was synthesized for the purpose of targeting T cells and as a means of treating established graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The Fc region of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) was removed to prevent its ability to activate T cells. The resulting F(ab')2 fragments were conjugated to deglycosylated RTA (dgRTA), a catalytic and potent phytotoxin. The resulting immunotoxin (IT) was potent (greater than 95% inhibition) and selective in inhibiting T-cell mitogenesis in vitro. In vivo, the IT depleted 80% of T cells in mice receiving bone marrow (BM) transplants. Transplantation in an aggressive acute GVHD model using C57BL/6 donor cells and H-2 disparate B10.BR recipients resulted in an infiltration of CD3-expressing cells and a median survival time (MST) of 20 to 30 days. A 5-day course of anti-CD3F(ab')2-RTA (30 micrograms/d intraperitoneally) beginning 7 days after GVHD induction was beneficial in treating established GVHD in these mice, as evidenced by significantly prolonged survival (MST, greater than 80 days), superior mean weight values, and improved clinical appearance. Neither intact anti-CD3, unconjugated anti-CD3 F(ab')2 fragments, nor a mixture of anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 MoAbs (which are highly effective in prophylactic models) were as effective. F(ab')2 fragments made from anti-Lyt-1 (the murine homologue of human anti-CD5) linked to RTA were also not effective, despite the fact that both anti-CD3F(ab')2-RTA and anti-Lyt-1F(ab')2-RTA had similar half-lives of about 9 hours. The IT also increased MST in two aggressive models of GVHD across non-H-2 minor histocompatibility barriers, indicating that the usefulness of anti-CD3F(ab')2-dgRTA is not limited to a single-strain combination. This agent should be further investigated as an alternative to current strategies for treating steroid refractory GVHD.

Stoichiometry and thermodynamics of the interaction between the Fc fragment of human IgG1 and its low-affinity receptor Fc.gamma.RIII

IgG-Fc receptors, cell surface glycoproteins binding the Fc region of antibodies, play a crucial role in the immune system. To better understand the nature of the recognition process, we have examined the interaction between huIgG1-Fc and a soluble fragment of huFc gamma RIII (sCD16). Analytical ultracentrifugation experiments clearly demonstrate that IgG1-Fc and sCD16 interact weakly to form a 1:1 complex with an association constant of 1.7 x 10(5) M-1 in PBS at 22.0 degrees C. The thermodynamic parameters, obtained from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium binding constants, exhibit an enthalpy-entropy compensation with a favorable enthalpy at physiological temperatures. The value of -360 cal mol-1 K-1 for delta Cp zero possibly identifies the process as one in which local folding/rearrangement is coupled to complex formation. The 1:1 stoichiometry and thermodynamic parameters provide a basis for understanding the nature of the Fc gamma R-IgG interactions.

Baculovirus-Insect Cell Production of Bioactive Choriogonadotropin-Immunoglobulin G Heavy-Chain Fusion Proteins in Sheep1

A hybrid cDNA encoding a fusion protein between the beta subunit of hCG (beta hCG) and constant domains of a mouse IgG heavy chain (CH1-3) was inserted into a baculovirus expression vector. Insect cells transfected with foreign DNA synthesized multimeric forms of fusion protein that inhibited hCG-induced steroid hormone secretion by mouse Leydig tumor cells. Leydig cells were lysed by beta hCG-CH1-3 in the presence of complement. Intravenous injection of beta hCG-CH1-3 in rams was associated with testicular mononuclear leukocyte infiltration, interstitial tissue damage, and a transient depression in circulatory testosterone (levels returned to normal within 2 wk). It appears that targeted cell-killing can be mediated by recombinant proteins composed of the receptor-binding moiety of hormones and truncated effector (Fc) regions of lethal antibodies.

Molecular and biological properties of an interleukin-1 receptor immunoadhesin

Overproduction of the cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. To develop a recombinant inhibitor of IL-1 with an extended pharmacologic half-life, we constructed an IL-1 receptor immunoadhesin (IL-1R-IgG), by fusing the extracellular domain of the type IL-1 receptor with the hinge and Fc regions of human IgG1 heavy chain. Transfected human 293 cells express IL-1R-IgG as a secreted, disulfide-bonded homodimer. The secreted protein contains an intact antibody Fc region, as indicated by immunoblotting, and a functional IL-1 receptor region, as indicated by ligand-blotting. Saturation binding analysis indicates an equilibrium dissociation constant ( K D ) of 350 pM for the binding of IL-1R-IgG to its ligand, IL-1 β. Kinetic analysis of the binding reveals an off rate of 0.1 min −1 and an on rate of 1.5 × 10 8min −1 M −1, yielding a calculated K D of 770 pM. These binding properties are similar to those of cell-surface type I IL-1 receptor. IL-1R-IgG is capable of inhibiting the biological activity of IL-1 β in vitro, as evidenced in a thymocyte proliferation assay. Pharmacokinetic analysis in mice indicates that IL-1R-IgG has a terminal half-life of 91 hr in the blood circulation. This half-life is markedly longer than the values reported for other recombinant inhibitors of IL-1 such as the IL-1 receptor antagonist or soluble IL-1 receptor. Thus, IL-1R-IgG may be useful for investigating the interaction of IL-1 with its receptor and the role of IL-1 in disease, as well as for potential intervention in pathological situations involving overproduction of IL-1.

Fc site-specific labeling of immunoglobulins with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase.

A strategy is described for the site-specific conjugation of alkaline phosphatase to the Fc region of immunoglobulins. Mild oxidation of immunoglobulins by sodium periodate followed by reductive amination with excess cystamine and sodium cyanoborohydride covalently attaches cystamine specifically to the oligosaccharide chains of the antibody's Fc region. The disulfide bonds of the conjugated cystamine moieties are then reduced to free thiols with a low concentration of dithiothreitol. The thiol-modified antibodies (typically containing three to four thiols per Fc region) are then brought into contact with maleimide-functionalized alkaline phosphatase to form antibody-alkaline phosphatase conjugates. The Fc site-specific conjugation methodology was optimized and successfully applied to a number of different monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. The conjugates prepared show assay performances superior to those prepared by more conventional means. Evidence obtained indicates that this superior conjugate performance results from total retention of the antibody's antigen binding activity following the Fc site-specific conjugation procedure.

M1 protein and protein H: IgGFc- and albumin-binding streptococcal surface proteins encoded by adjacent genes

M1 protein and Protein H are surface proteins simultaneously present at the surface of certain strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, important pathogenic bacteria in humans. The present study concerns the structure, protein-binding properties and relationship between these two molecules. The gene encoding M1 protein (emm1) was found immediately upstream of the Protein H gene (sph). Both genes were preceded by a promoter region. Comparison of the sequences revealed a high degree of similarity in the signal peptides, the C repeats located in the central parts of the molecules and in the C-terminal cell-wall-attached regions, whereas the N-terminal sequences showed no significant similarity. Protein H has affinity for the Fc region of IgG antibodies. Also M1 protein, isolated from streptococcal culture supernatants or from Escherichia coli expressing emm1, was found to bind human IgGFc. When tested against polyclonal IgG from eight other mammalian species, M1 protein and Protein H both showed affinity for baboon, rabbit and pig IgG. M1 protein also reacted with guinea-pig IgG, whereas both streptococcal proteins were negative in binding experiments with rat, mouse, bovine and horse IgG. The two proteins were also tested against other members of the immunoglobulin super family: human IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE, beta 2-microglobulin, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I and class-II antigens. M1 protein showed no affinity for any of these molecules whereas Protein H reacted with MHC class-II antigens. M1 protein is known to bind albumin and fibrinogen also. The binding sites for these two plasma proteins and for IgGFc were mapped to different sites on M1 protein. Thus albumin bound to the C repeats and IgGFc to a region (S) immediately N-terminal of the C repeats. Finally, fibrinogen bound further towards the N-terminus but close to the IgGFc-binding site. On the fibrinogen molecule, fragment D was found to mediate binding to M1 protein. The IgGFc-binding region of M1 protein showed no similarity to that of Protein H. Still, competitive binding experiments demonstrated that the two streptococcal proteins bound to overlapping sites on IgGFc.

Biotinylation of monoclonal antibodies prevents their ability to activate the classical pathway of complement.

Biotinylation of mAb has become a standard procedure for a variety of applications that exploit the specific high affinity interaction between biotin and avidin. In the present study, we investigated how biotinylation of mAb affects their ability to sensitize target cells to C-dependent lysis in vitro. mAb were biotinylated by cross-linking biotin covalently with an N-succinimidyl ester to the epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues. Human RBC were treated with two rat mAb, either alone or together: one against glycophorin A (YTH89.1), another against CD59 (protectin; YTH53.1), an inhibitor of the membrane attack complex of C. Melanoma cells (G361) were attacked by a mouse mAb (27A) against an O-acetylated GD3 ganglioside. As compared with the nonbiotinylated mAb, the biotinylated forms of all the investigated mAb were much weaker in causing classical C pathway-mediated lysis of the target cells. Biotinylation did not reduce the ability of the mAb to bind to their Ag, nor of the anti-CD59 mAb to neutralize the C lysis-restrictive effect of CD59. In binding assays using 125I-labeled C1q, significantly less C1q bound to the biotinylated anti-glycophorin-A and anti-CD59 mAb than to the nonbiotinylated mAb. These data show that biotinylated antibodies do not activate the classical C pathway because binding of C1q to the antibody Fc-regions is blocked.

THE USE of FLOW CYTOMETRY FOR RAPID IDENTIFICATION of SALMONELLAE

Flow cell cytometry can be used in a sensitive fluorescent immunoassay to rapidly identify salmonellae of Groups D and E. Staphylococcal Protein A couples with the Fc region of many antibodies, especially immunoglobulin G. When a fluorescent marker, fluorescein isothiocyanate, is conjugated to Protein A, an antibody‐antigen reaction can be visualized in a flow cell cytometer with an appropriate optical sensor after excitation. Ten thousand cells were individually analyzed in each cytometer run within a minute. the resultant data, presented as histograms and tables, indicated the number of cells in the suspension reacting positively with the antiserum by fluorescence, cell size, distribution and light scatter. This provides an in‐depth analysis of the antibody‐antigen reaction not possible with other types of immunoassays.

Analysis of glycoforms present in two mouse IgG2a monoclonal antibody preparations

Lectins have been used for the determination of the oligosaccharide structures expressed by two monoclonal IgG antibodies, MN12 and RIV6. Dot blot experiments revealed the presence of terminal Fuc α(1 → 6)GlcNAc, Gal β(1 → 3)GalNAc, Gal β(1 → 4)GlcNAc, Man α(1 → 6, 1 → 3)Man, NeuAc α(2 → 6)Gal and NeuAc α(2 → 6)GalNAc on both monoclonal antibodies. MN12 was shown to contain a carbohydrate moiety within the Fc region only. RIV6 contained carbohydrate moieties within both the Fc and Fab regions. Additional O-glycosidic linked carbohydrate chains were detected within the Fc region of both monoclonal antibodies. High mannose structures were also detected on both Mabs.

Resolution of adhesion- and activation-associated components of monoclonal antibody-dependent human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Flow cytometry was used to investigate two functional parameters of human natural-killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC): (i) the frequency of NK cells which formed conjugates (NK c) with autologous monoclonal antibody (mAb)-coated lymphocyte target cells, a measure of the avidity of CD16-dependent cell-cell adhesion, and (ii) the rise in the intracellular concentration of ionized calcium ([Ca 2+] i) elicited in NK c by contact with target cells, a measure of CD16-dependent NK cell activation. For each of four rat IgG2b mAb directed against target cell antigens CDw52, CD5, CD45, and class I HLA, there existed quantitatively similar relationships between ADCC and rise in NK c[Ca 2+] i but significant inter-mAb differences with respect to the ADCC vs the NK c frequency relationship. Cytolytic efficiencies of mAb appeared to be determined at the level of the NK cell, dependent upon CD16 and LFA-1, but restricted with respect to quantitative levels of NK c[Ca 2+] i. In concert with this notion, targets coated with an IgG1 isotype-switch variant αCDw52 mAb promoted significant conjugate formation but failed to elicit a rise in NK c[Ca 2+] i or ADCC. Thus, Fc regions of antibodies make contacts with NK cell CD16 which may strengthen cell-cell adhesion without eliciting an activation stimulus, a finding which supports a complexity of CD 16 functional regulation of probable significance in the clinical consequences of antibody responses or therapeutic mAb manipulations.

Were lectins primitive Fc receptors?

Co-operation between humoral and cellular pathways occurs by the interaction of antibody antigen complexes with effector cells. This interaction is mediated by receptors for the Fc region of antibody, Fc receptors (FcR). Molecular characterisation of low-affinity receptors for IgE revealed an 123-amino-acid domain homologous with the carbohydrate-binding domain of the C-type animal lectins. Although IgE is heavily glycosylated, the binding of Fc epsilon RII to IgE was found to be independent of any "lectin-like" activity. The presence on lymphoid cells of a family of adhesion molecules containing a lectin-like domain, the ability of these lectin-like molecules and surface lectins to bind immunoglobulins, and subsequently the role of carbohydrates in the binding of immunoglobulins to such surface molecules imply that the ancestral carbohydrate. recognition domain of lectins held together by conserved cystein residues has evolved as FcR to recognise the constant region of immunoglobulins.

Monoclonal-Antibody Therapy in Systemic Vasculitis

MONOCLONAL antibodies are potentially useful therapeutic agents in a variety of immunologically mediated diseases, offering the theoretical advantage of selective attack on cells implicated in the immunopathogenesis of these disorders. Antibodies to surface markers on lymphocytes, particularly T cells, have already demonstrated efficacy both in animal models and in clinical allograft rejection.1 2 3 For this purpose, monoclonal antibodies can be used either to block vital receptors for antigen, adhesion, or growth factors or to block target cells by harnessing the various natural effector systems (complement and accessory cells) that are activated by the Fc regions of cell-bound antibodies. The optimal use . . .

Immune complex activation of rat glomerular mesangial cells: dependence on the Fc region of antibody

Glomerulonephritis is frequently associated with immunoglobulin deposition in the mesangium. We had previously shown that contractile, rat mesangial cells in culture synthesize superoxide anion after binding immune complexes (IC) in a manner dependent on the Fc region of immunoglobulin G (IgG). We now studied the effects of soluble IC on mesangial cell cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and phosphatidylinositol turnover as putative mechanisms of transmembrane signaling as well as prostaglandin biosynthesis and contraction. IC (500 micrograms specific antibody) raised [Ca2+]i in mesangial cells loaded with fura-2 from resting levels of 100.4 +/- 8.0 to a peak of 282.3 +/- 31.5 nM in a dose-dependent manner. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid only slightly reduced peak, IC-stimulated [Ca2+]i to 236 +/- 18 nM but prevented the sustained phase of the response, indicating that IC both mobilized Ca2+ from intracellular stores and increased the influx of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. IC did not increase water-soluble inositol phosphates, measured by anion-exchange chromatography of trichloroacetic acid-extracted cells but markedly stimulated PGE2 and thromboxane B2 synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Finally, IC (250 micrograms specific antibody) induced 45.8 +/- 10.1% of the cells to contract with an average decrease in cross-sectional surface area of 20.0 +/- 1.8% of basal as assessed by image-analysis microscopy. IC formed with F(ab')2 fragments of antibody and antigen or mixtures of antigen and nonimmune whole molecule antibody did not alter [Ca2+]i, induce prostaglandin synthesis, or stimulate mesangial cell contraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fc region-dependence of IgG3 anti-streptococcal group A carbohydrate antibody functional affinity. I. The effect of temperature.

Previous studies have demonstrated that IgG3 anti-streptococcal group A carbohydrate (GAC) mAb bind to the surfaces of heat-killed, pepsin-digested group A streptococcal cells in an Fc region-dependent cooperative manner. This form of positive cooperative binding of antibody to Ag was hypothesized to result from noncovalent association of Fc regions of antibodies bound close to one another on the Ag surface. Because IgG3 Fc regions are self-aggregating and IgG3 molecules are frequently cryoprecipitable, we have now investigated the effect of temperature on the binding, and cooperative binding, of IgG3 anti-GAC mAb to solid-phase (sp) Ag. The Ag used was a covalent conjugate of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc; the epitopes on GAC) and BSA. The main findings were: 1) IgG3 anti-GAC mAb bind to sp GlcNAc-BSA to greater extents at lower temperatures, 2) IgM anti-GAC mAb and Fab and F(ab')2 fragments, derived from an IgG3 anti-GAC mAb, bind to sp GlcNAc-BSA to comparable extents at different temperatures, 3) idiotope-expressing IgG3 anti-GAC mAb bind to sp anti-idiotope to comparable extents at different temperatures, and 4) unlabeled IgG3 anti-GAC mAb enhance the binding of radiolabeled IgG3 anti-GAC mAb to sp GlcNAc-BSA, and the degree of this enhancement is greater at lower temperature. These, and additional results, support the conclusion that for some sp Ag the functional affinities of IgG3 antibodies, are influenced by the Fc region in a temperature-dependent manner.

Properdin, the terminal complement components, thrombospondin and the circumsporozoite protein of malaria parasites contain similar sequence motifs.

Properdin is a plasma glycoprotein which stabilizes the C3bnBb enzyme complex of the alternative pathway of the complement system. Unlike the classical pathway, which is initiated by interaction of C1q with the Fc regions of IgG or IgM antibodies in immune complexes, the alternative pathway can be directly activated via binding of C3b to surfaces of foreign organisms. The stabilized C3bnBbP complex activates components C3 and C5 resulting in opsonization of foreign material (via C3b) and assembly of the membrane attack complex (via C5b) on target cells. Therefore properdin greatly enhances complement-mediated clearance and inactivation mechanisms in both natural and acquired resistance to infection. This paper shows that the primary amino acid sequence of properdin is composed mainly of six repeating motifs, each of approximately 60 amino acids, and that similar sequences are found in thrombospondin, the circumsporozoite protein of malaria parasites and regions of the membrane-attack components of complement. These similarities may provide insight into the mechanisms by which parasites avoid host defences mediated by complement.

Localization of the binding site for the human high-affinity Fc receptor on IgG.

A major pathway in the clearance of pathogens involves the coating of the pathogen with specific antibodies, and the binding of the antibody Fc region to cell receptors. This can trigger engulfment of the pathogen by phagocytes or lysis by killer cells. By oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis we have engineered a single amino acid change in a mouse IgG2b antibody (Glu 235----Leu) which now enables the antibody to bind to the FcRI (high affinity) receptor on human monocytes with a 100-fold improvement in affinity. This indicates that Leu 235 is a major determinant in the binding of antibody to FcRI and that the receptor may interact directly with the region linking the CH2 domain to the hinge. Tailoring the affinity of antibodies for cell receptors could help dissect their role in clearing pathogen.

Role of the antibody Fc in the immune clearance of Trypanosoma cruzi

Passive transfer of immune serum obtained from mice chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi to mice containing circulating bloodstream trypomastigotes induces a very fast clearance of the parasites. Comparison of trypomastigotes clearance in normocomplementemic and C5-deficient mice showed no difference. IgG fraction obtained from immune serum was very efficient at inducing complement-mediated lysis and immune clearance of bloodstream trypomastigotes, whereas its Fc-missing F (ab′) 2 fragments, although able to induce lysis, were unable to induce clearance. It is suggested that the immune clearance of bloodstream trypomastigotes is dependent on the antibody Fc region and that complement-mediated lysis is not a prerequisite for elimination of the parasites from circulation.

Ligand inhibition studies on the role of Fc receptors in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Subjection of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to a temp shift from 4 to 37°C resulted in a shedding of Fc receptors (termed FcRI) from 40–50% of FcR-positive cells followed by their re-expression within 4hr; a phenomenon which had no effect on the cells' antibody-dependent killing capacity. Removal of lymphocytes having an immobile form of the Fc receptor resistant to the effects of the temp shift (termed FcRII), or removal of lymphocytes bearing both FcRI and FcRII, resulted in a similar amount of reduction in ADCC activity. This was attributed, therefore, to the loss of FcRII-positive cells. The influence of isolated (shedded) FcRI and C1q on ADCC activity was investigated. Soluble FcRI was shown to inhibit ADCC mediated through the immobile Fc receptors (FcRII), despite its lack of an ability to block EA rosette formation through these receptors. C1q also had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on ADCC. These observations are consistent with earlier findings that FcRII possesses two active binding sites; and suggest that a prerequisite for killing in ADCC is the interaction of these with the Cγ2 and Cγ3 domains. The ability of synthetic peptides representative of human γ 1-chain sequences to inhibit ADCC was determined, in an attempt to locate those sites within the IgG antibody Fc region involved in interaction with two FcR binding sites. Preliminary evidence was obtained to suggest that one of these is situated within the Cγ2 domain, in the region of residues 274 (Lys)-294 (Glu).

Platelet stimulation by antifibronectin antibodies requires the Fc region of antibody.

Anti-human fibronectin antibodies produced in a goat or in rabbits stimulate the release of serotonin from washed or gelatin/Sepharose-treated human platelets in a dose-dependent manner. This finding led us to propose that fibronectin on the platelet plasma membrane might serve as a collagen receptor on these cells [Bensusan, H. B., Koh, T. L., Henry, K. G., Murray, B. A. & Culp, L. A. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75, 5864-5868]. To determine whether direct interaction of the antibody with platelet membrane fibronectin was responsible for this stimulation, we prepared proteolytic fragments of the antifibronectin antibodies. Purified F(ab')2 fragments had a greatly diminished ability to elicit degranulation, and rabbit F(ab')2 fragments were totally ineffective in this regard. Preimmune IgG from these sources was capable of inhibiting antibody-induced serotonin release in a dose-dependent manner. Purified antibody Fc fragments also inhibited this stimulation in doses stoichiometrically equivalent to the inhibition seen with preimmune IgG. These results suggest that (i) platelet stimulation elicited by anti-human fibronectin antibody is mediated by the platelet Fc receptor and therefore is likely to be dependent on antigen-antibody complex formation and (ii) fibronectin on the platelet surface may not be the primary receptor for platelet adherence to collagen.

Hemmung der reaktion von Coombs-seren mit IgG-sensibilisierten humanen erythrozyten durch protein A

The indirect antiglobulin test (Coombs test) for the detection of nonagglutinating (“incomplete”) Rh antibodies can be inhibited by treatment with protein A of the antibody-coated human erythrocytes. Inhibition occurs by blocking or steric hindrance by protein A of the binding sites for antibodies of the Coombs sera at the Fc-region of the Rh antibodies.