U.S. patent application number 12/197005 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-12 for high concentration antibody and protein formulations.
This patent application is currently assigned to Genentech, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jun LIU, Steven J. Shire.
Application Number | 20090280129 12/197005 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33299719 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090280129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIU; Jun ; et al. |
November 12, 2009 |
HIGH CONCENTRATION ANTIBODY AND PROTEIN FORMULATIONS
Abstract
The present application relates to highly concentrated antibody
and protein formulations with reduced viscosity that are stable,
relatively isotonic and are of low turbidity. The formulations are
particularly suitable for subcutaneous administration. The
application further describes articles of manufacture containing
such formulations and method for using them to treat disorders
treatable by the formulated antibody or protein.
Inventors: |
LIU; Jun; (Pacifica, CA)
; Shire; Steven J.; (Belmont, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
755 PAGE MILL RD
PALO ALTO
CA
94304-1018
US
|
Assignee: |
Genentech, Inc.
South San Francisco
CA
Novartis AG
Basel
|
Family ID: |
33299719 |
Appl. No.: |
12/197005 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10813483 |
Mar 29, 2004 |
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12197005 |
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60460659 |
Apr 4, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/141.1 ;
424/130.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 39/39591 20130101;
C07K 2317/94 20130101; A61K 39/39566 20130101; A61P 37/02 20180101;
A61M 5/20 20130101; A61K 9/0019 20130101; A61K 45/06 20130101; Y10S
435/80 20130101; A61P 37/00 20180101; A61K 47/26 20130101; A61K
9/08 20130101; A61P 19/00 20180101; A61P 1/00 20180101; A61P 9/00
20180101; A61K 47/183 20130101; A61P 11/02 20180101; A61P 11/08
20180101; A61P 29/00 20180101; C07K 2317/21 20130101; C07K 16/4291
20130101; A61P 37/08 20180101; A61P 11/00 20180101; A61P 11/06
20180101; A61P 17/00 20180101; A61P 33/00 20180101; A61K 47/22
20130101; A61K 2039/505 20130101; A61P 13/02 20180101; C07K 2317/24
20130101; A61P 37/06 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/141.1 ;
424/130.1 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/395 20060101
A61K039/395; A61P 37/08 20060101 A61P037/08; A61P 11/06 20060101
A61P011/06 |
Claims
1. A stable, liquid formulation of low turbidity comprising (a) a
protein or antibody in an amount of 100 to 260 mg/ml, (b)
arginine-HCl in an amount of 50 to 200 mM, (c) histidine in an
amount of 10 to 100 mM, (d) polysorbate in an amount of 0.01 to
0.1%, where the formulation further has a pH ranging from 5.5 to
7.0, a kinematic viscosity of about 50 cs or less and osmolarity
ranging from 200 mOsm/kg to 450 mOsm/kg.
2. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of protein
or antibody ranges from 120 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
3. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of protein
or antibody ranges from 150 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
4. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of protein
or antibody ranges from 180 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
5. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of protein
or antibody ranges from 200 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
6. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of protein
or antibody is about 150 mg/ml.
7. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the osmolarity ranges from
250 mOsm/kg to 350 mOsm/kg.
8. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of
arginine-HCl ranges from 100 mg/ml to 200 mg/ml.
9. A stable, liquid formulation of low turbidity comprising (a) an
anti-IgE monoclonal antibody in an amount of 100 to 260 mg/ml, (b)
arginine-HCl in an amount of 50 to 200 mM, (c) histidine in an
amount of 10 to 100 mM, (d) polysorbate in an amount of 0.01 to
0.1%, where the formulation further has a pH ranging from 5.5 to
7.0, a kinematic viscosity of about 50 cs or less and osmolarity
ranging from 200 mOsm/kg to 450 mOsm/kg.
10. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of
protein or antibody ranges from 120 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
11. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of
protein or antibody ranges from 150 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
12. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of
protein or antibody ranges from 180 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
13. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of
protein or antibody ranges from 200 mg/ml to 260 mg/ml.
14. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the concentration of
protein or antibody is about 150 mg/ml.
15. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the osmolarity ranges from
250 mOsm/kg to 350 mOsm/kg.
16. The formulation of claim 1, where the anti-IgE antibody is
selected from the group consisting of rhuMAbE25, rhuMAbE26 and
Hu-901.
17. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the anti-IgE antibody is
rhuMAbE25.
18. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the anti-IgE antibody is
rhuMAbE26.
19. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the anti-IgE antibody is
Hu-901.
20. A stable, liquid formulation of low turbidity comprising (a) an
anti-IgE antibody in an amount of about 150 mg/ml, (b) arginine-HCl
in an amount of 200 mM, (c) histidine in an amount of 20 mM, (d)
polysorbate in an amount of 0.02%, where the formulation further
has a pH of 6.0.
21. The formulation of claim 20, wherein the anti-IgE antibody is
E25.
22. An article of manufacture comprising a container enclosing the
formulation of claim 1.
23. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein the container
is a syringe.
24. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the syringe is
further contained within an injection device.
25. The article of manufacture of claim 24, wherein the injection
device is an auto-injector.
26. The formulation of claim 1, wherein said formulation is
reconstituted.
27. The formulation of claim 26, wherein the protein or antibody
concentration in said reconstituted formulation is about 240 times
greater than the concentration prior to lyophilization.
28. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administrating to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the IgE-mediated disorder is
selected from the group consisting of allergic rhinitis, asthma,
allergic asthma, non-allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis and
gastroenteropathy.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the IgE-mediated disorder is
allergic rhinitis.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein the IgE-mediated disorder is
allergic asthma.
32. The method of claim 28, wherein the IgE-mediated disorder is
asthma.
33. The method of claim 28, wherein the IgE-mediated disorder is
atopic dermatitis.
34. The method of claim 28, wherein the IgE-mediated disorder is
selected from the group consisting of hypersensitivity, allergic
bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, parasitic diseases, interstitial
cystitis, hyper-IgE syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia,
Wiskott-Akdrich syndrome, thymic alymphoplasia, IgE myeloma and
graft-versus-host reaction.
35. The method of claim 28 wherein the IgE-mediated disorder is
hypersensitivity.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the hypersensitivity disorder
is selected from the group consisting of anaphylaxis, urticaria and
food allergy.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein hypersensitivity disorder is
food allergy.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the food allergy results from
exposure to a legume.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the legume is a peanut.
40. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
an antihistamine.
41. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
the administration of an antihistamine.
42. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
a bronchodialator.
43. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
the administration of a bronchodialator.
44. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
a glucocorticoid.
45. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
the administration of a glucocorticoid.
46. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
a glucocorticoid.
47. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
the administration of a glucocorticoid.
48. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
the administration of allergen desensitization.
49. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
an NSAID.
50. A method of treating an IgE-mediated disorder comprising
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of the formulation of claim 20 in combination with
the administration of an NSAID.
Description
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming
priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/460,659, filed Apr.
4, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to highly concentrated formulations
of antibodies, which are particularly suitable for subcutaneous
administration. The invention further provides stable, highly
concentrated (e.g., .gtoreq.100 mg/ml protein) liquid
formulations.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There is a significant demand for highly concentrated liquid
antibody formulations. However, highly concentrated protein
formulations pose several problems. One problem is instability due
to the formation of particulates. With reconstituted lyophilized
preparations to generate liquid formulations, this problem has been
addressed through the use of surfactants (e.g., a polysorbate), but
surfactants are unsuitable for liquid formulations, because they
render further processing difficult. Moreover, surfactants further
do not reduce the increased viscosity caused as a result of
numerous intermolecular interactions from the macromolecular nature
of antibodies.
[0006] Although surfactants have been shown to significantly reduce
the degree of particulate formation of proteins, they do not
address the problem of increased viscosity that makes difficult the
manipulation and administration of concentrated antibody
formulations. Antibodies tend to form viscous solutions at high
concentration because of their macromolecular nature and potential
for intermolecular interactions. Moreover, pharmaceutically
acceptable sugars are often used in large amounts as stabilizers.
Such sugars can enhance the intermolecular interactions, thereby
increasing the viscosity of the formulation. Highly viscous
formulations are difficult to manufacture, draw into a syringe and
inject subcutaneously. The use of force in manipulating the viscous
formulations leads to excessive frothing, which can lead to
denaturation and inactivation of active biologics. Satisfactory
solution of this problem is lacking.
[0007] While the prior art indicates numerous example of excipients
that can be suitably employed to create pharmaceutical
formulations, very few proteins have been successfully formulated
above 100 mg/ml, or have techniques for doing so been
described.
[0008] Applicants have discovered that Arginine, specifically
Arginine-HCl is particularly suited for highly concentrated liquid
protein or antibody formulations.
[0009] Stable isotonic lyophilized protein formulations are
disclosed in PCT publication WO 97/04801, published on Feb. 13,
1997, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly
incorporated by reference. The disclosed lyophilized formulations
can be reconstituted to generate high protein-concentration liquid
formulations without apparent loss of stability. However, the
potential issues associated with the high viscosity of the
reconstituted formulations are not addressed. Protein aggregation
has been reduced previously through the addition of sugars, but
doing so can dramatically increase the viscosity and osmolarity,
thereby rendering processing and use impractical.
[0010] Applicants co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 09/971,511,
filed Oct. 4, 2001 discloses high protein concentration, but low
viscosity formulations achieved: 1) through low pH (about 4.0 to
5.3); 2) high pH (about 6.5 to 12.0), or 3) increasing the total
ionic strength of the formulation by the addition of salts or
buffers. However, while increased ionic strength does decrease the
viscosity of the formulation (such as with NaCl), it may also
result in increased turbidity of the solution, which is often
associated with the formation of protein particles (e.g.,
aggregation). Thus an optimal high concentration protein
formulation must overcome challenges of stability, viscosity,
osmolarity and turbidity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention concerns highly concentrated protein
or antibody formulations that are stable, and of low viscosity and
turbidity.
[0012] In particular, the present invention concerns highly
concentrated antibody formulations of low turbidity comprising
protein or antibody (100-260 mg/ml), histidine (10-100 mM),
arginine-HCl (50-200 mM) and polysorbate (0.01%-0.1%), having a pH
of 5.5-7.0, a viscosity of 50 cs or less and osmolarity from 200
mOsm/kg-450 mOsm/kg. Alternatively, the protein or antibody in the
formulations can range from 120-260 mg/ml, alternatively 150-260
mg/ml, alternatively 180-260 mg/ml, alternatively 200-260 mg/ml
protein or antibody. Alternatively the osmolarity ranges from 250
mOsm/kg-350 mOsm/kg. Alternatively, the concentration of
arginine-HCl ranges from 100-200 mM, alternatively 150-200 mM,
alternatively 180-200 mM.
[0013] Alternatively, the present invention concerns a highly
concentrated antibody formulations of low turbidity comprising
antibody (40-150 mg/ml), histidine (10-100 mM), sugar (e.g.,
trehalose or sucrose, 20-350 mM) and polysorbate (0.01%-0.1%).
[0014] In a particular embodiment, the invention provides a
formulation containing high concentrations of large molecular
weight proteins, such as antibodies or immunoglobulins. The
antibodies may, for example, be antibodies directed against a
particular predetermined antigen. In a specific aspect, the antigen
is IgE (e.g., rhuMAbE-25, rhuMAbE-26 described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,329,509 and WO 99/01556). Alternatively, the anti-IgE antibody
can be CGP-5101 (Hu-901) described in Corne et al., J. Clin.
Invest. 99(5): 879-887 (1997), WO92/17207, and ATTC Deposit Nos
BRL-10706 and 11130, 11131, 11132, 11133. Alternatively, the
antigen may include: the CD proteins CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD20,
CD34 and CD40; members of the HER receptor family such as EGF
receptor, HER2, HER3 or HER4 receptor; 2C4, 4D5, PSCA, LDP-2, cell
adhesion molecules such as LFA-1, Mac1, p150, 95, VLA4, ICAM-1,
VCAM and .alpha.v/.beta.3 integrin including the .alpha.- and
.beta.-subunits thereof (e.g., anti-CD11a, anti-CD18 or anti-CD11b
antibodies); growth factors such as VEGF; blood group antigens;
flk2/flt3 receptor; obesity (OB) receptor; mpl receptor, CTLA-4,
and protein C.
[0015] The formulations of the present invention may be
pharmaceutical formulations. In a specific aspect, the formulation
is delivered subcutaneously.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method
for the treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of a disorder
treatable by the protein or antibody formulated, comprising
administering the formulations disclosed herein comprising a
therapeutically effective amount of the protein or antibody. Such
formulations are particularly useful for subcutaneous
administration. In a specific aspect, the disorder is an
IgE-mediated disorder. In yet a further specific aspect, the
IgE-mediated disorder is allergic rhinitis, asthma (e.g., allergic
asthma and non-allergic asthma), atopic dermatitis, allergic
gastroenteropathy, hypersensitivity (e.g., analphylaxis, urticaria,
food allergies etc.), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis,
parasitic diseases, interstitial cystitis, hyper-IgE syndrome,
ataxia-telangiectasia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, thymic
alylphoplasia, IgE myeloma and graft-versus-host reaction.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an article
of manufacture comprising a container enclosing a formulation
disclosed herein. In one aspect, the article of manufacture is
pre-filled syringe. In yet another specific aspect, the pre-filled
syringe is further containing within an injection device. In yet
another specific aspect, the injection device is an
auto-injector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of a pepsin
digested anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Samples were formulated at
different pH and buffers: ( ) 20 mM Acetate, (.DELTA.) 20 mM
Succinate, (.tangle-solidup.) 20 mM Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4, (.gradient.)
20 mM K.sub.2PO.sub.4 and (*) 20 mM Tris buffer. The samples were
stored at 30.degree. C. for 6 months.
[0019] FIG. 2. Size exclusion chromatography of an anti-IgE
monoclonal antibody stored at 40.degree. C. for 6 months. Samples
were formulated at different pH and buffers: (.box-solid.) 20 mM
Glutamate, ( ) 20 mM Acetate, (.DELTA.) 20 mM Succinate,
(.quadrature.) 20 mM Histidine, (.tangle-solidup.) 20 mM
Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4, () 20 mM K.sub.2PO.sub.4 and (*) 20 mM Tris
buffer.
[0020] FIG. 3. Activity of an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody stored
at 30.degree. C. for 6 months. Samples were formulated at different
pH and buffers: ( ) 20 mM Acetate, (.DELTA.) 20 mM Succinate,
(.quadrature.) 20 mM Histidine, (.tangle-solidup.) 20 mM
Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4, () 20 mM K.sub.2PO.sub.4 and (*) 20 mM Tris
buffer.
[0021] FIG. 4. Effects of Polysorbate 20 on turbidity of the
stressed anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Samples contain 100 mg/ml
antibody, 20 mM Succinate, 192 mM Trehalose and various amounts of
polysorbate 20 at pH 6.0. The polysorbate concentrations are
(.box-solid.) 0, (.tangle-solidup.) 0.01%, ( ) 0.02% and (.DELTA.)
0.05%.
[0022] FIG. 5. Turbidity of an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody at
.about.150 mg/ml with different excipients (.tangle-solidup.)
CaCl.sub.2, (.gradient.) MgCl.sub.2 and (.DELTA.) Arginine-HCl
[0023] FIG. 6. Turbidity of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody at
.about.150 mg/ml with various excipients. The samples were stored
at (.tangle-solidup.) -70.degree. C., (.box-solid.) 2-8.degree. C.,
(.DELTA.) 15.degree. C., (.quadrature.) 30.degree. C. and
(.gradient.) 40.degree. C.
[0024] FIG. 7. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography analyses of
papain digested anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Samples were
formulated at .about.150 mg/ml with various of excipients and
stored at () -70.degree. C., (.box-solid.) 2-8.degree. C.,
(.tangle-solidup.) 15.degree. C., (.DELTA.) 30.degree. C. and
(.quadrature.) 40.degree. C.
[0025] FIG. 8. Size exclusion chromatography of anti-IgE monoclonal
antibody at .about.150 mg/ml in (.box-solid.) 200 mM arginine-HCl,
23 mM histidine, pH 6.0 (.tangle-solidup.) 182 mM arginine-HCl, 20
mM histidine, pH 6.0 ( ) 182 mM arginine-HCl, 20 mM histidine, 91
mM sucrose, pH 6.0 (.quadrature.) 50 mM MgCl.sub.2, 27 mg/ml
trehalose, 0.01% acetate, (.DELTA.) 50 mM MgCl.sub.2, 30 mM
MgAc.sub.2, 0.01% acetate, and (.largecircle.) 50 mM MgCl.sub.2, 45
mM MgAc.sub.2, 0.01% acetate. Samples were stored at 30.degree. C.
for 6 months.
[0026] FIG. 9. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography analyses of
papain digested anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. The samples show were
formulated in (.box-solid.) 200 mM arginine-HCl, 23 mM histidine,
(.tangle-solidup.) 182 mM arginine-HCl, 20 mM histidine, ( ) 182 mM
arginine-HCl, 20 mM histidine, 91 mM sucrose, (.quadrature.) 50 mM
MgCl.sub.2, 27 mg/ml trehalose, 0.01% acetate, (.DELTA.) 50 mM
MgCl.sub.2, 30 mM MgAc.sub.2, 0.01% acetate and (.largecircle.) 50
mM MgCl.sub.2, 45 mM MgAc.sub.2, 0.01% acetate. Samples were stored
at 30.degree. C. for 6 months.
[0027] FIG. 10. Shows a comparison of the full-length sequences
both variable and constant chains) of the anti-IgE antibodies E25,
E26 and Hu-901. The CDR regions of Hu-901 is shown by underline.
For E25 and E26, the CDR regions as defined by Chothia are shown in
boldface, while the CDR region as defined by Kabat are delineated
with brackets. FIG. 10A shows the light chain sequences of E25, E26
and Hu-901 (SEQ ID NOS:1-3), while FIG. 10B shows the heavy chain
sequences of E25, E26 and Hu-901 (SEQ ID NOS:4-6).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
I. Definitions
[0028] By "protein" is meant a sequence of amino acids for which
the chain length is sufficient to produce the higher levels of
tertiary and/or quaternary structure. Thus, proteins are
distinguished from "peptides" which are also amino acid-based
molecules that do not have such structure. Typically, a protein for
use herein will have a molecular weight of at least about 15-20 kD,
preferably at least about 20 kD.
[0029] Examples of proteins encompassed within the definition
herein include mammalian proteins, such as, e.g., growth hormone,
including human growth hormone and bovine growth hormone; growth
hormone releasing factor; parathyroid hormone; thyroid stimulating
hormone; lipoproteins; .alpha.-1-antitrypsin; insulin A-chain;
insulin B-chain; proinsulin; follicle stimulating hormone;
calcitonin; luteinizing hormone; glucagon; clotting factors such as
factor VIIIC, factor IX, tissue factor, and von Willebrands factor;
anti-clotting factors such as Protein C; atrial natriuretic factor;
lung surfactant; a plasminogen activator, such as urokinase or
tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA, e.g., Activase.RTM.,
TNKase.RTM., Retevase.RTM.); bombazine; thrombin; tumor necrosis
factor-.alpha. and -.beta.; enkephalinase; RANTES (regulated on
activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted); human
macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1-.alpha.); serum albumin such
as human serum albumin; mullerian-inhibiting substance; relaxin
A-chain; relaxin B-chain; prorelaxin; mouse gonadotropin-associated
peptide; DNase; inhibin; activin; vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF); receptors for hormones or growth factors; an
integrin; protein A or D; rheumatoid factors; a neurotrophic factor
such as bone-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3,
-4, -5, or -6 (NT-3, NT-4, NT-5, or NT-6), or a nerve growth factor
such as NGF-.beta.; platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF);
fibroblast growth factor such as aFGF and bFGF; epidermal growth
factor (EGF); transforming growth factor (TGF) such as TGF-.alpha.
and TGF-.beta., including TGF-.beta.1, TGF-.beta.2, TGF-.beta.3,
TGF-.beta.4, or TGF-.beta.5; insulin-like growth factor-I and -II
(IGF-I and IGF-II); des(1-3)-IGF-I (brain IGF-I); insulin-like
growth factor binding proteins; CD proteins such as CD3, CD4, CD8,
CD19 and CD20; erythropoietin (EPO); thrombopoietin (TPO);
osteoinductive factors; immunotoxins; a bone morphogenetic protein
(BMP); an interferon such as interferon-.alpha., -.beta., and
-.gamma., colony stimulating factors (CSFs), e.g., M-CSF, GM-CSF,
and G-CSF; interleukins (ILs), e.g., L-1 to IL-10; superoxide
dismutase; T-cell receptors; surface membrane proteins; decay
accelerating factor (DAF); a viral antigen such as, for example, a
portion of the AIDS envelope; transport proteins; homing receptors;
addressins; regulatory proteins; immunoadhesins; antibodies; and
biologically active fragments or variants of any of the
above-listed polypeptides.
[0030] The protein which is formulated is preferably essentially
pure and desirably essentially homogeneous (i.e. free from
contaminating proteins). "Essentially pure" protein means a
composition comprising at least about 90% by weight of the protein,
based on total weight of the composition, preferably at least about
95% by weight. "Essentially homogeneous" protein means a
composition comprising at least about 99% by weight of protein,
based on total weight of the composition.
[0031] In certain embodiments, the protein is an antibody. The
antibody may bind to any of the above-mentioned molecules, for
example. Exemplary molecular targets for antibodies encompassed by
the present invention include IgE, the CD proteins CD3, CD4, CD8,
CD19, CD20, CD34 and CD40; members of the HER receptor family such
as EGF receptor, HER2, HER3 or HER4 receptor; 2c4, 4D5, PSCA,
LDP-2, cell adhesion molecules such as LFA-1, Mac1, p150, 95,
VLA-4, ICAM-1, VCAM and .alpha.v/.beta.3 integrin including the
.alpha.- and .beta.-subunits thereof (e.g., anti-CD11a, anti-CD18
or anti-CD11b antibodies); growth factors such as VEGF; blood group
antigens; flk2/flt3 receptor; obesity (OB) receptor; mpl receptor,
CTLA-4, and protein C.
[0032] Additional antibodies that can be made with the formulation
described herein include those that specifically bind to the
antigenic targets disclosed in the following patent applications:
U.S. Ser. No. 10/177,488, filed 19 Jun. 2002; U.S. Ser. No.
09/888,257, filed 22 Jun. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 09/929,769, filed 14
Aug. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 09/938,418, filed 23 Aug. 2001; U.S. Ser.
No. 10/241,220, filed 11 Sep. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10/331,496, filed
30 Dec. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10/125,166, filed 17 Apr. 2002; U.S.
Ser. No. 10/127,966, filed 23 Apr. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10/272,051,
filed 16 Oct. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/299,500, filed 20 Jun. 2001;
U.S. Ser. No. 60/300,880, filed 25 Jun. 2001; U.S. Ser. No.
60/301,880, filed 29 Jun. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60/304,813, filed 11
Jul. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60/312,312, filed 13 Aug. 2001; U.S. Ser.
No. 60/314,280, filed 22 Aug. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60/323,268, filed
18 Sep. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60/339,227, filed 19 Oct. 2001; U.S.
Ser. No. 60/336,827, filed 7 Nov. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60/331,906,
filed 20 Nov. 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60/354,444, filed 2 Jan. 2002;
U.S. Ser. No. 60/351,885, filed 25 Jan. 2002; U.S. Ser. No.
60/360,066, filed 25 Feb. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/362,004, filed 5
Mar. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/366,869, filed 20 Mar. 2002; U.S. Ser.
No. 60/366,284, filed 21 Mar. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/368,679, filed
28 Mar. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/369,724, filed 3 Apr. 2002; U.S.
Ser. No. 60/373,160, filed 16 Apr. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/378,885,
filed 8 May 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/404,809, filed 19 Aug. 2002;
U.S. Ser. No. 60/405,645, filed 21 Aug. 2002; U.S. Ser. No.
60/407,087, filed 29 Aug. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/413,192, filed 23
Sep. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/419,008, filed 15 Oct. 2002; U.S. Ser.
No. 60/426,847, filed 15 Nov. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/431,250, filed
6 Dec. 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60/437,344, filed 31 Dec. 2002, U.S.
Ser. No. 60/414,971, filed 2 Oct. 2002, U.S. Ser. No. 60/418,988,
filed 18 Oct. 2002 and Docket No. PR5035, filed 5 Feb. 2003.
[0033] The term "antibody" as used wherein includes monoclonal
antibodies (including full length antibodies which have an
immunoglobulin Fc region), antibody compositions with polyepitopic
specificity, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies,
diabodies, and single-chain molecules, as well as antibody
fragments (e.g., Fab, F(ab').sub.2, and Fv). The term
"immunoglobulin" (Ig) is used interchangeably with "antibody"
herein.
[0034] The basic 4-chain antibody unit is a heterotetrameric
glycoprotein composed of two identical light (L) chains and two
identical heavy (H) chains. An IgM antibody consists of 5 of the
basic heterotetramer unit along with an additional polypeptide
called a J chain, and contains 10 antigen binding sites, while IgA
antibodies comprise from 2-5 of the basic 4-chain units which can
polymerize to form polyvalent assemblages in combination with the J
chain. In the case of IgGs, the 4-chain unit is generally about
150,000 daltons. Each L chain is linked to an H chain by one
covalent disulfide bond, while the two H chains are linked to each
other by one or more disulfide bonds depending on the H chain
isotype. Each H and L chain also has regularly spaced intrachain
disulfide bridges. Each H chain has at the N-terminus, a variable
domain (V.sub.H) followed by three constant domains (C.sub.H) for
each of the .alpha. and .gamma. chains and four C.sub.H domains for
.mu. and .epsilon. isotypes. Each L chain has at the N-terminus, a
variable domain (V.sub.L) followed by a constant domain at its
other end. The V.sub.L is aligned with the V.sub.H and the C.sub.L
is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy chain
(C.sub.H1). Particular amino acid residues are believed to form an
interface between the light chain and heavy chain variable domains.
The pairing of a V.sub.H and V.sub.L together forms a single
antigen-binding site. For the structure and properties of the
different classes of antibodies, see e.g., Basic and Clinical
Immunology, 8th Edition, Daniel P. Sties, Abba I. Terr and Tristram
G. Parsolw (eds), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn., 1994, page
71 and Chapter 6.
[0035] The L chain from any vertebrate species can be assigned to
one of two clearly distinct types, called kappa and lambda, based
on the amino acid sequences of their constant domains. Depending on
the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of their heavy
chains (CH), immunoglobulins can be assigned to different classes
or isotypes. There are five classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD,
IgE, IgG and IgM, having heavy chains designated .alpha.,
.epsilon., .epsilon., .gamma. and .lamda., respectively. The
.gamma. and .mu. classes are further divided into subclasses on the
basis of relatively minor differences in the CH sequence and
function, e.g., humans express the following subclasses: IgG1,
IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 and IgA2.
[0036] The term "variable" refers to the fact that certain segments
of the variable domains differ extensively in sequence among
antibodies. The V domain mediates antigen binding and defines the
specificity of a particular antibody for its particular antigen.
However, the variability is not evenly distributed across the
entire span of the variable domains. Instead, the V regions consist
of relatively invariant stretches called framework regions (FRs) of
about 15-30 amino acid residues separated by shorter regions of
extreme variability called "hypervariable regions" or sometimes
"complementarity determining regions" (CDRs) that are each
approximately 9-12 amino acid residues in length. The variable
domains of native heavy and light chains each comprise four FRs,
largely adopting a .beta.-sheet configuration, connected by three
hypervariable regions, which form loops connecting, and in some
cases forming part of, the .beta.-sheet structure. The
hypervariable regions in each chain are held together in close
proximity by the FRs and, with the hypervariable regions from the
other chain, contribute to the formation of the antigen binding
site of antibodies (see Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of
Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National
Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991). The constant domains
are not involved directly in binding an antibody to an antigen, but
exhibit various effector functions, such as participation of the
antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
[0037] The term "hypervariable region" (also known as
"complementarity determining regions" or CDRs) when used herein
refers to the amino acid residues of an antibody which are (usually
three or four short regions of extreme sequence variability) within
the V-region domain of an immunoglobulin which form the
antigen-binding site and are the main determinants of antigen
specificity. There are at least two methods for identifying the CDR
residues: (1) An approach based on cross-species sequence
variability (i.e., Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of
Immunological Interest (National Institute of Health, Bethesda,
Miss. 1991); and (2) An approach based on crystallographic studies
of antigen-antibody complexes (Chothia, C. et al., J. Mol. Biol.
196: 901-917 (1987)). However, to the extent that two residue
identification techniques define regions of overlapping, but not
identical regions, they can be combined to define a hybrid CDR.
[0038] The term "monoclonal antibody" as used herein refers to an
antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous
antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the
population are identical except for possible naturally occurring
mutations and/or post-translation modifications (e.g.,
isomerizations, amidations) that may be present in minor amounts.
Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a
single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional
(polyclonal) antibody preparations which typically include
different antibodies directed against different determinants
(epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single
determinant on the antigen. In addition to their specificity, the
monoclonal antibodies are advantageous in that they are synthesized
by the hybridoma culture, uncontaminated by other immunoglobulins.
The modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody
as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of
antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of
the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal
antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may
be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al.,
Nature, 256: 495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods
(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). The "monoclonal antibodies"
may also be isolated from phage antibody libraries using the
techniques described in Clackson et al., Nature, 352.624-628 (1991)
and Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991), for
example.
[0039] The monoclonal antibodies herein specifically include
"chimeric" antibodies (immunoglobulins) in which a portion of the
heavy and/or light chain is identical with or homologous to
corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from a particular
species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass,
while the remainder of the chain(s) is(are) identical with or
homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from
another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass,
as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit
the desired biological activity (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Morrison
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-6855 (1984)). Chimeric
antibodies of interest herein include "primitized" antibodies
comprising variable domain antigen-binding sequences derived from a
non-human primate (e.g., Old World Monkey, Ape etc.) and human
constant region sequences.
[0040] An "intact" antibody is one which comprises an
antigen-binding site as well as a CL and at least the heavy chain
domains, C.sub.H1, C.sub.H2 and C.sub.H3. The constant domains may
be native sequence constant domains (e.g., human native sequence
constant domains) or amino acid sequence variants thereof.
Preferably, the intact antibody has one or more effector
functions.
[0041] An "antibody fragment" comprises a portion of an intact
antibody, preferably the antigen binding and/or the variable region
of the intact antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab,
Fab', F(ab').sub.2 and Fv fragments; diabodies; linear antibodies
(see U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,870, Example 2; Zapata et al., Protein
Eng. 8(10): 1057-1062 [1995]); single-chain antibody molecules and
multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.
[0042] Papain digestion of antibodies produced two identical
antigen-binding fragments, called "Fab" fragments, and a residual
"Fc" fragment, a designation reflecting the ability to crystallize
readily. The Fab fragment consists of an entire L chain along with
the variable region domain of the H chain (V.sub.H), and the first
constant domain of one heavy chain (C.sub.H1). Each Fab fragment is
monovalent with respect to antigen binding, i.e., it has a single
antigen-binding site. Pepsin treatment of an antibody yields a
single large F(ab').sub.2 fragment which roughly corresponds to two
disulfide linked Fab fragments having different antigen-binding
activity and is still capable of cross-linking antigen. Fab'
fragments differ from Fab fragments by having a few additional
residues at the carboxy terminus of the C.sub.H1 domain including
one or more cysteines from the antibody hinge region. Fab'-SH is
the designation herein for Fab' in which the cysteine residue(s) of
the constant domains bear a free thiol group. F(ab').sub.2 antibody
fragments originally were produced as pairs of Fab' fragments which
have hinge cysteines between them. Other chemical couplings of
antibody fragments are also known.
[0043] The Fc fragment comprises the carboxy-terminal portions of
both H chains held together by disulfides. The effector functions
of antibodies are determined by sequences in the Fc region, the
region which is also recognized by Fc receptors (FcR) found on
certain types of cells.
[0044] "Fv" is the minimum antibody fragment which contains a
complete antigen-recognition and -binding site. This fragment
consists of a dimer of one heavy- and one light-chain variable
region domain in tight, non-covalent association. From the folding
of these two domains emanate six hypervariable loops (3 loops each
from the H and L chain) that contribute the amino acid residues for
antigen binding and confer antigen binding specificity to the
antibody. However, even a single variable domain (or half of an Fv
comprising only three CDRs specific for an antigen) has the ability
to recognize and bind antigen, although at a lower affinity than
the entire binding site.
[0045] "Single-chain Fv" also abbreviated as "sFv" or "scFv" are
antibody fragments that comprise the VH and VL antibody domains
connected into a single polypeptide chain. Preferably, the sFv
polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the
V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains which enables the sFv to form the
desired structure for antigen binding. For a review of the sFv, see
Pluckthun in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113,
Rosenburg and Moore eds., Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315
(1994).
[0046] The term "diabodies" refers to small antibody fragments
prepared by constructing sFv fragments (see preceding paragraph)
with short linkers (about 5-10) residues) between the V.sub.H and
V.sub.L domains such that inter-chain but not intra-chain pairing
of the V domains is achieved, thereby resulting in a bivalent
fragment, i.e., a fragment having two antigen-binding sites.
Bispecific diabodies are heterodimers of two "crossover" sFv
fragments in which the V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains of the two
antibodies are present on different polypeptide chains. Diabodies
are described in greater detail in, for example, EP 404,097; WO
93/11161; Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:
6444-6448 (1993).
[0047] An antibody that "specifically binds to" or is "specific
for" a particular polypeptide or an epitope on a particular
polypeptide is one that binds to that particular polypeptide or
epitope on a particular polypeptide without substantially binding
to any other polypeptide or polypeptide epitope.
[0048] The term "solid phase" describes a non-aqueous matrix to
which the antibody of the present invention can adhere. Examples of
solid phases encompassed herein include those formed partially or
entirely of glass (e.g., controlled pore glass), polysaccharides
(e.g., agarose), polyacrylamides, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol
and silicones. In certain embodiments, depending on the context,
the solid phase can comprise the well of an assay plate; in others
it is a purification column (e.g., an affinity chromotography
column). This term also includes a discontinuous solid phase of
discrete particles, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,275,149.
[0049] "Humanized" forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are
chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments
thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab').sub.2 or other
antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) of mostly human
sequences, which contain minimal sequence derived from non-human
immunoglobulin. For the most part, humanized antibodies are human
immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a
hypervariable region (also CDR) of the recipient are replaced by
residues from a hypervariable region of a non-human species (donor
antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired
specificity, affinity, and capacity. In some instances, Fv
framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are
replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore,
"humanized antibodies" as used herein may also comprise residues
which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor the donor
antibody. These modifications are made to further refine and
optimize antibody performance. The humanized antibody optimally
also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant
region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin. For further
details, see Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Reichmann et
al., Nature, 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct.
Biol., 2:593-596 (1992).
[0050] A "species-dependent antibody", e.g. a mammalian anti-human
IgE antibody, is an antibody which has a stronger binding affinity
for an antigen from a first mammalian species than it has for a
homologue of that antigen from a second mammalian species.
Normally, the species-dependent antibody "bind specifically" to a
human antigen (i.e., has a binding affinity (Kd) value of no more
than about 1.times.10.sup.-7 M, alternatively no more than about
1.times.10.sup.-8 M, alternatively no more than about
1.times.10.sup.-9 M) but has a binding affinity for a homologus of
the antigen from a second non-human mammalian species which is at
least about 50 fold, at least about 500 fold, or at least about
1000 fold, waker than it binding affinity for the non-human
antigen. The species-dependent antibody can be of any of the
various types of antibodies as defined above, but preferably is a
humanized or human antibody.
[0051] Antibody "effector functions" refer to those biological
activities attributable to the Fc region (a native sequence Fc
region or amino acid sequence variant Fc region) of an antibody,
and vary with the antibody isotype. Examples of antibody effector
functions include: C1q binding and complement dependent
cytotoxicity; Fc receptor binding; antibody-dependent cell-mediated
cytotoxicity (ADCC); phagocytosis; down regulation of cell surface
receptors (e.g., B cell receptors); and B cell activation.
[0052] "Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity" or ADCC
refers to a form of cytotoxicity in which secreted Ig bound onto Fc
receptors (FcRs) present on certain cytotoxic cells (e.g., natural
killer (NK) cells, neutrophils and macrophages) enable these
cytotoxic effector cells to bind specifically to an antigen-bearing
target cell and subsequently kill the target cell with cytotoxins.
The antibodies "arm" the cytotoxic cells and are required for
killing of the target cell by this mechanism. The primary cells for
mediating ADCC, NK cells, express Fc.gamma.RIII only, whereas
monocytes express Fc.gamma.RI, Fc.gamma.RII and Fc.gamma.RIII. Fc
expression on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page
464 of Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9: 457-92 (1991). To
assess ADCC activity of a molecule of interest, an in vitro ACDD
assay, such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,362 or
5,821,337 may be performed. Useful effector cells for such assays
include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and natural
killer (NK) cells. Alternatively, or additionally, ADCC activity of
the molecule of interest may be assessed in vivo, e.g., in an
animal model such as that disclosed in Clynes et al., PNAS USA
95:652-656 (1998).
[0053] "Fc receptor" or "FcR" describes a receptor that binds to
the Fc region of an antibody. The preferred FcR is a native
sequence human FcR. Moreover, a preferred FcR is one which binds an
IgG antibody (a gamma receptor) and includes receptors of the
Fc.gamma.RI, Fc.gamma.RII, and Fc.gamma.RIII subclasses, including
allelic variants and alternatively spliced forms of these
receptors, Fc.gamma.RII receptors include Fc.gamma.IIA (an
"activating receptor") and Fc.gamma.RIIB (an "inhibiting
receptor"), which have similar amino acid sequences that differ
primarily in the cytoplasmic domains thereof. Activating receptor
Fc.gamma.RIIA contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation
motif (ITAM) in its cytoplasmic domain. Inhibiting receptor
Fc.gamma.RIIB contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition
motif (ITIM) in its cytoplasmic domain. (see M. Daeron, Annu. Rev.
Immunol. 15:203-234 (1997). FcRs are reviewed in Ravetch and Kinet,
Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9: 457-92 (1991); Capel et al., Immunomethods
4: 25-34 (1994); and de Haas et al., J. Lab. Clin. Med. 126: 330-41
(1995). Other FcRs, including those to be identified in the future,
are encompassed by the term "FcR" herein. The term also includes
the neonatal receptor, FcRn, which is responsible for the transfer
of maternal IgGs to the fetus. Guyer et al., J. Immunol. 117: 587
(1976) and Kim et al., J. Immunol. 24: 249 (1994).
[0054] "Human effector cells" are leukocytes which express one or
more FcRs and perform effector functions. Preferably, the cells
express at least Fc.gamma.RIII and perform ADCC effector function.
Examples of human leukocytes which mediate ADCC include peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), natural killer (NK) cells,
monocytes, cytotoxic T cells and neutrophils, with PBMCs and MNK
cells being preferred. The effector cells may be isolated from a
native source, e.g., blood.
[0055] "Complement dependent cytotoxicity" of "CDC" refers to the
lysis of a target cell in the presence of complement. Activation of
the classical complement pathway is initiated by the binding of the
first component of the complement system (C1q) to antibodies (of
the appropriate subclass) which are bound to their cognate antigen.
To assess complement activation, a CDC assay, e.g., as described in
Gazzano-Santoro et al., J. Immunol. Methods 202: 163 (1996), may be
performed.
[0056] "Isolated" when used to describe the various polypeptides
and antibodies disclosed herein, means a polypeptide or antibody
that has been identified, separated and/or recovered from a
component of its production environment. Preferably, the isolated
polypeptide is free of association with all other components from
its production environment. Contaminant components of its
production environment, such as that resulting from recombinant
transfected cells, are materials that would typically interfere
with diagnostic or therapeutic uses for the polypeptide, and may
include enzymes, hormones, and other proteinaceous or
non-proteinaceous solutes. In preferred embodiments, the
polypeptide will be purified (1) to a degree sufficient to obtain
at least 15 residues of N-terminal or internal amino acid sequence
by use of a spinning cup sequenator, or (2) to homogeneity by
SDS-PAGE under non-reducing or reducing conditions using Coomassie
blue or, preferably, silver stain. Ordinarily, however, an isolated
polypeptide or antibody will be prepared by at least one
purification step.
[0057] An "isolated" nucleic acid molecule encoding the
polypeptides and antibodies herein is a nucleic acid molecule that
is identified and separated from at least one contaminant nucleic
acid molecule with which it is ordinarily associated in the
environment in which it was produced. Preferably, the isolated
nucleic acid is free of association with all components associated
with the production environment. The isolated nucleic acid
molecules encoding the polypeptides and antibodies herein is in a
form other than in the form or setting in which it is found in
nature. Isolated nucleic acid molecules therefore are distinguished
from nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides and antibodies herein
existing naturally in cells.
[0058] The term "control sequences" refers to DNA sequences
necessary for the expression of an operably linked coding sequence
in a particular host organism. The control sequences that are
suitable for prokaryotes, for example, include a promoter,
optionally an operator sequence, and a ribosome binding site.
Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters, polyadenylation
signals, and enhancers.
[0059] Nucleic acid is "operably linked" when it is placed into a
functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For
example, DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably
linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein
that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter
or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects
the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is
operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to
facilitate translation. Generally, "operably linked" means that the
DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a
secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase. However,
enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished by
ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not
exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used
in accordance with conventional practice.
[0060] The term "epitope tagged" when used herein refers to a
chimeric polypeptide comprising a polypeptide or antibody described
herein fused to a "tag polypeptide". The tag polypeptide has enough
residues to provide an epitope against which an antibody can be
made, yet is short enough such that it does not interfere with
activity of the polypeptide to which it is fused. The tag
polypeptide preferably also is fairly unique so that the antibody
does not substantially cross-react with other epitopes. Suitable
tag polypeptides generally have at least six amino acid residues
and usually between about 8 and 50 amino acid residues (preferably,
between about 10 and 20 amino acid residues).
[0061] As used herein, the term "immunoadhesin" designates
antibody-like molecules which combine the binding specificity of a
heterologous protein (an "adhesin") with the effector functions of
immunoglobulin constant domains. Structurally, the immunoadhesins
comprise a fusion of an amino acid sequence with the desired
binding specificity which is other than the antigen recognition and
binding site of an antibody (i.e., is "heterologous"), and an
immunoglobulin constant domain sequence. The adhesin part of an
immunoadhesin molecule typically is a contiguous amino acid
sequence comprising at least the binding site of a receptor or a
ligand. The immunoglobulin constant domain sequence in the
immunoadhesin may be obtained from any immunoglobulin, such as
IgG-1, IgG-2, IgG-3, or IgG-4 subtypes, IgA (including IgA-1 and
IgA-2), IgE, IgD or IgM. The Ig fusions preferably include the
substitution of a domain of a polypeptide or antibody described
herein in the place of at least one variable region within an Ig
molecule. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the
immunoglobulin fusion includes the hinge, CH2 and CH3, or the
hinge, CH1, CH2 and CH3 regions of an IgG1 molecule. For the
production of immunoglobulin fusions see also U.S. Pat. No.
5,428,130 issued Jun. 27, 1995.
[0062] A "stable" formulation is one in which the protein therein
essentially retains its physical and chemical stability and
integrity upon storage. Various analytical techniques for measuring
protein stability are available in the art and are reviewed in
Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery, 247-301, Vincent Lee Ed., Marcel
Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., Pubs. (1991) and Jones, A. Adv. Drug
Delivery Rev. 10: 29-90 (1993). Stability can be measured at a
selected temperature for a selected time period. For rapid
screening, the formulation may be kept at 40.degree. C. for 2 weeks
to 1 month, at which time stability is measured. Where the
formulation is to be stored at 2-8.degree. C., generally the
formulation should be stable at 30.degree. C. or 40.degree. C. for
at least 1 month and/or stable at 2-8.degree. C. for at least 2
years. Where the formulation is to be stored at 30.degree. C.,
generally the formulation should be stable for at least 2 years at
30.degree. C. and/or stable at 40.degree. C. for at least 6 months.
For example, the extent of aggregation during storage can be used
as an indicator of protein stability. Thus, a "stable" formulation
may be one wherein less than about 10% and preferably less than
about 5% of the protein are present as an aggregate in the
formulation. In other embodiments, any increase in aggregate
formation during storage of the formulation can be determined.
[0063] A "reconstituted" formulation is one which has been prepared
by dissolving a lyophilized protein or antibody formulation in a
diluent such that the protein throughout. The reconstituted
formulation is suitable for administration (e.g. parenteral
administration) to a patient to be treated with the protein of
interest and, in certain embodiments of the invention, may be one
which is suitable for subcutaneous administration.
[0064] An "isotonic" formulation is one which has essentially the
same osmotic pressure as human blood. Isotonic formulations will
generally have an osmotic pressure from about 250 to 350 mOsm. The
term "hypotonic" describes a formulation with an osmotic pressure
below that of human blood. Correspondingly, the term "hypertonic"
is used to describe a formulation with an osmotic pressure above
that of human blood. Isotonicity can be measured using a vapor
pressure or ice-freezing type osmometer, for example. The
formulations of the present invention are hypertonic as a result of
the addition of salt and/or buffer.
[0065] A "reconstituted" formulation is one which has been prepared
by dissolving a lyophilized protein formulation in a diluent such
that the protein is dispersed in the reconstituted formulation. The
reconstituted formulation is suitable for administration (e.g.
parenteral administration) to a patient to be treated with the
protein of interest and, in certain embodiments of the invention,
may be one which is suitable for subcutaneous administration.
[0066] A "pharmaceutically acceptable acid" includes inorganic and
organic acids which are non toxic at the concentration and manner
in which they are formulated. For example, suitable inorganic acids
include hydrochloric, perchloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric,
sulfuric, sulfonic, sulfinic, sulfanilic, phosphoric, carbonic,
etc. Suitable organic acids include straight and branched-chain
alkyl, aromatic, cyclic, cyloaliphatic, arylaliphatic,
heterocyclic, saturated, unsaturated, mono, di- and tri-carboxylic,
including for example, formic, acetic, 2-hydroxyacetic,
trifluoroacetic, phenylacetic, trimethylacetic, t-butyl acetic,
anthranilic, propanoic, 2-hydroxypropanoic, 2-oxopropanoic,
propandioic, cyclopentanepropionic, cyclopentane propionic,
3-phenylpropionic, butanoic, butandioic, benzoic,
3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic, 2-acetoxy-benzoic, ascorbic, cinnamic,
lauryl sulfuric, stearic, muconic, mandelic, succinic, embonic,
fumaric, malic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, malonic, lactic, citric,
tartaric, glycolic, glyconic, gluconic, pyruvic, glyoxalic, oxalic,
mesylic, succinic, salicylic, phthalic, palmoic, palmeic,
thiocyanic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic,
1,2-ethanedisulfonic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic, benzenesulphonic,
4-chorobenzenesulfonic, napthalene-2-sulphonic, p-toluenesulphonic,
camphorsulphonic, 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic,
glucoheptonic, 4,4'-methylenebis-3-(hydroxy-2-ene-1-carboxylic
acid), hydroxynapthoic.
[0067] "Pharmaceutically-acceptable bases" include inorganic and
organic bases were are non-toxic at the concentration and manner in
which they are formulated. For example, suitable bases include
those formed from inorganic base forming metals such as lithium,
sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, ammonium, iron, zinc,
copper, manganese, aluminum, N-methylglucamine, morpholine,
piperidine and organic nontoxic bases including, primary, secondary
and tertiary amine, substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion
exchange resins, [e.g., N(R').sub.4.sup.+ (where R' is
independently H or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, e.g., ammonium, Tris)], for
example, isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine,
triethylamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol,
trimethamine, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine,
caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine,
glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, purines, piperazine,
piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, polyamine resins and the like.
Particularly preferred organic non-toxic bases are isopropylamine,
diethylamine, ethanolamine, trimethamine, dicyclohexylamine,
choline, and caffeine.
[0068] Additional pharmaceutically acceptable acids and bases
useable with the present invention include those which are derived
from the amino acids, for example, histidine, glycine,
phenylalanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine and
asparagine.
[0069] "Pharmaceutically acceptable" buffers and salts include
those derived from both acid and base addition salts of the above
indicated acids and bases. Specific buffers and or salts include
histidine, succinate and acetate.
[0070] A "lyoprotectant" is a molecule which, when combined with a
protein of interest, significantly prevents or reduces chemical
and/or physical instability of the protein upon lyophilization and
subsequent storage. Exemplary lyoprotectants include sugars and
their corresponding sugar alcohols; an amino acid such as
monosodium glutamate or histidine; a methylamine such as betaine; a
lyotropic salt such as magnesium sulfate; a polyol such as
trihydric or higher molecular weight sugar alcohols, e.g. glycerin,
dextran, erythritol, glycerol, arabitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and
mannitol; propylene glycol; polyethylene glycol; Pluronics.RTM.;
and combinations thereof. Additional exemplary lyoprotectants
include glycerin and gelatin, and the sugars mellibiose,
melezitose, raffinose, mannotriose and stachyose. Examples of
reducing sugars include glucose, maltose, lactose, maltulose,
iso-maltulose and lactulose. Examples of non-reducing sugars
include non-reducing glycosides of polyhydroxy compounds selected
from sugar alcohols and other straight chain polyalcohols.
Preferred sugar alcohols are monoglycosides, especially those
compounds obtained by reduction of disaccharides such as lactose,
maltose, lactulose and maltulose. The glycosidic side group can be
either glucosidic or galactosidic. Additional examples of sugar
alcohols are glucitol, maltitol, lactitol and iso-maltulose. The
preferred lyoprotectant are the non-reducing sugars trehalose or
sucrose.
[0071] The lyoprotectant is added to the pre-lyophilized
formulation in a "lyoprotecting amount" which means that, following
lyophilization of the protein in the presence of the lyoprotecting
amount of the lyoprotectant, the protein essentially retains its
physical and chemical stability and integrity upon lyophilization
and storage.
[0072] In preparing the reduced viscosity formulations of the
invention, care should be taken using the above enumerated
excipients as well as other additives, especially when added at
high concentration, so as to not increase the viscosity of the
formulation.
[0073] A "pharmaceutically acceptable sugar" is a molecule which,
when combined with a protein of interest, significantly prevents or
reduces chemical and/or physical instability of the protein upon
storage. When the formulation is intended to be lyophilized and
then reconstituted, "pharmaceutically acceptable sugars" may also
be known as a "lyoprotectant". Exemplary sugars and their
corresponding sugar alcohols includes: an amino acid such as
monosodium glutamate or histidine; a methylamine such as betaine; a
lyotropic salt such as magnesium sulfate; a polyol such as
trihydric or higher molecular weight sugar alcohols, e.g. glycerin,
dextran, erytritol, glycerol, arabitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and
mannitol; propylene glycol; polyethylene glycol; Pluronics.RTM.;
and combinations thereof. Additional exemplary lyoprotectants
include glycerin and gelatin, and the sugars mellibiose,
melezitose, raffinose, mannotriose and stachyose. Examples of
reducing sugars include glucose, maltose, lactose, maltulose,
iso-maltulose and lactulose. Examples of non-reducing sugars
include non-reducing glycosides of polyhydroxy compounds selected
from sugar alcohols and other straight chain polyalcohols.
Preferred sugar alcohols are monoglycosides, especially those
compounds obtained by reduction of disaccharides such as lactose,
maltose, lactulose and maltulose. The glycosidic side group can be
either glucosidic or galactosidic. Additional examples of sugar
alcohols are glucitol, maltitol, lactitol and iso-maltulose. The
preferred pharmaceutically-acceptable sugars are the non-reducing
sugars trehalose or sucrose.
[0074] Pharmaceutically acceptable sugars are added to the
formulation in a "protecting amount" (e.g. pre-lyophilization)
which means that the protein essentially retains its physical and
chemical stability and integrity during storage (e.g., after
reconstitution and storage).
[0075] The "diluent" of interest herein is one which is
pharmaceutically acceptable (safe and non-toxic for administration
to a human) and is useful for the preparation of a liquid
formulation, such as a formulation reconstituted after
lyophilization. Exemplary diluents include sterile water,
bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), a pH buffered solution
(e.g. phosphate-buffered saline), sterile saline solution, Ringer's
solution or dextrose solution. In an alternative embodiment,
diluents can include aqueous solutions of salts and/or buffers.
[0076] A "preservative" is a compound which can be added to the
formulations herein to reduce bacterial activity. The addition of a
preservative may, for example, facilitate the production of a
multi-use (multiple-dose) formulation. Examples of potential
preservatives include octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride,
hexamethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride (a mixture of
alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides in which the alkyl groups are
long-chain compounds), and benzethonium chloride. Other types of
preservatives include aromatic alcohols such as phenol, butyl and
benzyl alcohol, alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben,
catechol, resorcinol, cyclohexanol, 3-pentanol, and m-cresol. The
most preferred preservative herein is benzyl alcohol.
[0077] "Treatment" refers to both therapeutic treatment and
prophylactic or preventative measures. Those in need of treatment
include those already with the disorder as well as those in which
the disorder is to be prevented.
[0078] "Mammal" for purposes of treatment refers to any animal
classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm
animals, and zoo, sports, or pet animals, such as dogs, horses,
rabbits, cattle, pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets, rats,
cats, etc. Preferably, the mammal is human.
[0079] A "disorder" is any condition that would benefit from
treatment with the protein. This includes chronic and acute
disorders or diseases including those pathological conditions which
predispose the mammal to the disorder in question. Non-limiting
examples of disorders to be treated herein include carcinomas and
allergies.
[0080] A "therapeutically effective amount" is at least the minimum
concentration required to effect a measurable improvement or
prevention of a particular disorder. Therapeutically effective
amounts of known proteins are well known in the art, while the
effective amounts of proteins hereinafter discovered may be
determined by standard techniques which are well within the skill
of a skilled artisan, such as an ordinary physician.
[0081] "Viscosity" as used herein may be "kinematic viscosity" or
"absolute viscosity." "Kinematic viscosity" is a measure of the
resistive flow of a fluid under the influence of gravity. When two
fluids of equal volume are placed in identical capillary
viscometers and allowed to flow by gravity, a viscous fluid takes
longer than a less viscous fluid to flow through the capillary. If
one fluid takes 200 seconds to complete its flow and another fluid
takes 400 seconds, the second fluid is twice as viscous as the
first on a kinematic viscosity scale. "Absolute viscosity",
sometimes called dynamic or simple viscosity, is the product of
kinematic viscosity and fluid density:
Absolute Viscosity=Kinematic Viscosity.times.Density
The dimension of kinematic viscosity is L.sup.2/T where L is a
length and T is a time. Commonly, kinematic viscosity is expressed
in centistokes (cSt). The SI unit of kinematic viscosity is
mm.sup.2/s, which is 1 cSt. Absolute viscosity is expressed in
units of centipoise (cP). The SI unit of absolute viscosity is the
milliPascal-second (mPa-s), where 1 cP=1 mPa-s.
[0082] An "antihistamine" as used herein is an agent that
antagonizes the physiological effect of histamine. The binding of
histamine to its receptors, H.sub.1 and H.sub.2 results in the
characteristic allergic symptoms and effects or itching, redness,
swelling etc. Many antihistamines act by blocking the binding of
histamine to its receptors, H1, H2; however others are believed to
operate by inhibiting the release of histamine. Examples of
antihistamines are chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, promethazine,
cromolyn sodium, astemizole, azatadine maleate, bropheniramine
maleate, carbinoxamine maleate, cetirizine hydrochloride,
clemastine fumarate, cyproheptadine hydrochloride,
dexbrompheniramine maleate, dexchlorpheniramine maleate,
dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine
succinate, fexofendadine hydrochloride, terphenadine hydrochloride,
hydroxyzine hydrochloride, loratidine, meclizine hydrochloride,
tripelannamine citrate, tripelennamine hydrochloride, triprolidine
hydrochloride.
[0083] A "bronchodilator" as used herein, describes agents that
antagonizes or reverses bronchoconstriction, a physiological event
that occurs typically in early phase asthmatic reactions resulting
in decreased lung capacity and shortness of breadth. Example
bronchodilators include epinephrine, a broad acting alpha and
beta-adrenergic, and the beta-adrenergics albuterol, pirbuterol,
metaproterenol, salmeterol, and isoetharine. Bronchodilation can
also be achieved through administration of xanthines, including
aminophylline and theophylline.
[0084] A "glucocorticoid" as used herein describes steroidal based
agents having anti-inflammatory activity. Glucocorticoid are
commonly used to attenuate late phase asthmatic reaction. Example
glucocorticoids include, prednisone, beclomethasone dipropionate,
triamcinolone acetonide, flunisolide, betamethasone, budesonide,
dexamethasone, fludrocortisone acetate, flunisolide, fluticasone
propionate, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone,
prednisone and triamcinolone.
[0085] A "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug" or "NSAID", as used
herein describes agents having anti-inflammatory activity that are
not steroidal based. Example NSAID's include acetaminophen,
aspirin, bromfenac sodium, diclofenac sodium, diflunisal, etodolac,
fenoprofen calcium, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin,
ketoprofen, meclofenamate sodium, mefenamic acid, nabumetone,
naproxen, naproxen sodium, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutzone,
piroxicam, sulindac, tolmetin sodium.
II. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0086] A. Polypeptide and Antibody Preparation
[0087] The following description relates primarily to production of
the polypeptides or antibodies described herein by culturing cells
transformed or transfected with a vector containing nucleic acid
encoding the same and purification of the resulting protein or
antibody. It is, of course, contemplated that alternative methods,
which are well known in the art, may be employed to prepare such
polypeptides or antibodies. For instance, such sequences, or
portions thereof, may be produced by direct peptide synthesis using
solid-phase techniques [see, e.g., Stewart et al., Solid-Phase
Peptide Synthesis, W.H. Freeman Co., San Francisco, Calif. (1969);
Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85:2149-2154 (1963)]. In vitro
protein synthesis may be performed using manual techniques or by
automation. Automated synthesis may be accomplished, for instance,
using an Applied Biosystems Peptide Synthesizer (Foster City,
Calif.) using manufacturer's instructions. Various portions of the
proteins or antibodies described herein may be chemically
synthesized separately and combined using chemical or enzymatic
methods.
[0088] 1. Isolation of DNA Encoding the Proteins Described
Herein
[0089] DNA encoding the proteins described herein may be obtained
from a cDNA library prepared from tissue believed to possess the
corresponding mRNA and to express it at a detectable level.
Accordingly, such human protein-encoding DNA can be conveniently
obtained from a cDNA library prepared from human tissue, such as
described in the Examples. The protein-encoding gene may also be
obtained from a genomic library or by known synthetic procedures
(e.g., automated nucleic acid synthesis).
[0090] Libraries can be screened with probes (such as
oligonucleotides of at least about 20-80 bases) designed to
identify the gene of interest. Screening the cDNA or genomic
library with the selected probe may be conducted using standard
procedures, such as described in Sambrook et al., Molecular
Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (New York: Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory Press, 1989). An alternative means to isolate the gene
encoding the desired gene is to use PCR methodology [Sambrook et
al., supra; Dieffenbach et al., PCR Primer: A Laboratory Manual
(Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1995)].
[0091] The Examples below describe techniques for screening a cDNA
library. The oligonucleotide sequences selected as probes should be
of sufficient length and sufficiently unambiguous that false
positives are minimized. The oligonucleotide is preferably labeled
such that it can be detected upon hybridization to DNA in the
library being screened. Methods of labeling are well known in the
art, and include the use of radiolabels like .sup.32P-labeled ATP,
biotinylation or enzyme labeling. Hybridization conditions,
including moderate stringency and high stringency, are provided in
Sambrook et al., supra.
[0092] Sequences identified in such library screening methods can
be compared and aligned to other known sequences deposited and
available in public databases such as Genbank or other private
sequence databases. Sequence identity (at either the amino acid or
nucleotide level) within defined regions of the molecule or across
the full-length sequence can be determined using methods known in
the art and as described herein.
[0093] Nucleic acid having protein coding sequence may be obtained
by screening selected cDNA or genomic libraries using the deduced
amino acid sequence disclosed herein for the first time, and, if
necessary, using conventional primer extension procedures as
described in Sambrook et al., supra, to detect precursors and
processing intermediates of mRNA that may not have been
reverse-transcribed into cDNA.
[0094] 2. Selection and Transformation of Host Cells
[0095] Host cells are transfected or transformed with expression or
cloning vectors containing the proteins or antibodies described
herein for production and cultured in conventional nutrient media
modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting
transformants, or amplifying the genes encoding the desired
sequences. The culture conditions, such as media, temperature, pH
and the like, can be selected by the skilled artisan without undue
experimentation. In general, principles, protocols, and practical
techniques for maximizing the productivity of cell cultures can be
found in Mammalian Cell Biotechnology: A Practical Approach, M.
Butler, ed. (IRL Press, 1991) and Sambrook et al., supra.
[0096] Methods of eukaryotic cell transfection and prokaryotic cell
transformation are known to the ordinarily skilled artisan, for
example, CaCl.sub.2, CaPO.sub.4, liposome-mediated and
electroporation. Depending on the host cell used, transformation is
performed using standard techniques appropriate to such cells. The
calcium treatment employing calcium chloride, as described in
Sambrook et al., supra, or electroporation is generally used for
prokaryotes. Infection with Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used for
transformation of certain plant cells, as described by Shaw et al.,
Gene, 23:315 (1983) and WO 89/05859 published 29 Jun. 1989. For
mammalian cells without such cell walls, the calcium phosphate
precipitation method of Graham and van der Eb, Virology, 52:456-457
(1978) can be employed. General aspects of mammalian cell host
system transfections have been described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,399,216. Transformations into yeast are typically carried out
according to the method of Van Solingen et al., J. Bact., 130:946
(1977) and Hsiao et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 76:3829
(1979). However, other methods for introducing DNA into cells, such
as by nuclear microinjection, electroporation, bacterial protoplast
fusion with intact cells, or polycations, e.g., polybrene,
polyornithine, may also be used. For various techniques for
transforming mammalian cells, see Keown et al., Methods in
Enzymology, 185:527-537 (1990) and Mansour et al., Nature,
336:348-352 (1988).
[0097] Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing the DNA in the
vectors herein include prokaryote, yeast, or higher eukaryote
cells. Suitable prokaryotes include but are not limited to
eubacteria, such as Gram-negative or Gram-positive organisms, for
example, Enterobacteriaceae such as E. coli. Various E. coli
strains are publicly available, such as E. coli K12 strain MM294
(ATCC 31,446); E. coli X1776 (ATCC 31,537); E. coli strain W3110
(ATCC 27,325) and K5 772 (ATCC 53,635). Other suitable prokaryotic
host cells include Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia, e.g., E.
coli, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, e.g.,
Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia, e.g., Serratia marcescans, and
Shigella, as well as Bacilli such as B. subtilis and B.
licheniformis (e.g., B. licheniformis 41P disclosed in DD 266,710
published 12 Apr. 1989), Pseudomonas such as P. aeruginosa, and
Streptomyces. These examples are illustrative rather than limiting.
Strain W3110 is one particularly preferred host or parent host
because it is a common host strain for recombinant DNA product
fermentations. Preferably, the host cell secretes minimal amounts
of proteolytic enzymes. For example, strain W3110 may be modified
to effect a genetic mutation in the genes encoding proteins
endogenous to the host, with examples of such hosts including E.
coli W3110 strain 1A2, which has the complete genotype tonA; E.
coli W3110 strain 9E4, which has the complete genotype tonA ptr3;
E. coli W3110 strain 27C7 (ATCC 55,244), which has the complete
genotype tonA ptr3 phoA E15 (argF-lac)169 degP ompT kan.sup.r; E.
coli W3110 strain 37D6, which has the complete genotype tonA ptr3
phoA E15 (argF-lac)169 degP ompT rbs7 ilvG kan.sup.r; E. coli W3110
strain 40B4, which is strain 37D6 with a non-kanamycin resistant
degP deletion mutation; and an E. coli strain having mutant
periplasmic protease disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,783 issued 7
Aug. 1990. Alternatively, in vitro methods of cloning, e.g., PCR or
other nucleic acid polymerase reactions, are suitable.
[0098] In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as
filamentous fungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts
for vectors encoding the proteins or antibodies described herein.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a commonly used lower eukaryotic host
microorganism. Others include Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Beach and
Nurse, Nature, 290:140 [1981]; EP 139,383 published 2 May 1985);
Kluyveromyces hosts (U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,529; Fleer et al.,
Bio/Technology, 9:968-975 (1991)) such as, e.g., K. lactis
(MW98-8C, CBS683, CBS4574; Louvencourt et al., J. Bacteriol.,
154(2): 737-42
[0099] ), K. fragilis (ATCC 12,424), K. bulgaricus (ATCC 16,045),
K. wickeramii (ATCC 24,178), K. waltii (ATCC 56,500), K.
drosophilarum (ATCC 36,906; Van den Berg et al., Bio/Technology,
8:135 (1990)), K. thermotolerans, and K. marxianus; yarrowia (EP
402,226); Pichia pastoris (EP 183,070; Sreekrishna et al., J. Basic
Microbiol., 28:265-278 [1988]); Candida; Trichoderma reesia (EP
244,234); Neurospora crassa (Case et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 76:5259-5263 [1979]); Schwanniomyces such as Schwanniomyces
occidentalis (EP 394,538 published 31 Oct. 1990); and filamentous
fungi such as, e.g., Neurospora, Penicillium, Tolypocladium (WO
91/00357 published 10 Jan. 1991), and Aspergillus hosts such as A.
nidulans (Ballance et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.,
112:284-289 [1983]; Tilburn et al., Gene, 26:205-221 [1983]; Yelton
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81: 1470-1474 [1984]) and A.
niger (Kelly and Hynes, EMBO J., 4:475-479 [1985]). Methylotropic
yeasts are suitable herein and include, but are not limited to,
yeast capable of growth on methanol selected from the genera
consisting of Hansenula, Candida, Kloeckera, Pichia, Saccharomyces,
Torulopsis, and Rhodotorula. A list of specific species that are
exemplary of this class of yeasts may be found in C. Anthony, The
Biochemistry of Methylotrophs, 269 (1982).
[0100] Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated form
of the polypeptides and antibodies described herein are derived
from multicellular organisms. Examples of invertebrate cells
include insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9, as
well as plant cells. Examples of useful mammalian host cell lines
include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and COS cells. More specific
examples include monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7,
ATCC CRL 1651); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells
subcloned for growth in suspension culture, Graham et al., J. Gen
Virol., 36:59 (1977)); Chinese hamster ovary cells/-DHFR (CHO,
Urlaub and Chasin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:4216 (1980));
mouse sertoli cells (TM4, Mather, Biol. Reprod., 23:243-251
(1980)); human lung cells (W138, ATCC CCL 75); human liver cells
(Hep G2, HB 8065); and mouse mammary tumor (MMT 060562, ATCC CCL51)
The selection of the appropriate host cell is deemed to be within
the skill in the art.
[0101] 3. Selection and Use of a Replicable Vector
[0102] The nucleic acid (e.g., cDNA or genomic DNA) encoding the
polypeptides and antibodies described herein may be inserted into a
replicable vector for cloning (amplification of the DNA) or for
expression. Various vectors are publicly available. The vector may,
for example, be in the form of a plasmid, cosmid, viral particle,
or phage. The appropriate nucleic acid sequence may be inserted
into the vector by a variety of procedures. In general, DNA is
inserted into an appropriate restriction endonuclease site(s) using
techniques known in the art. Vector components generally include,
but are not limited to, one or more of a signal sequence, an origin
of replication, one or more marker genes, an enhancer element, a
promoter, and a transcription termination sequence. Construction of
suitable vectors containing one or more of these components employs
standard ligation techniques which are known to the skilled
artisan.
[0103] Recombinant production of the polypeptides or antibodies may
be accomplished not only directly, but also as a fusion polypeptide
with a heterologous polypeptide. The heterologous portion may be a
signal sequence or other polypeptide having a specific cleavage
site at the N-terminus of the mature protein or polypeptide. In
general, the signal sequence may be a component of the vector, or
it may be a part of the DNA encoding the polypeptide or antibody
that is inserted into the vector. The signal sequence may be a
prokaryotic signal sequence selected, for example, from the group
of the alkaline phosphatase, penicillinase, lpp, or heat-stable
enterotoxin II leaders. For yeast secretion the signal sequence may
be, e.g., the yeast invertase leader, alpha factor leader
(including Saccharomyces and Kluyveromyces .alpha.-factor leaders,
the latter described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,182), or acid
phosphatase leader, the C. albicans glucoamylase leader (EP 362,179
published 4 Apr. 1990), or the signal described in WO 90/13646
published 15 Nov. 1990. In mammalian cell expression, mammalian
signal sequences may be used to direct secretion of the protein,
such as signal sequences from secreted polypeptides of the same or
related species, as well as viral secretory leaders.
[0104] Both expression and cloning vectors contain a nucleic acid
sequence that enables the vector to replicate in one or more
selected host cells. Such sequences are well known for a variety of
bacteria, yeast, and viruses. The origin of replication from the
plasmid pBR322 is suitable for most Gram-negative bacteria, the
2.mu. plasmid origin is suitable for yeast, and various viral
origins (SV40, polyoma, adenovirus, VSV or BPV) are useful for
cloning vectors in mammalian cells.
[0105] Expression and cloning vectors will typically contain a
selection gene, also termed a selectable marker. Typical selection
genes encode proteins that (a) confer resistance to antibiotics or
other toxins, e.g., ampicillin, neomycin, methotrexate, or
tetracycline, (b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or (c)
supply critical nutrients not available from complex media, e.g.,
the gene encoding D-alanine racemase for Bacilli.
[0106] An example of suitable selectable markers for mammalian
cells are those that enable the identification of cells competent
to take up the DNA sequence encoding the polypeptides or antibodies
described herein, such as DHFR or thymidine kinase. An appropriate
host cell when wild-type DHFR is employed is the CHO cell line
deficient in DHFR activity, prepared and propagated as described by
Urlaub et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:4216 (1980). A
suitable selection gene for use in yeast is the trp1 gene present
in the yeast plasmid YRp7 [Stinchcomb et al., Nature, 282:39
(1979); Kingsman et al., Gene, 7:141 (1979); Tschemper et al.,
Gene, 10:157 (1980)]. The trp1 gene provides a selection marker for
a mutant strain of yeast lacking the ability to grow in tryptophan,
for example, ATCC No. 44076 or PEP4-1 [Jones, Genetics, 85:12
(1977)].
[0107] Expression and cloning vectors usually contain a promoter
operably linked to the such DNA sequences to direct mRNA synthesis.
Promoters recognized by a variety of potential host cells are well
known. Promoters suitable for use with prokaryotic hosts include
the .beta.-lactamase and lactose promoter systems [Chang et al.,
Nature, 275:615 (1978); Goeddel et al., Nature, 281:544 (1979)],
alkaline phosphatase, a tryptophan (trp) promoter system [Goeddel,
Nucleic Acids Res., 8:4057 (1980); EP 36,776], and hybrid promoters
such as the tac promoter [deBoer et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 80:21-25 (1983)]. Promoters for use in bacterial systems also
will contain a Shine-Dalgarno (S.D.) sequence operably linked to
such DNA sequences.
[0108] Examples of suitable promoting sequences for use with yeast
hosts include the promoters for 3-phosphoglycerate kinase [Hitzeman
et al., J. Biol. Chem., 255:2073 (1980)] or other glycolytic
enzymes [Hess et al., J. Adv. Enzyme Reg., 7:149 (1968); Holland,
Biochemistry, 17:4900 (1978)], such as enolase,
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, pyruvate
decarboxylase, phosphofructokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase,
3-phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase, triosephosphate
isomerase, phosphoglucose isomerase, and glucokinase.
[0109] Other yeast promoters, which are inducible promoters having
the additional advantage of transcription controlled by growth
conditions, are the promoter regions for alcohol dehydrogenase 2,
isocytochrome C, acid phosphatase, degradative enzymes associated
with nitrogen metabolism, metallothionein,
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and enzymes responsible
for maltose and galactose utilization. Suitable vectors and
promoters for use in yeast expression are further described in EP
73,657.
[0110] Transcription from vectors in mammalian host cells may be
controlled, for example, by promoters obtained from the genomes of
viruses such as polyoma virus, fowlpox virus (UK 2,211,504
published 5 Jul. 1989), adenovirus (such as Adenovirus 2), bovine
papilloma virus, avian sarcoma virus, cytomegalovirus, a
retrovirus, hepatitis-B virus and Simian Virus 40 (SV40), from
heterologous mammalian promoters, e.g., the actin promoter or an
immunoglobulin promoter, and from heat-shock promoters, provided
such promoters are compatible with the host cell systems.
[0111] Transcription of nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides or
antibodies herein by higher eukaryotes may be increased by
inserting an enhancer sequence into the vector. Enhancers are
cis-acting elements of DNA, usually about from 10 to 300 bp, that
act on a promoter to increase its transcription. Many enhancer
sequences are now known from mammalian genes (globin, elastase,
albumin, .alpha.-fetoprotein, and insulin). Typically, however, one
will use an enhancer from a eukaryotic cell virus. Examples include
the SV40 enhancer on the late side of the replication origin (bp
100-270), the cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, the polyoma
enhancer on the late side of the replication origin, and adenovirus
enhancers. The enhancer may be spliced into the vector at a
position 5' or 3' to the coding sequence, but is preferably located
at a site 5' from the promoter.
[0112] Expression vectors used in eukaryotic host cells (yeast,
fungi, insect, plant, animal, human, or nucleated cells from other
multicellular organisms) will also contain sequences necessary for
the termination of transcription and for stabilizing the mRNA. Such
sequences are commonly available from the 5' and, occasionally 3',
untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNAs or cDNAs. These
regions contain nucleotide segments transcribed as polyadenylated
fragments in the untranslated portion of the mRNA encoding the
polypeptides or antibodies described herein.
[0113] Still other methods, vectors, and host cells suitable for
adaptation to the synthesis of the polypeptide or antibodies
described herein in recombinant vertebrate cell culture are
described in Gething et al., Nature, 293:620-625 (1981); Mantei et
al., Nature, 281:40-46 (1979); EP 117,060; and EP 117,058.
[0114] 4. Detecting Gene Amplification/Expression
[0115] Gene amplification and/or expression may be measured in a
sample directly, for example, by conventional Southern blotting,
Northern blotting to quantitate the transcription of mRNA [Thomas,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:5201-5205 (1980)], dot blotting (DNA
analysis), or in situ hybridization, using an appropriately labeled
probe, based on the sequences provided herein. Alternatively,
antibodies may be employed that can recognize specific duplexes,
including DNA duplexes, RNA duplexes, and DNA-RNA hybrid duplexes
or DNA-protein duplexes. The antibodies in turn may be labeled and
the assay may be carried out where the duplex is bound to a
surface, so that upon the formation of duplex on the surface, the
presence of antibody bound to the duplex can be detected.
[0116] Gene expression, alternatively, may be measured by
immunological methods, such as immunohistochemical staining of
cells or tissue sections and assay of cell culture or body fluids,
to quantitate directly the expression of gene product. Antibodies
useful for immunohistochemical staining and/or assay of sample
fluids may be either monoclonal or polyclonal, and may be prepared
in any mammal. Conveniently, the antibodies may be prepared against
the polypeptides described herein or against a synthetic peptide
based on the DNA sequences provided herein or against exogenous
sequence fused to DNA encoding such polypeptides and antibodies and
encoding a specific antibody epitope.
[0117] 5. Purification of Polypeptide
[0118] Forms of may be recovered from culture medium or from host
cell lysates. If membrane-bound, it can be released from the
membrane using a suitable detergent solution (e.g. Triton-X 100) or
by enzymatic cleavage. Cells employed in expression of the
polypeptides or antibodies described herein can be disrupted by
various physical or chemical means, such as freeze-thaw cycling,
sonication, mechanical disruption, or cell lysing agents.
[0119] It may be desired to purify the polypeptides or antibodies
described herein from recombinant cell proteins or other
polypeptides. The following procedures are exemplary of suitable
purification procedures: by fractionation on an ion-exchange
column; ethanol precipitation; reverse phase HPLC; chromatography
on silica or on a cation-exchange resin such as DEAE;
chromatofocusing; SDS-PAGE; ammonium sulfate precipitation; gel
filtration using, for example, Sephadex G-75; protein A Sepharose
columns to remove contaminants such as IgG; and metal chelating
columns to bind epitope-tagged forms of the polypeptide or
antibody. Various methods of protein purification may be employed
and such methods are known in the art and described for example in
Deutscher, Methods in Enzymology, 182 (1990); Scopes, Protein
Purification: Principles and Practice, Springer-Verlag, New York
(1982). The purification step(s) selected will depend, for example,
on the nature of the production process used and the particular
polypeptide or antibody produced.
[0120] B. Antibody Preparation
[0121] In certain embodiments of the invention, the protein of
choice is an antibody. Techniques for the production of antibodies,
including polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized, bispecific and
heteroconjugate antibodies follow.
[0122] 1) Polyclonal Antibodies.
[0123] Polyclonal antibodies are generally raised in animals by
multiple subcutaneous (sc) or intraperitoneal (ip) injections of
the relevant antigen and an adjuvant. It may be useful to conjugate
the relevant antigen to a protein that is immunogenic in the
species to be immunized, e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH),
serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean trypsin inhibitor,
using a bifunctional or derivatizing agent, e.g., maleimidobenzoyl
sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation through cysteine residues),
N-hydroxysuccinimide (through lysien residues), glutaraldehyde,
succinic anhydride, SOCl.sub.2, or R.sup.1N.dbd.C.dbd.NR, where R
and R.sup.1 are independently lower alkyl groups. Examples of
adjuvants which may be employed include Freund's complete adjuvant
and MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid A, synthetic trehalose
dicorynomycolate). The immunization protocol may be selected by one
skilled in the art without undue experimentation.
[0124] The animals are immunized against the antigen, immunogenic
conjugates, or derivatives by combining, e.g., 100 .mu.g or 5 .mu.g
or the protein or conjugate (for rabbits or mice, respectively)
with 3 volumes of Freund's complete adjuvant and injecting the
solution intradermally at multiple sites. One month later, the
animals are boosted with 1/5 to 1/10 the original amount of peptide
or conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant by subcutaneous
injection at multiple sites. Seven to fourteen days later, the
animals are bled and the serum is assayed for antibody titer.
Animals are boosted until the titer plateaus. Conjugates also can
be made in recombinant cell culture as protein fusions. Also,
aggregating agents such as alum are suitable used to enhance the
immune response.
[0125] 2) Monoclonal Antibodies.
[0126] Monoclonal antibodies are obtained from a population of
substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual
antibodies comprising the population are identical except for
possible naturally occurring mutations and/or post-translational
modifications (e.g., isomerizations, amidations) that may be
present in minor amounts. Thus, the modifier "monoclonal" indicates
the character of the antibody as not being a mixture of discrete
antibodies.
[0127] For example, the monoclonal antibodies may be made using the
hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495
(1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (U.S. Pat. No.
4,816,567).
[0128] In the hybridoma method, a mouse or other appropriate host
animal, such as a hamster, is immunized as hereinabove described to
elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing
antibodies that will specifically bind to the protein used for
immunization. Alternatively, lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.
Lymphocytes then are fused with myeloma cells using a suitable
fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell
(Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 59-103
(Academic Press, 1986).
[0129] The immunizing agent will typically include the antigenic
protein or a fusion variant thereof. Generally either peripheral
blood lymphocytes ("PBLs") are used if cells of human origin are
desired, or spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-human
mammalian sources are desired. The lymphoctyes are then fused with
an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as
polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell. Goding, Monoclonal
Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press (1986), pp.
59-103.
[0130] Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian
cell, particularly myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human
origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are employed. The
hybridoma cells thus prepared are seeded and grown in a suitable
culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that
inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, parental myeloma
cells. For example, if the parental myeloma cells lack the enzyme
hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT),
the culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include
hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (HAT medium), which
substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.
[0131] Preferred immortalized myeloma cells are those that fuse
efficiently, support stable high-level production of antibody by
the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a
medium such as HAT medium. Among these, preferred are murine
myeloma lines, such as those derived from MOPC-21 and MPC-11 mouse
tumors available from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center,
San Diego, Calif. USA, and SP-2 cells (and derivatives thereof,
e.g., X63-Ag8-653) available from the American Type Culture
Collection, Manassus, Va. USA. Human myeloma and mouse-human
heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described for the
production of human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor, J. Immunol,
133:3001 (1984); Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production
Techniques and Applications, pp. 51-63 (Marcel Dekker, Inc., New
York, 1987)).
[0132] Culture medium in which hybridoma cells are growing is
assayed for production of monoclonal antibodies directed against
the antigen. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal
antibodies produced by hybridoma cells is determined by
immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as
radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay
(ELISA).
[0133] The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are cultured
can be assayed for the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed
again desired antigen. Preferably, the binding affinity and
specificity of the monoclonal antibody can be determined by
immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as
radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked assay (ELISA). Such
techniques and assays are known in the in art. For example, binding
affinity may be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson et
al., Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).
[0134] After hybridoma cells are identified that produce antibodies
of the desired specificity, affinity, and/or activity, the clones
may be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by
standard methods (Goding, supra). Suitable culture media for this
purpose include, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640 medium. In
addition, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as ascites
tumors in a mammal.
[0135] The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones are
suitably separated from the culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum
by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for
example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel
electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.
[0136] Monoclonal antibodies may also be made by recombinant DNA
methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567, and as
described above. DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies is readily
isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by
using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding
specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine
antibodies). The hybridoma cells serve as a preferred source of
such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be placed into expression
vectors, which are then transfected into host cells such as E. coli
cells, simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or
myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein,
in order to synthesize monoclonal antibodies in such recombinant
host cells. Review articles on recombinant expression in bacteria
of DNA encoding the antibody include Skerra et al., Curr. Opinion
in Immunol., 5:256-262 (1993) and Pluckthun, Immunol. Revs.
130:151-188 (1992).
[0137] In a further embodiment, antibodies can be isolated from
antibody phage libraries generated using the techniques described
in McCafferty et al., Nature, 348:552-554 (1990). Clackson et al.,
Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol.,
222:581-597 (1991) describe the isolation of murine and human
antibodies, respectively, using phage libraries. Subsequent
publications describe the production of high affinity (nM range)
human antibodies by chain shuffling (Marks et al., Bio/Technology,
10:779-783 (1992)), as well as combinatorial infection and in vivo
recombination as a strategy for constructing very large phage
libraries (Waterhouse et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 21:2265-2266
(1993)). Thus, these techniques are viable alternatives to
traditional monoclonal antibody hybridoma techniques for isolation
of monoclonal antibodies.
[0138] The DNA also may be modified, for example, by substituting
the coding sequence for human heavy- and light-chain constant
domains in place of the homologous murine sequences (U.S. Pat. No.
4,816,567; Morrison, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851
(1984)), or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding
sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a
non-immunoglobulin polypeptide. Typically such non-immunoglobulin
polypeptides are substituted for the constant domains of an
antibody, or they are substituted for the variable domains of one
antigen-combining site of an antibody to create a chimeric bivalent
antibody comprising one antigen-combining site having specificity
for an antigen and another antigen-combining site having
specificity for a different antigen.
[0139] The monoclonal antibodies described herein may by
monovalent, the preparation of which is well known in the art. For
example, one method involves recombinant expression of
immunoglobulin light chain and a modified heavy chain. The heavy
chain is truncated generally at any point in the Fc region so as to
prevent heavy chain crosslinking. Alternatively, the relevant
cysteine residues may be substituted with another amino acid
residue or are deleted so as to prevent crosslinking. In vitro
methods are also suitable for preparing monovalent antibodies.
Digestion of antibodies to produce fragments thereof, particularly
Fab fragments, can be accomplished using routine techniques known
in the art.
[0140] Chimeric or hybrid antibodies also may be prepared in vitro
using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those
involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins may be
constructed using a disulfide-exchange reaction or by forming a
thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose
include iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate.
[0141] 3) Humanized Antibodies.
[0142] The antibodies of the invention may further comprise
humanized or human antibodies. Humanized forms of non-human (e.g.,
murine) antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin
chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab').sub.2 or
other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) which contain
minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized
antibodies include human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in
which residues from a complementarity determining region (CDR) of
the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human
species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the
desired specificity, affinity and capacity. In some instances, Fv
framework residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by
corresponding non-human residues. Humanized antibodies may also
comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody
nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. In general, the
humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one,
and typically two, variable domain, in which all or substantially
all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human
immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are
those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized
antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an
immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human
immunoglobulin. Jones et al., Nature 321: 522-525 (1986); Riechmann
et al., Nature 332: 323-329 (1988) and Presta, Curr. Opin. Struct.
Biol. 2: 593-596 (1992).
[0143] Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known
in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino
acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human.
These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as
"import" residues, which are typically taken from an "import"
variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed
following the method of Winter and co-workers, Jones et al., Nature
321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-327 (1988);
Verhoeyen et al., Science 239:1534-1536 (1988), or through
substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding
sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such "humanized"
antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567),
wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has
been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human
species. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human
antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues
are substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent
antibodies.
[0144] The choice of human variable domains, both light and heavy,
to be used in making the humanized antibodies is very important to
reduce antigenicity. According to the so-called "best-fit" method,
the sequence of the variable domain of a rodent antibody is
screened against the entire library of known human variable-domain
sequences. The human sequence which is closest to that of the
rodent is then accepted as the human framework (FR) for the
humanized antibody. Sims et al., J. Immunol., 151:2296 (1993);
Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol., 196:901 (1987). Another method uses
a particular framework derived from the consensus sequence of all
human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chains.
The same framework may be used for several different humanized
antibodies. Carter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:4285
(1992); Presta et al., J. Immunol., 151:2623 (1993).
[0145] It is further important that antibodies be humanized with
retention of high affinity for the antigen and other favorable
biological properties. To achieve this goal, according to a
preferred method, humanized antibodies are prepared by a process of
analysis of the parental sequences and various conceptual humanized
products using three-dimensional models of the parental and
humanized sequences. Three-dimensional immunoglobulin models are
commonly available and are familiar to those skilled in the art.
Computer programs are available which illustrate and display
probable three-dimensional conformational structures of selected
candidate immunoglobulin sequences. Inspection of these displays
permits analysis of the likely role of the residues in the
functioning of the candidate immunoglobulin sequence, i.e., the
analysis of residues that influence the ability of the candidate
immunoglobulin to bind its antigen. In this way, FR residues can be
selected and combined from the recipient and import sequences so
that the desired antibody characteristic, such as increased
affinity for the target antigen(s), is achieved. In general, the
CDR residues are directly and most substantially involved in
influencing antigen binding.
[0146] Various forms of the humanized antibody are contemplated.
For example, the humanized antibody may be an antibody fragment,
such as an Fab, which is optionally conjugated with one or more
cytotoxic agent(s) in order to generate an immunoconjugate.
Alternatively, the humanized antibody may be an intact antibody,
such as an intact IgG1 antibody.
[0147] 4) Human Antibodies
[0148] As an alternative to humanization, human antibodies can be
generated. For example, it is now possible to produce transgenic
animals (e.g., mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of
producing a full repertoire of human antibodies in the absence of
endogenous immunoglobulin production. For example, it has been
described that the homozygous deletion of the antibody heavy-chain
joining region (J.sub.H) gene in chimeric and germ-line mutant mice
results in complete inhibition of endogenous antibody production.
Transfer of the human germ-line immunoglobulin gene array in such
germ-line mutant mice will result in the production of human
antibodies upon antigen challenge. See, e.g., Jakobovits et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits et al.,
Nature, 362:255-258 (1993); Bruggermann et al., Year in Immuno.,
7:33 (1993); U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,669 and WO 97/17852.
[0149] Alternatively, phage display technology can be used to
produce human antibodies and antibody fragments in vitro, from
immunoglobulin variable (V) domain gene repertoires from
unimmunized donors. McCafferty et al., Nature 348:552-553 (1990);
Hoogenboom and Winter, J. Mol. Biol. 227: 381 (1991). According to
this technique, antibody V domain genes are cloned in-frame into
either a major or minor coat protein gene of a filamentous
bacteriophage, such as M13 or fd, and displayed as functional
antibody fragments on the surface of the phage particle. Because
the filamentous particle contains a single-stranded DNA copy of the
phage genome, selections based on the functional properties of the
antibody also result in selection of the gene encoding the antibody
exhibiting those properties. Thus, the phage mimics some of the
properties of the B-cell. Phage display can be performed in a
variety of formats, reviewed in, e.g., Johnson, Kevin S. and
Chiswell, David J., Curr. Opin Struct. Biol. 3:564-571 (1993).
Several sources of V-gene segments can be used for phage display.
Clackson et al., Nature 352:624-628 (1991) isolated a diverse array
of anti-oxazolone antibodies from a small random combinatorial
library of V genes derived from the spleens of immunized mice. A
repertoire of V genes from unimmunized human donors can be
constructed and antibodies to a diverse array of antigens
(including self-antigens) can be isolated essentially following the
techniques described by Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222:581-597
(1991), or Griffith et al., EMBO J. 12:725-734 (1993). See also,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,565,332 and 5,573,905.
[0150] The techniques of Cole et al., and Boerner et al., are also
available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (Cole
et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p.
77 (1985) and Boerner et al., J. Immunol. 147(1): 86-95 (1991).
Similarly, human antibodies can be made by introducing human
immunoglobulin loci into transgenic animals, e.g., mice in which
the endogenous immunoglobulin genes have been partially or
completely inactivated. Upon challenge, human antibody production
is observed, which closely resemble that seen in human in all
respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly and antibody
repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806, 5,569,825, 5,625,126, 5,633,425,
5,661,016 and in the following scientific publications: Marks et
al., Bio/Technology 10: 779-783 (1992); Lonberg et al., Nature 368:
856-859 (1994); Morrison, Nature 368: 812-13 (1994), Fishwild et
al., Nature Biotechnology 14: 845-51 (1996), Neuberger, Nature
Biotechnology 14: 826 (1996) and Lonberg and Huszar, Intern. Rev.
Immunol. 13: 65-93 (1995).
[0151] Finally, human antibodies may also be generated in vitro by
activated B cells (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,610 and 5,229,275).
[0152] 5) Antibody Fragments
[0153] In certain circumstances there are advantages to using
antibody fragments, rather than whole antibodies. Smaller fragment
sizes allows for rapid clearance, and may lead to improved access
to solid tumors.
[0154] Various techniques have been developed for the production of
antibody fragments. Traditionally, these fragments were derived via
proteolytic digestion of intact antibodies (see, e.g., Morimoto et
al., J Biochem Biophys. Method. 24:107-117 (1992); and Brennan et
al., Science 229:81 (1985)). However, these fragments can now be
produced directly by recombinant host cells. Fab, Fv and scFv
antibody fragments can all be expressed in and secreted from E.
coli, thus allowing the facile production of large amounts of these
fragments. Antibody fragments can be isolated from the antibody
phage libraries discussed above. Alternatively, Fab'-SH fragments
can be directly recovered from E. coli and chemically coupled to
form F(ab').sub.2 fragments (Carter et al., Bio/Technology
10:163-167 (1992)). According to another approach, F(ab').sub.2
fragments can be isolated directly from recombinant host cell
culture. Fab and F(ab').sub.2 with increase in vivo half-life is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,046. In other embodiments, the
antibody of choice is a single chain Fv fragment (scFv). See WO
93/16185; U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,894 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,458. The
antibody fragment may also be a "linear antibody", e.g., as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,870. Such linear antibody
fragments may be monospecific or bispecific.
[0155] 6) Antibody Dependent Enzyme-Mediated Prodrug Therapy
(ADEPT)
[0156] The antibodies of the present invention may also be used in
ADEPT by conjugating the antibody to a prodrug-activating enzyme
which converts a prodrug (e.g. a peptidyl chemotherapeutic agent,
see WO 81/01145) to an active anti-cancer drug. See, for example,
WO 88/07378 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,278.
[0157] The enzyme component of the immunoconjugate useful for ADEPT
includes any enzyme capable of acting on a prodrug in such as way
so as to convert it into its more active, cytotoxic form.
[0158] Enzymes that are useful in the method of this invention
include, but are not limited to, glycosidase, glucose oxidase,
human lysozyme, human glucuronidase, alkaline phosphatase useful
for converting phosphate-containing prodrugs into free drugs;
arylsulfatase useful for converting sulfate-containing prodrugs
into free drugs; cytosine deaminase useful for converting non-toxic
5-fluorocytosine into the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil;
proteases, such as serratia protease, thermolysin, subtilisin,
carboxypeptidases (e.g., carboxypeptidase G2 and carboxypeptidase
A) and cathepsins (such as cathepsins B and L), that are useful for
converting peptide-containing prodrugs into free drugs;
D-alanylcarboxypeptidases, useful for converting prodrugs that
contain D-amino acid substituents; carbohydrate-cleaving enzymes
such as .beta.-galactosidase and neuraminidase useful for
converting glycosylated prodrugs into free drugs; .beta.-lactamase
useful for converting drugs derivatized with .beta.-lactams into
free drugs; and penicillin amidases, such as penicillin Vamidase or
penicillin G amidase, useful for converting drugs derivatized at
their amine nitrogens with phenoxyacetyl or phenylacetyl groups,
respectively, into free drugs. Alternatively, antibodies with
enzymatic activity, also known in the art as "abzymes" can be used
to convert the prodrugs of the invention into free active drugs
(see, e.g., Massey, Nature 328: 457-458 (1987)). Antibody-abzyme
conjugates can be prepared as described herein for delivery of the
abzyme to a tumor cell population.
[0159] The above enzymes can be covalently bound to the polypeptide
or antibodies described herein by techniques well known in the art
such as the use of the heterobifunctional cross-linking agents
discussed above. Alternatively, fusion proteins comprising at least
the antigen binding region of the antibody of the invention linked
to at least a functionally active portion of an enzyme of the
invention can be constricted using recombinant DNA techniques well
known in the art (see, e.g. Neuberger et al., Nature 312: 604-608
(1984)).
[0160] 7) Bispecific and Polyspecific Antibodies
[0161] Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are antibodies that have
binding specificities for at least two different epitopes,
including those on the same or another protein. Alternatively, one
arm can be armed to bind to the target antigen, and another arm can
be combined with an arm that binds to a triggering molecule on a
leukocyte such as a T-cell receptor molecule (e.g., CD3), or Fc
receptors for IgG (Fc.gamma.R) such as Fc.gamma.RI (CD64),
Fc.gamma.RII (CD32) and Fc.gamma.RIII (CD16), so as to focus and
localize cellular defense mechanisms to the target
antigen-expressing cell. Such antibodies can be derived from full
length antibodies or antibody fragments (e.g. F(ab').sub.2
bispecific antibodies).
[0162] Bispecific antibodies may also be used to localize cytotoxic
agents to cells which express the target antigen. Such antibodies
possess one arm that binds the desired antigen and another arm that
binds the cytotoxic agent (e.g., saporin, anti-interferon-a, vinca
alkoloid, ricin A chain, methotrexate or radioactive isotope
hapten). Examples of known bispecific antibodies include
anti-ErbB2/anti-FcgRIII (WO 96/16673), anti-ErbB2/anti-FcgRI (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,837,234), anti-ErbB2/anti-CD3 (U.S. Pat. No.
5,821,337).
[0163] Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the
art. Traditional production of full length bispecific antibodies is
based on the coexpression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light
chain pairs, where the two chains have different specificities.
Millstein et al., Nature, 305:537-539 (1983). Because of the random
assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these
hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of 10 different
antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific
structure. Purification of the correct molecule, which is usually
done by affinity chromatography steps, is rather cumbersome, and
the product yields are low. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO
93/08829 and in Traunecker et al., EMBO J., 10:3655-3659
(1991).
[0164] According to a different approach, antibody variable domains
with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining
sites) are fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The
fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant
domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3
regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant
region (CH1) containing the site necessary for light chain binding,
present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the
immunoglobulin heavy chain fusions and, if desired, the
immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression
vectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host organism. This
provides for great flexibility in adjusting the mutual proportions
of the three polypeptide fragments in embodiments when unequal
ratios of the three polypeptide chains used in the construction
provide the optimum yields. It is, however, possible to insert the
coding sequences for two or all three polypeptide chains in one
expression vector when the expression of at least two polypeptide
chains in equal ratios results in high yields or when the ratios
are of no particular significance.
[0165] In a preferred embodiment of this approach, the bispecific
antibodies are composed of a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain with
a first binding specificity in one arm, and a hybrid immunoglobulin
heavy chain-light chain pair (providing a second binding
specificity) in the other arm. It was found that this asymmetric
structure facilitates the separation of the desired bispecific
compound from unwanted immunoglobulin chain combinations, as the
presence of an immunoglobulin light chain in only one half of the
bispecific molecules provides for an easy way of separation. This
approach is disclosed in WO 94/04690. For further details of
generating bispecific antibodies, see, for example, Suresh et al.,
Methods in Enzymology 121: 210 (1986).
[0166] According to another approach described in WO 96/27011 or
U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,168, the interface between a pair of antibody
molecules can be engineered to maximize the percentage of
heterodimers which are recovered from recombinant cell culture. The
preferred interface comprises at least a part of the CH3 region of
an antibody constant domain. In this method, one or more small
amino acid side chains from the interface of the first antibody
molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e.g., tyrosine or
tryptophan). Compensatory "cavities" of identical or similar size
to the large side chains(s) are created on the interface of the
second antibody molecule by replacing large amino acid side chains
with smaller ones (e.g., alanine or threonine). This provides a
mechanism for increasing the yield of the heterodimer over other
unwanted end-products such as homodimers.
[0167] Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from
antibody fragments have been described in the literature. For
example, bispecific antibodies can be prepared using chemical
linkage. Brennan et al., Science 229: 81 (1985) describe a
procedure wherein intact antibodies are proteolytically cleaved to
generate F(ab').sub.2 fragments. These fragments are reduced in the
presence of the dithiol complexing agent sodium arsenite to
stabilize vicinal dithiols and prevent intermolecular disulfide
formation. The Fab' fragments generated are then converted to
thionitrobenzoate (TNB) derivatives. One of the Fab'-TNB
derivatives is then reconverted to the Fab'-TNB derivative to form
the bispecific antibody. The bispecific antibodies produced can be
used as agents for the selective immobilization of enzymes.
[0168] Fab' fragments may be directly recovered from E. coli and
chemically coupled to form bispecific antibodies. Shalaby et al.,
J. Exp. Med. 175: 217-225 (1992) describes the production of fully
humanized bispecific antibody F(ab').sub.2 molecules. Each Fab'
fragment was separately secreted from E. coli and subjected to
directed chemical coupling in vitro to form the bispecific
antibody. The bispecific antibody thus formed was able to bind to
cells overexpressing the ErbB2 receptor and normal human T cells,
as well as trigger the lytic activity of human cytotoxic
lymphocytes against human breast tumor targets.
[0169] Various techniques for making and isolating bivalent
antibody fragments directly from recombinant cell culture have also
been described. For example, bivalent heterodimers have been
produced using leucine zippers. Kostelny et al., J. Immunol.,
148(5):1547-1553 (1992). The leucine zipper peptides from the Fos
and Jun proteins were linked to the Fab' portions of two different
antibodies by gene fusion. The antibody homodimers were reduced at
the hinge region to form monomers and then re-oxidized to form the
antibody heterodimers. The "diabody" technology described by
Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90: 6444-6448 (1993)
has provided an alternative mechanism for making
bispecific/bivalent antibody fragments. The fragments comprise a
heavy-chain variable domain (V.sub.H) connected to a light-chain
variable domain (V.sub.L) by a linker which is too short to allow
pairing between the two domains on the same chain. Accordingly, the
V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains of one fragment are forced to pair with
the complementary V.sub.L and V.sub.H domains of another fragment,
thereby forming two antigen-binding sites. Another strategy for
making bispecific/bivalent antibody fragments by the use of
single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers has also been reported. See Gruber et
al., J. Immunol., 152:5368 (1994).
[0170] Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated.
For example, trispecific antibodies can be prepared. Tutt et al.,
J. Immunol. 147: 60 (1991).
[0171] Exemplary bispecific antibodies may bind to two different
epitopes on a given molecule. Alternatively, an anti-protein arm
may be combined with an arm which binds to a triggering molecule on
a leukocyte such as a Tell receptor molecule (e.g., CD2, CD3, CD28
or B7), or Fc receptors for IgG (Fc.gamma.R), such as Fc.gamma.RI
(CD64), Fc.gamma.RII (CD32) and Fc.gamma.RIII (CD16) so as to focus
cellular defense mechanisms to the cell expressing the particular
protein. Bispecific antibodies may also be used to localize
cytotoxic agents to cells which express a particular protein. Such
antibodies possess a protein-binding arm and an arm which binds a
cytotoxic agent or a radionuclide chelator, such as EOTUBE, DPTA,
DOTA or TETA. Another bispecific antibody of interest binds the
protein of interest and further binds tissue factor (TF).
[0172] 6) Heteroconjugate Antibodies
[0173] Heteroconjugate antibodies are also within the scope of the
present invention. Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two
covalently joined antibodies. For example, one of the antibodies in
the heteroconjugate can be coupled to avidin, the other to biotin.
Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune
system cells to unwanted cells, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980, and for
treatment of HIV infection. WO 91/00360, WO 92/200373 and EP
0308936. It is contemplated that the antibodies may be prepared in
vitro using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including
those involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins may
be constructed using a disulfide exchange reaction or by forming a
thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose
include iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate and those
disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980. Heteroconjugate
antibodies may be made using any convenient cross-linking methods.
Suitable cross-linking agents are well known in the art, and are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980, along with a number of
cross-linking techniques.
[0174] 7) Effector Function Engineering
[0175] It may be desirable to modify the antibody of the invention
with respect to effector function, so as to enhance the
effectiveness of the antibody in treating cancer. For example,
cysteine residue(s) may be introduced into the Fc region, thereby
allowing interchain disulfide bond formation in this region. The
homodimeric antibody thus generated may have improved
internalization capability and/or increased complement-mediated
cell killing and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
See Caron et al., J. Exp. Med. 176:1191-1195 (1992) and Shopes, J.
Immunol. 148: 2918-2922 (1992). Homodimeric antibodies with
enhanced anti-tumor activity may also be prepared using
heterobifunctional cross-linkers as described in Wolff et al.,
Cancer Research 53: 2560-2565 (1993). Alternatively, an antibody
can be engineered that has dual Fc regions and may thereby have
enhanced complement lysis and ADCC capabilities. See Stevenson et
al., Anti-Cancer Drug Design 3: 219-230 (1989).
[0176] 8) Immunoconjugates
[0177] The invention also pertains to immunoconjugates comprising
an antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic agent such as a
chemotherapeutic agent, toxin (e.g., an enzymatically active toxin
of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal origin, or fragments
thereof), or a radioactive isotope (i.e., a radioconjugate).
[0178] Chemotherapeutic agents useful in the generation of such
immunoconjugates include BCNU, streptozoicin, vincristine,
vinblastine, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil.
[0179] Enzymatically active toxins and fragments thereof that can
be used include diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of
diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa),
ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin,
Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolaca americana
proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor,
curcin, crotin, sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin,
mitogellin, restrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin, and the
tricothecenes.
[0180] Conjugates of the antibody and cytotoxic agent are made
using a variety of bifunctional protein-coupling agents such as
N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithiol) propionate (SPDP),
iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such
as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl
suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde), bis-azido compounds
(such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazonium
derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine),
diisocyanates (such as tolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active
fluorine compounds (such as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). For
example, a ricin immunotoxin can be prepared as described in
Vitetta et al., Science, 238: 1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled
1-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid
(MX-DTPA) is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation of
radionucleotide to the antibody. See WO94/11026. The linker may be
a "cleavable linker" facilitating release of the cytotoxic drug in
the cell. For example, an acid-labile linker, peptidase-sensitive
linker, dimethyl linker or disulfide-containing linker (Chari et
al., Cancer Res. 52:127-131 (1992)) may be used.
[0181] Additionally, the small molecule toxins such as
calicheamicin, maytansine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020), trichothene
and CC1065 are also contemplated an conjugatable toxins for use
with the inventive formulation. In one embodiment the full length
antibody or antigen binding fragments thereof can be conjugated to
one or more maytansinoid molecules (e.g., about 1 to about 10
maytansinoid molecules per antibody molecule). Maytansinoids are
mitototic inhibitors which act by inhibiting tubulin
polymerization. Maytansinoids, isolated from natural sources or
prepared synthetically, including maytansine, maytansinal and
derivatives and analogues thereof have been described, see e.g.,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020 and references cited therein (see col. 2,
line 53 to col. 3, line 10) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,896,111 and
4,151,042. Method of preparing antibody-maytansinoid conjugates are
also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020. In a preferred
embodiment, a maytansinoid is linked to the antibody via a
disulfide or other sulfur-containing linker group. Maytansine may,
for example, be converted to May-SS-Me, which may be reduced to
May-SH3 and reacted with modified antibody to generate a
maytansinoid-antibody immunoconjugate. Chari et al., Cancer Res.
52: 127-131 (1992). The antibody can be modified by known methods
and the antibody containing free or protected thiol groups is then
reacted with a disulfide containing maytansinoid to produce the
conjugate. The cytotoxicity of the antibody-maytansinoid conjugate
can be measured in vitro or in vivo by known methods and the
IC.sub.50 determined.
[0182] Calicheamicin is another immunoconjugate of interest. The
calicheamicin family of antibiotics are capable of producing
double-stranded DNA breaks at sub-picomolar concentrations.
Structural analogues of calicheamicin which may be used include,
but are not limited to, .gamma..sub.1.sup.1, .alpha..sub.2.sup.1,
.alpha..sub.3.sup.1, N-aceytl-.gamma..sub.1.sup.1, PSAG and
.theta..sup.1.sub.1 (Hinman et al., Cancer Res. 53:3336-3342 (1993)
and Lode et al., Cancer Res. 58:2925-2928 (1998)). Other anti-tumor
drugs that the antibody can be conjugated to include QFA which is
an antifolate. Both calicheamicin and QFA have intracellular sites
of actions and do not readily cross the plasma membrane. Therefore,
cellular uptake of these agents through antibody mediated
internalization greatly enhances their cytotoxic effects.
[0183] Immunoconjugates formed between an antibody and a compound
with nucleolytic activity (e.g., a ribonuclease or DNA endonuclease
such as deoxyribonuclease, DNase) are also contemplated.
[0184] The antibody may also be conjugated to a highly radioactive
atom. A variety of radionuclides are available for the production
of radioconjugated antibodies. Examples include At.sup.211,
Bi.sup.212, I.sup.131, In.sup.131, Y.sup.90, Re.sup.186,
Re.sup.188, Sm.sup.153, P.sup.32 and Pb.sup.212 and radioactive
isotopes of Lu. When the conjugate is used for diagnosis, it may
comprise a radioactive atom for scintigraphic studies, for example
Tc.sup.99 or I.sup.123, or a spin label for nuclear magnetic
resonance (nmr) imaging (also known as magnetic resonance imaging,
mri), such as iodine-123, iodine-131, indium-111, fluorine-19,
carbon-13, nitrogen-15, oxygen-17, gadolinium, manganese or
iron.
[0185] The radio- or other labels may be incorporated in the
conjugate in known ways. For example, the peptide may be
biosynthesized or may be synthesized by chemical amino acid
synthesis using suitable amino acid precursors involving, for
example, fluorine-19 in place or hydrogen. Labels such Tc.sup.99 or
I.sup.123, Re.sup.186, Re.sup.188 and In.sup.111 can be attached
via a cysteine residue in the peptide. Yttrium-90 can be attached
via a lysine residue. The IODOGEN.RTM. method can be used to
incorporate iodine-123, Fraker et al., Biohem. Biophys. Res.
Commun. 80:49-57 (1978). Other methods of conjugating radionuclides
are described in "Monoclonal Antibodies in Immunoscintigraphy,"
(Chatal, CRC Press 1989).
[0186] Alternatively, a fusion protein comprising the antibody and
the cytotoxic agent may be made by recombinant techniques or
peptide synthesis. The length of DNA may comprise respective
regions encoding the two portions of the conjugate either adjacent
to one another or separated by a region encoding a linker peptide
which does not destroy the desired properties of the conjugate.
[0187] In another embodiment, the antibody may be conjugated to a
"receptor" (such streptavidin) for utilization in tumor
pretargeting wherein the antibody-receptor conjugate is
administered to the patient, followed by removal of unbound
conjugate from the circulation using a clearing agent and then
administration of a "ligand" (e.g., avidin) that is conjugated to a
cytotoxic agent (e.g., a radionucleotide).
[0188] 9) Immunoliposomes
[0189] The antibodies disclosed herein may also be formulated as
immunoliposomes. A "liposome" is a small vesicle composed of
various types of lipids, phospholipids and/or surfactant which is
useful for delivery of a drug to a mammal. The components of the
liposome are commonly arranged in a bilayer formation, similar to
the lipid arrangement of biological membranes.
[0190] Liposomes containing the antibody are prepared by methods
known in the art, such as described in Epstein et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA, 82: 3688 (1985); Hwang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA, 77: 4030 (1980); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,045 and
4,544,545. Liposomes with enhanced circulation time are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,556.
[0191] Particularly useful liposomes can be generated by the
reverse-phase evaporation method with a lipid composition
comprising phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and PEG-derivatized
phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE). Liposomes are extruded through
filters of defined pore size to yield liposomes with the desired
diameter. Fab' fragments of the antibody of the present invention
can be conjugated to the liposomes as described in Martin et al.,
J. Biol. Chem., 257: 286-288 (1982) via a disulfide-interchange
reaction. A chemotherapeutic agent (such as Doxorubicin) is
optionally contained within the liposome. See Gabizon et al., J.
National Cancer Inst. 81(19):1484 (1989).
[0192] 10) Other Antibody Modifications
[0193] Other modifications of the antibody are contemplated herein.
For example, the antibody may be linked to one of a variety of
nonproteinaceous polymers, e.g., polyethylene glycol, polypropylene
glycol, polyoxyalkylenes, or copolymers of polyethylene glycol and
polypropylene glycol. The antibody also may be entrapped in
microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or
by interfacial polymerization (for example, hydroxymethylcellulose
or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacrylate)
microcapsules, respectively), in colloidal drug delivery systems
(for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions,
nano-particles and nanocapsules), or in macroemulsions. Such
techniques and other suitable formulations are disclosed in
Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Ed., Alfonso
Gennaro, Ed., Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science
(2000).
[0194] C. Lyophilized Formulations
[0195] The formulations described herein may also be prepared as
reconstituted lyophilized formulations. The proteins or antibodies
described herein are lyophilized and then reconstituted to produce
the reduced-viscosity stable liquid formulations of the invention.
In this particular embodiment, after preparation of the protein of
interest as described above, a "pre-lyophilized formulation" is
produced. The amount of protein present in the pre-lyophilized
formulation is determined taking into account the desired dose
volumes, mode(s) of administration etc. For example, the starting
concentration of an intact antibody can be from about 2 mg/ml to
about 50 mg/ml, preferably from about 5 mg/ml to about 40 mg/ml and
most preferably from about 20-30 mg/ml.
[0196] 1) Preparation of Lyophilized Formulations
[0197] The protein to be formulated is generally present in
solution. For example, in the elevated ionic strength reduced
viscosity formulations of the invention, the protein may be present
in a pH-buffered solution at a pH from about 4-8, and preferably
from about 5-7. The buffer concentration can be from about 1 mM to
about 20 mM, alternatively from about 3 mM to about 15 mM,
depending, for example, on the buffer and the desired tonicity of
the formulation (e.g. of the reconstituted formulation). Exemplary
buffers and/or salts are those which are pharmaceutically
acceptable and may be created from suitable acids, bases and salts
thereof, such as those which are defined under "pharmaceutically
acceptable" acids, bases or buffers.
[0198] In one embodiment, a lyoprotectant is added to the
pre-lyophilized formulation. The amount of lyoprotectant in the
pre-lyophilized formulation is generally such that, upon
reconstitution, the resulting formulation will be isotonic.
However, hypertonic reconstituted formulations may also be
suitable. In addition, the amount of lyoprotectant must not be too
low such that an unacceptable amount of degradation/aggregation of
the protein occurs upon lyophilization. However, exemplary
lyoprotectant concentrations in the pre-lyophilized formulation are
from about 10 mM to about 400 mM, alternatively from about 30 mM to
about 300 mM, alternatively from about 50 mM to about 100 mM.
Exemplary lyoprotectants include sugars and sugar alcohols such as
sucrose, mannose, trehalose, glucose, sorbitol, mannitol. However,
under particular circumstances, certain lyoprotectants may also
contribute to an increase in viscosity of the formulation. As such,
care should be taken so as to select particular lyoprotectants
which minimize or neutralize this effect. Additional lyoprotectants
are described above under the definition of "lyoprotectants", also
referred herein as "pharmaceutically-acceptable sugars".
[0199] The ratio of protein to lyoprotectant can vary for each
particular protein or antibody and lyoprotectant combination. In
the case of an antibody as the protein of choice and a sugar (e.g.,
sucrose or trehalose) as the lyoprotectant for generating an
isotonic reconstituted formulation with a high protein
concentration, the molar ratio of lyoprotectant to antibody may be
from about 100 to about 1500 moles lyoprotectant to 1 mole
antibody, and preferably from about 200 to about 1000 moles of
lyoprotectant to 1 mole antibody, for example from about 200 to
about 600 moles of lyoprotectant to 1 mole antibody.
[0200] In a preferred embodiment, it may be desirable to add a
surfactant to the pre-lyophilized formulation. Alternatively, or in
addition, the surfactant may be added to the lyophilized
formulation and/or the reconstituted formulation. Exemplary
surfactants include nonionic surfactants such as polysorbates (e.g.
polysorbates 20 or 80); polyoxamers (e.g. poloxamer 188); Triton;
sodium octyl glycoside; lauryl-, myristyl-, linoleyl-, or
stearyl-sulfobetaine; lauryl-, myristyl-, linoleyl- or
stearyl-sarcosine; linoleyl-, myristyl-, or cetyl-betaine;
lauroamidopropyl-, cocamidopropyl-, linoleamidopropyl-,
myristamidopropyl-, palmidopropyl-, or isostearamidopropyl-betaine
(e.g. lauroamidopropyl); myristamidopropyl-, palmidopropyl-, or
isostearamidopropyl-dimethylamine; sodium methyl cocoyl-, or
disodium methyl oleyl-taurate; and the MONAQUA.TM. series (Mona
Industries, Inc., Paterson, N.J.), polyethyl glycol, polypropyl
glycol, and copolymers of ethylene and propylene glycol (e.g.
Pluronics, PF68 etc). The amount of surfactant added is such that
it reduces particulate formation of the reconstituted protein and
minimizes the formation of particulates after reconstitution. For
example, the surfactant may be present in the pre-lyophilized
formulation in an amount from about 0.001-0.5%, alternatively from
about 0.005-0.05%.
[0201] A mixture of the lyoprotectant (such as sucrose or
trehalose) and a bulking agent (e.g. mannitol or glycine) may be
used in the preparation of the pre-lyophilization formulation. The
bulking agent may allow for the production of a uniform lyophilized
cake without excessive pockets therein etc. Other pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers such as those
described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition,
Osol, A. Ed. (1980) may be included in the pre-lyophilized
formulation (and/or the lyophilized formulation and/or the
reconstituted formulation) provided that they do not adversely
affect the desired characteristics of the formulation. Acceptable
carriers, excipients or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at
the dosages and concentrations employed and include; additional
buffering agents; preservatives; co-solvents; antioxidants
including ascorbic acid and methionine; chelating agents such as
EDTA; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); biodegradable
polymers such as polyesters; and/or salt-forming counterions such
as sodium.
[0202] The formulation herein may also contain more than one
protein as necessary for the particular indication being treated,
preferably those with complementary activities that do not
adversely affect the other protein. For example, it may be
desirable to provide two or more antibodies which bind to the
desired target (e.g., receptor or antigen) in a single formulation.
Such proteins are suitably present in combination in amounts that
are effective for the purpose intended.
[0203] The formulations to be used for in vivo administration must
be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through
sterile filtration membranes, prior to, or following,
lyophilization and reconstitution. Alternatively, sterility of the
entire mixture may be accomplished by autoclaving the ingredients,
except for protein, at about 120.degree. C. for about 30 minutes,
for example.
[0204] After the protein, optional lyoprotectant and other optional
components are mixed together, the formulation is lyophilized. Many
different freeze-dryers are available for this purpose such as
Hull50.TM. (Hull, USA) or GT20.TM. (Leybold-Heraeus, Germany)
freeze-dryers. Freeze-drying is accomplished by freezing the
formulation and subsequently subliming ice from the frozen content
at a temperature suitable for primary drying. Under this condition,
the product temperature is below the eutectic point or the collapse
temperature of the formulation. Typically, the shelf temperature
for the primary drying will range from about -30 to 25.degree. C.
(provided the product remains frozen during primary drying) at a
suitable pressure, ranging typically from about 50 to 250 mTorr.
The formulation, size and type of the container holding the sample
(e.g., glass vial) and the volume of liquid will mainly dictate the
time required for drying, which can range from a few hours to
several days (e.g. 40-60 hrs). Optionally, a secondary drying stage
may also be performed depending upon the desired residual moisture
level in the product. The temperature at which the secondary drying
is carried out ranges from about 0-40.degree. C., depending
primarily on the type and size of container and the type of protein
employed. For example, the shelf temperature throughout the entire
water removal phase of lyophilization may be from about
15-30.degree. C. (e.g., about 20.degree. C.). The time and pressure
required for secondary drying will be that which produces a
suitable lyophilized cake, dependent, e.g., on the temperature and
other parameters. The secondary drying time is dictated by the
desired residual moisture level in the product and typically takes
at least about 5 hours (e.g. 10-15 hours). The pressure may be the
same as that employed during the primary drying step. Freeze-drying
conditions can be varied depending on the formulation and vial
size.
[0205] 2. Reconstitution of a Lyophilized Formulation
[0206] Prior to administration to the patient, the lyophilized
formulation is reconstituted with a pharmaceutically acceptable
diluent such that the protein concentration in the reconstituted
formulation is at least about 50 mg/ml, for example from about 50
mg/ml to about 400 mg/ml, alternatively from about 80 mg/ml to
about 300 mg/ml, alternatively from about 90 mg/ml to about 150
mg/ml. Such high protein concentrations in the reconstituted
formulation are considered to be particularly useful where
subcutaneous delivery of the reconstituted formulation is intended.
However, for other routes of administration, such as intravenous
administration, lower concentrations of the protein in the
reconstituted formulation may be desired (for example from about
5-50 mg/ml, or from about 10-40 mg/ml protein in the reconstituted
formulation). In certain embodiments, the protein concentration in
the reconstituted formulation is significantly higher than that in
the pre-lyophilized formulation. For example, the protein
concentration in the reconstituted formulation may be about 240
times, alternatively 3-10 times, alternatively 3-6 times (e.g. at
least three fold or at least four fold) that of the pre-lyophilized
formulation.
[0207] Reconstitution generally takes place at a temperature of
about 25.degree. C. to ensure complete hydration, although other
temperatures may be employed as desired. The time required for
reconstitution will depend, e.g., on the type of diluent, amount of
excipient(s) and protein. Exemplary diluents include sterile water,
bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), a pH buffered solution
(e.g. phosphate-buffered saline), sterile saline solution, Ringer's
solution or dextrose solution. The diluent optionally contains a
preservative. Exemplary preservatives have been described above,
with aromatic alcohols such as benzyl or phenol alcohol being the
preferred preservatives. The amount of preservative employed is
determined by assessing different preservative concentrations for
compatibility with the protein and preservative efficacy testing.
For example, if the preservative is an aromatic alcohol (such as
benzyl alcohol), it can be present in an amount from about 0.1-2.0%
and preferably from about 0.5-1.5%, but most preferably about
1.0-1.2%.
[0208] Preferably, the reconstituted formulation has less than 6000
particles per vial which are .gtoreq.10 .mu.m in size.
[0209] D. Liquid Formulations
[0210] Therapeutic formulations are prepared for storage by mixing
the active ingredient having the desired degree of purity with
optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or
stabilizers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 18th edition, Mack
Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. 18042 [1990]). Acceptable carriers,
excipients, or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at the
dosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers,
antioxidants including ascorbic acid, methionine, Vitamin E, sodium
metabisulfite; preservatives, isotonicifiers, stabilizers, metal
complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); chelating agents such as
EDTA and/or non-ionic surfactants.
[0211] When the therapeutic agent is an antibody fragment, the
smallest inhibitory fragment which specifically binds to the
binding domain of the target protein is preferred. For example,
based upon the variable region sequences of an antibody, antibody
fragments or even peptide molecules can be designed which retain
the ability to bind the target protein sequence. Such peptides can
be synthesized chemically and/or produced by recombinant DNA
technology (see, e.g., Marasco et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
90: 7889-7893 [1993]).
[0212] Buffers are used to control the pH in a range which
optimizes the therapeutic effectiveness, especially if stability is
pH dependent. Buffers are preferably present at concentrations
ranging from about 50 mM to about 250 mM. Suitable buffering agents
for use with the present invention include both organic and
inorganic acids and salts thereof. For example, citrate, phosphate,
succinate, tartrate, fumarate, gluconate, oxalate, lactate,
acetate. Additionally, buffers may be comprised of histidine and
trimethylamine salts such as Tris.
[0213] Preservatives are added to retard microbial growth, and are
typically present in a range from 0.2%-1.0% (w/v). Suitable
preservatives for use with the present invention include (such as
octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride;
benzalkonium halides (e.g., chloride, bromide, iodide),
benzethonium chloride; thimerosal, phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol;
alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol;
resorcinol; cyclohexanol, 3-pentanol, and m-cresol.
[0214] Tonicity agents, sometimes known as "stabilizers" are
present to adjust or maintain the tonicity of liquid a composition.
When used with large, charged biomolecules such as proteins and
antibodies, they are often termed "stabilizers" because the can
interact with the charged groups of the amino acid side chains,
thereby lessening the potential for inter and intra-molecular
interactions. Tonicity agents can be present in any amount between
0.1% to 25% by weight, preferably 1 to 5%, taking into account the
relative amounts of the other ingredients. Preferred tonicity
agents include polyhydric sugar alcohols, preferably trihydric or
higher sugar alcohols, such as glycerin, erythritol, arabitol,
xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol.
[0215] Additional excipients include agents which can serve as one
or more of the following: (1) bulking agents, (2) solubility
enhancers, (3) stabilizers and (4) and agents preventing
denaturation or adherence to the container wall. Such excipients
include: polyhydric sugar alcohols (enumerated above); amino acids
such as alanine, glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine,
arginine, lysine, ornithine, leucine, 2-phenylalanine, glutamic
acid, threonine, etc.; organic sugars or sugar alcohols such as
sucrose, lactose, lactitol, trehalose, stachyose, mannose, sorbose,
xylose, ribose, ribitol, myoinisitose, myoinisitol, galactose,
galactitol, glycerol, cyclitols (e.g., inositol), polyethylene
glycol; sulfur containing reducing agents, such as urea,
glutathione, thioctic acid, sodium thioglycolate, thioglycerol,
.alpha.-monothioglycerol and sodium thio sulfate; low molecular
weight proteins such as human serum albumin, bovine serum albumin,
gelatin or other immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as
polyvinylpyrrolidone; monosaccharides (e.g., xylose, mannose,
fructose, glucose; disaccharides (e.g., lactose, maltose, sucrose);
trisaccharides such as raffinose; and polysaccharides such as
dextrin or dextran.
[0216] Non-ionic surfactants or detergents (also known as "wetting
agents") are present to help solubilize the therapeutic agent as
well as to protect the therapeutic protein against
agitation-induced aggregation, which also permits the formulation
to be exposed to shear surface stress without causing denaturation
of the active therapeutic protein or antibody. Non-ionic
surfactants are present in a range of about 0.05 mg/ml to about 1.0
mg/ml, preferably about 0.07 mg/ml to about 0.2 mg/ml.
[0217] Suitable non-ionic surfactants include polysorbates (20, 40,
60, 65, 80, etc.), polyoxamers (184, 188, etc.), Pluronic.RTM.
polyols, Triton.RTM., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoethers
(Tween.RTM.-20, Tween.RTM.-80, etc.), lauromacrogol 400, polyoxyl
40 stearate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 10, 50 and 60,
glycerol monostearate, sucrose fatty acid ester, methyl celluose
and carboxymethyl cellulose. Anionic detergents that can be used
include sodium lauryl sulfate, dioctyle sodium sulfosuccinate and
dioctyl sodium sulfonate. Cationic detergents include benzalkonium
chloride or benzethonium chloride.
[0218] In order for the formulations to be used for in vivo
administration, they must be sterile. The formulation may be
rendered sterile by filtration through sterile filtration
membranes. The therapeutic compositions herein generally are placed
into a container having a sterile access port, for example, an
intravenous solution bag or vial having a stopper pierceable by a
hypodermic injection needle.
[0219] The route of administration is in accordance with known and
accepted methods, such as by single or multiple bolus or infusion
over a long period of time in a suitable manner, e.g., injection or
infusion by subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal,
intramuscular, intraarterial, intralesional or intraarticular
routes, topical administration, inhalation or by sustained release
or extended-release means.
[0220] The formulation herein may also contain more than one active
compound as necessary for the particular indication being treated,
preferably those with complementary activities that do not
adversely affect each other. Alternatively, or in addition, the
composition may comprise a cytotoxic agent, cytokine or growth
inhibitory agent. Such molecules are suitably present in
combination in amounts that are effective for the purpose
intended.
[0221] The active ingredients may also be entrapped in
microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or
by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose
or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate)
microcapsules, respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems
(for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions,
nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such
techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences
18th edition, supra.
[0222] Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable
examples of sustained-release preparations include semipermeable
matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the antibody,
which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g. films, or
microcapsules. Examples of sustained-release matrices include
polyesters, hydrogels (for example,
poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly(vinylalcohol)),
polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic
acid and .gamma.-ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl
acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as
the LUPRON DEPOT.TM. (injectable microspheres composed of lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), and
poly-D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid. Microencapsulation of recombinant
proteins for sustained release has been successfully performed with
human growth hormone (rhGH), interferon- (rbIFN-), interleukin-2,
and MN rpg 120. Johnson et al., Nat. Med. 2: 795-799 (1996); Yasuda
et al., Biomed. Ther. 27: 1221-1223 (1993); Hora et al.,
Bio/Technology 8: 755-758 (1990); Cleland, "Design and Production
of Single Immunization Vaccines Using Polylactide Polyglycolide
Microsphere Systems," in Vaccine Design: The Subunit and Adjuvant
Approach, Powell and Newman, eds., (Plenum Press: New York, 1995),
pp. 439-462; WO 97/03692; WO 96/40072; WO 96/07399; and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,654,010.
[0223] The sustained-release formulations of these proteins may be
developed using poly lactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) polymer due to
its biocompatibility and wide range of biodegradable properties.
The degradation products of PLGA, lactic and glycolic acids, can be
cleared quickly within the human body. Moreover, the degradability
of this polymer can be adjusted from months to years depending on
its molecular weight and composition. Lewis, "Controlled release of
bioactive agents from lactide/glycolide polymer", in Biodegradable
Polymers as Drug Delivery Systems (Marcel Dekker; New York, 1990),
M. Chasin and R. Langer (Eds.) pp. 1-41.
[0224] While polymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate and lactic
acid-glycolic acid enable release of molecules for over 100 days,
certain hydrogels release proteins for shorter time periods. When
encapsulated antibodies remain in the body for a long time, they
may denature or aggregate as a result of exposure to moisture at
37.degree. C., resulting in a loss of biological activity and
possible changes in immunogenicity. Rational strategies can be
devised for stabilization depending on the mechanism involved. For
example, if the aggregation mechanism is discovered to be
intermolecular S--S bond formation through thio-disulfide
interchange, stabilization may be achieved by modifying sulfhydryl
residues, lyophilizing from acidic solutions, controlling moisture
content, using appropriate additives, and developing specific
polymer matrix compositions.
[0225] Liposomal or proteinoid compositions may also be used to
formulate the proteins or antibodies disclosed herein. See U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,925,673 and 5,013,556.
[0226] Stability of the proteins and antibodies described herein
may be enhanced through the use of non-toxic "water-soluble
polyvalent metal salts". Examples include Ca.sup.2+ Mg.sup.2+,
Zn.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, Cu.sup.2+, Sn.sup.2+, Sn.sup.4+,
Al.sup.2+ and Al.sup.3+. Example anions that can form water soluble
salts with the above polyvalent metal cations include those formed
from inorganic acids and/or organic acids. Such water-soluble salts
have a solubility in water (at 20.degree. C.) of at least about 20
mg/ml, alternatively at least about 100 mg/ml, alternative at least
about 200 mg/ml.
[0227] Suitable inorganic acids that can be used to form the "water
soluble polyvalent metal salts" include hydrochloric, acetic,
sulfuric, nitric, thiocyanic and phosphoric acid. Suitable organic
acids that can be used include aliphatic carboxylic acid and
aromatic acids. Aliphatic acids within this definition may be
defined as saturated or unsaturated C.sub.2-9 carboxylic acids
(e.g., aliphatic mono-, di- and tri-carboxylic acids). For example,
exemplary monocarboxylic acids within this definition include the
saturated C.sub.2-9 monocarboxylic acids acetic, proprionic,
butyric, valeric, caproic, enanthic, caprylic pelargonic and
capryonic, and the unsaturated C.sub.2-9 monocarboxylic acids
acrylic, propriolic methacrylic, crotonic and isocrotonic acids.
Exemplary dicarboxylic acids include the saturated C.sub.2-9
dicarboxylic acids malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic and pimelic,
while unsaturated C.sub.2-9 dicarboxylic acids include maleic,
fumaric, citraconic and mesaconic acids. Exemplary tricarboxylic
acids include the saturated C.sub.2-9 tricarboxylic acids
tricarballylic and 1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid. Additionally,
the carboxylic acids of this definition may also contain one or two
hydroxyl groups to form hydroxy carboxylic acids. Exemplary hydroxy
carboxylic acids include glycolic, lactic, glyceric, tartronic,
malic, tartaric and citric acid. Aromatic acids within this
definition include benzoic and salicylic acid.
[0228] Commonly employed water soluble polyvalent metal salts which
may be used to help stabilize the encapsulated polypeptides of this
invention include, for example: (1) the inorganic acid metal salts
of halides (e.g., zinc chloride, calcium chloride), sulfates,
nitrates, phosphates and thiocyanates; (2) the aliphatic carboxylic
acid metal salts (e.g., calcium acetate, zinc acetate, calcium
proprionate, zinc glycolate, calcium lactate, zinc lactate and zinc
tartrate); and (3) the aromatic carboxylic acid metal salts of
benzoates (e.g., zinc benzoate) and salicylates.
[0229] E. Methods of Treatment:
[0230] For the prevention or treatment of disease, the appropriate
dosage of an active agent, will depend on the type of disease to be
treated, as defined above, the severity and course of the disease,
whether the agent is administered for preventive or therapeutic
purposes, previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and
response to the agent, and the discretion of the attending
physician. The agent is suitably administered to the patient at one
time or over a series of treatments.
[0231] A preferred method of treatment is the treatment of
IgE-mediated disorders. IgE mediated disorders includes atopic
disorders, which are characterized by an inherited propensity to
respond immunologically to many common naturally occurring inhaled
and ingested antigens and the continual production of IgE
antibodies. Specific atopic disorders includes allergic asthma,
allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and allergic
gastroenteropathy. Atopic patients often have multiple allergies,
meaning that they have IgE antibodies to, and symptoms from, many
environmental allergens, including pollens, fungi (e.g., molds),
animal and insect debris and certain foods.
[0232] However disorders associated with elevated IgE levels are
not limited to those with an inherited (atopic) etiology. Other
disorders associated with elevated IgE levels, that appear to be
IgE-mediated and are treatable with the formulations of this
present invention include hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic
hypersensitivity), eczema, urticaria, allergic bronchopulmonary
aspergillosis, parasitic diseases, hyper-IgE syndrome,
ataxia-telangiectasia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, thymic
alymphoplasia, IgE myeloma and graft-versus-host reaction.
[0233] Allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic
rhinoconjunctivitis or hay fever, is the most common manifestation
of an atopic reaction to inhaled allergens, the severity and
duration of which is often correlative with the intensity and
length of exposure to the allergen. It is a chronic disease, which
may first appear at any age, but the onset is usually during
childhood or adolescence. A typical attack consists of profuse
watery rhinorrhea, paroxysmal sneezing, nasal obstruction and
itching of the nose and palate. Postnasal mucus drainage also
causes sore throat, throat clearing and cough. There can also be
symptoms of allergic blepharoconjunctivitis, with intense itching
of the conjunctivae and eyelids, redness, tearing, and photophobia.
Severe attacks are often accompanied by systemic malaise, weakness,
fatigue, and sometime, muscle soreness after intense periods of
sneezing.
[0234] Asthma, also known as reversible obstructive airway disease,
is characterized by hyperresponsiveness of the tracheobronchial
tree to respiratory irritants and bronchoconstrictor chemicals,
producing attacks of wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and cough
that are reversible spontaneously or with treatment. It is a
chronic disease involving the entire airway, but varies in severity
from occasional mild transient episodes to severe, chronic,
life-threatening bronchial obstruction. Asthma and atopy may
coexist, but only about half of asthmatics are also atopic, and an
even smaller percentage of atopic patients also have asthma.
However, atopy and asthma are not entirely independent in that
asthma occurs more frequently among atopic than amongst nonatopic
individuals, especially during childhood. Asthma has further been
historically broken down into two subgroups, extrinsic asthma and
intrinsic asthma.
[0235] Extrinsic asthma, also known as allergic, atopic or
immunologic asthma, is descriptive of patients that generally
develop asthma early in life, usually during infancy or childhood.
Other manifestations of atopy, including eczema or allergic
rhinitis often coexist. Asthmatic attacks can occur during pollen
seasons, in the presence of animals, or on exposure to house dust,
feather pillows, or other allergens. Skin tests show positive
wheal-and-flare reactions to the causative allergens.
Interestingly, total serum IgE concentrations is frequently
elevated, but is sometimes normal.
[0236] Intrinsic asthma, also known as nonallergic or idopathic
asthma, typically first occurs during adult life, after and
apparent respiratory infection. Symptoms include chronic or
recurrent bronchial obstruction unrelated to pollen seasons or
exposure to other allergens. Skin tests are negative to the usual
atopic allergens, serum IgE concentration is normal. Additional
symptoms include sputum blood and eosinophilia. Other schemes for
classifying asthma into subgroups, like aspirin-sensitive,
exercise-induced, infectious and psychologic merely define external
triggering factors that affect certain patients more so than
others.
[0237] Finally, it is important to note that while some
classifications have historically associated only allergic asthma
with IgE dependency, there is now strong statistically significant
data showing a correlation between IgE and asthma (both allergic
and non-allergic). Chapter 27, "The Atopic Diseases", A. I. Terr in
Medical Immunology, 9th Ed., Simon and Schuster, Stites et al, Ed.
(1997). As a result, the term "IgE-mediated disorders", for
purposes of this patent application, includes both allergic and
non-allergic asthma.
[0238] Physical signs of an asthma attack include tachypnea,
audible wheezing, and use of the accessory muscles of respiration.
Rapid pulse and elevated blood pressure are also typically present,
as are elevated levels of eosinophils in the peripheral blood and
nasal secretions. Pulmonary functions show a decrease in flow rates
and 1 second forced expiratory volume (FEV.sub.1). The total lung
capacity and functional residual capacity are typically normal or
slightly increased, but may be decreased with extreme
bronchospasm.
[0239] The pathology of asthma can be distinguished by early phase
and late phase reactions. The early phase is characterized by
smooth muscle contraction, edema and hypersecretion, while the late
phase reactions by cellular inflammation. Asthma can be induced by
various non-specific triggers including infections (e.g., viral
respiratory infections), physiologic factors (e.g., exercise,
hyperventilation, deep breathing, psychologic factors), atmospheric
factors (e.g., sulfur dioxide, ammonia, cold air, ozone, distilled
water vapor), ingestants (e.g., propranolol, aspirin, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs), experimental inhalants (e.g., hypertonic
solutions, citric acid, histamine, methacholine, prostaglandin
F.sub.2.alpha.) and occupational inhalants (e.g., isocyantes).
Various additional occupational or environmental allergens that
cause allergic asthma can include, animal products, insect dusts,
sea creatures, plant products, fruits, seeds, leaves and pollens,
organic dyes and inks, microbial agents, enzymes, therapeutic
agents, sterilizing agents, inorganic and organic chemicals.
[0240] Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, neurodermatitis,
atopic eczema or Besnier's prurigo, is common chronic skin disorder
specific to a subset of patients with the familial and immunologic
features of atopy. The essential feature is a pruritic dermal
inflammatory response, which induces a characteristic symmetrically
distributed skin eruption with predilection for certain sites.
There is also frequent overproduction of IgE by B lymphocytes.
While atopic dermatitis is classified as a cutaneous form of atopy
because it is associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma and high
IgE levels, the severity of the dermatitis, however, does not
always correlate with exposure to allergens on skin testing, and
desensitization (unlike other allergic diseases) is not effective
treatment. While high serum IgE is confirmatory of a diagnosis of
allergic asthma, normal levels do not preclude it. Onset of the
disease can occur at any age, and lesions begin acutely with
erythematous edematous papule or plaque with scaling. Itching leads
to weeping and crusting, then to chronic lichenification. On the
cellular level, acute lesion is edemous and the dermis is
infiltrated with mononuclear cells, CD4 lymphocytes. Neutrophils,
eosinophils, plasma cells and basophils are rare, but degranulated
mast cells are present. Chronic lesions feature epidermal
hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, and the dermis is
infiltrated with mononuclear cells, Langerhans' cells and mast
cells. There may also be focal areas of fibrosis, including
involvement of the perineurium of small nerves.
[0241] Allergic gastroenteropathy, also known as eosinophilic
gastroenteropathy, is an unusual atopic manifestation in which
multiple IgE food sensitivities are associated with a local
gastrointestinal tract mucosal reaction. It is rare in adults, but
more common, but transient, in infants. The condition results when
ingested food allergens react with local IgE antibodies in the
jejunal mucosa liberate mast cell mediators, resulting in
gastrointestinal symptoms shortly after the meal. Continued
exposure produced chronic inflammation, resulting in
gastrointestinal proteins loss and hypoproteinemic edema. Blood
loss through the inflamed intestinal mucosa may be significant
enough to cause iron deficiency anemia. The allergic reaction
occurs locally in the upper gastrointestinal mucosa following
allergen exposure, but resolves with allergen avoidance.
[0242] Anaphylaxis and urticaria are clearly IgE-mediated, but they
lack genetic determinants, and have no predilection for atopic
individuals. Anaphylaxis is an acute, generalized allergic reaction
with simultaneous involvement of several organ systems, usually
cardiovascular, respiratory, cutaneous and gastrointestinal. The
reaction is immunologically mediated, and it occurs on exposure to
an allergen to which the subject has been previously sensitized.
Urticaria and angioedema refers to the physical swelling, erythema
and itching resulting from histamine stimulated receptor in
superficial cutaneous blood vessels, and is the hallmark cutaneous
feature of systemic anaphylaxis. Systemic anaphylaxis is the
occurrence of an IgE-mediated reaction simultaneously in multiple
organs resulting from drug, insect venom or food. It is caused
suddenly by allergen induced, mast cell loaded IgE, resulting in
profound and life-threatening alteration in the functioning of
various vital organs. Vascular collapse, acute airway obstruction,
cutaneous vasodilation and edema, and gastrointestinal and
genitourinary muscle spasm occur almost simultaneously, although
not always to the same degree.
[0243] The pathology of anaphylaxis includes angioedema and
hyperinflated lungs, with mucous plugging of airways and focal
atelectasis. On a cellular level, the lungs appear similarly as
during an acute asthma attack, with hypersecretion of bronchial
submucosal glands, mucosal and submucosal edema, peribronchial
vascular congestion and eosinophilia in the bronchial walls.
Pulmonary edema and hemorrhage may be present. Bronchial muscle
spasm, hyperinflation, and even rupture of alveoli may also be
present. Important feature of human anaphylaxis include edema,
vascular congestion, and eosinophilia in the lamina propria of the
larynx, trachea, epiglottis and hypopharynx.
[0244] Exposure to the allergen may be through ingestion,
injection, inhalation or contact with skin or mucous membrane. The
reaction begins within seconds or minutes after exposure to the
allergen. There may be an initial fright or sense of impending
doom, followed rapidly by symptoms in one or more target organ
systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, cutaneous and
gastrointestinal.
[0245] The allergens responsible for anaphylaxis differ from those
commonly associated with atopy. Foods, drugs, insect venoms or
latex are the common sources. Food allergens includes those fond in
crustaceans, mollusks (e.g., lobster, shrimp, crab), fish, legumes
(e.g., peanuts, peas, beans, licorice), seeds (e.g. sesame,
cottonseed, caraway, mustard, flaxseed, sunflower), nuts, berries,
egg whites, buckwheat and milk. Drug allergens include those found
in heterologous proteins and polypeptides, polysaccharides and
haptenic drugs. Insect allergens include Hymenoptera insects,
including the honeybee, yellow jacket, hornet, wasp and fire
ant.
[0246] While epinephrine is the typical treatment for anaphylaxis,
antihistamine or other histamine blockers are typically prescribed
for less severe urticaria or angioedemic reaction.
[0247] F. Combination Therapies
[0248] The method of the invention can be combined with known
methods of treatment for IgE-mediated disorder, either as combined
or additional treatments steps or as additional components of a
therapeutic formulation.
[0249] For example, antihistamines, especially non-sedating
antihistamines may be administered before, prior to, or
commensurate with the anti-IgE antibodies of the invention.
Suitable antihistamines include those of the alkylamine (e.g.,
chlorpheniramine), ethanolamine (e.g., diphenhydramine) and
phenothiazine (e.g., promethazine). While many antihistamines
antagonize the pharmacological effects of histamine by blocking its
receptor sites on the effector cells, other common antihistamine
drugs operate by blocking histamine release from mast cells that
have been sensitized and armed with allergen-specific IgE (e.g.,
cromolyn sodium). Example antihistamines include astemizole,
azatadine maleate, bropheniramine maleate, carbinoxamine maleate,
cetirizine hydrochloride, clemastine fumarate, cyproheptadine
hydrochloride, dexbrompheniramine maleate, dexchlorpheniramine
maleate, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine
succinate, fexofendadine hydrochloride, terphenadine hydrochloride,
hydroxyzine hydrochloride, loratidine, meclizine hydrochloride,
tripelannamine citrate, tripelennamine hydrochloride, triprolidine
hydrochloride.
[0250] Particular symptoms of IgE-mediated disorders (e.g., early
phase reactions) can be ameliorated with sympathomimetics or drugs
having bronchodialator effect. Epinephrine is a broad acting alpha
and beta-adrenergic often administered subcutaneously in a does of
0.2-0.5 mL of 1:100 aqueous solution. A longer acting form of
epinephrine (i.e., terbutaline) in 1:200 suspension is also used
when a longer duration effect is desired. Suitable additional
beta-adrenergics include albuterol, pirbuterol, metaproterenol,
salmeterol, isoetharine and formoterol for administration nasally
(e.g., hand-held nebulizer, intermittent positive-pressure
breathing device, or metered-dose pressurized inhalers) or
orally.
[0251] Bronchodilation can also be achieved through administration
of xanthines, especially when they are administered in combination
with the above sympathomimetic drugs. Example xanthines include
aminophylline (iv. 250-500 mg) and theophylline (oral, 10-20
.mu.g/ml serum concentration).
[0252] Other symptoms from various IgE-mediated disorders (e.g.,
late phase reactions) can be attenuated by treatment with
glucocorticoids or other drugs having anti-inflammatory effects.
Prednisone (30-60 mg daily) is administered systemically for severe
attacks, while beclomethasone dipropionate, triamcinolone acetonide
and flunisolide are administered in aerosolized form as long-term
maintenance therapy. Additionally corticosteroids that have
anti-inflammatory effects include: betamethasone, budesonide,
dexamethasone, fludrocortisone acetate, flunisolide, fluticasone
propionate, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone,
prednisone, triamcinolone.
[0253] Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that may also be used
in combination with the therapeutic methods of the invention
include, acetaminophen, aspirin, bromfenac sodium, diclofenac
sodium, diflunisal, etodolac, fenoprofen calcium, flurbiprofen,
ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, meclofenamate sodium,
mefenamic acid, nabumetone, naproxen, naproxen sodium,
oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutzone, piroxicam, sulindac, tolmetin
sodium.
[0254] Additionally, the maximum therapeutic benefit may also be
achieved with the administration of decongestants (e.g.,
phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephadrin), cough
suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan, codeine, or hydrocodone) or
analgesic (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin).
[0255] Allergen desensitization is a treatment form in which
allergens are injected into the patient for the purpose or reducing
or eliminating the allergic response. It is also known as allergen
immunotherapy, hyposensitization or allergy injection therapy. It
is often used in combination with other allergy treatments, but not
often as a primary treatment. It has been successful employed when
allergen avoidance is impossible. A typical allergen
desensitization treatment incorporates subcutaneous injection of
sterile allergen in increasing doses once or twice a week until a
dose is achieved that produces a transient small local area of
inflammation at the injection site. The does is then given on a
maintenance schedule once every 2-4 weeks. Allergic desensitization
is most often used in the treatment of allergic asthma and allergic
rhinitis, although is has had success in treating anaphylaxis.
Desensitization has also been effectively used through the use of
adjuvants, such as incomplete Freund's adjuvant, which is an
emulsion of aqueous antigen in mineral oil. The physiological
effect creates an insoluble liquid depot from which droplets of
allergen are gradually released. Another form of allergen
desensitization is to polymerize monomeric allergens with
glutaraldehyde to create a molecule with relatively low allergenity
(i.e., causes allergic response), while retaining an effective
degree of immunogenicity.
[0256] G. Pharmaceutical Dosages:
[0257] Dosages and desired drug concentration of pharmaceutical
compositions of the present invention may vary depending on the
particular use envisioned. The determination of the appropriate
dosage or route of administration is well within the skill of an
ordinary artisan. Animal experiments provide reliable guidance for
the determination of effective doses for human therapy.
Interspecies scaling of effective doses can be performed following
the principles laid down by Mordenti, J. and Chappell, W. "The Use
of Interspecies Scaling in Toxicokinetics," In Toxicokinetics and
New Drug Development, Yacobi et al., Eds, Pergamon Press, New York
1989, pp. 42-46.
[0258] When in vivo administration of the polypeptides or
antibodies described herein are used, normal dosage amounts may
vary from about 10 ng/kg up to about 100 mg/kg of mammal body
weight or more per day, preferably about 1 mg/kg/day to 10
mg/kg/day, depending upon the route of administration. Guidance as
to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the
literature; see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,657,760; 5,206,344;
or 5,225,212. It is within the scope of the invention that
different formulations will be effective for different treatments
and different disorders, and that administration intended to treat
a specific organ or tissue may necessitate delivery in a manner
different from that to another organ or tissue. Moreover, dosages
may be administered by one or more separate administrations, or by
continuous infusion. For repeated administrations over several days
or longer, depending on the condition, the treatment is sustained
until a desired suppression of disease symptoms occurs. However,
other dosage regimens may be useful. The progress of this therapy
is easily monitored by conventional techniques and assays.
[0259] H. Administration of the Formulation
[0260] The formulations of the present invention, including but not
limited to reconstituted formulations, are administered to a mammal
in need of treatment with the protein, preferably a human, in
accord with known methods, such as intravenous administration as a
bolus or by continuous infusion over a period of time, by
intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerobrospinal, subcutaneous,
intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, or
inhalation routes.
[0261] In preferred embodiments, the formulations are administered
to the mammal by subcutaneous (i.e. beneath the skin)
administration. For such purposes, the formulation may be injected
using a syringe. However, other devices for administration of the
formulation are available such as injection devices (e.g. the
Inject-Ease.TM. and Genject.TM. devices); injector pens (such as
the GenPen.TM.); auto-injector devices, needleless devices (e.g.
MediJector.TM. and BioJector.TM.); and subcutaneous patch delivery
systems.
[0262] In a specific embodiment, the present invention is directed
to kits for a single dose-administration unit. Such kits comprise a
container of an aqueous formulation of therapeutic protein or
antibody, including both single or multi-chambered pre-filled
syringes. Exemplary pre-filled syringes are available from Vetter
GmbH, Ravensburg, Germany.
[0263] The appropriate dosage ("therapeutically effective amount")
of the protein will depend, for example, on the condition to be
treated, the severity and course of the condition, whether the
protein is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes,
previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to
the protein, the type of protein used, and the discretion of the
attending physician. The protein is suitably administered to the
patient at one time or over a series of treatments and may be
administered to the patient at any time from diagnosis onwards. The
protein may be administered as the sole treatment or in conjunction
with other drugs or therapies useful in treating the condition in
question.
[0264] Where the protein of choice is an antibody, from about
0.1-20 mg/kg is an initial candidate dosage for administration to
the patient, whether, for example, by one or more separate
administrations. However, other dosage regimens may be useful. The
progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional
techniques.
[0265] Uses for an anti-IgE formulation (e.g., rhuMAbE-25,
rhMAbE-26, Hu-901) include the treatment or prophylaxis of
IgE-mediated allergic diseases, parasitic infections, interstitial
cystitis and asthma, for example. Depending on the disease or
disorder to be treated, a therapeutically effective amount (e.g.
from about 1-15 mg/kg) of the anti-IgE antibody is administered to
the patient.
[0266] I. Articles of Manufacture
[0267] In another embodiment of the invention, an article of
manufacture is provided which contains the formulation and
preferably provides instructions for its use. The article of
manufacture comprises a container. Suitable containers include, for
example, bottles, vials (e.g. dual chamber vials), syringes (such
as single or dual chamber syringes) and test tubes. The container
may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic.
The container holds the formulation and the label on, or associated
with, the container may indicate directions for reconstitution
and/or use. The label may further indicate that the formulation is
useful or intended for subcutaneous administration. The container
holding the formulation may be a multi-use vial, which allows for
repeat administrations (e.g. from 2-6 administrations) of the
reconstituted formulation. The article of manufacture may further
comprise a second container comprising a suitable diluent (e.g.
BWFI). Upon mixing of the diluent and the lyophilized formulation,
the final protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation
will generally be at least 50 mg/ml. The article of manufacture may
further include other materials desirable from a commercial and
user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters,
needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for
use.
[0268] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to
the following examples. They should not, however, be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention. All citations throughout the
disclosure are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
[0269] In another embodiment, the invention provides for an article
of manufacture comprising the formulations described herein for
administration in an auto-injector device. An auto-injector can be
described as an injection device that upon activation, will deliver
its contents without additional necessary action from the patient
or administrator. They are particularly suited for self-medication
of therapeutic formulations when delivery rate must be constant and
the time of delivery is greater than a few moments.
Example 1
Preparation of Anti-IgE rhuMAbE25 ("E25") Formulation
[0270] Formulations of the monoclonal anti-IgE antibody rhuMAbE25
were prepared from E25 bulk residual Lot K9094A (40 mg/ml rhuMAb
E25, 85 mM trehalose, 5 mM histidine, pH 6, 0.01% Tween 20) or
rhuMAbE25 Q-Pool (5 mg/ml rhuMAb E25, 25 mM Tris, 200 mM NaCl).
[0271] Aqueous solutions of rhuMAbE25 was prepared by dialysis into
different buffers (20 mM His-HCl and 200 mM Arg-HCl, pH 6.0) at
2-8.degree. C. using a Slide-A-Lyzer Dialysis Cassette (Pierce).
The samples were then transferred into the sample reservoir of a
Centricon-30 centrifugal microconcentrators (Amicon). The proteins
were concentrated by spinning the Centricon-3 concentrator at
4000-5000 g until the desired protein concentration is
achieved.
[0272] The samples were then concentrated to .about.150 mg/ml of
rhuMAb E25 using ultrafiltration. Tween 20 was added to each
preparation to a final concentration of 0.02%. All formulations
were filtered, aseptically filled into 3 cc FormaVitrum vials and
stoppered with 13-mM Diakyo stoppers in a Class 106 room.
Example 2
Method and Materials
[0273] Stability Studies All formulations were filled at 1 ml in 3
cc FormaVitrum glass vials and stoppered with 13-mm Diakyo stoppers
in a Class 100 sterile filling suite. Vials were placed at -70,
2-8, 15, 30 and 40.degree. C. in light impermeable containers.
[0274] Agitation Study Aliquots of each formulation were placed in
the glass vials. Vials were agitated horizontally on a Glas-Col
Bench Top Shaker at room temperature. The shaker was set at 70 with
an arm length of 30 cm (maximum). After agitation, samples were
inspected and analyzed according to the following protocol.
[0275] Freeze-Thawing Study: Samples of E25 underwent three cycles
of freeze-thaw. Each cycle consisted of freezing at -70.degree. C.
overnight and subsequently thawing at room temperature for about
one hour. After each cycle, samples were inspected visually using a
light box to assess the color and clarity of the liquid. Turbidity
and soluble aggregates were measured following the protocol
described below.
[0276] Analytical Methods: Stability samples were analyzed by the
methods outlined in Table 1
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Analytical Methods Assay Purpose Color,
Clarity, Appearance.sup.a Visual inspection of liquid formulations
Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC).sup.b Measures % monomer,
soluble aggregates and low molecular weight components Hydrophobic
Interaction Chromatography Measures level of Asp-32 isomerization
and (HIC).sup.C free thiol UV Spec Scan (Gravimetric).sup.f
Measures protein concentration Turbidity (Mean OD 340-360 nm).sup.d
Measures soluble and insoluble aggregates Activity.sup.e Determines
binding activity of anti-IgE .sup.aPass for Color, Appearance and
Clarity: The color, appearance and clarity of the sample were
visually assessed against the white and black background of the
inspection and compared to an equal volume of negative control.
Samples should be carefully swirled to ensure homogenous mixing,
but not so vigorously so as to create air bubbles. .sup.bSize
Exclusion Chromatography: A TSK SUPER SW3000 (4.6 .times. 300 mm)
column was used in an HP 1100 chromatography system. The column was
loaded with 20 .mu.g protein and eluted in 0.1 M potassium
phosphate, pH 6.8. The sample was measured at 280 nm by a UV
detector. .sup.cHydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC): The
HIC experiments were conducted using a TSK Phenyl-5PW (7.5 .times.
75 mm) column (TosoHaas) on an HP 1100 liquid chromatography
system. The column was loaded with 28 .mu.g of papain digested Fab
fragments and eluted with a concentration gradient of ammonium
sulfate in 20 mM Tris buffer from 2 M to 0 M. The peaks were
monitored at 210 nm by a UV detector. .sup.dTurbidity: The
turbidity of samples were determined in a 1-cm path length cuvette
using a HP spectrometer. The turbidity was calculated as the
average absorbance from 340-360 nm. .sup.eThe activity of of the
anti-IgE monoclonal antibody was determined by a receptor binding
inhibition assay. Samples were diluted to fall within the range of
the standard curve from 100 and 1.56 .mu.g/ml in an assay diluent
containing phosphste buffer, 0.5% BSA, 0.05% polysorbate 20, 0.01%
Thimerosol. A microtiter plate was coated with IgE receptor, then
incubated with the IgE-biotin and diluted anti-IgE sample. The
amount of IgE-Biotin bound to the receptor that correlated with
activity of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody was measured using
Streptavidin-HRP. The data were analyzed using a 4-parameter
logistic curve-fitting program. .sup.fThe concentration of antibody
was obtained on a Hewlett Packard 8453 diode array
spectrophotometer with a 1-cm quartz cuvetter. The concentration
was calculated using an absorptivity of 1.5 cm.sup.-1
(mg/ml)..sup.-1
Summary of Liquid Formulations
TABLE-US-00002 [0277] Formulations Protein Ranges Buffer/Ranges
Excipients/Ranges 80 mg/ml E25 40-150 mg/ml His-HCl or His-Acetate
Trehalose or Sucrose 50 mM Histidine-HCl Ranges: 10 mM-100 mM Sugar
Ranges: 20 mM-350 mM 150 mM Trehalose Polysorbate: 0.01%-0.1% 0.05%
Polysorbate 20 pH 6.0 150 mg/ml E25 40-260 mg/ml His-HCl or
His-Acetate ArgHCl Ranges: 50 mM-200 mM 20 mM Histidine-HCl Ranges:
10 mM-100 mM Polysorbate: 0.01%-0.1% 200 mM ArgHCl 0.02% Polsorbate
20 pH 6.0
Stability Data for 150 mg/ml E25 in Histidine and ArgHCl
Formulation
TABLE-US-00003 HIC.sup.b Temp Time SEC.sup.a % % of Tur- (.degree.
C.) (months) Visual pH Monomer Main Potency.sup.c bidity.sup.d 5 0
pass 6.2 99.0 64 106 0.25 1 pass 6.0 99.2 63 100 0.27 3 pass 6.0
99.3 63 111 0.25 16 pass 6.0 98.9 62 83 0.27 30 1 pass 5.9 98.43 54
91 0.25 3 Pass 6.1 97.53 42 65 0.30 16 Pass 6.0 90.63 19 28
0.54
Stability Data for 80 mg/ml E25 in Histidine and Trehalose
Formulation
TABLE-US-00004 Temp Time SEC.sup.a % HIC.sup.b Poten- Tur-
(.degree. C.) (Months) Visual pH Monomer % Main cy.sup.c
bidity.sup.d 5 0 Pass 5.7 99.1 64 100 0.20 1 Pass 5.8 98.7 63 92
0.20 3 Pass 5.7 98.8 63 124 0.20 6 Pass 5.7 99.1 63 97 0.21 14 Pass
5.7 99.0 62 83 0.21 24 Pass 5.7 98.8 62 84 0.20 30 1 Pass 5.8 98.7
55 77 0.20 3 Pass 5.7 97.4 41 76 0.29 6 Pass 5.8 95.5 31 48 0.38 14
Pass 5.7 93.1 22 30 0.48 .sup.aSize exclusion chromatography for
measuring soluble aggregates and fragments .sup.bHydrophobic
interaction chromatography for papain digested E25. .sup.cIgE
receptor binding inhibition assay .sup.dMean OD (340-360 nm)
Agitation Study:
TABLE-US-00005 [0278] TO Shaking after 3 days SEC SEC Formulation
Visual (% Monomer) Turbidity Visual (% Monomer) Turbidity 1 Pass
99.5 0.18 pass 99.3 0.18 2 Pass 99.0 0.19 pass 99.4 0.19
Formulation 1: 156 mg/ml E25, 200 mM ArgCl, 23 mM His, 0.02% T20
Formulation 2: 150 mg/ml E25, 182 mM ArgCl, 20 mM His, 0.02%
T20
Freeze Thawing Study:
TABLE-US-00006 [0279] TO After 1 st Cycle After 3 rd Cycle SEC %
SEC % SEC % Formulation Visual Monomer Turbidity Visual Monomer
Turbidity Visual Monomer Turbidity 1 pass 99.5 0.18 pass 99.3 0.17
pass 99.4 0.17 2 pass 99.0 0.19 pass 99.2 0.19 pass 99.2 0.18
Formulation 1: 156 mg/ml E25, 200 mM ArgCl, 23 mM His, 0.02% T20
Formulation 2: 150 mg/ml E25, 182 mM ArgCl, 20 mM His, 0.02%
T20
Example 3
[0280] Samples of the anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (E26) liquid
formulations were prepared in 20 mM buffers and then stored at
30.degree. C. and 40.degree. C. The stability of E26 was determined
by chromatography and activity measurements. The size exclusion
chromatography was used for determining the soluble aggregates, and
the hydrophobic interaction chromatography of pepsin digested
sample was used for measuring isomerization. The activity of sample
was monitored by using an IgE receptor binding inhibition assay. As
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the degradation of E26 is highly
dependent on pH of buffers. The E26 appears to be most stable
around pH 6.0.
Example 4
[0281] The particulate formulation is a major challenge for making
the high concentration liquid formulation, since it usually
increases with increasing of protein concentration under the
stressed conditions. FIG. 4 shows the result of agitation study for
a concentrated E26 liquid formulation. The formulation was prepared
in 20 mM succinate, 192 mM trehalose at pH 6.0 with different
concentration of polysorbate 20. The particulate formulation was
monitored by turbidity measurement. The result shows that the
turbidity of E26 solution increases with agitation time. The
addition of at least 0.01% of polysorbate is essential for reducing
the particulate formation under the stressed condition. Similar
results were also observed for concentrated E25 liquid
formulation.
Example 5
[0282] FIG. 5 shows the liquid formulation of 150 mg/ml E25
prepared by reconstitution of the lyophilized E25. Increasing of
salt concentration inhibits the reversible particulate formation
and results in the reduction of turbidity reading. Among all the
salts tested, the formulation with Arg-HCl appears to have the
least turbidity. The effect of salt concentration on lowering the
turbidity reading has also been observed for E25 prepared using a
TFF process.
Example 6
[0283] The liquid formulation of E25 in the presence of ArgHCl also
appears to have better stability than other liquid formulations.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show the stability study of E25 at 150 mg/ml in
liquid formulation containing ArgHCl, CaCl.sub.2 and MgCl.sub.2.
For liquid formulations containing ArgHCl with or without sucrose,
there is little difference in their stability in terms of
turbidity, isomerization and fragmentation. The liquid formulations
containing ArgHCl are more stable than the formulation containing
MgCl.sub.2 and CaCl.sub.2.
Example 7
[0284] FIG. 8 shows the results of a stability study of E25 liquid
formulation with acetate and histidine formulations. The
formulation with histidine has higher pH than the acetate
formulation. The results clearly showed that the E25 in a
histidine, ArgHCl liquid formulation are more stable than under
other conditions.
Example 8
[0285] The high concentration of E25 can form a solid gel in the
presence of certain ions, such as citrate, succinate and sulfate
(table I), particularly at storage temperature of 2-8.degree. C.
Using arginine-HCl as an excipient allows us to formulate E25 up to
more than 200 mg/ml without gel or precipitate formation.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 1 Effect of various excipients on gelation of
E25 at 125 mg/ml, pH ~6.0 Excipient Turbidity Antibody
Concentration at T0 Concentration Visual Excipient MM Preparation
(340-360 nm) mg/ml Appearance SWFI Lyo Recon 0.21 125 Clear NaCl
188 Lyo Recon 0.25 125 Clear Succinate 94 Lyo Recon 0.31 125 Gel
Succinate 19 Lyo Recon 0.28 125 Gel Citcrate 188 Lyo Recon Pending
125 Gel Citrate 19 Lyo Recon Pending 125 Gel Na.sub.2SO.sub.4
Pending Lyo Recon Pending 125 Gel Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 Pending Lyo
Recon Pending 125 Opalescent Phosphate Pending Lyo Recon Pending
125 Opalescent Acetate 188 Lyo Recon Pending 125 Clear Acetate 94
Lyo Recon Pending 125 Clear Acetate 19 Lyo Recon Pending 125 Clear
Histidine 94 Lyo Recon 0.19 125 Clear Histidine 47 Lyo Recon 0.24
125 Clear Arginine- 150 Lyo Recon 0.25 137 Clear HCl Arginine- 200
TFF 0.19 162 Clear HCl Arginine- 150 Lyo Recon 0.27 137 Gel
SO.sub.4 CaCl.sub.2 125 TFF 0.32 147 Clear MgCl.sub.2 125 TFF 0.48
147 Opalescent
Example 9
Expression of Protein or Antibody in E. coli
[0286] This example illustrates preparation of an unglycosylated
form of a desired protein or antibody by recombinant expression in
E. coli.
[0287] The DNA sequence encoding the desired protein or antibody is
initially amplified using selected PCR primers. The primers should
contain restriction enzyme sites which correspond to the
restriction enzyme sites on the selected expression vector. A
variety of expression vectors may be employed. An example of a
suitable vector is pBR322 (derived from E. coli; see Bolivar et
al., Gene, 2:95 (1977)) which contains genes for ampicillin and
tetracycline resistance. The vector is digested with restriction
enzyme and dephosphorylated. The PCR amplified sequences are then
ligated into the vector. The vector will preferably include
sequences which encode for an antibiotic resistance gene, a trp
promoter, a polyhis leader (including the first six STII codons,
polyhis sequence, and enterokinase cleavage site), the coding
region of the desired protein or antibody, lambda transcriptional
terminator, and an argU gene. Additionally, the vector may include
at least not insignificant portions of the untranslated 5' and 3'
sections of the native sequence nucleic acid encoding the desired
protein or antibody.
[0288] The ligation mixture is then used to transform a selected E.
coli strain using the methods described in Sambrook et al., supra.
Transformants are identified by their ability to grow on LB plates
and antibiotic resistant colonies are then selected. Plasmid DNA
can be isolated and confirmed by restriction analysis and DNA
sequencing.
[0289] Selected clones can be grown overnight in liquid culture
medium such as LB broth supplemented with antibiotics. The
overnight culture may subsequently be used to inoculate a larger
scale culture. The cells are then grown to a desired optical
density, during which the expression promoter is turned on.
[0290] After culturing the cells for several more hours, the cells
can be harvested by centrifugation. The cell pellet obtained by the
centrifugation can be solubilized using various agents known in the
art, and the solubilized desired protein or antibody can then be
purified using a metal chelating column under conditions that allow
tight binding of the solubilized protein or antibody.
[0291] The desired protein or antibody may be expressed in E. coli
in a poly-His tagged form, using the following procedure. The DNA
encoding the desired protein or antibody is initially amplified
using selected PCR primers. The primers will contain restriction
enzyme sites which correspond to the restriction enzyme sites on
the selected expression vector, and other useful sequences
providing for efficient and reliable translation initiation, rapid
purification on a metal chelation column, and proteolytic removal
with enterokinase. The PCR-amplified, poly-His tagged sequences are
then ligated into an expression vector, which is used to transform
an E. coli host based on strain 52 (W3110 fuhA(tonA) lon galE
rpoHts(htpRts) clpP(lacIq). Transformants are first grown in LB
containing 50 mg/ml carbenicillin at 30.degree. C. with shaking
until an O.D.600 of 3-5 is reached. Cultures are then diluted
50-100 fold into CRAP media (prepared by mixing 3.57 g
(NH.sub.4).sub.2SO.sub.4, 0.71 g sodium citrate.2H2O, 1.07 g KCl,
5.36 g Difco yeast extract, 5.36 g Sheffield hycase SF in 500 mL
water, as well as 110 mM MPOS, pH 7.3, 0.55% (w/v) glucose and 7 mM
MgSO.sub.4) and grown for approximately 20-30 hours at 30.degree.
C. with shaking. Samples are removed to verify expression by
SDS-PAGE analysis, and the bulk culture is centrifuged to pellet
the cells. Cell pellets are frozen until purification and
refolding.
[0292] E. coli paste from 0.5 to 1 L fermentations (6-10 g pellets)
is resuspended in 10 volumes (w/v) in 7 M guanidine, 20 mM Tris, pH
8 buffer. Solid sodium sulfite and sodium tetrathionate is added to
make final concentrations of 0.1M and 0.02 M, respectively, and the
solution is stirred overnight at 4.degree. C. This step results in
a denatured protein with all cysteine residues blocked by
sulfitolization. The solution is centrifuged at 40,000 rpm in a
Beckman Ultracentifuge for 30 min. The supernatant is diluted with
3-5 volumes of metal chelate column buffer (6 M guanidine, 20 mM
Tris, pH 7.4) and filtered through 0.22 micron filters to clarify.
The clarified extract is loaded onto a 5 ml Qiagen Ni-NTA metal
chelate column equilibrated in the metal chelate column buffer. The
column is washed with additional buffer containing 50 mM imidazole
(Calbiochem, Utrol grade), pH 7.4. The protein is eluted with
buffer containing 250 mM imidazole. Fractions containing the
desired protein are pooled and stored at 4.degree. C. Protein
concentration is estimated by its absorbance at 280 nm using the
calculated extinction coefficient based on its amino acid
sequence.
[0293] The proteins are refolded by diluting the sample slowly into
freshly prepared refolding buffer consisting of: 20 mM Tris, pH
8.6, 0.3 M NaCl, 2.5 M urea, 5 mM cysteine, 20 mM glycine and 1 mM
EDTA. Refolding volumes are chosen so that the final protein
concentration is between 50 to 100 micrograms/ml. The refolding
solution is stirred gently at 4.degree. C. for 12-36 hours. The
refolding reaction is quenched by the addition of TFA to a final
concentration of 0.4% (pH of approximately 3). Before further
purification of the protein, the solution is filtered through a
0.22 micron filter and acetonitrile is added to 2-10% final
concentration. The refolded protein is chromatographed on a Poros
R1/H reversed phase column using a mobile buffer of 0.1% TFA with
elution with a gradient of acetonitrile from 10 to 80%. Aliquots of
fractions with A280 absorbance are analyzed on SDS polyacrylamide
gels and fractions containing homogeneous refolded protein are
pooled. Generally, the properly refolded species of most proteins
are eluted at the lowest concentrations of acetonitrile since those
species are the most compact with their hydrophobic interiors
shielded from interaction with the reversed phase resin. Aggregated
species are usually eluted at higher acetonitrile concentrations.
In addition to resolving misfolded forms of proteins from the
desired form, the reversed phase step also removes endotoxin from
the samples.
[0294] Fractions containing the folded desired protein or antibody
are pooled and the acetonitrile removed using a gentle stream of
nitrogen directed at the solution. Proteins are formulated into 20
mM Hepes, pH 6.8 with 0.14 M sodium chloride and 4% mannitol by
dialysis or by gel filtration using G25 Superfine (Pharmacia)
resins equilibrated in the formulation buffer and sterile
filtered.
Example 10
Expression of Protein or Antibody in Mammalian Cells
[0295] This example illustrates preparation of a potentially
glycosylated forms of the desired protein or antibody by
recombinant expression in mammalian cells.
[0296] The vector, pRK5 (see EP 307,247, published Mar. 15, 1989),
is employed as the expression vector. Optionally, DNA encoding the
desired protein or antibody is ligated into pRK5 with selected
restriction enzymes to allow insertion such DNA using ligation
methods such as described in Sambrook et al., supra.
[0297] In one embodiment, the selected host cells may be 293 cells.
Human 293 cells (ATCC CCL 1573) are grown to confluence in tissue
culture plates in medium such as DMEM supplemented with fetal calf
serum and optionally, nutrient components and/or antibiotics. About
10 .mu.g if DNA encoding the desired protein or antibody ligated
into pRK5 is mixed with about 1 .mu.g DNA encoding the VA RNA gene
[Thimmappaya et al., Cell, 31:543 (1982)] and dissolved in 500
.mu.l of 1 mM Tris-HCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.227 M CaCl.sub.2. To this
mixture is added, dropwise, 500 .mu.l of 50 mM HEPES (pH 7.35), 280
mM NaCl, 1.5 mM NaPO.sub.4, and a precipitate is allowed to form
for 10 minutes at 25.degree. C. The precipitate is suspended and
added to the 293 cells and allowed to settle for about four hours
at 37.degree. C. The culture medium is aspirated off and 2 ml of
20% glycerol in PBS is added for 30 seconds. The 293 cells are then
washed with serum free medium, fresh medium is added and the cells
are incubated for about 5 days.
[0298] Approximately 24 hours after the transfections, the culture
medium is removed and replaced with culture medium (alone) or
culture medium containing 200 .mu.Ci/ml .sup.35S-cysteine and 200
.mu.Ci/ml .sup.35S-methionine. After a 12 hour incubation, the
conditioned medium is collected, concentrated on a spin filter, and
loaded onto a 15% SDS gel. The processed gel may be dried and
exposed to film for a selected period of time to reveal the
presence of the desired protein or antibody. The cultures
containing transfected cells may undergo further incubation (in
serum free medium) and the medium is tested in selected
bioassays.
[0299] In an alternative technique, the desired protein or antibody
may be introduced into 293 cells transiently using the dextran
sulfate method described by Somparyrac et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci., 12:7575 (1981). 293 cells are grown to maximal density in a
spinner flask and 700 .mu.g DNA encoding the desired protein or
antibody ligated into pRK5 is added. The cells are first
concentrated from the spinner flask by centrifugation and washed
with PBS. The DNA-dextran precipitate is incubated on the cell
pellet for four hours. The cells are treated with 20% glycerol for
90 seconds, washed with tissue culture medium, and re-introduced
into the spinner flask containing tissue culture medium, 5 .mu.g/ml
bovine insulin and 0.1 .mu.g/ml bovine transferrin. After about
four days, the conditioned media is centrifuged and filtered to
remove cells and debris. The sample containing the expressed
desired protein or antibody can then be concentrated and purified
by any selected method, such as dialysis and/or column
chromatography.
[0300] In another embodiment, the desired protein or antibody can
be expressed in CHO cells. The DNA encoding the desired protein or
antibody ligated into pRK5 can be transfected into CHO cells using
known reagents such as CaPO.sub.4 or DEAE-dextran. As described
above, the cell cultures can be incubated, and the medium replaced
with culture medium (alone) or medium containing a radiolabel such
as .sup.35S-methionine. After determining the presence of the
desired protein or antibody, the culture medium may be replaced
with serum free medium. Preferably, the cultures are incubated for
about 6 days, and then the conditioned medium is harvested. The
medium containing the expressed desired protein or antibody can
then be concentrated and purified by any selected method.
[0301] Epitope-tagged variants of the desired protein or antibody
may also be expressed in host CHO cells. The DNA encoding the
desired protein or antibody ligated into pRK5 may be subcloned out
of the pRK5 vector. The subclone insert can undergo PCR to fuse in
frame with a selected epitope tag such as a poly-his tag into a
Baculovirus expression vector. The poly-his tagged DNA encoding the
desired protein or antibody insert can then be subcloned into a
SV40 driven vector containing a selection marker such as DHFR for
selection of stable clones. Finally, the CHO cells can be
transfected (as described above) with the SV40 driven vector.
Labeling may be performed, as described above, to verify
expression. The culture medium containing the expressed poly-His
tagged desired protein or antibody can then be concentrated and
purified by any selected method, such as by Ni.sup.2+-chelate
affinity chromatography.
[0302] The desired protein or antibody may also be expressed in CHO
and/or COS cells by a transient expression procedure or in CHO
cells by another stable expression procedure.
[0303] Stable expression in CHO cells is performed using the
following procedure. The proteins are expressed as an IgG construct
(immunoadhesin), in which the coding sequences for the soluble
forms (e.g. extracellular domains) of the respective proteins are
fused to an IgG1 constant region sequence containing the hinge, CH2
and CH2 domains and/or is a poly-His tagged form.
[0304] Following PCR amplification, the respective DNAs are
subcloned in a CHO expression vector using standard techniques as
described in Ausubel et al., Current Protocols of Molecular
Biology, Unit 3.16, John Wiley and Sons (1997). CHO expression
vectors are constructed to have compatible restriction sites 5' and
3' of the DNA of interest to allow the convenient shuttling of
cDNA's. The vector used expression in CHO cells is as described in
Lucas et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 24:9 (1774-1779 (1996), and uses the
SV40 early promoter/enhancer to drive expression of the cDNA of
interest and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). DHFR expression
permits selection for stable maintenance of the plasmid following
transfection.
[0305] Twelve micrograms of the desired plasmid DNA is introduced
into approximately 10 million CHO cells using commercially
available transfection reagents Superfect.RTM. (Quiagen),
Dosper.RTM. or Fugene.RTM. (Boehringer Mannheim). The cells are
grown as described in Lucas et al., supra. Approximately
3.times.10.sup.-7 cells are frozen in an ampule for further growth
and production as described below.
[0306] The ampules containing the plasmid DNA are thawed by
placement into water bath and mixed by vortexing. The contents are
pipetted into a centrifuge tube containing 10 mLs of media and
centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 5 minutes. The supernatant is aspirated
and the cells are resuspended in 10 mL of selective media (0.2
.mu.m filtered PS20 with 5% 0.2 .mu.m diafiltered fetal bovine
serum). The cells are then aliquoted into a 100 mL spinner
containing 90 mL of selective media. After 1-2 days, the cells are
transferred into a 250 mL spinner filled with 150 mL selective
growth medium and incubated at 37.degree. C. After another 2-3
days, 250 mL, 500 mL and 2000 mL spinners are seeded with
3.times.10.sup.5 cells/mL. The cell media is exchanged with fresh
media by centrifugation and resuspension in production medium.
Although any suitable CHO media may be employed, a production
medium described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,469, issued Jun. 16, 1992
may actually be used. A 3 L production spinner is seeded at
1.2.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL. On day 0, the cell number and pH is
determined. On day 1, the spinner is sampled and sparging with
filtered air is commenced. On day 2, the spinner is sampled, the
temperature shifted to 33.degree. C., and 30 mL of 500 g/L glucose
and 0.6 mL of 10% antifoam (e.g., 35% polydimethylsiloxane
emulsion, Dow Corning 365 Medical Grade Emulsion) taken. Throughout
the production, the pH is adjusted as necessary to keep it at
around 7.2. After 10 days, or until the viability dropped below
70%, the cell culture is harvested by centrifugation and filtering
through a 0.22 .mu.m filter. The filtrate was either stored at
4.degree. C. or immediately loaded onto columns for
purification.
[0307] For the poly-His tagged constructs, the proteins are
purified using a Ni-NTA column (Qiagen). Before purification,
imidazole is added to the conditioned media to a concentration of 5
mM. The conditioned media is pumped onto a 6 ml Ni-NTA column
equilibrated at 4.degree. C., in 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.4, buffer
containing 0.3 M NaCl and 5 mM imidazole at a flow rate of 4-5
ml/min. After loading, the column is washed with additional
equilibration buffer and the protein eluted with equilibration
buffer containing 0.25 M imidazole. The highly purified protein is
subsequently desalted into a storage buffer containing 10 mM Hepes,
0.14 M NaCl and 4% mannitol, pH 6.8, with a 25 ml G25 Superfine
(Pharmacia) column and stored at -80.degree. C.
[0308] Immunoadhesin (Fc-containing) constructs are purified from
the conditioned media as follows. The conditioned medium is pumped
onto a 5 ml Protein A column (Pharmacia) which had been
equilibrated in 20 mM Na phosphate buffer, pH 6.8. After loading,
the column is washed extensively with equilibration buffer before
elution with 100 mM citric acid, pH 3.5. The eluted protein is
immediately neutralized by collecting 1 ml fractions into tubes
containing 275 .mu.L of 1 M Tris buffer, pH 9. The highly purified
protein is subsequently desalted into storage buffer as described
above for the poly-His tagged proteins. The homogeneity is assessed
by SDS polyacrylamide gels and by N-terminal amino acid sequencing
by Edman degradation.
Example 11
Expression of Protein or Antibodies in Yeast
[0309] The following method describes recombinant expression of the
desired protein or antibody in yeast.
[0310] First, yeast expression vectors are constructed for
intracellular production or secretion of the desired protein or
antibody from the ADH2/GAPDH promoter. DNA encoding desired protein
or antibody and the promoter is inserted into suitable restriction
enzyme sites in the selected plasmid in order to direct
intracellular expression. For secretion, DNA encoding the desired
protein or antibody can be cloned into the selected plasmid,
together with DNA encoding the ADH2/GAPDH promoter, a native signal
peptide or other mammalian signal peptide, or, for example, a yeast
alpha-factor or invertase secretory signal/leader sequence, and
linker sequences (if needed) for expression of the desired protein
or antibody.
[0311] Yeast cells, such as yeast strain AB110, can then be
transformed with the expression plasmids described above and
cultured in selected fermentation media. The transformed yeast
supernatants can be analyzed by precipitation with 10%
trichloroacetic acid and separation by SDS-PAGE, followed by
staining of the gels with Coomassie Blue stain.
[0312] The recombinant protein or antibody can subsequently be
isolated and purified by removing the yeast cells from the
fermentation medium by centrifugation and then concentrating the
medium using selected cartridge filters. The concentrate containing
the recombinant protein or antibody may further be purified using
selected column chromatography resins.
Example 12
Expression of the Protein or Antibody in Baculovirus-Infected
Insect Cells
[0313] The following method describes recombinant expression of the
desired protein or antibody in Baculovirus-infected insect
cells.
[0314] The sequence coding for the desired protein or antibody is
fused upstream of an epitope tag contained within a baculovirus
expression vector. Such epitope tags include poly-his tags and
immunoglobulin tags (like Fc regions of IgG). A variety of plasmids
may be employed, including plasmids derived from commercially
available plasmids such as pVL1393 (Novagen). Briefly, the sequence
encoding the desired portion of the protein or antibody, such as
the sequence encoding the extracellular domain of a transmembrane
protein or the sequence encoding the mature protein if the protein
is extracellular is amplified by PCR with primers complementary to
the 5' and 3' regions. The 5' primer may incorporate flanking
(selected) restriction enzyme sites. The product is then digested
with those selected restriction enzymes and subcloned into the
expression vector.
[0315] Recombinant baculovirus is generated by co-transfecting the
above plasmid and BaculoGold.TM. virus DNA (Pharmingen) into
Spodoptera frugiperda ("Sf9") cells (ATCC CRL 1711) using
lipofectin (commercially available from GIBCO-BRL). After 4-5 days
of incubation at 28.degree. C., the released viruses are harvested
and used for further amplifications. Viral infection and protein
expression are performed as described by O'Reilley et al.,
Baculovirus expression vectors: A Laboratory Manual, Oxford: Oxford
University Press (1994).
[0316] Expressed poly-his tagged protein or antibody can then be
purified, for example, by Ni.sup.2+-chelate affinity chromatography
as follows. Extracts are prepared from recombinant virus-infected
Sf9 cells as described by Rupert et al., Nature, 362:175-179
(1993). Briefly, Sf9 cells are washed, resuspended in sonication
buffer (25 mL Hepes, pH 7.9; 12.5 mM MgCl.sub.2; 0.1 mM EDTA; 10%
glycerol; 0.1% NP-40; 0.4 M KCl), and sonicated twice for 20
seconds on ice. The sonicates are cleared by centrifugation, and
the supernatant is diluted 50-fold in loading buffer (50 mM
phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, pH 7.8) and filtered through
a 0.45 .mu.m filter. A Ni.sup.2+-NTA agarose column (commercially
available from Qiagen) is prepared with a bed volume of 5 mL,
washed with 25 mL of water and equilibrated with 25 mL of loading
buffer. The filtered cell extract is loaded onto the column at 0.5
mL per minute. The column is washed to baseline A.sub.280 with
loading buffer, at which point fraction collection is started.
Next, the column is washed with a secondary wash buffer (50 mM
phosphate; 300 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, pH 6.0), which elutes
nonspecifically bound protein. After reaching A.sub.280 baseline
again, the column is developed with a 0 to 500 mM Imidazole
gradient in the secondary wash buffer. One mL fractions are
collected and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and silver staining or Western
blot with Ni.sup.2+-NTA-conjugated to alkaline phosphatase
(Qiagen). Fractions containing the eluted His.sub.10-tagged protein
or antibody are pooled and dialyzed against loading buffer.
[0317] Alternatively, purification of the IgG tagged (or Fc tagged)
protein or antibody can be performed using known chromatography
techniques, including for instance, Protein A or protein G column
chromatography.
Example 13
Preparation of Antibodies
[0318] This example illustrates preparation of monoclonal
antibodies which can specifically bind the protein of interest or
the desired antigen.
[0319] Techniques for producing the monoclonal antibodies are known
in the art and are described, for instance, in Goding, supra.
Immunogens that may be employed include purified desired protein or
target antibody, fusion proteins containing the desired protein or
target antigen, and cells expressing such recombinant protein or
antigen on the cell surface. Selection of the immunogen can be made
by the skilled artisan without undue experimentation.
[0320] Mice, such as Balb/c, are immunized with the desired protein
or target antigen immunogen emulsified in complete Freund's
adjuvant and injected subcutaneously or intraperitoneally in an
amount from 1-100 micrograms. Alternatively, the immunogen is
emulsified in MPL-TDM adjuvant (Ribi Immunochemical Research,
Hamilton, Mont.) and injected into the animal's hind foot pads. The
immunized mice are then boosted 10 to 12 days later with additional
immunogen emulsified in the selected adjuvant. Thereafter, for
several weeks, the mice may also be boosted with additional
immunization injections. Serum samples may be periodically obtained
from the mice by retro-orbital bleeding for testing in ELISA assays
to detect antibodies direct to the desired protein or antigen.
[0321] After a suitable antibody titer has been detected, the
animals "positive" for antibodies can be injected with a final
intravenous injection of the desired protein or target antigen.
Three to four days later, the mice are sacrificed and the spleen
cells are harvested. The spleen cells are then fused (using 35%
polyethylene glycol) to a selected murine myeloma cell line such as
P3X63AgU.1, available from ATCC, No. CRL 1597. The fusions generate
hybridoma cells which can then be plated in 96 well tissue culture
plates containing HAT (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine)
medium to inhibit proliferation of non-fused cells, myeloma
hybrids, and spleen cell hybrids.
[0322] The hybridoma cells will be screened in an ELISA for
reactivity against the desired protein or target antigen.
Determination of "positive" hybridoma cells secreting the such
monoclonal antibodies is within the skill in the art.
[0323] The positive hybridoma cells can be injected
intraperitoneally into syngeneic Balb/c mice to produce ascites
containing such monoclonal antibodies. Alternatively, the hybridoma
cells can be grown in tissue culture flasks or roller bottles.
Purification of the monoclonal antibodies produced in the ascites
can be accomplished using ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed
by gel exclusion chromatography. Alternatively, affinity
chromatography based upon binding of antibody to protein A or
protein G can be employed.
Example 14
Purification of the Desired Protein Using Specific Antibodies
[0324] The desired protein, in either native or recombinant form,
may be purified by a variety of standard techniques in the art of
protein purification. For example, pro-polypeptide, mature
polypeptide, or pre-polypeptide forms of the desired protein may be
purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies specific
for the desired protein. In general, an immunoaffinity column is
constructed by covalently coupling the antibody that specifically
binds the desired protein to an activated chromatographic
resin.
[0325] Polyclonal immunoglobulins are prepared from immune sera
either by precipitation with ammonium sulfate or by purification on
immobilized Protein A (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, Piscataway,
N.J.). Likewise, monoclonal antibodies are prepared from mouse
ascites fluid by ammonium sulfate precipitation or chromatography
on immobilized Protein A. Partially purified immunoglobulin is
covalently attached to a chromatographic resin such as
CnBr-activated SEPHAROSE.TM. (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology). The
antibody is coupled to the resin, the resin is blocked, and the
derivative resin is washed according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
[0326] Such an immunoaffinity column is utilized in the
purification of the desired protein by preparing a fraction from
cells expressing it in a soluble form. This preparation is derived
by solubilization of the whole cell or of a subcellular fraction
obtained via differential centrifugation by the addition of
detergent or by other methods well known in the art. Alternatively,
soluble protein containing a signal sequence may be secreted in
useful quantity into the medium in which the cells are grown.
[0327] The solubilized preparation containing the desired protein
is passed over the immunoaffinity column, and the column is washed
under conditions that allow the preferential absorbance of the
desired protein (e.g., high ionic strength buffers in the presence
of detergent). Then, the column is eluted under conditions that
disrupt antibody to protein binding (e.g., a low pH buffer such as
approximately pH 2-3, or a high concentration of a chaotrope such
as urea or thiocyanate ion), and the desire protein is then
collected.
Sequence CWU 1
1
61218PRTArtificial sequenceE25, light chain 1Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr
Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val 1 5 10 15Gly Asp Arg Val
Thr Ile Thr Cys Arg Ala Ser Gln Ser Val Asp 20 25 30Tyr Asp Gly Asp
Ser Tyr Met Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly 35 40 45Lys Ala Pro Lys
Leu Leu Ile Tyr Ala Ala Ser Tyr Leu Glu Ser 50 55 60Gly Val Pro Ser
Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe 65 70 75Thr Leu Thr Ile
Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr 80 85 90Tyr Cys Gln Gln
Ser His Glu Asp Pro Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly 95 100 105Thr Lys Val
Glu Ile Lys Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe 110 115 120Ile Phe
Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser 125 130 135Val
Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val 140 145
150Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu 155
160 165Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser
170 175 180Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys
Val 185 190 195Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro
Val Thr 200 205 210Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys
2152218PRTArtificial sequenceE26, light chain 2Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr
Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val 1 5 10 15Gly Asp Arg Val
Thr Ile Thr Cys Arg Ala Ser Lys Pro Val Asp 20 25 30Gly Glu Gly Asp
Ser Tyr Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly 35 40 45Lys Ala Pro Lys
Leu Leu Ile Tyr Ala Ala Ser Tyr Leu Glu Ser 50 55 60Gly Val Pro Ser
Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe 65 70 75Thr Leu Thr Ile
Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr 80 85 90Tyr Cys Gln Gln
Ser His Glu Asp Pro Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly 95 100 105Thr Lys Val
Glu Ile Lys Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe 110 115 120Ile Phe
Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser 125 130 135Val
Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val 140 145
150Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu 155
160 165Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser
170 175 180Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys
Val 185 190 195Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro
Val Thr 200 205 210Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys
2153214PRTArtificial sequenceHu-901, light chain 3Asp Ile Leu Leu
Thr Gln Ser Pro Gly Thr Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 1 5 10 15Gly Glu Arg
Ala Thr Leu Ser Cys Arg Ala Ser Gln Ser Ile Gly 20 25 30Thr Asn Ile
His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ala Pro Arg 35 40 45Leu Leu Ile
Lys Tyr Ala Ser Glu Ser Ile Ser Gly Ile Pro Ser 50 55 60Arg Phe Ser
Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile 65 70 75Ser Arg Leu
Glu Pro Glu Asp Phe Ala Met Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln 80 85 90Ser Asp Ser
Trp Pro Thr Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu 95 100 105Ile Lys
Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro 110 115 120Ser
Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu 125 130
135Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val 140
145 150Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu
155 160 165Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu
Thr 170 175 180Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala
Cys Glu 185 190 195Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys
Ser Phe Asn 200 205 210Arg Gly Glu Cys4451PRTArtificial
sequenceE25, heavy chain 4Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly
Leu Val Gln Pro Gly 1 5 10 15Gly Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala Val
Ser Gly Tyr Ser Ile Thr 20 25 30Ser Gly Tyr Ser Trp Asn Trp Ile Arg
Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly 35 40 45Leu Glu Trp Val Ala Ser Ile Thr Tyr
Asp Gly Ser Thr Asn Tyr 50 55 60Asn Pro Ser Val Lys Gly Arg Ile Thr
Ile Ser Arg Asp Asp Ser 65 70 75Lys Asn Thr Phe Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn
Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp 80 85 90Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg Gly
Ser His Tyr Phe Gly His 95 100 105Trp His Phe Ala Val Trp Gly Gln
Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser 110 115 120Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro
Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser 125 130 135Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly
Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val 140 145 150Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro
Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly 155 160 165Ala Leu Thr Ser
Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser 170 175 180Ser Gly Leu
Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser 185 190 195Ser Leu
Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro 200 205 210Ser
Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp 215 220
225Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 230
235 240Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu
245 250 255Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp
Val 260 265 270Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val
Asp Gly 275 280 285Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu
Glu Gln Tyr 290 295 300Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr
Val Leu His Gln 305 310 315Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys
Lys Val Ser Asn Lys 320 325 330Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr
Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 335 340 345Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr
Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu 350 355 360Glu Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val
Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly 365 370 375Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile
Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln 380 385 390Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr
Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp 395 400 405Gly Ser Phe Phe
Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg 410 415 420Trp Gln Gln
Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala 425 430 435Leu His
Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly 440 445
450Lys5451PRTArtificial sequenceE26, heavy chain 5Glu Val Gln Leu
Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Leu Val Gln Pro Gly 1 5 10 15Gly Ser Leu
Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Ser Gly Tyr Ser Ile Thr 20 25 30Ser Gly Tyr
Ser Trp Asn Trp Ile Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly 35 40 45Leu Glu Trp
Val Ala Ser Ile Thr Tyr Asp Gly Ser Thr Asn Tyr 50 55 60Asn Pro Ser
Val Lys Gly Arg Ile Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asp Ser 65 70 75Lys Asn Thr
Phe Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp 80 85 90Thr Ala Val
Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg Gly Ser His Tyr Phe Gly His 95 100 105Trp His
Phe Ala Val Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser 110 115 120Ser
Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser 125 130
135Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val 140
145 150Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly
155 160 165Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln
Ser 170 175 180Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro
Ser Ser 185 190 195Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn
His Lys Pro 200 205 210Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro
Lys Ser Cys Asp 215 220 225Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala
Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 230 235 240Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro
Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu 245 250 255Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val
Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val 260 265 270Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val
Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly 275 280 285Val Glu Val His Asn Ala
Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr 290 295 300Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg
Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln 305 310 315Asp Trp Leu Asn
Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys 320 325 330Ala Leu Pro
Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 335 340 345Gln Pro
Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu 350 355 360Glu
Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly 365 370
375Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln 380
385 390Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp
395 400 405Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser
Arg 410 415 420Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His
Glu Ala 425 430 435Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu
Ser Pro Gly 440 445 450Lys6453PRTArtificial sequenceHu-901, heavy
chain 6Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly
1 5 10 15Ala Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe
Ser 20 25 30Met Tyr Trp Leu Glu Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly His Gly
Leu 35 40 45Glu Trp Val Gly Glu Ile Ser Pro Gly Thr Phe Thr Thr Asn
Tyr 50 55 60Asn Glu Lys Phe Lys Ala Arg Ala Thr Phe Thr Ala Asp Thr
Ser 65 70 75Thr Asn Thr Ala Tyr Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu
Asp 80 85 90Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg Phe Ser His Phe Ser Gly
Ser 95 100 105Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Phe Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu
Val Thr 110 115 120Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe
Pro Leu Ala 125 130 135Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala
Ala Leu Gly Cys 140 145 150Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val
Thr Val Ser Trp Asn 155 160 165Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His
Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu 170 175 180Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu
Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro 185 190 195Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln
Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His 200 205 210Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys
Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser 215 220 225Cys Asp Lys Thr His
Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu 230 235 240Leu Gly Gly Pro
Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp 245 250 255Thr Leu Met
Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val 260 265 270Asp Val
Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val 275 280 285Asp
Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu 290 295
300Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 305
310 315His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser
320 325 330Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys
Ala 335 340 345Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro
Pro Ser 350 355 360Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr
Cys Leu Val 365 370 375Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu
Trp Glu Ser Asn 380 385 390Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr
Pro Pro Val Leu Asp 395 400 405Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser
Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys 410 415 420Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val
Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His 425 430 435Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr
Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 440 445 450Pro Gly Lys
* * * * *