Single-chain Fusion Protein Research Articles

CLN-617 Retains IL2 and IL12 in Injected Tumors to Drive Robust and Systemic Immune-Mediated Antitumor Activity.

Despite clinical evidence of antitumor activity, the development of cytokine therapies has been hampered by a narrow therapeutic window and limited response rates. Two cytokines of high interest for clinical development are interleukin 2 (IL2) and interleukin 12 (IL12), which potently synergize to promote the activation and proliferation of T cells and NK cells. However, the only approved human IL2 therapy, Proleukin, is rarely used in the clinic due to systemic toxicities, and no IL12 product has been approved to date due to severe dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we describe CLN-617, a first-in-class therapeutic for intratumoral (IT) injection that co-delivers IL2 and IL12 on a single molecule in a safe and effective manner. CLN-617 is a single-chain fusion protein comprised of IL2, leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2 (LAIR2), human serum albumin (HSA), and IL12. LAIR2 and HSA function to retain CLN-617 in the treated tumor by binding collagen and increasing molecular weight, respectively. We found that IT administration of a murine surrogate of CLN-617, mCLN-617, eradicated established treated and untreated tumors in syngeneic models, significantly improved response to anti-PD1 checkpoint therapy, and generated a robust abscopal response dependent on cellular immunity and antigen cross-presentation. CLN-617 is being evaluated in a clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT06035744).

Reprogramming Megakaryocytes for Controlled Release of Platelet-like Particles Carrying a Single-Chain Thromboxane A2 Receptor-G-Protein Complex with Therapeutic Potential.

In this study, we reported that novel single-chain fusion proteins linking thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor (TP) to a selected G-protein α-subunit q (SC-TP-Gαq) or to α-subunit s (SC-TP-Gαs) could be stably expressed in megakaryocytes (MKs). We tested the MK-released platelet-linked particles (PLPs) to be used as a vehicle to deliver the overexpressed SC-TP-Gαq or the SC-TP-Gαs to regulate human platelet function. To understand how the single-chain TP-Gα fusion proteins could regulate opposite platelet activities by an identical ligand TXA2, we tested their dual functions-binding to ligands and directly linking to different signaling pathways within a single polypeptide chain-using a 3D structural model. The immature MKs were cultured and transfected with cDNAs constructed from structural models of the individual SC-TP-Gαq and SC-TP-Gαs, respectively. After transient expression was identified, the immature MKs stably expressing SC-TP-Gαq or SC-TP-Gαs (stable cell lines) were selected. The stable cell lines were induced into mature MKs which released PLPs. Western blot analysis confirmed that the released PLPs were carrying the recombinant SC-TP-Gαq or SC-TP-Gαs. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the PLPs carrying SC-TP-Gαq were able to perform the activity by promoting platelet aggregation. In contrast, PLPs carrying SC-TP-Gαs reversed Gq to Gs signaling to inhibit platelet aggregation. This is the first time demonstrating that SC-TP-Gαq and SC-TP-Gαs were successfully overexpressed in MK cells and released as PLPs with proper folding and programmed biological activities. This bio-engineering led to the formation of two sets of biologically active PLP forms mediating calcium and cAMP signaling, respectively. As a result, these PLPs are able to bind to identical endogenous TXA2 with opposite activities, inhibiting and promoting platelet aggregation as reprogrammed for therapeutic process. Results also demonstrated that the nucleus-free PLPs could be used to deliver recombinant membrane-bound GPCRs to regulate cellular activity in general.

Design and characterization of a tumor-retained interleukin-2 cytokine/antibody fusion protein for cancer immunotherapy

Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a pleiotropic cytokine with clinical utility in stimulating anti-cancer immunity. However, its efficacy is limited by its short serum half-life, systemic toxicity, and concurrent activation of immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive immune cells. IL-2 can signal down an intermediate-affinity receptor consisting of IL-2 receptor β (IL-2Rβ) and the common gamma chain (γc) or a high-affinity receptor that also includes IL-2Rα. Regulatory T (Treg) cells express high levels of IL-2Rα making them more responsive to IL-2 than natural killer (NK), naïve/resting effector T (Teff), and memory T cells. To extend the half-life and selectively bias the immunostimulatory functions of IL-2 in a unimolecular format, we engineered a single-chain fusion protein, F10 immunocytokine (F10 IC), that intramolecularly fuses IL-2 to an anti-IL-2 antibody that sterically blocks IL-2Rα binding and allosterically enhances IL-2Rβ binding. However, preclinical data suggested a narrow therapeutic index (TI) for F10 IC. To improve the TI of F10 IC we designed a format of F10 IC poised for intratumoral delivery and retention. We fused collagen binding domains (CBD) to F10 IC in various topographies (F10 IC-CBD) to exploit the abundance and exposure of collagen in the tumor microenvironment. With intratumoral delivery, F10 IC-CBD is retained in the tumor and exhibits a therapeutically favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Furthermore, F10 IC-CBD increases and prolongs intratumoral immune cell infiltration, significantly slows tumor progression, minimizes F10 IC toxicity and synergizes with anti-PD-1 blockade in syngeneic mouse tumor models. We have illustrated the potential of F10 IC-CBD as a potent tumor-agnostic cancer therapy. Supported by grants from the NIH (R01 EB029341, T32 AI007417), Melanoma Research Alliance, Willowcroft Foundation and a Sanofi iAward.

Abstract 1839: CLN-617 is a first-in-class fusion protein that retains IL-2 and IL-12 in the injected tumor and potently triggers systemic anti-tumor immunity

Abstract Despite clinical evidence of anti-tumor activity, cytokine therapies have been hampered by a narrow therapeutic window and limited efficacy. Two cytokines of interest are IL-2 and IL-12, which synergize to proliferate and activate T cells and natural killer cells. However, the only approved human IL-2 product (Proleukin) is rarely used in the clinic due to systemic toxicities, and no IL-12 product has been approved to date due to severe dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we describe CLN-617, a first-in-class therapeutic designed for intratumoral (IT) injection and retention, that co-delivers IL-2 and IL-12 in a safe and effective manner. CLN-617 is a single-chain fusion protein comprised of human IL-2, leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2 (LAIR2), human serum albumin (HSA), and human IL-12. LAIR2 and HSA functionally retain CLN-617 in the injected tumor by binding collagen and increasing molecular weight, respectively. A murine surrogate of CLN-617, mCLN-617, was delivered either IV or IT in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice. The concentration of mCLN-617 as measured in serum two hours after IT administration was <5% that of the concentration following IV administration, demonstrating robust retention of mCLN-617 in the tumor. Following mCLN-617 treatment, durable and complete responses with no significant body weight loss were observed in checkpoint-refractory tumor models, including B16F10, CT26, and MC38. mCLN-617 triggered a robust systemic anti-tumor immune response based on three lines of evidence. First, in mice implanted with two MC38 tumors, 70% of injected tumors and 40% of non-injected tumors were eradicated. When combined with IV-administered anti-PD1 antibody, >90% of both injected and non-injected tumors showed a complete response, while anti-PD1 alone exhibited no anti-tumor activity. Second, in mice implanted with an MC38 tumor in the flank and with luciferase-expressing MC38 cells delivered to the liver via intra-splenic injection, the injected flank tumor exhibited ~90% growth inhibition with either mCLN-617 monotherapy or anti-PD1 co-administration. Growth of established metastatic tumors, as measured by luciferase signal, was inhibited by mCLN-617 monotherapy, and metastatic tumor burden significantly regressed in combination with anti-PD1, while anti-PD1 alone exhibited no anti-tumor activity in the metastases. Third, in mice bearing two MC38 flank tumors, tumor-specific CD8+ T cells expanded in both the injected and non-injected tumors and in peripheral blood. We conclude that IT-administered mCLN-617 is efficiently retained in the injected tumor, thereby preventing systemic toxicity of the two cytokines, yet can activate and remodel systemic immunosurveillance for clearance of non-injected distal lesions. A phase I trial of CLN-617 in patients with advanced solid tumors is expected to commence in 2023. Citation Format: Naveen K. Mehta, Kavya Rakhra, Kristan Meetze, K. Dane Wittrup, Jennifer S. Michaelson, Patrick A. Baeuerle. CLN-617 is a first-in-class fusion protein that retains IL-2 and IL-12 in the injected tumor and potently triggers systemic anti-tumor immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1839.

A tumor-targeted cytokine/antibody fusion protein to stimulate anti-cancer immunity

Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has clinical utility in stimulating anti-cancer immunity. However, the clinical efficacy of IL-2 is limited by its short serum half-life, systemic toxicity, and concurrent activation of immunostimulatory natural killer (NK) and effector T (Teff) cells and immunosuppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells. IL-2 can signal down an intermediate-affinity receptor consisting of IL-2 receptor beta (IL-2Rβ) and common gamma chain (γc) or a high-affinity receptor that also includes IL-2Rα. Tregs express high levels of IL-2Rα, making them much more responsive to IL-2 than naïve NK and Teff cells. To extend the serum half-life and selectively bias the immunostimulatory functions of IL-2 in a stable unimolecular format, we created a single-chain fusion protein, denoted F10 immunocytokine (F10 IC), that intramolecularly fuses human IL-2 to an anti-IL-2 antibody that sterically blocks the IL-2/IL-2Rα interaction and allosterically enhances the IL-2/IL-2Rβ interaction. To exploit the abundance and accessibility of collagen in the tumor microenvironment for targeting, we fused collagen binding domains to F10 IC in various topographies. These novel fusion proteins occlude IL-2Rα binding and enhance IL-2Rβ binding, thereby eliminating the Treg advantage conferred by IL-2Rα and preferentially activating immune effector cells. Furthermore, these proteins selectively bind purified collagen and are capable of homing to, and being retained in, the tumor in vivo. Building on these promising results, we are assessing the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of these fusion proteins in various murine tumor models to illustrate the potential of collagen binding F10 IC as a powerful anti-cancer therapeutic. Supported by a Sanofi Innovation Award and NIH grants (R01 EB029341, T32 AI007417)

A GMCSF-Neuroantigen Tolerogenic Vaccine Elicits Systemic Lymphocytosis of CD4+ CD25high FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells in Myelin-Specific TCR Transgenic Mice Contingent Upon Low-Efficiency T Cell Antigen Receptor Recognition.

Previous studies showed that single-chain fusion proteins comprised of GM-CSF and major encephalitogenic peptides of myelin, when injected subcutaneously in saline, were potent tolerogenic vaccines that suppressed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats and mice. These tolerogenic vaccines exhibited dominant suppressive activity in inflammatory environments even when emulsified in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). The current study provides evidence that the mechanism of tolerance was dependent upon vaccine-induced regulatory CD25+ T cells (Tregs), because treatment of mice with the Treg-depleting anti-CD25 mAb PC61 reversed tolerance. To assess tolerogenic mechanisms, we focused on 2D2-FIG mice, which have a transgenic T cell repertoire that recognizes myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide MOG35-55 as a low-affinity ligand and the neurofilament medium peptide NFM13-37 as a high-affinity ligand. Notably, a single subcutaneous vaccination of GMCSF-MOG in saline elicited a major population of FOXP3+ Tregs that appeared within 3 days, was sustained over several weeks, expressed canonical Treg markers, and was present systemically at high frequencies in the blood, spleen, and lymph nodes. Subcutaneous and intravenous injections of GMCSF-MOG were equally effective for induction of FOXP3+ Tregs. Repeated booster vaccinations with GMCSF-MOG elicited FOXP3 expression in over 40% of all circulating T cells. Covalent linkage of GM-CSF with MOG35-55 was required for Treg induction whereas vaccination with GM-CSF and MOG35-55 as separate molecules lacked Treg-inductive activity. GMCSF-MOG elicited high levels of Tregs even when administered in immunogenic adjuvants such as CFA or Alum. Conversely, incorporation of GM-CSF and MOG35-55 as separate molecules in CFA did not support Treg induction. The ability of the vaccine to induce Tregs was dependent upon the efficiency of T cell antigen recognition, because vaccination of 2D2-FIG or OTII-FIG mice with the high-affinity ligands GMCSF-NFM or GMCSF-OVA (Ovalbumin323-339), respectively, did not elicit Tregs. Comparison of 2D2-FIG and 2D2-FIG-Rag1−/− strains revealed that GMCSF-MOG may predominantly drive Treg expansion because the kinetics of vaccine-induced Treg emergence was a function of pre-existing Treg levels. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the antigenic domain of the GMCSF-NAg tolerogenic vaccine is critical in setting the balance between regulatory and conventional T cell responses in both quiescent and inflammatory environments.

Expression and purification of a difficult sarcomeric protein: Telethonin

Telethonin anchors the N-terminal region of titin in the Z-disk of the sarcomere by binding to two immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domains (Z1 and Z2) of titin (Z1Z2). Thereby telethonin plays an important role in myofibril assembly and in muscle development and functional regulation. The expression and purification of recombinant telethonin is very challenging. In previous studies, recombinant telethonin expressed from E. coli was refolded in the presence of Z1Z2. Here, we report various strategies to establish a reliable and efficient protocol for the preparation of telethonin and titin Z1Z2 protein. First, a co-expression strategy was designed to obtain soluble Z1Z2/telethonin complexes. The concentration of antibiotics and the type of expression vector were found to be important for achieving high yields of purified complex. Second, the five cysteine residues of telethonin were mutated to serine to avoid severe problems with cysteine oxidation. Third, a short version of telethonin (telethonin1-90) was designed to avoid the proteolytic degradation observed for longer constructs of the protein. The short telethonin formed a highly stable complex with Z1Z2 with no degradation being observed for 30 days at 4 °C. Fourth, an improved refolding protocol was developed to achieve high yields of Z1Z2/telethonin complex. Finally, based on the crystal structure in which Z1Z2 and telethonin1-90 assemble into a 2:1 complex, a single chain fusion protein was designed, comprising two Z1Z2 modules that are connected by flexible linkers N- and C-terminally of the telethonin1-90. Expression of this fusion protein, named ZTZ, affords high yields of soluble expressed and purified protein.

GMCSF-MOG abrogates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) through the induction of MOG-specific regulatory T-cells.

Abstract FoxP3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in maintaining peripheral tolerance by suppressing auto-reactive T conventional cells (Tcon). Developing a safe therapeutic approach to induce autoantigen-specific Tregs could provide an effective treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. Previous studies have shown that single-chain fusion proteins comprised of murine GM-CSF and the dominant MOG35-55 neuroantigen (NAg), when injected subcutaneously in saline, were potent tolerogens that suppressed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). To assess the potential involvement of FoxP3+ NAg-specific Tregs in the tolerogenic mechanisms of GMCSF-MOG, we used 2D2-FIG mice that express a transgenic “2D2” T cell repertoire specific for MOG35-55 and express a GFP reporter of FoxP3 expression. The results showed that a single subcutaneous administration of GMCSF-MOG in saline elicited a major population of FoxP3+ Tregs comprised of approximately 10–50% of all circulating 2D2-FIG T cells. This GMCSF-MOG-induced FoxP3+ Treg (GMiTreg) subset appeared within 3 days, was sustained over several weeks, and was associated with a desensitized phenotype within the Tcon compartment including a decrement in circulating transgenic 2D2 T cells, and down-regulation of TCR, CD3, and CD4 on a per cell basis. Covalent linkage between GM-CSF and MOG35-55 was required for the induction of FoxP3+ Tregs and the desensitized phenotype. The tolerogenic activity of GMCSF-MOG was dependent upon CD25+ GMiTregs, because treatment of mice with the anti-CD25 mAb PC61 abrogated GMiTregs and completely reversed vaccine-induced tolerance. This study indicates that immunization with GMCSF-MOG induces antigen-specific Tregs, which inhibit EAE in mice.

Immuno-imaging and -therapy in ovarian cancer and sarcoma with de novo single-chain fv-fc fusion protein targeting TEM1/CD248

Meeting abstracts Tumor Endothelial Marker 1 (TEM1 or CD248) has been identified as a microvascular marker of tumor angiogenesis in various human cancers. By comparing the vasculature of ovarian cancer and normal ovary, we and others [[1][1]] identified that TEM1 is overexpressed in tumor

Outflanking RANK with a designer antagonist cytokine.

Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of cytokines are noncovalently linked trimers that play important roles in regulating the immune system and have emerged as successful therapeutic targets in various rheumatic and autoimmune conditions. Traditionally, antibodies to cytokines or receptor-Fc fusion proteins have been used to block signaling by TNF family cytokines. In this issue of Science Signaling, Warren et al. have taken a new approach to blocking the action of the TNF superfamily member RANKL [receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) ligand], which plays an important role in regulating bone turnover through stimulation of its receptor RANK on osteoclasts. Beginning with a single-chain fusion protein of three RANKL subunits, the authors used directed mutagenesis to generate a trimer consisting of a nonreceptor binding subunit fused to two "super-agonist" subunits that have increased affinity for RANK. This molecule antagonized the osteoclastogenic activity of wild-type RANKL in vitro and in vivo, thus providing insights into RANK signaling and a paradigm for the development of other antagonists of TNF family cytokines.

Requirement of dual stimulation by homologous recombinant IL-2 and recombinant IL-12 for the in vitro production of interferon gamma by canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

BackgroundVery few studies have been carried out so far aiming at modulating cellular immune responses in dogs. In this study, we evaluated the ability of recombinant canine IL-2 (rcaIL-2) and IL-12, in the form of a single-chain fusion protein (rsccaIL-12), to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy mongrel dogs.ResultsRecombinant canine IL-2 purified from Escherichia coli or present in the supernatant of COS-7 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-caIL-2 (COS-7 caIL-2 supernatant) was able to induce proliferation of CTLL-2 cells, thus showing their functional activity. In addition, purified rcaIL-2 and COS-7 caIL-2 supernatant stimulated resting canine PBMC proliferation to a level higher than baseline level. Neither COS-7 sccaIL-12 supernatant nor COS-7 caIL-2 supernatant alone was able to induce significant production of interferon gamma by resting PBMC. However, COS-7 sccaIL-12 supernatant in combination with COS-7 caIL-2 supernatant induced production of IFN-γ by those cells.ConclusionsThe data shown herein suggest that the combination of canine recombinant IL-12 and IL-2 can be useful to promote cellular immune responses in dogs.

Targeted Methylation and Gene Silencing of VEGF-A in Human Cells by Using a Designed Dnmt3a–Dnmt3L Single-Chain Fusion Protein with Increased DNA Methylation Activity

The C-terminal domain of the Dnmt3a de novo DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt3a-C) forms a complex with the C-terminal domain of Dnmt3L, which stimulates its catalytic activity. We generated and characterized single-chain (sc) fusion proteins of both these domains with linker lengths between 16 and 30 amino acid residues. The purified sc proteins showed about 10-fold higher DNA methylation activities than Dnmt3a-C in vitro and were more active in bacterial cells as well. After fusing the Dnmt3a-3L sc enzyme to an artificial zinc-finger protein targeting the vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGF-A) promoter, we demonstrate successful targeting of DNA methylation to the VEGF-A promoter in human cells and observed that almost complete methylation of 12 CpG sites in the gene promoter could be achieved. Targeted methylation by the Dnmt3a-3L sc enzymes was about twofold higher than that of Dnmt3a-C, indicating that Dnmt3a-3L sc variants are more efficient as catalytic modules in chimeric DNA methyltransfeases than Dnmt3a-C. Targeted methylation of the VEGF-A promoter with the Dnmt3a-3L sc variant led to a strong silencing of VEGF-A expression, indicating that the artificial DNA methylation of an endogenous promoter is a powerful strategy to achieve silencing of the corresponding gene in human cells.

Fusion proteins of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 with CD4-induced antibodies showed enhanced binding to CD4 and CD4 binding site antibodies

Development of successful AIDS vaccine immunogens continues to be a major challenge. One of the mechanisms by which HIV-1 evades antibody-mediated neutralizing responses is the remarkable conformational flexibility of its envelope glycoprotein (Env) gp120. Some recombinant gp120s do not preserve their conformations on gp140s and functional viral spikes, and exhibit decreased recognition by CD4 and neutralizing antibodies. CD4 binding induces conformational changes in gp120 leading to exposure of the coreceptor-binding site (CoRbs). In this study, we test our hypothesis that CD4-induced (CD4i) antibodies, which target the CoRbs, could also induce conformational changes in gp120 leading to better exposed conserved neutralizing antibody epitopes including the CD4-binding site (CD4bs). We found that a mixture of CD4i antibodies with gp120 only weakly enhanced CD4 binding. However, such interactions in single-chain fusion proteins resulted in gp120 conformations which bound to CD4 and CD4bs antibodies better than the original or mutagenically stabilized gp120s. Moreover, the two molecules in the fusion proteins synergized with each other in neutralizing HIV-1. Therefore, fusion proteins of gp120 with CD4i antibodies could have potential as components of HIV-1 vaccines and inhibitors of HIV-1 entry, and could be used as reagents to explore the conformational flexibility of gp120 and mechanisms of entry and immune evasion.

Production and characterization of a colon cancer-specific immunotoxin based on the fungal ribotoxin -sarcin

A single-chain fusion protein that directed the cytolytic activity of α-sarcin to A33 tumor antigen expressing cells was constructed and shown to effectively kill targeted cells. Glycoprotein A33 (GPA33) is a well-known colon cancer marker and a humanized antibody against it was used to target the α-sarcin. The fungal ribotoxin α-sarcin is one of the most potent and specific toxins known. It is small, protease resistant, thermostable and highly efficient towards the inactivation of ribosomes. This work describes the production and characterization of an immunotoxin resulting from fusing the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of the monoclonal antibody that targets GPA33 to fungal α-sarcin. This chimeric protein (scFvA33αsarcin), produced in Pichia pastoris and purified in high yield was proven to be properly folded, active, specific and stable. It showed high specific toxicity against GPA33-positive tumoral cell lines providing scientific evidence to sustain that scFvA33αsarcin is a good immunotherapeutic candidate against GPA33-positive colon carcinomas.

Expression and characterization of recombinant soluble porcine CD3 ectodomain molecules: Mapping the epitope of an anti-porcine CD3 monoclonal antibody 898H2-6-15

The porcine CD3 specific monoclonal antibody 898H2-6-15 has been used in allo- and xeno-transplantation studies as a porcine CD3 marker and as an effective T cell depletion reagent when conjugated to the diphtheria toxin mutant, CRM9. A recombinant anti-porcine CD3 immuntoxin was recently developed using single-chain variable fragments (scFv) derived from 898H2-6-15. In this study, using published sequence data, we have expressed the porcine CD3 ectodomain molecules in E. coli through inclusion body isolation and in vitro refolding approach. The expressed and refolded porcine CD3 ectodomain molecules include CD3ε, CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3εγ heterodimer, CD3εδ heterodimer, CD3εγ single-chain fusion protein and CD3εδ single-chain fusion protein. These refolded porcine CD3 ectodomain molecules were purified with a strong anion exchange resin Poros 50HQ. ELISA analysis demonstrated that only the porcine CD3εγ ectodomain single-chain fusion protein can bind to the porcine CD3 specific monoclonal antibody 898H2-6-15. The availability of this porcine CD3εγ ectodomain single-chain fusion protein will allow screening for affinity matured variants of scFv derived from 898H2-6-15 to improve the recombinant anti-porcine CD3 immunotoxin. Porcine CD3εγ ectodomain single-chain fusion protein will also be a very useful reagent to study the soluble phase interaction between porcine CD3εγ and porcine CD3 antibodies such as 898H2-6-15.

Design, expression and characterization of a soluble single-chain functional human neonatal Fc receptor

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is responsible for transporting maternal IgGs to fetus/newborns and maintaining the homeostasis of IgGs in adults. FcRn resembles class I major histocompatibility complex in structure, and is composed of a transmembrane heavy chain and an invariant beta 2 microglobulin. Changes in the affinity of IgGs to FcRn lead to changes in the half-life of engineered IgGs and Fc fusion proteins. Longer half-life of therapeutic antibodies means lower dose and longer interval between administering. For some diagnostic agents including imaging or radio-labeled agents a shorter half life in circulation results in lower non-specific binding and decreased side effects. Therefore, studying the interaction of FcRn and therapeutic antibodies has direct clinical implications. A reliable method to prepare soluble and functional FcRn protein is essential for such studies. In this study, we describe a new method to express in mammalian cells soluble human FcRn (sFcRn) as a single-chain soluble fusion protein. The highly hydrophilic beta 2 microglobulin was joined with the hydrophobic heavy chain via a 15 amino acid linker. The single-chain fusion protein format not only improved the expression level of the heavy chain but also simplified the purification process. The sFcRn maintained its pH-dependent binding to IgG. This method typically yielded ∼1 mg/100 ml culture without optimization, and is easy to scale up for production of large quantities.

Potent antitumoral activity of TRAIL through generation of tumor-targeted single-chain fusion proteins

In an attempt to improve TRAIL's (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) tumor selective activity a variant was designed, in which the three TRAIL protomers are expressed as a single polypeptide chain (scTRAIL). By genetic fusion with a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) recognizing the extracellular domain of ErbB2, we further equipped scTRAIL with tumor-targeting properties. We studied tumor targeting and apoptosis induction of scFv–scTRAIL in comparison with non-targeted scTRAIL. Importantly, the tumor antigen-targeted scTRAIL fusion protein showed higher apoptotic activity in vitro, with a predominant action by TRAIL-R2 signaling. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed increased plasma half-life of the targeted scTRAIL fusion protein compared with scTRAIL. In vivo studies in a mouse tumor model with xenotransplanted Colo205 cells confirmed greater response to the ErbB2-specific scTRAIL fusion protein compared with non-targeted scTRAIL both under local and systemic application regimen. Together, in vitro and in vivo data give proof of concept of higher therapeutic activity of tumor-targeted scFv–scTRAIL molecules. Further, we envisage that through targeting of scTRAIL, potential side effects should be minimized. We propose that scFv-mediated tumor targeting of single-chain TRAIL represents a promising strategy to improve TRAIL's antitumoral action and to minimize potential unwanted actions on normal tissues.

A Disease-causing Mutation in the Active Site of Serine Palmitoyltransferase Causes Catalytic Promiscuity

The autosomal dominant peripheral sensory neuropathy HSAN1 results from mutations in the LCB1 subunit of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT). Serum from patients and transgenic mice expressing a disease-causing mutation (C133W) contain elevated levels of 1-deoxysphinganine (1-deoxySa), which presumably arise from inappropriate condensation of alanine with palmitoyl-CoA. Mutant heterodimeric SPT is catalytically inactive. However, mutant heterotrimeric SPT has approximately 10-20% of wild-type activity and supports growth of yeast cells lacking endogenous SPT. In addition, long chain base profiling revealed the synthesis of significantly more 1-deoxySa in yeast and mammalian cells expressing the heterotrimeric mutant enzyme than in cells expressing wild-type enzyme. Wild-type and mutant enzymes had similar affinities for serine. Surprisingly, the enzymes also had similar affinities for alanine, indicating that the major affect of the C133W mutation is to enhance activation of alanine for condensation with the acyl-CoA substrate. In vivo synthesis of 1-deoxySa by the mutant enzyme was proportional to the ratio of alanine to serine in the growth media, suggesting that this ratio can be used to modulate the relative synthesis of sphinganine and 1-deoxySa. By expressing SPT as a single-chain fusion protein to ensure stoichiometric expression of all three subunits, we showed that GADD153, a marker for endoplasmic reticulum stress, was significantly elevated in cells expressing mutant heterotrimers. GADD153 was also elevated in cells treated with 1-deoxySa. Taken together, these data indicate that the HSAN1 mutations perturb the active site of SPT resulting in a gain of function that is responsible for the HSAN1 phenotype.

Expression of biologically active recombinant porcine interleukin-12 from Escherichia coli

The control of viral infections is of critical importance to livestock industries worldwide and is highlighted by costly infection outbreaks, such as that seen with foot and mouth disease virus. To ameliorate the impact of increasing problems with viral infections, new vaccine and anti-viral strategies are required and a greater understanding of the anti-viral response is essential. Furthermore, in pigs, evidence is still being gathered on the components of a defined anti-viral immune response. However, this has been greatly improved by the recent cloning and expression of critical cytokines involved in the anti-viral response. To assess the use of recombinant porcine interleukin-12 (rPoIL-12) as an immunotherapeutic and immunomodulator of swine, we have cloned and expressed rPoIL-12 as a single-chain fusion protein from Esherichia coli ( E. coli). The fusion encodes the p40 and p35 subunits, linked by a glycine–serine linker and expressed as a C-terminal 6xHis tagged protein. rPoIL-12 stimulated the proliferation of human lymphoblasts and its activity on porcine cells was demonstrated by the ability of rPoIL-12 to increase the mRNA expression of porcine interleukin-18 receptor-α (poIL-18Rα) from porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PoPMBCs). This data supports the inclusion of E. coli produced rPoIL-12 in immunomodulation strategies in the pig.

Production of bifunctional single-chain antibody-based fusion proteins in Pichia pastoris supernatants

Recombinant antibody fusion constructs with heterologous functional domains are a promising approach to new therapeutic targeting strategies. However, expression of such constructs is mostly limited to cost and labor-intensive mammalian expression systems. Here we report on the employment of Pichia pastoris for the expression of heterologous antibody fusion constructs with green fluorescent protein, A33scFv::GFP, or with cytosine deaminase, A33scFv::CDy, their production in a biofermenter and a modified purification strategy. Combined, these approaches improved production yields by about thirty times over established standard protocols, with extracellular secretion of the fusion construct reaching 12.0 mg/l. Bifunctional activity of the fusion proteins was demonstrated by flow cytometry and an in-vitro cytotoxicity assay. With equal amounts of purified protein, the modified purification method lead to higher functional results. Our results demonstrate the suitability of methylotrophic Pichia expression systems and laboratory-scale bioreactors for the production of high quantities of bifunctionally active heterologous single-chain fusion proteins.