U.S. patent application number 13/584221 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-21 for fc receptor binding proteins.
This patent application is currently assigned to Syntonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Alan J. Bitonti, Jennifer Dumont, Robert Charles Ladner, Liming Liu, Kevin McDonnell, Arumugam Muruganandam, Aaron Sato, James Stattel, Christopher TenHoor, Malini Viswanathan, Clive Wood. Invention is credited to Alan J. Bitonti, Jennifer Dumont, Robert Charles Ladner, Liming Liu, Kevin McDonnell, Arumugam Muruganandam, Aaron Sato, James Stattel, Christopher TenHoor, Malini Viswanathan, Clive Wood.
Application Number | 20130045218 13/584221 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41203902 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130045218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TenHoor; Christopher ; et
al. |
February 21, 2013 |
FC RECEPTOR BINDING PROTEINS
Abstract
This disclosure provides, inter alia, proteins that bind to
FcRn, e.g., immunoglobulins that inhibit FcRn with high affinity
and selectivity. The FcRn-binding proteins can be used to treat a
variety of disorders including autoimmune disorders.
Inventors: |
TenHoor; Christopher;
(Hopkinton, MA) ; Muruganandam; Arumugam;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Ladner; Robert Charles;
(Ijamsville, MD) ; Wood; Clive; (Boston, MA)
; Bitonti; Alan J.; (Acton, MA) ; Stattel;
James; (Hagerstown, MD) ; McDonnell; Kevin;
(Waltham, MA) ; Liu; Liming; (Upper Dublin,
PA) ; Dumont; Jennifer; (Groton, MA) ; Sato;
Aaron; (Richmond, CA) ; Viswanathan; Malini;
(Burlington, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TenHoor; Christopher
Muruganandam; Arumugam
Ladner; Robert Charles
Wood; Clive
Bitonti; Alan J.
Stattel; James
McDonnell; Kevin
Liu; Liming
Dumont; Jennifer
Sato; Aaron
Viswanathan; Malini |
Hopkinton
Bangalore
Ijamsville
Boston
Acton
Hagerstown
Waltham
Upper Dublin
Groton
Richmond
Burlington |
MA
MD
MA
MA
MD
MA
PA
MA
CA
MA |
US
IN
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Syntonix Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.
Waltham
MA
Dyax Corp.
Burlington
MA
|
Family ID: |
41203902 |
Appl. No.: |
13/584221 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12429529 |
Apr 24, 2009 |
8273351 |
|
|
13584221 |
|
|
|
|
61048152 |
Apr 25, 2008 |
|
|
|
61048500 |
Apr 28, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/173.1 ;
435/7.21; 530/389.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 2333/70535
20130101; C07K 2317/55 20130101; A61P 37/00 20180101; C07K 2317/56
20130101; C07K 16/28 20130101; C07K 2317/20 20130101; C07K 2317/76
20130101; A61K 49/0058 20130101; C07K 2317/565 20130101; G01N
33/6854 20130101; A61K 51/1027 20130101; G01N 33/68 20130101; A61K
2039/505 20130101; C07K 2317/21 20130101; A61K 49/16 20130101; C07K
16/283 20130101; C07K 2317/34 20130101; C07K 2317/33 20130101; C07K
2317/92 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/173.1 ;
530/389.6; 435/7.21 |
International
Class: |
C07K 16/28 20060101
C07K016/28; A61P 19/02 20060101 A61P019/02; A61P 21/04 20060101
A61P021/04; G01N 33/566 20060101 G01N033/566; A61P 25/00 20060101
A61P025/00; A61P 1/04 20060101 A61P001/04; A61P 37/00 20060101
A61P037/00; A61P 1/00 20060101 A61P001/00; A61K 39/395 20060101
A61K039/395; A61P 3/10 20060101 A61P003/10 |
Claims
1-110. (canceled)
111. An isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain (HC)
immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC)
immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, wherein the antibody binds
to human FcRn; and wherein: the HC comprises: a HC CDR1 comprising
an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to EYAMG (SEQ ID
NO:144) or VYAMG (SEQ ID NO:156), a HC CDR2 comprising an amino
acid sequence at least 80% identical to SIGSSGGQTKYADSVKG (SEQ ID
NO:145), or SIGSSGGPTKYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO:157), and a HC CDR3
comprising an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to LSTGELY
(SEQ ID NO:146), LSIRELV (SEQ ID NO:158), LSIVDSY (SEQ ID NO:164),
LSLGDSY (SEQ ID NO:170), or LAIGDSY (SEQ ID NO:176); and the LC
comprises: a LC CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90%
identical to TGTGSDVGSYNLVS (SEQ ID NO:141), a LC CDR2 comprising
an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to GDSQRPS (SEQ ID
NO:142), and a LC CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence at least
90% identical to CSYAGSGIYV (SEQ ID NO:143).
112. The isolated antibody of claim 111, wherein the antibody
comprises: (i) a HC comprising a HC CDR1 that is at least 80%
identical to EYAMG (SEQ ID NO:144), a HC CDR2 that is at least 90%
identical to SIGSSGGQTKYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO:145), and a HC CDR3 that
is at least 85% identical to LSTGELY(SEQ ID NO:146); (ii) a HC
comprising a HC CDR1 that is at least 80% identical to VYAMG (SEQ
ID NO:156), a HC CDR2 that is at least 90% identical to
SIGSSGGPTKYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO:157), and a HC CDR3 that is at least
85% identical to LSIRELV (SEQ ID NO:158); (iii) a HC comprising a
HC CDR1 that is at least that is at least 80% identical to VYAMG
(SEQ ID NO:156), a HC CDR2 that is at least 90% identical to
SIGSSGGPTKYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO:157), and a HC CDR3 that is at least
85% identical to LSIVDSY (SEQ ID NO:164); (iv) a HC comprising a HC
CDR1 that is at least 80% identical to EYAMG (SEQ ID NO:144), a HC
CDR2 that is at least 90% identical to SIGSSGGQTKYADSVKG (SEQ ID
NO:145), and a HC CDR3 that is at least 85% identical to LSLGDSY
(SEQ ID NO:170); or (v) a HC comprising a HC CDR1 that is at least
80% identical to EYAMG (SEQ ID NO:144), a HC CDR2 that is at least
90% identical to SIGSSGGQTKYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO:145), and a HC CDR3
that is at least 85% identical to LAIGDSY (SEQ ID NO:176).
113. The antibody of claim 111, wherein the antibody binds to the
same FcRn epitope as M0171-A03, M0171-A01, M0159-A07, M0161-B04,
M0090-F11 or DX2500.
114. The antibody of claim 111, wherein the antibody is a full
length antibody.
115. The antibody of claim 111, wherein the antibody is an
antigen-binding fragment of a full length antibody.
116. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of claim
111, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
117. A method of detecting an FcRn in a sample, the method
comprising: contacting the sample with an antibody of claim 111;
and detecting an interaction between the antibody and the FcRn if
present.
118. A method of modulating an FcRn activity, the method
comprising: contacting an FcRn with an effective amount of an
antibody of claim 111, thereby modulating the activity of the
FcRn.
119. The method of claim 118, wherein the FcRn is in a human
subject.
120. A method of treating an autoimmune disorder and/or modulating
a symptom of the autoimmune disorder, the method comprising:
administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
an antibody of claim 111.
121. The method of claim 118, wherein the autoimmune disorder is a
disorder selected from the group consisting of: rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Myasthenia
Gravis (MG), Graves Disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura
(ITP), Guillain-Barre Syndrome, autoimmune myocarditis, Membrane
Glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, Type I or Type II diabetes,
multiple sclerosis, Reynaud's syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis,
gastritis, Celiac Disease, Vitiligo, Hepatitis, primary biliary
cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, spondyloarthropathies,
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, immune neutropenia,
juvenile onset diabetes, and immune responses associated with
delayed hypersensitivity mediated by cytokines, T-lymphocytes
typically found in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and polymyositis,
polyarteritis, cutaneous vasculitis, pemphigus, pemphigold,
Goodpasture's syndrome, Kawasaki's disease, systemic sclerosis,
anti-phospholipid syndrome, and Sjogren's syndrome.
122. A method of modulating the half life/levels of circulating IgG
in a subject, the method comprising: identifying a subject in need
of modulated circulating IgG half life/levels; and administering an
antibody of claim 111 to the subject in an amount effective to
modulate the half life/levels of circulating IgG in the
subject.
123. The method of claim 122, wherein the antibody is administered
in an amount effective to reduce the binding of IgG to FcRn in the
subject.
124. A method of reducing the concentration of undesired antibodies
in an individual, the method comprising administrating to an
individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of an
antibody of claim 111.
125. The method of claim 124, wherein the undesired antibody is
natalizumab.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. provisional application 61/048,152, filed Apr.
25, 2008, and U.S. provisional application 61/048,500, filed Apr.
28, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The most abundant antibody isotype in the serum is IgG and
it has a critical role in mediating protection against pathogens as
well as in mediating allergic and inflammatory responses that
hasten recruitment of immune system components to the tissues,
mucosae, and dermal surfaces (Junghans, Immunologic Research
16(1):29 (1997)). Moreover, it is also a key component of a variety
of autoimmune diseases. Under normal conditions, the halflife of
IgG in the serum is in the range of 5-7 days in mice and 22-23 days
in humans, which is a prolonged period, relative to the serum half
life of other plasma proteins. In part, this occurs because the
neonatal FcRn receptor (FcRn) rescues pinocytosed IgG from
degradative lysosomes and recycles it back to the extracellular
compartment (Junghans and Anderson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
93:5512 (1996), Roopenian et al. J. Immunology 170:3528
(2003)).
[0003] FcRn binds to the the Fc portion of IgG. The interaction
between the IgG Fc region and FcRn is pH-dependent. Upon entry into
cells by fluid phase endocytosis, IgG is sequestered into endosomes
and binds to FcRn with high affinity at acidic pH (6-6.5); when the
IgG-FcRn complex cycles to the plasma membrane, IgG dissociates
rapidly from FcRn in the bloodstream at slightly basic pH
(.about.7.4). By this receptor-mediated recycling mechanism, FcRn
effectively rescues the IgG from degradation in lysosomes, thereby
prolonging the half-life of circulating IgG.
[0004] FcRn is a non-covalent heterodimer that typically resides in
the endosomes of endothelial and epithelial cells. It is a membrane
bound receptor with a single-pass transmembrane having three heavy
chain alpha domains (.alpha.1, .alpha.2, and .alpha.3) and a single
soluble light chain .beta.2-microglobulin (.beta.2M) domain.
Structurally, it belongs to a family of major histocompatibility
complex class 1 molecules that have .beta.2M as a common light
chain. The FcRn .alpha. chain is a 46 kD protein composed of an
extracellular domain containing the .alpha.1, .alpha.2, and
.alpha.3 heavy chain domains, a transmembrane region, and a
relatively short cytoplasmic tail (Burmeister et al. Nature 372:366
(1994)).
[0005] FcRn was first identified in the neonatal rat gut, where it
functions to mediate the absorption of IgG antibody from the
mother's milk and facilitates its transport to the circulatory
system (Leach et al. J Immunol 157:3317 (1996)). FcRn has also been
isolated from human placenta, where it also mediates absorption and
transport of maternal IgG to the fetal circulation. In adults, FcRn
is expressed in a number of tissues, including epithelial tissues
of the lung, intestine, kidney, as well as nasal, vaginal, and
biliary tress surfaces (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,030,613 and 6,086,875;
Israel et al. Immunology 92:69 (1997); Kobayashi et al. Am J
Physiol (2002); Renal Physiol 282:F358 (2002)).
[0006] In order to study the contributions of FcRn to IgG
homeostasis, mice have been engineered so that at least part of the
genes encoding .beta.2M and FcRn heavy chains have been "knocked
out" so that these proteins are not expressed (WO 02/43658;
Junghans and Anderson, Proc Natl Acad Sci US 93:5512 (1996)). In
these mice, the serum half-life and concentrations of IgG were
dramatically reduced, suggesting a FcRn dependent mechanism for IgG
homeostasis.
[0007] It has also been suggested that anti-human FcRn antibodies
may be generated in these FcRn knockout mice and that these
antibodies may prevent the binding of IgG to FcRn. However, such
antibodies have not been generated or tested (WO 02/43658).
[0008] The inhibition of IgG binding to FcRn negatively alters IgG
serum half-life by preventing IgG recycling. This principle has
been shown to be therapeutically effective in a mouse model of
autoimmune cutaneous bullous diseases (Li et al. J Clin Invest
115:3440-3450 (2005)). Accordingly, agents that block or antagonize
the binding of IgG to FcRn may be used in a method to treat or
prevent autoimmune and inflammatory diseases or disorders
characterized by the presence of inappropriately regulated IgG
antibodies.
SUMMARY
[0009] This invention relates, inter alia, to antibodies that bind
FcRn, and methods of identifying and using such antibodies.
[0010] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
comprising a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain
sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain
sequence,
[0011] wherein the heavy chain and light chain immunoglobulin
variable domain sequences form an antigen binding site that binds
to human FcRn; and wherein the antibody includes one or more of the
following characteristics: [0012] (a) a human CDR or human
framework region; [0013] (b) the LC immunoglobulin variable domain
sequence comprises one or more CDRs that are at least 85% identical
to a CDR of a LC variable domain of M0171-A03, M0171-A01,
M0159-A07, M0161-B04, M0090-F11 or DX2500; [0014] (c) the HC
immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises one or more CDRs
that are at least 85% identical to a CDR of a HC variable domain of
M0171-A03, M0171-A01, M0159-A07, M0161-B04, M0090-F11 or DX2500;
[0015] (d) the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence is at
least 85% identical to a LC variable domain of M0171-A03,
M0171-A01, M0159-A07, M0161-B04, M0090-F11 or DX2500; [0016] (e)
the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence is at least 85%
identical to a HC variable domain of M0171-A03, M0171-A01,
M0159-A07, M0161-B04 M0090-F11 or DX2500; and [0017] (f) the
antibody binds an epitope that overlaps with an epitope bound by
M0171-A03, M0171-A01, M0159-A07, M0161-B04, M0090-F11 or
DX2500.
[0018] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
that is at least 85% identical to an antibody selected from the
group consisting of M0171-A03, M0171-A01, M0159-A07, M0161-B04,
M0090-F11 and DX2500.
[0019] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
selected from the group consisting of M0171-A03, M0171-A01,
M0159-A07, M0161-B04, M0090-F11 and DX2504.
[0020] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
comprising the CDRs of M0161-B04. In one aspect the invention
provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to
M0161-B04. The CDRs of M0161-B04 are represented in Table 17A.
[0021] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
comprising the CDRs of M0171-A03. In one aspect the invention
provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to
M0171-A03. The CDRs of M0171-A03 are represented in Table 17A.
[0022] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
comprising the CDRs of M0171-A01. In one aspect the invention
provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to
M0171-A01. The CDRs of M0171-A01 are represented in Table 17A.
[0023] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
comprising the CDRs of M0159-A07. In one aspect the invention
provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to
M0159-A07. The CDRs of M0159-A07 are represented in Table 17A.
[0024] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
comprising the CDRs of M0090-F11. In one aspect the invention
provides an n isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to
M0090-F11. The CDRs of M0090-F11 are represented in Table 17A.
[0025] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody
comprising the CDRs of DX-2500. In one aspect the invention
provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to
DX-2500. The CDRs of DX-2500 are represented in Table 17A.
[0026] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the HC
variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of
M0161-B04 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable
domain sequence of M0161-B04.
[0027] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the HC
variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of
M0171-A03 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable
domain sequence of M0171-A03.
[0028] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the HC
variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of
M0171-A01 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable
domain sequence of M0171-A01.
[0029] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the HC
variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of
M0159-A07 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable
domain sequence of M0159-A07.
[0030] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the HC
variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of
M0090-F11 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable
domain sequence of M0090-F11.
[0031] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the HC
variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of
DX2500 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable
domain sequence of DX2500.
[0032] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the
antibody binds to an FcRn epitope bound by M0171-A03, M0171-A01,
M0159-A07, M0161-B04, M0090-F11 or DX2500.
[0033] In some embodiments of the antibodies provided herein the
antibody competes with M0171-A03, M0171 A01, M0159-A07, M0161-B04,
M0090-F11 or DX2500 for binding to FcRn. As used herein M0171-A03
is also referred to as M171-A03 and M00171-A03. As used herein
M0171-A01 is also referred to as M171-A01 and M00171-A01. As used
herein M0159-A07 is also referred to as M159-A07 and M00159-A07. As
used herein M0161-B04 is also referred to as M161-B04, M00161-B04
and DX-2504. As used herein M0090-F11 is also referred to as
M090-F11 and M90-F11.
[0034] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody,
or a fragment thereof, which binds to human FcRn, wherein the
antibody is generated against the heavy chain of human FcRn or a
fragment thereof, wherein the antibody functions as a
non-competitive inhibitor of IgG binding to human FcRn, and wherein
the antibody does not bind .beta.2-microglobulin.
[0035] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody,
or fragment thereof, that binds to human FcRn, wherein the antibody
is generated against the heavy chain of human FcRn or a fragment
thereof, wherein the antibody does not bind .beta.2-microglobulin
when it is not complexed with FcRn, and wherein the antibody is not
produced from a FcRn -/- knockout mouse.
[0036] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is selected from the group consisting of 3B3.11, 31.1,
4B4.12, and 17D3.
[0037] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds human FcRn at about pH range 5-7.4 with a
dissociation constant (K.sub.D) of less than 100 nM.
[0038] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antigen binding site specifically binds to human FcRn.
[0039] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds a stable FcRn expressing cell line.
[0040] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody modulates (e.g., inhibits) FcRn binding to an
antibody/immunoglobulin constant region.
[0041] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds to the alpha subunit of FcRn.
[0042] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds the .alpha.1, .alpha.2, or .alpha.3 domain of
the FcRn alpha chain.
[0043] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody does not bind a beta subunit of FcRn, i.e., the
protein only binds an alpha subunit.
[0044] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds to a beta subunit of FcRn, wherein the beta
subunit is associated with an alpha subunit.
[0045] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the alpha and beta subunit are correctly assembled into FcRn.
[0046] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds an FcRn that contains both an alpha subunit and
a beta subunit and is correctly assembled.
[0047] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody inhibits the binding of IgG-Fc with an IC.sub.50 of
less than about 800 nM, less than about 600 nM, less than about 300
nM, less than about 100 nM, less than about 50, nM, less than about
25 nM, less than about 10 nM, or less than about 5 nM at about pH
6.
[0048] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is soluble Fab.
[0049] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds to FcRn through its antigen binding domain and
also through its Fc region.
[0050] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the binding of the antibody to FcRn is substantially pH independent
in the range of 2-10.
[0051] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the binding of the antibody to FcRn is substantially pH independent
in the range of 6-8.
[0052] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody has a k.sub.off of less than 0.01, 0.001, 0.0001,
0.00001 s.sup.-1 at pH 7.5.
[0053] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the binding of the antibody to FcRn is substantially pH
dependent.
[0054] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody preferentially binds human FcRn as compared to rat
FcRn in a pH-dependent or pH-independent manner.
[0055] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binds FcRn in endosomes or under endosomal
conditions.
[0056] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody does not release FcRn at pH 7.5.
[0057] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody causes an amelioration of symptoms associated with an
autoimmune disorder when administered to a subject.
[0058] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the HC and LC variable domain sequences are components of the same
polypeptide chain.
[0059] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the HC and LC variable domain sequences are components of different
polypeptide chains.
[0060] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is a full-length antibody.
[0061] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is a human or humanized antibody or is non-immunogenic
in a human.
[0062] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody comprises a human antibody framework region.
[0063] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody comprises an Fc domain
[0064] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is a murine antibody.
[0065] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
[0066] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is chimeric or humanized
[0067] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody is selected from the group consisting of Fab, F(ab)'2,
Fv and ScFv.
[0068] In some of the embodiments of the antibodies provided herein
the antibody binding to FcRn is independent of the pH over a pH
range of 6.0 to 8.0.
[0069] In one aspect the invention provides a pharmaceutical
composition comprising the any one of the antibodies provided
herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0070] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated nucleic
acid comprising a sequence that encodes a polypeptide that includes
a sequence at least 80% identical to the sequence of a variable
domain of M0171-A03, M0171-A01, M0159-A07 or M0161-B04.
[0071] In one aspect the invention provides an isolated nucleic
acid comprising a sequence that encodes a polypeptide comprising
the first and/or the second immunoglobulin variable domain of the
any one of the antibodies provided herein.
[0072] In one aspect the invention provides a vector or host cell
comprising the nucleic acid sequence provided herein
[0073] In one aspect the invention provides a method of detecting
an FcRn in a sample, the method comprising: contacting the sample
with any one of the antibodies provided herein and detecting an
interaction between the antibody and the FcRn if present. In some
embodiments the antibody further comprises a detectable label.
[0074] In one aspect the invention provides a method of detecting
FcRn in a subject, the method comprising: administering any one of
the antibodies provided herein that further comprises a detectable
label, to a subject; and detecting the label in the subject. In
some embodiments detecting comprises imaging the subject.
[0075] In one aspect the invention provides a method of modulating
an FcRn activity, the method comprising: contacting an FcRn with
any one of the antibodies provided herein, thereby modulating the
activity of the FcRn. In some embodiments the FcRn is in a human
subject. In some embodiments the antibody prevents binding of the
FcRn to an endogenous Ig. In some embodiments the antibody prevents
binding of the FcRn to a therapeutic antibody. In some embodiments
the FcRn is in an epithelial cell endosome. In some embodiments the
FcRn is in an endothelial cell endosome. In some embodiments the
FcRn is on the cell surface.
[0076] In one aspect the invention provides a method of treating an
autoimmune disorder and/or modulating symptoms of an autoimmune
disorder, the method comprising: administering any one of the
antibodies provided herein in an amount sufficient to modulate the
symptoms. In some embodiments the autoimmune disorder is a disorder
selected from the group consisting of: rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Myasthenia Gravis (MG), Graves
Disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP), Guillain-Barre
Syndrome, autoimmune myocarditis, Membrane Glomerulonephritis,
diabetes mellitus, Type I or Type II diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
Reynaud's syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, gastritis, Celiac
Disease, Vitiligo, Hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis,
inflammatory bowel disease, spondyloarthropathies, experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis, immune neutropenia, juvenile onset
diabetes, and immune responses associated with delayed
hypersensitivity mediated by cytokines, T-lymphocytes typically
found in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and polymyositis,
polyarteritis, cutaneous vasculitis, pemphigus, pemphigold,
Goodpasture's syndrome, Kawasaki's disease, systemic sclerosis,
anti-phospholipid syndrome, and Sjogren's syndrome. In some
embodiments the pemphigus is pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus
foliaceus or paraneoplastic pemphigus.
[0077] In some embodiments the antibody decreases the half-life of
endogenous IgG.
[0078] In one aspect the invention provides a method of modulating
the half life/levels of circulating IgG, the method comprising:
identifying a subject in need of modulated circulating IgG half
life/levels; and administering the antibody of any one of the
antibodies provided herein to the subject in amount effective to
modulate the half life/levels of circulating IgG in the subject. In
some embodiments the method reduces circulating IgG half
life/levels. In some embodiments the subject is a human. In some
embodiments the antibody is administered to decrease the half
life/levels of circulating IgG and in combination with an
anti-autoimmune disorder agent or therapy that is not any one of
the antibodies provided herein. In some embodiments the
anti-autoimmune disorder agent or therapy that is not any one of
the antibodies provided herein comprises intravenous Ig therapy;
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID); corticosteroids;
cyclosporins, rapamycins, ascomycins, or their immunosuppressive
analogs, e.g., cyclosporin A, cyclosporin G, FK-506, rapamycin,
40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin; cyclophosphamide; azathioprene;
methotrexate; brequinar; FTY 720; leflunomide; mnizoribine;
mycophenolic acid; mycophenolate mofetil; 15-deoxyspergualine;
immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies, e.g., monoclonal
antibodies to leukocyte receptors, e.g., MHC, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7,
CD25, CD28, B7, CD45, or CD58 or their ligands; other
immunomodulatory compounds, e.g. CTLA4Ig; or other adhesion
molecule inhibitors, e.g., mAbs or low molecular weight inhibitors
including selectin antagonists and VLA-4 antagonists.
[0079] In one aspect the invention provides a method of treating or
preventing an autoimmune disorder, the method comprising:
administering any one of the antibodies provided herein to a
subject having the disorder or at risk of developing the disorder.
In some embodiments the autoimmune disorder is characterized by
unwanted circulating IgG In some embodiments the antibody decreases
the half-life of endogenous IgG In some embodiments the autoimmune
disorder is a disorder selected from rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Myasthenia Gravis (MG), Graves
Disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP), Guillain-Barre
Syndrome, autoimmune myocarditis, Membrane Glomerulonephritis,
diabetes mellitus, Type I or Type II diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
Reynaud's syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, gastritis, Celiac
Disease, Vitiligo, Hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis,
inflammatory bowel disease, spondyloarthropathies, experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis, immune neutropenia, juvenile onset
diabetes, and immune responses associated with delayed
hypersensitivity mediated by cytokines, T-lymphocytes typically
found in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and polymyositis,
polyarteritis, cutaneous vasculitis, pemphigus, pemphigold,
Goodpasture's syndrome, Kawasaki's disease, systemic sclerosis,
anti-phospholipid syndrome, and Sjogren's syndrome. In some
embodiments the pemphigus is pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus
foliaceus or paraneoplastic pemphigus.
[0080] In one aspect the invention provides a method of treating or
preventing an autoimmune disorder, the method comprising:
administering any one of the antibodies provided herein, in
combination with a second therapy for treating or preventing the
disorder to a subject having the disorder or at risk of developing
the disorder. In some embodiments the second therapy comprises
intravenous Ig therapy; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAID); corticosteroids; cyclosporins, rapamycins, ascomycins, or
their immunosuppressive analogs, e.g., cyclosporin A, cyclosporin
G, FK-506, rapamycin, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin;
cyclophosphamide; azathioprene; methotrexate; brequinar; FTY 720;
leflunomide; mnizoribine; mycophenolic acid; mycophenolate mofetil;
15-deoxyspergualine; immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies, e.g.,
monoclonal antibodies to leukocyte receptors, e.g., MHC, CD2, CD3,
CD4, CD7, CD25, CD28, B7, CD45, or CD58 or their ligands; other
immunomodulatory compounds, e.g. CTLA4Ig; or other adhesion
molecule inhibitors, e.g., mAbs or low molecular weight inhibitors
including selectin antagonists and VLA-4 antagonists.
[0081] In one aspect the invention provides a method of reducing
the concentration of undesired antibodies in an individual
comprising the steps of administrating to the individual a
therapeutically effective dose of any one of the antibodies or
antibody fragments provided herein. In some embodiments the
antibody or a fragment thereof is administered in a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments the
individual is a human. In some embodiments the antibody or fragment
thereof is administered with an adjuvant. In some embodiments the
undesired antibody is natalizumab. In some embodiments the
undesired antibody is non-self Human Leukocyte Antigen. In some
embodiments the administered antibody or fragment thereof is
administered in connection with organ transplant.
[0082] In one aspect the invention provides a method of reducing
the binding of IgG to FcRn in an individual comprising the steps of
providing an antibody or a fragment thereof which binds to human
FcRn, is generated against the heavy chain of human FcRn or a
fragment thereof, is a non-competitive inhibitor of IgG binding to
human FcRn and does not bind .beta.2-microglobulin; and
administering the antibody or the fragment thereof to an individual
in an amount sufficient to reduce the binding of IgG to FcRn in the
individual. In some embodiments the individual has an autoimmune or
alloimmune disease. In some embodiments the individual is an organ
transplant recipient. In some embodiments the individual has been
administered a therapeutic antibody. In some embodiments the
autoimmune disease is immune thrombocytopenia. In some embodiments
the autoimmune disease is immune pemphigus. In some embodiments the
individual is a human. In some embodiments the antibody is
administered at a dosage of 1 mg/kg to 2 g/kg. In some embodiments
the antibody is administered at a dosage of 1 mg/kg to 200
mg/kg.
[0083] In one aspect the invention provides a method for
suppressing the level of an IgG antibody in an individual
comprising the steps of providing an antibody or a fragment thereof
which binds to human FcRn, is generated against the heavy chain of
human FcRn or a fragment thereof, is a non-competitive inhibitor of
IgG binding to human FcRn and does not bind (32-microglobulin; and
administering the antibody or the fragment thereof to an individual
in an amount sufficient to suppress the level of an IgG antibody in
an individual. In some embodiments the IgG antibody is a
therapeutic IgG antibody. In some embodiments the therapeutic IgG
antibody is natalizumab. In some embodiments n the IgG antibody is
non-self Human Leukocyte Antigen. In some embodiments the method
further comprises a plasma exchange step.
[0084] In one aspect, the invention relates to antibodies which
inhibit the constant region of an IgG molecule from binding to
FcRn. The invention thus relates to an antibody comprising at least
one variable region that specifically binds a FcRn molecule
epitope. In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention bind
to human FcRn. In other embodiments, the antibodies bind to rodent
or monkey FcRn. Some exemplary antibodies of the invention include,
e.g., 4B4.12, 3B3.11, 31.1, and 17D3.
[0085] In one aspect, the disclosure features an antibody (e.g., an
isolated antibody) that includes a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin
variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin
variable domain sequence. The first and second immunoglobulin
variable domain sequences form an antigen binding site that binds
to FcRn (e.g., human FcRn). In one embodiment, the antibody has one
or more of the following characteristics: [0086] (a) the LC
immunoglobulin variable domain sequence is at least 85% identical
to a LC variable domain of 3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03,
M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09,
M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or M0090-F11, or one or more CDRs thereof;
[0087] (b) the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence is at
least 85% identical to a HC variable domain of 3B3.11, 31.1,
532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02,
M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or
M0090-F11, or one or more CDRs thereof; and [0088] (c) the antibody
binds an epitope that overlaps with an epitope bound by 3B3.11,
31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02,
M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-009, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or
M0090-F11.
[0089] In one embodiment, the antibody binds FcRn (e.g., human
FcRn), e.g., in about pH range 5-8, e.g., with a dissociation
constant (K.sub.D) of less than 100, 50, 10, 5, 1, or 0.1 nM. In
one embodiment, the antigen binding site specifically binds to
human FcRn. As used herein, "specific binding" or "specifically
binds" refers to the ability of a FcRn binding antibody to
preferentially bind to human FcRn, with an affinity that is at
least two-fold, 10-fold, 50-fold, 100-fold, or better (smaller
K.sub.D) than its affinity for binding to a non-specific antigen
(e.g., actin, casein) other than FcRn. In one embodiment, the
antibody binds human FcRn with a k.sub.off of less than 0.01,
0.001, 0.0001, 0.00001 s.sup.-1.
[0090] In one embodiment, the antibody binds the extracellular
domain of FcRn; for example, one of the alpha subunits of FcRn,
i.e., the .alpha.1, .alpha.2, or .alpha.3 domain of the FcRn alpha
chain. In one embodiment, the antibody does not bind the beta
(.beta.2M) subunit of FcRn, e.g., the antibody binds only the alpha
subunit. In one embodiment, the antibody does bind to the beta
subunit of FcRn, but, only when .beta.2M is in association with the
alpha subunit. For example, the antibody does not bind to either
alpha or beta subunit unless both are present and correctly
assembled into FcRn. In one embodiment, the antibody binds to the
FcRn that contains both the alpha and beta subunits and is
correctly assembled.
[0091] In one embodiment, the antibody modulates (e.g., inhibits)
FcRn binding to an antibody/immunoglobulin constant region. For
example, the antibody can have a K.sub.i of better than (e.g.,
numerically less than) 5 nM, 500 pM, 200 pM, 150 pM, 100 pM, or 75
pM, e.g., between 50 nM and 1pM, or 200 pM and 5 pM.
[0092] In one embodiment, the antibody binds to FcRn and decreases
or prevents FcRn binding to an antibody/immunoglobulin constant
region. For example, the antibody can bind to FcRn (e.g., human
FcRn) with an affinity (K.sub.D) of better than (i.e., numerically
smaller than) 1.times.10.sup.-8 M. In one embodiment, the antibody
is a Fab that binds to FcRn in a substantially pH independent or
substantially pH dependent manner and with a K.sub.D in the range
of about 3.0-82 nM at pH 6. In one embodiment, the antibody is a
Fab that binds to FcRn in a substantially pH independent or
substantially pH dependent manner and with a K.sub.D in the range
of about 9.7- about 39.7 nM at pH 7.5. In one embodiment, the
antibody is an IgG that binds to FcRn in a substantially pH
independent or substantially pH dependent manner and with a K.sub.D
in the range of about 0.409- about 29.5 nM, about 2.44- about 29.5
nM, about 0.13- about 1.03 nM, about 6.43- about 30.2 nM, about
0.2- about 2.87 nM, about 0.34- about 2.87 nM, or about 0.2- about
30.2 nM at pH 6. In one embodiment, the antibody is an IgG that
binds to FcRn in a substantially pH independent or substantially pH
dependent manner and with a K.sub.D in the range of about
0.675-24.2 nM, 2.1-24.2 nM, 0.158-10 nM, or about 2.04- about 80 nM
at pH 7.5.
[0093] In one embodiment, the antibody inhibits the binding of FcRn
to IgG-Fc with an IC.sub.50 of less than 800 nM, 600 nM, or 300 nM,
200 nM, 100 nM, 1 nM, 50 pM at about pH 6. In one embodiment, the
antibody is a Fab that inhibits the binding of FcRn to IgG-Fc in a
substantially pH independent or substantially pH dependent manner
and with an IC.sub.50 in the range of about 13-754 nM or about
13-80 nM at pH 6. In one embodiment, the antibody is an IgG that
inhibits the binding of FcRn in a substantially pH independent or
substantially pH dependent manner and with an IC.sub.50 in the
range of about 1.2-36 nM, 36-120 nM, 120-562 nM, 1.5-5.4 nM, 5.4-50
nM, 51-161 nM at pH 6.
[0094] In one embodiment, the antibody is, e.g., a single chain
antibody, a Fab, an sFab fragment, an F(ab')2, an Fd fragment, an
Fv fragment, an scFv, or a dAb fragment.
[0095] In some embodiments, the antibody monospecific, e.g., a
monoclonal antibody or recombinant antibody. The term "monospecific
antibody" refers to an antibody that displays a single binding
specificity and affinity for a particular target, e.g., epitope.
This term includes a "monoclonal antibody" or "monoclonal antibody
composition," which as used herein refer to a preparation of an
antibody of a single molecular composition.
[0096] In one embodiment, the antibody is a recombinant or modified
anti-FcRn antibody, e.g., a chimeric, a humanized, a deimmunized,
or an in vitro generated antibody. The term "recombinant" or
"modified" human antibody, as used herein, is intended to include
all antibodies that are prepared, expressed, created or isolated by
recombinant means, such as antibodies expressed using a recombinant
expression vector transfected into a host cell, antibodies isolated
from a recombinant, combinatorial antibody library, antibodies
isolated from an animal (e.g., a mouse) that is transgenic for
human immunoglobulin genes or antibodies prepared, expressed,
created or isolated by any other means that involves splicing of
human immunoglobulin gene sequences to other DNA sequences. Such
recombinant antibodies include humanized, CDR grafted, chimeric,
deimmunized, in vitro generated antibodies, and may optionally
include constant regions derived from human germline immunoglobulin
sequences. In one embodiment, the antibody does not elicit an
anti-globulin response in a human.
[0097] Also disclosed are antibodies (including full length
antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof) that bind
overlapping epitopes of, or competitively inhibit, the binding of
the anti-FcRn antibodies disclosed herein to FcRn e.g., antibodies
which bind overlapping epitopes of, or competitively inhibit, the
binding of sFabs 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11,
M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-009, M0064-H04, M0073-E10,
or M0090-F11 to FcRn. It is also possible to use a combination of
anti-FcRn antibodies, e.g., two or more antibodies that bind to
different regions of FcRn, e.g., antibodies that bind to two
different epitopes on the extracellular domain of FcRn.
Alternatively, a bispecific antibody can be used. A bispecific
antibody is a molecule with two variable heavy and two variable
light domains so that the single molecule embodies two specific
binding capabilities; one or more of the variable domains or
specificities can be of an antibody described herein and bind to
FcRn.
[0098] In one embodiment, the anti-FcRn antibody (e.g., a full
length antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof) includes at
least one light or heavy chain variable domain sequence (e.g., at
least one light chain immunoglobulin and at least one heavy chain
immunoglobulin). In some embodiments, each immunoglobulin includes
a light or a heavy chain variable domain sequence having at least
one, two or three complementarity determining regions (CDR's)
substantially identical to a CDR from a light or heavy chain
variable domain sequence of an antibody that interacts with FcRn,
e.g., an sFab described herein, e.g., 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03,
M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-009,
M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or M0090-F11.
[0099] In one embodiment, the antibody binds to FcRn using its
antigen binding domain and also through its Fc region. In one
embodiment, the antibody binds to FcRn using only its antigen
binding domain. For example, the antibody does not include an Fc
region or includes a modified Fc region that does not interact with
FcRn. In one embodiment, the antibody binds to FcRn at least
1000-fold more tightly through its antigen-binding domains as
through its Fc domains.
[0100] In one embodiment, the binding of the antibody to FcRn is
substantially pH independent in the range of 2-10, of 4-9, of 5-8,
of 6-8, or of 6-7.5. The term "pH independent" refers to the
ability of the antibody to bind and/or to remain bound to FcRn at a
pH in the range of 2-10, 4-9, 5-8, 6-8, or 6-7.5. The affinity may
vary at the various pH values. In some embodiments, the K.sub.D is
no higher than 200 nM, 50 nM, 10 nM, 1 nM or 100 pM at any value
within the range. For example, the antibody can bind FcRn at pH 6
and remain bound at pH 7.5. In one embodiment, the binding of the
antibody to FcRn is substantially pH dependent. The term "pH
independent" refers to the ability of the antibody to bind/and or
remain bound to FcRn at a first pH and the ability to bind or to
remain bound to FcRn at a second pH, where the second pH is within
a given number of pH units (e.g., 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.5 units) of the
first pH. For example, the antibody can bind FcRn at pH 6 and can
also bind or remain bound to FcRn at pH 7.5. The term "pH
dependent" refers to the ability of the antibody to bind/and or
remain bound to FcRn at a first pH and the lack of ability to bind
or to remain bound to FcRn at a second pH, where the second pH is
within a given number of pH units (e.g., 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.5 units)
of the first pH. For example, the antibody can bind FcRn at pH 6
and cannot bind or remain bound to FcRn at pH 7.5.
[0101] In one embodiment, the antibody preferentially binds human
FcRn as compared to rat or monkey FcRn in a pH-dependent or
pH-independent manner. In one embodiment, the antibody binds both
human FcRn and the FcRn of a suitable experimental animal (e.g.,
rat or monkey) with affinities that differ by no more than two-,
five- or ten-fold. In one embodiment, the antibody binds both human
FcRn and the FcRn of a suitable experimental animal with
K.sub.D<5 nM in the pH range of 6.0-7.5. In one embodiment, the
antibody binds FcRn in endosomes or under endosomal conditions. For
example, the antibody binds FcRn under acidic conditions, e.g., pH
6. In one embodiment, the antibody binds FcRn at pH 6, e.g., at
least 1.5, 2, 5, 8, 10, 20, or 50-fold better than at pH 7.5. In
one embodiment, the antibody releases FcRn at pH 7.5, e.g., at
least 1.5, 2, 5, 8, 10, 20, or 50-fold more rapidly than at pH 6.
In one embodiment, the antibody binds FcRn at pH 7.5, e.g., at
least 1.5, 2, 5, 8, 10, 20, or 50-fold better than at pH 6. In one
embodiment, the antibody releases FcRn at pH 6, e.g., at least 1.5,
2, 5, 8, 10, 20, or 50-fold more rapidly than at pH 7.5. In one
embodiment, the antibody does not release FcRn at pH 7.5. In one
embodiment, the antibody does not release FcRn at pH 6.
[0102] In one embodiment, the interaction with FcRn extends the
half-life of the antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody causes
the half-life of other IgG molecules to be diminished, e.g., at
least 5, 10, 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90%. For example, a
reduction of 90% would change the half-life of an antibody from 20
days to 2 days.
[0103] In one embodiment, the antibody causes an amelioration of
symptoms associated with an autoimmune disorder when administered
to a subject. For example, the antibody can alleviate or decrease
the severity of symptoms such as joint swelling, pain, or
stiffness; levels of circulating antibodies such as
auto-antibodies; achy joints (arthralgia); fever; extreme fatigue;
skin rashes; anemia; pain in the chest or deep breathing;
butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose; photosensitivity;
hair loss; seizures; mouth or nose ulcers; Raynaud's phenomenon;
mild erythema; neuropsychiatric manifestations; thrombocytopenia;
and pleural effusion.
[0104] In one embodiment, the HC and LC variable domain sequences
are components of the same polypeptide chain, that is they are part
of a single-chain antibody. In one embodiment, HC and LC variable
domain sequences are components of different polypeptide
chains.
[0105] In one embodiment, the antibody is a full-length antibody.
For example, the antibody can be a human or humanized antibody
and/or can be non-immunogenic in a human. In one embodiment, the
antibody comprises a human antibody framework region. In one
embodiment, the antibody comprises an Fc domain.
[0106] In one embodiment, the HC variable domain sequence comprises
a variable domain sequence of 3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09,
M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02,
M0062-009, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or M0090-F11 and the LC variable
domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of 3B3.11,
31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02,
M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-009, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or
M0090-F11. In one embodiment, the antibody binds to an FcRn epitope
bound by 3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05,
M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09, M0064-H04,
M0073-E10, or M0090-F11. In one embodiment, the antibody competes
with 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02,
M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-009, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or M0090-F11
for binding to FcRn.
[0107] In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a
monoclonal antibody comprising: immunizing a rodent with FcRn
protein or at least one fragment thereof or with a polynucleotide
sequence encoding a FcRn molecule or fragment thereof; obtaining B
cells from said rodent; fusing said B cells with a myeloma cell
line to obtain a hybridoma cell; culturing said hybridoma cell
under conditions such that it secretes a monoclonal antibody,
wherein said antibody comprises at least one variable region, which
specifically binds to a FcRn molecule, wherein said FcRn molecule
comprises a domain capable of binding at least a portion of an IgG
constant region, wherein the binding of said antibody to said FcRn
molecule inhibits said binding of the portion of an IgG constant
region to said FcRn molecule; and isolating the antibody.
[0108] In one aspect, the disclosure features a method of
identifying a antibody that binds to FcRn, e.g., human FcRn, and
includes: providing an FcRn antigen or a fragment thereof;
providing a library of antibodies, e.g., a display library; and
identifying a member present in the library that binds to the FcRn
antigen, where each member of the library displays a heterologous
antibody component on its surface and each member includes a
nucleic acid encoding the heterologous antibody component, the
heterologous antibody component being a member of a set of diverse
antibody components. The method can include isolating a nucleic
acid molecule from the identified member and the nucleic acid
molecule encodes the polypeptide that specifically binds to the
FcRn antigen. In one embodiment, the antibody specifically binds
human FcRn.
[0109] In one embodiment, the library is a phage library, e.g., a
phage display library. In one embodiment, the identified phage is
eluted using a competitor ligand, e.g., an IgG Fc that binds to
FcRn and/or with a competing anti-human FcRn antibody.
[0110] In another aspect, the disclosure features a method of
detecting an FcRn in a sample, the method includes: contacting the
sample with a FcRn binding antibody (e.g., a antibody described
herein) and detecting an interaction between the antibody and an
FcRn if present. In one embodiment, the antibody includes a
detectable label such as a fluorescent tag (e.g. bodipy,
fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate, rhodamine, and peroxidase or alkaline
phosphatase that are detected in the presence of chromogenic or
chemiluminescent substrates.
[0111] In one aspect, the disclosure features a method of
modulating an FcRn activity, the method includes: contacting an
FcRn with a FcRn binding antibody (e.g., a antibody described
herein), thereby modulating the activity (e.g., binding to IgG Fc)
of the FcRn. In one embodiment, the FcRn is in a human subject; the
FcRn can be in an epithelial or endothelial cell or in the blood
(e.g., soluble in the blood or in cells circulating in the blood)
of a human subject. In one embodiment, the antibody prevents
binding of the FcRn to a substrate, e.g., an endogenous substrate
such as IgG Fc and/or serum albumin In one embodiment, the FcRn is
in an epithelial or endothelial cell endosome.
[0112] In one aspect, the disclosure features a method of treating,
preventing, and/or modulating symptoms of a disorder, e.g., an
autoimmune disorder or a disorder associated with aberrant FcRn
activity. The method includes: administering a FcRn binding
antibody (e.g., antibody described herein) to a subject, e.g., a
subject having the disorder or at risk of developing the disorder.
In one embodiment, the ligand is administered in an amount and/or
for a time sufficient to modulate the symptoms of the disorder.
[0113] In one embodiment, the autoimmune disorder is a disorder
selected from the group consisting of: rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), myasthenia gravis (MG), Graves
Disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), Guillain-Barre
Syndrome, autoimmune myocarditis, membrane glomerulonephritis,
diabetes mellitus, Type I or Type II diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
Reynaud's syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, gastritis, celiac
disease, vitiligo, hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis,
inflammatory bowel disease, immune neutropenia,
spondyloarthropathies, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,
juvenile onset diabetes, and immune responses associated with
delayed hypersensitivity mediated by cytokines, T-lymphocytes
typically found in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and polymyositis,
polyarteritis, cutaneous vasculitis, pemphigus, pemphigold,
Goodpasture's syndrome, Kawasaki's disease, systemic sclerosis,
anti-phospholipid syndrome, and Sjogren's syndrome.
[0114] In one embodiment, the antibodies of the invention may be
used to inhibit the transport of IgG across the blood-brain
barrier. In another embodiment, the antibodies of the invention may
be used to treat brain tumors or Alzheimer's disease.
[0115] In one embodiment, the antibody decreases the half-life of
endogenous IgG. In one embodiment, the autoimmune disorder is
characterized by unwanted circulating IgG, e.g., unwanted
circulating pathogenic IgG
[0116] In one aspect, the disclosure features a method of detecting
FcRn in a subject, the method includes: administering a FcRn
binding antibody (e.g., antibody described herein) that includes a
detectable label, to a subject; and detecting the label in the
subject. The method can include imaging the subject, e.g., using
tomography, e.g., MRI.
[0117] In one aspect, the disclosure features a method of
modulating the half life/levels of circulating IgG, the method
includes: identifying a subject, e.g., a human, in need of
modulated circulating IgG half life/levels; and administering a
FcRn binding antibody (e.g., antibody described herein) to the
subject in amount effective to modulate the half life/levels of
circulating IgG in the subject. In one embodiment, the method
reduces circulating IgG half life/levels. In one embodiment, the
antibody is administered to decrease the half life/levels of
circulating IgG and in combination with another anti-autoimmune
disorder agent or therapy. The combination of the administration of
the FcRn antibody and the other anti-autoimmune disorder agent or
therapy may result in a decrease in the level of other
anti-autoimmune disorder agent or therapy needed to modulate or
reduce the half life/level of circulating IgG
[0118] In another aspect, the disclosure features an isolated
nucleic acid that includes a first sequence that encodes a first
polypeptide that includes a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 92, 94,
95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% identical to the sequence of a first
variable domain sequence of 3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09,
M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02,
M0062-C09, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or M0090-F11, or a sequence that
hybridizes (e.g., under stringent conditions) to a nucleic acid
encoding the sequence of a variable domain of 3B3.11, 31.1,
532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02,
M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or
M0090-F11. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid further includes a
second sequence that encodes a second polypeptide that includes a
second variable domain sequence (of a corresponding variable
domain), e.g., a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97,
98, 99, or 100% identical to the sequence of a second variable
domain sequence of 3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03,
M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09,
M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or M0090-F11, or a sequence that hybridizes
(e.g., under stringent conditions) to a nucleic acid encoding the
sequence of a variable domain of 3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09,
M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02,
M0062-C09, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or M0090-F11. In one embodiment,
the nucleic acid further includes regulatory sequences (e.g., a
promoter sequence, an untranslated 5' region, and an untranslated
3' region) and/or vector sequences. For example, the nucleic acid
constitutes a vector.
[0119] In still another aspect, the disclosure features a host cell
that can express an antibody. The host cell includes one or more
nucleic acids that collectively include: (1) a first sequence that
encodes a first variable domain sequence that includes a sequence
at least 80, 85, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% identical
to the sequence of a first variable domain sequence of 3B3.11,
31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11, M0092-D02,
M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09, M0064-H04, M0073-E10, or
M0090-F11, or a sequence that hybridizes (e.g., under stringent
conditions) to a nucleic acid encoding the sequence of a variable
domain of 3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05,
M0084-B11, M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09, M0064-H04,
M0073-E10, or M0090-F11 and (2) a second sequence that encodes a
second variable domain sequence that includes a second variable
domain sequence (of a corresponding variable domain), e.g., a
sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100%
identical to the sequence of a second variable domain sequence of
3B3.11, 31.1, 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11,
M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-C09, M0064-H04, M0073-E10,
or M0090-F11, or a sequence that hybridizes (e.g., under stringent
conditions) to a nucleic acid encoding the sequence of a variable
domain of 532A-M0090-F09, M0084-B03, M0056-G05, M0084-B11,
M0092-D02, M0055-G12, M0057-F02, M0062-009, M0064-H04, M0073-E10,
or M0090-F11.
[0120] In one aspect, the disclosure features a method of treating
or preventing an autoimmune disorder, the method comprising:
administering a FcRn binding antibody (e.g., a antibody described
herein), e.g., in combination with a second therapy, to a subject
having an autoimmune disorder or at risk of developing the
disorder. For example, the second therapy can be a therapy suitable
for treating or preventing the disorder. In one embodiment, the
second therapy can include: intravenous Ig therapy; nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID); corticosteroids; cyclosporins,
rapamycins, ascomycins, or their immunosuppressive analogs, e.g.
cyclosporin A, cyclosporin G, FK-506, rapamycin,
40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin; cyclophosphamide; azathioprine;
methotrexate; brequinar; FTY 720; leflunomide; mizoribine;
mycophenolic acid; mycophenolate mofetil; 15-deoxyspergualine;
immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies, e.g., monoclonal
antibodies to leukocyte receptors, e.g., MHC, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7,
CD25, CD28, B7, CD45, or CD58 or their ligands; other
immunomodulatory compounds, e.g. CTLA4Ig; or other adhesion
molecule inhibitors, e.g. mAbs or low molecular weight inhibitors
including selectin antagonists.
[0121] In another aspect, the disclosure features a method of
treating a fetus, the method includes: conjugating a small molecule
or macromolecular drug, e.g., an antibiotic or vaccine (e.g., viral
vaccine), to a FcRn binding antibody; and administering the
conjugate to a pregnant woman who bears the fetus in utero. In one
embodiment, the fetus has a disorder or is at risk for a disorder.
Exemplary disorders include an immunological disorder (e.g., an
autoimmune disorder, a metabolic disorder, or an infectious
disorder, e.g., a bacterial or viral infection, e.g., an enteric
infection (e.g., Helibacter pylori infection).
[0122] In another aspect, the disclosure features a method of
treating an infant, the method comprising: conjugating a small
molecule or macromolecular drug to an antibody that binds to FcRn,
e.g., a antibody described herein; and introducing the conjugated
antibody into breast milk The breast milk can be administered to
the infant. In one embodiment, the conjugated antibody is
administered to a woman and the woman is providing breast milk to
the infant, directly, e.g., nursing, or indirectly.
[0123] Although the invention is discussed primarily in terms of a
preferred embodiment of antibodies, one of ordinary skill in the
art will readily recognize that binding proteins or ligands other
than antibodies are within the scope of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0124] FIG. 1 depicts the result of an ELISA analysis of antibodies
in mouse sera obtained 56 days after immunization from animals
immunized with DNA encoding hFcRn or GPI linked hFcRn; as well as
with DNA encoding human .beta.2M for reactivity with either hFcRn
or human .beta.2M. Mice #180-184 were immunized with plasmid
encoded hFcRn; Mice #185-189 with plasmid encoded hFcRn and plasmid
encoded h.beta.2M; Mice #190-194 were immunized with plasmid
encoded GPI-linked hFcRN; Mice #195-199 were immunized with plasmid
encoded GPI-linked hFcRn and plasmid encoded h.beta.2M.
[0125] FIG. 2 depicts the result of an ELISA analysis of antibodies
in mouse sera obtained 94 days after immunization from animals
immunized with DNA encoding hFcRn or GPI linked hFcRn; as well as
with DNA encoding human .beta.2M for reactivity with either hFcRn
or human .beta.2M.
[0126] FIG. 3 depicts the results of a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine whether the supernatants of #182 mouse
derived clones were capable of blocking hIgG binding to hFcRn on
293C11 cells (HEK 293 cells engineered to overexpress FcRn). 293C11
cells were incubated with hybridoma supernatants for 60-90 minutes
then washed with PBS followed by incubation with Alexa fluor-488
labeled hIgG. Results are expressed in terms of either (A) total
mean fluorescence intensity (TMFI) or (B) the percent changed
(inhibition or enhancement) in the binding of human IgG to
FcRn.
[0127] FIG. 4 depicts the results of a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the blocking activity of #187 mouse derived
hybridoma supernatants with the method described in Example 6.
Results are expressed in terms of either (A) Total mean
fluorescence intensity (TMFI) or (B) the percent changed
(inhibition or enhancement) in the binding of human IgG to
FcRn.
[0128] FIG. 5 depicts the results of a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the potency of FcRn blocking activity at
various concentrations of (A) mAb 31.1, mAb 4.13, and hIgG1; or (B)
mAb 3B3.11, mAb 4B4.12, and hIgG1, by examining the cell surface
staining of 293 C11 cells (HEK 293 cells engineered to overexpress
FcRn) that were incubated in the presence of Alexa-488-labeled hIgG
and anti-FcRn blocking monoclonal antibodies or hIgG1. Results are
expressed as percentages of hIgG binding to 293C11 cells defined as
TMFI at various concentration divided by TMFI of samples without
competitor times 100%).
[0129] FIG. 6 depicts the histograms from a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the binding of mAb 3B3.11, mAb 31.1, mAb
4.13, mAb 4B4.12, and mAb 15B6.1 to the cell surface of hFcRn
expressing 293 C11 cells (HEK 293 cells engineered to overexpress
hFcRn).
[0130] FIG. 7 depicts the histograms from a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the binding of mAb 3B3.11, mAb 31.1, mAb
4.13, and mAb 4B4.12 to the cell surface of rat FcRn-expressing
cells (rat fibroblasts engineered to overexpress rat FcRn).
[0131] FIG. 8 depicts the histograms from a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the binding of mAb 3B3.11, mAb 4.13, mAb
31.1, mAb 4B4.12, and mAb 15B6.1 to the cell surface of
FcRn-expressing mouse 3T3 cells (NIH 3T3 cells engineered to
overexpress mouse FcRn).
[0132] FIG. 9 depicts the histograms from a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the binding of mAb 3B3.11, mAb 4.13, mAb
31.1, mAb 4B4.12, and mAb 15B6.1 to hFcRn expressed intracellularly
in THP cells (a human monocytic cell line).
[0133] FIG. 10 depicts the histograms from a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the binding of mAb 3B3.11, mAb 4.13, mAb
31.1, mAb 4B4.12, and mAb 15B6.1 to hFcRn expressed intracellularly
in Caco-2 cells (a human intestinal epithelial cell line).
[0134] FIG. 11 depicts the percentage of (A) macrophage population
from mouse spleen and the (B) total mouse spleen cell population,
that are reactive on surface or intracellularly with either mAb
4B4.12 or the isotype control, mIgG2a (1813).
[0135] FIG. 12 depicts the average weight of the (A) spleen and (B)
inguinal lymph nodes from mice immunized with OVA plus CFA and
treated with mAb 4B4.12, the isotype control, mIgG2a (1813) or PBS.
Mice were immunized with OVA plus CFA and treated IP with 10
injections of 1 mg of 4B4.12 or isotype control 1813.
[0136] FIG. 13 depicts the effect on serum levels of anti-ovalbumin
(OVA) IgG of Balb/c mice, that have been immunized with OVA, and
then treated with either mAb 4B4.12, the positive control, mIgG2a
(1813), or PBS. Antibody treatment consisted of three daily
intraperitoneal (IP) injections of antibodies, followed by 10
antibody injections IP every other day. The results shown were
obtained after 9 days of antibody treatment (5 injections).
[0137] FIG. 14 depicts the effect on serum levels of human IgG of
CD-1 mice, that have been intraperitoneally (IP) injected with 1
mg/kg of human IgG (Synagis), and then treated 72 hours later by
single IP injection of either 20 mg/kg of mAb 4B4.12, 20 mg/kg of
the isotype control, mIgG2a (1813), or PBS. Serum samples were
obtained immediately before mAB injection (72 hr after Synagis
injection), 72, and 168 hours after mAB injection. The results
shown were obtained from serum taken 24 hours after antibody
treatment.
[0138] FIG. 15 depicts the same experiment as described in FIG. 14
with two extra serum sampling points (72 and 168 hours). The
results were expressed as percentage of Synagis remaining when
compared to the level of Synagis before mAB injection.
[0139] FIG. 16 depicts a time-course of the effect of treatment
with either mAb 4B4.12, the isotype control, mIgG2a (1813), or PBS
on the severity of the symptoms of experimental autoimmune
myasthenia gravis (EAMG). The severity of the disease was assessed
by the assignment of a grade from zero to four of increasingly
severe symptoms as follows: 0, no symptoms; 1, weak grip,
fatigability and sometimes wheezing; 2, general weakness, hunched
posture at rest, decreased body weight, tremors; 3, severe
weakness, moribund; and 4, death.
[0140] FIG. 17 depicts the effect of treatment with either mAb
4B4.12, the isotype control, mIgG2a (1813), or PBS on weight loss,
reported in grams (as depicted on the y-axis) as a result of
experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG).
[0141] FIG. 18 depicts a comparison of the clearance kinetics of
Biotinylated human IgG (Biotin-hIgG) versus unlabeled human IgG
(hIgG) for Tg32B mice (hFcRn+/+, h.beta.2M+/+, mFcRn-/-,
m.beta.2M-/-). The animals were intravenously (IV) injected with 5
mg/kg of biotinylated human IgG (Synagis) and 495 mg/kg of
unlabeled hIgG. Sera were collected at the time-points shown in the
figure and serum Biotin-hIgG concentrations were determined using
Avidin plates (Pierce Chemicals) and unlabeled hIgG was measured by
ELISA.
[0142] FIG. 19 depicts the clearance kinetics of Biotinylated human
IgG (Biotin -hIgG) for Tg32B mice (hFcRn +/+, h.beta.2M+/+, mFcRn
-/-, m.beta.2M -/-) following treatment of the animals with mAb
3B3.11. The animals were intravenously (IV) injected with 5 mg/kg
of biotinylated human IgG (Synagis) and 495 mg/kg of unlabeled
hIgG. After 24 hours, daily IV injections of 50 mg/kg of mAb 3B3.11
were initiated and then continued for a period of 5 days. Sera were
collected at the time-points shown in the figure and serum
Biotin-hIgG concentrations were determined using Avidin plates
(Pierce Chemicals).
[0143] FIG. 20 depicts a bar graph from a FACS analysis that was
performed to determine the binding of mAb 3B3.11, mAb 4.13, mAb
31.1, mAb 4B4.12, and mAb 15B6.1 to COS 1 cells transfected with
monkey FcRn/.beta.2M. The results are expressed as TMFI.
[0144] FIG. 21 depicts a Western blot that was performed to
determine the specific binding of mAB3B3.11, 15B6.1, 4.13, and 31.1
to hFcRn alpha chain and the specific binding of mAb 3B5.4 and
5A4.9 to .beta.2M.
[0145] FIG. 22 depicts Biacore epitope analysis that was performed
to determine the epitopes these mABs recognize.
[0146] FIG. 23 depicts the effects of four consecutive daily
intravenous doses of M90-F11, M84-B11 and M55-G12 on Biotin-IgG
Catabolism in TG32B mice.
[0147] FIG. 24 depicts a dose response of M90-F11 on hIgG
catabolism in hFcRn Tg mice (four consecutive daily intravenous
doses).
[0148] FIG. 25 depicts a single dose response of M90-F11 on hIgG
catabolism in hFcRn Tg mice.
[0149] FIG. 26 depicts approaches used to affinity mature the
germlined M90-F11.
[0150] FIG. 27 depicts the effect of affinity matured IgG and
soluble FAB in accelerating the hIgG catabolism in Tg32B mice at a
20 mg/kg Intravenous Dose (Biotin IgG & Total IgG).
[0151] FIG. 28 depicts the effect of affinity matured IgG and
soluble FAB in accelerating the hIgG catabolism in Tg32B mice at a
5 mg/kg intravenous dose (Biotin IgG & Total IgG).
[0152] FIG. 29 depicts M90-F11 germline changes (highlighted in
bold) introduced into the light chain but not in the heavy
chain.
[0153] FIG. 30 depicts allotype variation of IgG
[0154] FIG. 31 depicts the effect of intravenously administered
anti-FcRn antibodies on the catabolism of hIgG in Tg32B Mice.
[0155] FIG. 32 depicts the effect of subcutaneously administered
M161-B04 (DX2504) anti-FcRn antibody on the catabolism of hIgG in
Tg32B Mice.
[0156] FIG. 33 depicts the effect of anti-FcRn antibodies on the
catabolism of hIgG in cynomolgus monkeys. FIG. 33A depicts the
times at which a blood sample was taken. FIG. 33B depicts the total
serum IgG level when no anti-FcRn antibody M161-B04 was
administered.
[0157] FIG. 34 depicts the effect of intravenously (FIG. 34A) and
subcutaneously (FIG. 34B) administered M161-B04 anti-FcRn antibody
at 5 mg/kg in monkeys. The data for individual monkeys are
shown.
[0158] FIG. 35 depicts the effect of intravenously (FIG. 35A) and
subcutaneously (FIG. 35B) administered M161-B04 anti-FcRn antibody
at 20 mg/kg in monkeys. The data for individual monkeys are
shown.
[0159] FIG. 36 depicts the effect of intravenously and
subcutaneously administered M161-B04 anti-FcRn antibody at various
concentrations in monkeys (data normalized on the pre-dose).
[0160] FIG. 37 depicts the effect of intravenously and
subcutaneously administered M161-B04 anti-FcRn antibody on the
concentration of serum IgA (FIG. 37A), serum IgM (FIG. 37B) and
serum albumin (FIG. 37C) in monkeys (data normalized on the
pre-dose).
[0161] FIG. 38 depicts DX-2094 sequences and alignments
thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0162] In normal circumstances, FcRn can extend the half-life of
circulating IgG. Antibodies that bind to FcRn can be used to
modulate FcRn function, for example, by preventing interaction with
IgG. In particular, antibodies that block FcRn interaction with IgG
can be used to reduce the half-life of IgG molecules.
[0163] These antibodies and related strategies can be used to treat
and even prevent antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders such as,
multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or another
autoimmune disorder described herein. An antagonistic anti-rat FcRn
monoclonal antibody (mAb)1G3 successfully prevented Experimental
Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis (EAMG) in a rat passive model at a
dose of 30 mg/kg; that is about 100 fold lower than the
intraveneous IgG (IVIG) used in treatment of MG, SLE, and ITP.
Further, FcRn-deficient mice genetically predisposed to develop
autoimmune disorder such as lupus or arthritis have significant
reduction in severity of the disease. Thus, anti-human FcRn
blocking antibodies have therapeutic potential for treatment of
autoimmune disorders in humans.
[0164] This disclosure further provides, inter alia, human
antagonistic anti-human FcRn antibodies that are available for the
treatment of autoimmune disorders and reduction of circulating
levels of IgGs. Also disclosed is the identification of high
affinity soluble Fabs (sFab) with the ability to bind through the
antigen binding domain and block the interaction between IgG-Fc and
human FcRn or rat FcRn (as assessed in both soluble protein and
live cell binding assays using a cell line engineered to
overexpress human FcRn or rat FcRn). The sFabs can bind and block
in a pH independent fashion or in a pH-dependent fashion, e.g., at
an acidic pH such as pH 6. The sFabs can be converted to IgG
antibodies.
Definitions
[0165] The term "binding protein" refers to a protein that can
interact with a target molecule. This term is used interchangeably
with "ligand." An "FcRn-binding protein" or "FcRn-binding ligand"
refers to a protein that can interact with an FcRn, and includes,
in particular, proteins that preferentially interact with an FcRn,
e.g., IgG.
[0166] As used herein, the term "antibody" refers to a protein that
includes at least one immunoglobulin variable domain or
immunoglobulin variable domain sequence. For example, an antibody
can include a heavy (H) chain variable region (abbreviated herein
as VH), and a light (L) chain variable region (abbreviated herein
as VL). In another example, an antibody includes two heavy (H)
chain variable regions and two light (L) chain variable regions.
The term "antibody" encompasses antigen-binding fragments of
antibodies (e.g., single chain antibodies, Fab and sFab fragments,
F(ab').sub.2, Fd fragments, Fv fragments, scFv, and dAb fragments)
as well as complete antibodies.
[0167] The VH and VL regions can be further subdivided into regions
of hypervariability, termed "complementarity determining regions"
("CDR"), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed
"framework regions" ("FR"). The extent of the framework region and
CDR's has been precisely defined (see, Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991)
Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No.
91-3242, and Chothia, C. et al. (1987) J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917,
see also http://www.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk). Kabat definitions are used
herein. Each VH and VL is typically composed of three CDR's and
four FR's, arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the
following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4.
[0168] The term "antigen-binding fragment" of a full length
antibody (or simply "antibody portion," or "fragment"), as used
herein, refers to one or more fragments of a full-length antibody
that retain the ability to specifically bind to a target of
interest. Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term
"antigen-binding fragment" of a full length antibody include (i) a
Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the VL, VH, CL
and CH1 domains; (ii) a F(ab').sub.2 fragment, a bivalent fragment
including two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the
hinge region; (iii) a Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CH1
domains; (iv) a Fv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of
a single arm of an antibody, (v) a dAb fragment (Ward et al.,
(1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a VH domain; and (vi)
an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR) that retains
functionality. Furthermore, although the two domains of the Fv
fragment, VL and VH, are coded for by separate genes, they can be
joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linker that
enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which the VL
and VH regions pair to form monovalent molecules known as single
chain Fv (scFv). See e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426;
and Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
85:5879-5883.
[0169] Antibody fragments can be obtained using any appropriate
technique including conventional techniques known to those with
skill in the art. The term "monospecific antibody" refers to an
antibody that displays a single binding specificity and affinity
for a particular target, e.g., epitope. This term includes a
"monoclonal antibody" or "monoclonal antibody composition," which
as used herein refer to a preparation of antibodies or fragments
thereof of single molecular composition. As used herein, "isotype"
refers to the antibody class (e.g., IgM or IgG1) that is encoded by
heavy chain constant region genes.
[0170] As used herein, "binding affinity" refers to the apparent
association constant or K.sub.a. The K.sub.a is the reciprocal of
the dissociation constant (K.sub.d). A binding protein may, for
example, have a binding affinity of at least 10.sup.-5, 10.sup.-6,
10.sup.-7,10.sup.-8, 10.sup.-9, 10.sup.-10 and 10.sup.-11 M for a
particular target molecule. Higher affinity binding of a binding
ligand to a first target relative to a second target can be
indicated by a higher K.sub.a (or a smaller numerical value
K.sub.d) for binding the first target than the K.sub.a (or
numerical value K.sub.d) for binding the second target. In such
cases, the binding protein has specificity for the first target
(e.g., a protein in a first conformation or mimic thereof) relative
to the second target (e.g., the same protein in a second
conformation or mimic thereof; or a second protein). Differences in
binding affinity (e.g., for specificity or other comparisons) can
be at least 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 70, 80, 100, 500,
1000, or 10.sup.5 fold.
[0171] Binding affinity can be determined by a variety of methods
including equilibrium dialysis, equilibrium binding, gel
filtration, ELISA, surface plasmon resonance, or spectroscopy
(e.g., using a fluorescence assay). Exemplary conditions for
evaluating binding affinity are in PBS (phosphate buffered saline)
at pH 7.2 at 30.degree. C. These techniques can be used to measure
the concentration of bound and free binding protein as a function
of binding protein (or target) concentration. The concentration of
bound binding protein ([Bound]) is related to the concentration of
free binding protein ([Free]) and the concentration of binding
sites for the binding protein on the target where (N) is the number
of binding sites per target molecule by the following equation:
[Bound]=N[Free]/((1/Ka)+[Free]).
[0172] It is not always necessary to make an exact determination of
K.sub.a, though, since sometimes it is sufficient to obtain a
quantitative measurement of affinity, e.g., determined using a
method such as ELISA or FACS analysis, is proportional to K.sub.a,
and thus can be used for comparisons, such as determining whether a
higher affinity is, e.g., 2-fold higher, to obtain a qualitative
measurement of affinity, or to obtain an inference of affinity,
e.g., by activity in a functional assay, e.g., an in vitro or in
vivo assay.
[0173] The term "cognate ligand" refers to a naturally occurring
ligand of an FcRn, including naturally occurring variants thereof
(e.g., splice variants, naturally occurring mutants, and
isoforms).
[0174] A "conservative amino acid substitution" is one in which the
amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a
similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar
side chains have been defined in the art. These families include
amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine,
histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic
acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine,
glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side
chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline,
phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains
(e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains
(e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). It is
possible for many framework and CDR amino acid residues to include
one or more conservative substitutions.
[0175] Consensus sequences for biopolymers can include positions
which can be varied among various amino acids. For example, the
symbol "X" in such a context generally refers to any amino acid
(e.g., any of the twenty natural amino acids or any of the nineteen
non-cysteine amino acids). Other allowed amino acids can also be
indicated for example, using parentheses and slashes. For example,
"(A/W/F/N/Q)" means that alanine, tryptophan, phenylalanine,
asparagine, and glutamine are allowed at that particular
position.
[0176] An "effectively human" immunoglobulin variable region is an
immunoglobulin variable region that includes a sufficient number of
human framework amino acid positions such that the immunoglobulin
variable region does not elicit an immunogenic response in a normal
human. An "effectively human" antibody is an antibody that includes
a sufficient number of human amino acid positions such that the
antibody does not elicit an immunogenic response in a normal
human.
[0177] An "epitope" refers to the site on a target compound that is
bound by a binding protein (e.g., an antibody such as a Fab or full
length antibody). In the case where the target compound is a
protein, the site can be entirely composed of amino acid
components, entirely composed of chemical modifications of amino
acids of the protein (e.g., glycosyl moieties), or composed of
combinations thereof. Overlapping epitopes include at least one
common amino acid residue.
[0178] Calculations of "homology" or "sequence identity" between
two sequences (the terms are used interchangeably herein) are
performed as follows. The sequences are aligned for optimal
comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one or both of
a first and a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for
optimal alignment and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded
for comparison purposes). The optimal alignment is determined as
the best score using the GAP program in the GCG software package
with a Blosum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap
extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5. The amino
acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions
or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the
first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or
nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence,
then the molecules are identical at that position (as used herein
amino acid or nucleic acid "identity" is equivalent to amino acid
or nucleic acid "homology"). The percent identity between the two
sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared
by the sequences.
[0179] In one embodiment, the length of a reference sequence
aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, at least 40%, at
least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 92%, 95%, 97%,
98%, or 100% of the length of the reference sequence. For example,
the reference sequence may be the length of the immunoglobulin
variable domain sequence.
[0180] A "humanized" immunoglobulin variable region is an
immunoglobulin variable region that is modified to include a
sufficient number of human framework amino acid positions such that
the immunoglobulin variable region does not elicit an immunogenic
response in a normal human. Descriptions of "humanized"
immunoglobulins include, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,407,213 and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,762.
[0181] As used herein, the term "hybridizes under low stringency,
medium stringency, high stringency, or very high stringency
conditions" describes conditions for hybridization and washing.
Guidance for performing hybridization reactions can be found in
Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, N.Y.
(1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6, which is incorporated by reference. Aqueous
and non-aqueous methods are described in that reference and either
can be used. Specific hybridization conditions referred to herein
are as follows: (1) low stringency hybridization conditions in
6.times. sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at about 45.degree.
C., followed by two washes in 0.2.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS at least at
50.degree. C. (the temperature of the washes can be increased to
55.degree. C. for low stringency conditions); (2) medium stringency
hybridization conditions in 6.times.SSC at about 45.degree. C.,
followed by one or more washes in 0.2.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS at
60.degree. C.; (3) high stringency hybridization conditions in
6.times.SSC at about 45.degree. C., followed by one or more washes
in 0.2.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65.degree. C.; and (4) very high
stringency hybridization conditions are 0.5M sodium phosphate, 7%
SDS at 65.degree. C., followed by one or more washes at
0.2.times.SSC, 1% SDS at 65.degree. C. Very high stringency
conditions (4) are the preferred conditions and the ones that
should be used unless otherwise specified. The disclosure includes
nucleic acids that hybridize with low, medium, high, or very high
stringency to a nucleic acid described herein or to a complement
thereof, e.g., nucleic acids encoding a binding protein described
herein. The nucleic acids can be the same length or within 30, 20,
or 10% of the length of the reference nucleic acid. The nucleic
acid can correspond to a region encoding an immunoglobulin variable
domain sequence.
[0182] An FcRn binding protein may have mutations (e.g., at least
one, two, or four, and/or less than 15, 10, 5, or 3) relative to a
binding protein described herein (e.g., a conservative or
non-essential amino acid substitutions), which do not have a
substantial effect on the protein functions. Whether or not a
particular substitution will be tolerated, i.e., will not adversely
affect biological properties, such as binding activity can be
predicted, e.g., using the method of Bowie, et al. (1990) Science
247:1306-1310.
[0183] An "immunoglobulin domain" refers to a domain from the
variable or constant domain of immunoglobulin molecules
Immunoglobulin domains typically contain two .beta.-sheets formed
of about seven 13-strands, and a conserved disulphide bond (see,
e.g., A. E Williams and A. N. Barclay 1988 Ann. Rev Immunol.
6:381-405).
[0184] As used herein, an "immunoglobulin variable domain sequence"
refers to an amino acid sequence which can form the structure of an
immunoglobulin variable domain such that one or more CDR regions
are positioned in a conformation suitable for an antigen binding
site. For example, the sequence may include all or part of the
amino acid sequence of a naturally-occurring variable domain. For
example, the sequence may omit one, two or more N- or C-terminal
amino acids, internal amino acids, may include one or more
insertions or additional terminal amino acids, or may include other
alterations. In one embodiment, a polypeptide that includes
immunoglobulin variable domain sequence can associate with another
immunoglobulin variable domain sequence to form a target binding
structure (or "antigen binding site"), e.g., a structure that
preferentially interacts with an FcRn structure.
[0185] The VH or VL chain of the antibody can further include all
or part of a heavy or light chain constant region, to thereby form
a heavy or light immunoglobulin chain, respectively. In one
embodiment, the antibody is a tetramer of two heavy immunoglobulin
chains and two light immunoglobulin chains, wherein the heavy and
light immunoglobulin chains are inter-connected by, e.g., disulfide
bonds. The heavy chain constant region includes three domains, CH1,
CH2 and CH3. The light chain constant region includes a CL domain.
The variable region of the heavy and light chains contains a
binding domain that interacts with an antigen. The constant regions
of the antibodies typically mediate the binding of the antibody to
host tissues or factors, including various cells of the immune
system (e.g., effector cells) and the first component (Clq) of the
classical complement system. The term "antibody" includes intact
immunoglobulins of types IgA, IgG, IgE, IgD, IgM (as well as
subtypes thereof). The light chains of the immunoglobulin may be of
types: kappa or lambda. In one embodiment, the antibody is
glycosylated. An antibody can be functional for antibody-dependent
cytotoxicity and/or complement-mediated cytotoxicity.
[0186] One or more regions of an antibody can be human or
effectively human. For example, one or more of the variable regions
can be human or effectively human. For example, one or more of the
CDRs can be human, e.g., HC CDR1, HC CDR2, HC CDR3, LC CDR1, LC
CDR2, and LC CDR3. Each of the light chain CDRs can be human. HC
CDR3 can be human. One or more of the framework regions can be
human, e.g., FR1, FR2, FR3, and FR4 of the HC or LC. In one
embodiment, all the framework regions are human, e.g., derived from
a human somatic cell, e.g., a hematopoietic cell that produces
immunoglobulins or a non-hematopoietic cell. In one embodiment, the
human sequences are germline sequences, e.g., encoded by a germline
nucleic acid. One or more of the constant regions can be human or
effectively human. In one embodiment, at least 70, 75, 80, 85, 90,
92, 95, or 98% of, or the entire of, the antibody can be human or
effectively human.
[0187] All or part of an antibody can be encoded by an
immunoglobulin gene or a segment thereof. Exemplary human
immunoglobulin genes include the kappa, lambda, alpha (IgA1 and
IgA2), gamma (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), delta, epsilon and mu
constant region genes, as well as the myriad immunoglobulin
variable region genes. Full-length immunoglobulin "light chains"
(about 25 KDa or 214 amino acids) are encoded by a variable region
gene at the NH2-terminus (about 110 amino acids) and a kappa or
lambda constant region gene at the COOH-terminus Full-length
immunoglobulin "heavy chains" (about 50 KDa or 446 amino acids),
are similarly encoded by a variable region gene (about 116 amino
acids) and one of the other aforementioned constant region genes,
e.g., gamma (encoding about 330 amino acids).
[0188] An "isolated composition" refers to a composition that is
removed from at least 90% of at least one component of a natural
sample from which the isolated composition can be obtained.
Compositions produced artificially or naturally can be
"compositions of at least" a certain degree of purity if the
species or population of species of interests is at least 5, 10,
25, 50, 75, 80, 90, 92, 95, 98, or 99% pure on a weight-weight
basis.
[0189] The term "mimic," in the context of a mimic of a
conformation of an FcRn or portion thereof, refers to a modified
FcRn which has a bias for at least one particular conformation
relative to a naturally occurring FcRn, or portion thereof.
[0190] A "non-essential" amino acid residue is a residue that can
be altered from the wild-type sequence of the binding agent, e.g.,
the antibody, without abolishing or without substantially altering
a biological activity, whereas an "essential" amino acid residue
results in such a change.
[0191] The phrases "parenteral administration" and "administered
parenterally" as used herein means modes of administration other
than enteral and topical administration, usually by injection, and
includes, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular,
intraarterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital,
intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal, transtracheal,
subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular,
subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural and intrasternal injection and
infusion.
[0192] The terms "polypeptide" or "peptide" (which may be used
interchangeably) refer to a polymer of three or more amino acids
linked by a peptide bond, e.g., between 3 and 30, 12 and 60, or 30
and 300, or over 300 amino acids in length. The polypeptide may
include one or more unnatural amino acids. Typically, the
polypeptide includes only natural amino acids. A "protein" can
include one or more polypeptide chains. Accordingly, the term
"protein" encompasses polypeptides. A protein or polypeptide can
also include one or more modifications, e.g., a glycosylation,
amidation, phosphorylation, nitrosylation, and so forth.
[0193] The term "small peptide" can be used to describe a
polypeptide that is between 3 and 30 amino acids in length, e.g.,
between 8 and 24 amino acids in length.
[0194] A "prophylactically effective amount" refers to an amount
effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve
the desired prophylactic result. Typically, because a prophylactic
dose is used in subjects prior to or at an earlier stage of
disease, the prophylactically effective amount will be less than
the therapeutically effective amount.
[0195] As used herein, the term "substantially identical" (or
"substantially homologous") is used herein to refer to a first
amino acid or nucleic acid sequence that contains a sufficient
number of identical or equivalent (e.g., with a similar side chain,
e.g., conserved amino acid substitutions) amino acid residues or
nucleotides to a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence such
that the first and second amino acid or nucleic acid sequences have
(or encode proteins having) similar activities, e.g., a binding
activity, a binding preference, or a biological activity. In the
case of antibodies, the second antibody has the same specificity
and has at least 50% of the affinity relative to the same
antigen.
[0196] Sequences similar or homologous (e.g., at least about 85%
sequence identity) to the sequences disclosed herein are also part
of this application. In some embodiments, the sequence identity can
be about 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or
higher. In addition, substantial identity exists when the nucleic
acid segments hybridize under selective hybridization conditions
(e.g., highly stringent hybridization conditions), to the
complement of the strand. The nucleic acids may be present in whole
cells, in a cell lysate, or in a partially purified or
substantially pure form.
[0197] Statistical significance can be determined by any art known
method. Exemplary statistical tests include: the Students T-test,
Mann Whitney U non-parametric test, and Wilcoxon non-parametric
statistical test. Some statistically significant relationships have
a P value of less than 0.05 or 0.02. Particular binding proteins
may show a difference, e.g., in specificity or binding, that are
statistically significant (e.g., P value<0.05 or 0.02). The
terms "induce", "inhibit", "potentiate", "elevate", "increase",
"decrease" or the like, e.g., which denote distinguishable
qualitative or quantitative differences between two states, and may
refer to a difference, e.g., a statistically significant
difference, between the two states.
[0198] A "therapeutically effective dosage" modulates a measurable
parameter, e.g., levels of circulating IgG antibodies by a
statistically significant degree or at least about 20%, by at least
about 40%, by at least about 60%, or by at least about 80% relative
to untreated subjects. The ability of a compound to modulate a
measurable parameter, e.g., autoimmunity, can be evaluated in an
animal model system predictive of efficacy in human autoimmune
disorders. Alternatively, this property of a composition can be
evaluated by examining the ability of the compound to modulate a
parameter in vitro, e.g., by assays known to the skilled
practitioner.
[0199] Other features and advantages of the instant invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description and
claims. Embodiments of the invention can include any combination of
features described herein. In no case does the term "embodiment"
exclude one or more other features disclosed herein.
FcRn Sequences
[0200] The following sequence alignment is of a human FcRn alpha
chain amino acid sequence with a rat FcRn alpha chain amino acid
sequence An exemplary FcRn protein can include one of these two
sequences, or a fragment thereof, e.g., a fragment without the
signal sequence:
TABLE-US-00001 Signal Sequence .alpha..sub.1 domain .alpha._HUMAN:
MGVPPPQPWALGLLLFLLPGSLG AESHLSLLYHLTAVSSPAPGTPAFWVSGWLGPQQYLS
.alpha._RAT: MGMSQPGV-LLSLLLVLLPQTWG
AEPRLPLMYHLAAVSDLSTGLPSFWATGWLGAQQYLT .alpha..sub.1 domain
.alpha..sub.2 domain .alpha._HUMAN:
YNSLRGEAEPCGAWVWENQVSWYWEKETTDLRIKEKLFLEAFKALGGK--GP YTLQGLLG
.alpha._RAT: YNNLRQEADPCGAWIWENQVSWYWEKETTDLKSKEQLFLEAIRTLENQINGT
FTLQGLLG .alpha..sub.2 domain .alpha._HUMAN:
CELGPDNTSVPTAKFALNGEEFMNFDLKQGTWGGDWPEALAISQRWQQQDKAANKELTFL
.quadrature._RAT:
CELAPDNSSLPTAVFALNGEEFMRFNPRTGNWSGEWPETDIVGNLWMKQPEAARKESEFL
.alpha..sub.2 domain .alpha..sub.3 domain .alpha._HUMAN:
LFSCPHRLREHLERGRGNLEWK EPPSMRLKARPSSPGFSVLTCSAFSFYPPELQLRFLRN
.alpha._RAT: LTSCPERLLGHLERGRQNLEWK
EPPSMRLKARPGNSGSSVLTCAAFSFYPPELKFRFLRN .alpha..sub.3 domain
.quadrature._HUMAN:
GLAAGTGQGDFGPNSDGSFHASSSLTVKSGDEHHYCCIVQHAGLAQPLRVELE
.quadrature._RAT:
GLASGSGNCSTGPNGDGSFHAWSLLEVKRGDEHHYQCQVEHEGLAQPLTVDLD Transmembrane
Cytoplasmic domain .alpha._HUMAN: SPAKSSVLVVGIVIGVLLLTAAAVGGALLW
RRMRSGLPAPWISLRGDDTGVLLPTPGEAQ .alpha._RAT:
SPARSSVPVVGIILGLLLVVVAIAGGVLLW NRMRSGLPAPWLSLSGDDSGDLLPGGNLPP (SEQ
ID NO: 1) .alpha._HUMAN: DADLKDVNVIPATA (SEQ ID NO: 2) .alpha._RAT:
EAEPQGVNAFPATS
[0201] The following sequence alignment is of a human .beta.2
microglobulin amino acid sequence with a rat .beta.2 microglobulin
amino acid sequence. An exemplary FcRn protein can include one of
these two sequences, or a fragment thereof, e.g., a fragment
without the signal sequence:
TABLE-US-00002 Signal Sequence .beta.2 microglobulin
.beta.2m_human: MSPSVALAVLALLSLSGLEA
IQRTPKIQVYSRHPAENGKSNFLNCYVSGFHPSDIEVDLL .beta.2m_rat:
MAPGVTVIFLVLVSLAVVLA IQKTPQIQVYSRHPPENGKPNFLNCYVSQFHPPQIEIELL
.beta.2 microglobulin (SEQ ID NO: 3) .beta.2m_human:
KNGERIEKVEHSDLSFSKDWSFYLLYYTEFTPTEKDEYACRVNHVTLSQPKIVKWDRDM (SEQ ID
NO: 4) .beta.2m_rat:
KNGKKIPNIEMSDLSFSKDWSFYILAHTEFTPTETDVYACRVKHVTLKEPKTVTWDRDM
[0202] An exemplary nucleic acid sequence encoding an FcRn protein
alpha chain can include the following sequences:
TABLE-US-00003 FcRN alpha nucleotide sequence Homo sapiens (SEQ ID
NO: 5)
GTTCTTCAGGTACGAGGAGGGCATTGTTGTCAGTCTGGACCGAGCCCGCAGAGCCCCTCCTCGGCGTCCT
GGTCCCGGCCGTGCCCGCGGTGTCCCGGGAGGAAGGGGCGGGCCGGGGGTCGGGAGGAGTCACGTGCCCC
CTCCCGCCCCAGGTCGTCCTCTCAGCATGGGGGTCCCGCGGCCTCAGCCCTGGGCGCTGGGGCTCCTGCT
CTTTCTCCTTCCTGGGAGCCTGGGCGCAGAAAGCCACCTCTCCCTCCTGTACCACCTTACCGCGGTGTCC
TCGCCTGCCCCGGGGACTCCTGCCTTCTGGGTGTCCGGCTGGCTGGGCCCGCAGCAGTACCTGAGCTACA
ATAGCCTGCGGGGCGAGGCGGAGCCCTGTGGAGCTTGGGTCTGGGAAAACCAGGTGTCCTGGTATTGGGA
GAAAGAGACCACAGATCTGAGGATCAAGGAGAAGCTCTTTCTGGAAGCTTTCAAAGCTTTGGGGGGAAAA
GGTCCCTACACTCTGCAGGGCCTGCTGGGCTGTGAACTGGGCCCTGACAACACCTCGGTGCCCACCGCCA
AGTTCGCCCTGAACGGCGAGGAGTTCATGAATTTCGACCTCAAGCAGGGCACCTGGGGTGGGGACTGGCC
CGAGGCCCTGGCTATCAGTCAGCGGTGGCAGCAGCAGGACAAGGCGGCCAACAAGGAGCTCACCTTCCTG
CTATTCTCCTGCCCGCACCGCCTGCGGGAGCACCTGGAGAGGGGCCGCGGAAACCTGGAGTGGAAGGAGC
CCCCCTCCATGCGCCTGAAGGCCCGACCCAGCAGCCCTGGCTTTTCCGTGCTTACCTGCAGCGCCTTCTC
CTTCTACCCTCCGGAGCTGCAACTTCGGTTCCTGCGGAATGGGCTGGCCGCTGGCACCGGCCAGGGTGAC
TTCGGCCCCAACAGTGACGGATCCTTCCACGCCTCGTCGTCACTAACAGTCAAAAGTGGCGATGAGCACC
ACTACTGCTGCATTGTGCAGCACGCGGGGCTGGCGCAGCCCCTCAGGGTGGAGCTGGAATCTCCAGCCAA
GTCCTCCGTGCTCGTGGTGGGAATCGTCATCGGTGTCTTGCTACTCACGGCAGCGGCTGTAGGAGGAGCT
CTGTTGTGGAGAAGGATGAGGAGTGGGCTGCCAGCCCCTTGGATCTCCCTTCGTGGAGACGACACCGGGG
TCCTCCTGCCCACCCCAGGGGAGGCCCAGGATGCTGATTTGAAGGATGTAAATGTGATTCCAGCCACCGC
CTGACCATCCGCCATTCCGACTGCTAAAAGCGAATGTAGTCAGGCCCCTTTCATGCTGTGAGACCTCCTG
GAACACTGGCATCTCTGAGCCTCCAGAAGGGGTTCTGGGCCTAGTTGTCCTCCCTCTGGAGCCCCGTCCT
GTGGTCTGCCTCAGTTTCCCCTCCTAATACATATGGCTGTTTTCCACCTCGATAATATAACACGAGTTTG
GGCCCGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
[0203] The nucleic acid sequence of an exemplary human FcRn
(extra-cellular domain) plus GPI DNA sequences (lowercase bold) is
set forth below.
TABLE-US-00004 (SEQ ID NO: 6)
ATGGGGGTCCCGCGGCCTCAGCCCTGGGCGCTGGGGCTCCTGCTCTTTCTCCTTCCTGGGAGCCTGGGCG
CAGAAAGCCACCTCTCCCTCCTGTACCACCTTACCGCGGTGTCCTCGCCTGCCCCGGGGACTCCTGCCTT
CTGGGTGTCCGGCTGGCTGGGCCCGCAGCAGTACCTGAGCTACAATAGCCTGCGGGGCGAGGCGGAGCCC
TGTGGAGCTTGGGTCTGGGAAAACCAGGTGTCCTGGTATTGGGAGAAAGAGACCACAGATCTGAGGATCAA
GGAGAAGCTCTTTCTGGAAGCTTTCAAAGCTTTGGGGGGAAAAGGTCCCTACACTCTGCAGGGCCTGCTGG
GCTGTGAACTGGGCCCTGACAACACCTCGGTGCCCACCGCCAAGTTCGCCCTGAACGGCGAGGAGTTCATG
AATTTCGACCTCAAGCAGGGCACCTGGGGTGGGGACTGGCCCGAGGCCCTGGCTATCAGTCAGCGGTGGCA
GCAGCAGGACAAGGCGGCCAACAAGGAGCTCACCTTCCTGCTATTCTCCTGCCCGCACCGCCTGCGGGAGC
ACCTGGAGAGGGGCCGCGGAAACCTGGAGTGGAAGGAGCCCCCCTCCATGCGCCTGAAGGCCCGACCCAGC
AGCCCTGGCTTTTCCGTGCTTACCTGCAGCGCCTTCTCCTTCTACCCTCCGGAGCTGCAACTTCGGTTCCT
GCGGAATGGGCTGGCCGCTGGCACCGGCCAGGGTGACTTCGGCCCCAACAGTGACGGATCCTTCCACGCCT
CGTCGTCACTAACAGTCAAAAGTGGCGATGAGCACCACTACTGCTGCATTGTGCAGCACGCGGGGCTGGCG
CAGCCCCTCAGGGTGGAGCTGGAATCTCCAGCCAAGTCCTCCcggccgctcgacgggctacgagcatcagt
aacactactaggcgcaggcctactactatcactactaccagcactactacgatttgggccataa
[0204] An exemplary nucleic acid sequence encoding a
Beta-2-microglobulin (.beta.2M) can include the following
sequences:
TABLE-US-00005 >Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) nucleotide Homo
sapiens (SEQ ID NO: 7)
AATATAAGTGGAGGCGTCGCGCTGGCGGGCATTCCTGAAGCTGACAGCATTCGGGCCGAGATGTCTCGCT
CCGTGGCCTTAGCTGTGCTCGCGCTACTCTCTCTTTCTGGCCTGGAGGCTATCCAGCGTACTCCAAAGAT
TCAGGTTTACTCACGTCATCCAGCAGAGAATGGAAAGTCAAATTTCCTGAATTGCTATGTGTCTGGGTTT
CATCCATCCGACATTGAAGTTGACTTACTGAAGAATGGAGAGAGAATTGAAAAAGTGGAGCATTCAGACT
TGTCTTTCAGCAAGGACTGGTCTTTCTATCTCTTGTACTACACTGAATTCACCCCCACTGAAAAAGATGA
GTATGCCTGCCGTGTGAACCATGTGACTTTGTCACAGCCCAAGATAGTTAAGTGGGATCGAGACATGTAA
GCAGCATCATGGAGGTTTGAAGATGCCGCATTTGGATTGGATGAATTCCAAATTCTGCTTGCTTGCTTTT
TAATATTGATATGCTTATACACTTACACTTTATGCACAAAATGTAGGGTTATAATAATGTTAACATGGAC
ATGATCTTCTTTATAATTCTACTTTGAGTGCTGTCTCCATGTTTGATGTATCTGAGCAGGTTGCTCCACA
GGTAGCTCTAGGAGGGCTGGCAACTTAGAGGTGGGGAGCAGAGAATTCTCTTATCCAACATCAACATCTT
GGTCAGATTTGAACTCTTCAATCTCTTGCACTCAAAGCTTGTTAAGATAGTTAAGCGTGCATAAGTTAAC
TTCCAATTTACATACTCTGCTTAGAATTTGGGGGAAAATTTAGAAATATAATTGACAGGATTATTGGAAA
TTTGTTATAATGAATGAAACATTTTGTCATATAAGATTCATATTTACTTCTTATACATTTGATAAAGTAA
GGCATGGTTGTGGTTAATCTGGTTTATTTTTGTTCCACAAGTTAAATAAATCATAAAACTTGATGTGTTA
TCTCTTA
Mouse Anti-Human FcRn Antibodies
Antibody Structure and Sequences
[0205] The invention relates to an antibody that specifically binds
at least one FcRn epitope, wherein binding of the antibody to the
FcRn epitope inhibits the Fc portion of IgG from binding to the
FcRn. The invention thus relates to a FcRn blocking antibody. The
blocking antibody can be an IgG, an IgM, an IgA, an IgD or an IgE.
In one embodiment the blocking antibody is an IgG. In one
embodiment the antibody of the invention will have a binding
affinity of 10.sup.10M.sup.-1. In another embodiment the antibody
of the invention will have a binding affinity of
10.sup.11M.sup.-1.
[0206] In one embodiment the invention relates to a monoclonal
antibody produced by a 3B3.11 hybridoma, a 31.1 hybridoma, a 4B4.12
hybridoma, or a 17D3 hybridoma.
[0207] In one embodiment the invention relates to an antibody which
binds to an FcRn linear epitope. In another embodiment the
invention relates to an antibody which binds to an FcRn
conformational epitope. In one embodiment the antibody of the
invention binds to an amino acid sequence comprising EPPSMRLKAR
(SEQ ID NO: 105) or a fragment thereof. In another embodiment the
antibody of the invention binds to an amino acid sequence
comprising CSAFYPPELQLRFFLRNGL (SEQ ID NO:106) or a fragment
thereof.
[0208] In certain embodiments, antibodies of this invention
specifically react with an epitope that is the same as the epitope
recognized by 3B3.11 and 31.1. Such antibodies can be determined in
competitive binding assays.
[0209] Amino acid (AA) sequences of illustrative embodiments of the
anti-FcRn antibodies of this invention, including their V.sub.H and
V.sub.L domains, and CDRs, are enumerated in Table 1. Two specific
embodiments of the antibodies are identified as 3B3.11 and
31.1.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 1 CDR's For Mouse Antibodies Of The Invention.
HV- Antibody LV-CDR1 LV-CDR2 LV-CDR3 CDR1 HV-CDR2 HV-CDR3 3B3.11
SASSSISSNYLH RTSNLAS QQGSNIPLT RSWMN RIHPGDGDTNYN EGSPYFDY (SEQ ID
(SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID GKFKG (SEQ ID NO: 8) NO: 9) NO: 10) NO: 11)
(SEQ ID NO: 13) NO: 12) 31.1 KASQDINNYIA YTSTLQP LQYDNLLRT DYAMH
VITNYYGDASYN GGYDGYY (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID QKFKG VDFDY
NO: 14) NO: 15) NO: 16) NO: 17) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 18) NO: 19)
[0210] The amino acid sequence for the 3B3.11 light chain is set
forth below. The CDR regions are underlined and the constant region
is in italics.
TABLE-US-00007 (SEQ ID NO: 20) CDR 1 CDR 2 1 DIQLTQSPTT VAASPGEKIT
ITCSASSSIS SNYLHWYQQK PGFSPKLLIY RTSNLASGVP CDR 3 CL 1 61
ARFSGSGSGT SYSLTIGTME AEDVATYYCQ QGSNIPLTFG AGTKLELKRA DAAPTVSIFP
CL 1 121 PSSEQLTSGG ASVVCFLNNF YPKDINVKWK IDGSERQNGV LNSWTDQDSK
DSTYSMSSTL CL 1 181 TLTKDEYERH NSYTCEATHK TSTSPIVKSF NKNE
[0211] The amino acid sequence for the 3B3.11 heavy chain is set
forth below. The CDR regions are underlined and the constant region
is in italics.
TABLE-US-00008 (SEQ ID NO: 21) CDR 1 CDR 2 1 VKLQESGPEL VKPGASVKIS
CKASGYAFSR SWMNWVKQRP GQGLEWIGRI HPGDGDTNYN CDR 2 CDR 3 CH 1 61
GKFKGKATLT VAKSSSTAYM QLSSLTSVDS AVYFCANEGS PYFDYWGQGT TLTVSSAKTT
CH 1 121 PPSVYPLAPG SAAQTNSMVT LGCLVKGYFP EPVTVTWNSG SLSSGVHTFP
AVLQSDLYTL CH 1 181 SSSVTVPSST WPSETVTCNV AHPASSTKVD KKLE
[0212] The amino acid sequence for the 31.1 light chain is set
forth below. The CDR regions are underlined and the constant region
is in italics.
TABLE-US-00009 (SEQ ID NO: 22) CDR 1 CDR 2 1 DIQLTQSPSS LSASLGDKVT
ITCKASQDIN NYIAWYQHKP GKRSRLLIHY TSTLQPGIPS CDR 3 CL 1 61
RFSGSGSGRD YSFSISNLEP EDIATYYCLQ YDNLLRTFGG GTKLEIKRAD AAPTVSIFPP
CL 1 121 SSEQLTSGGA SVVCFLNNFY PKDINVKWKI DGSERQNGVL NSWTDQDSKD
STYSMSSTLT CL 1 181 LTKDEYERHN SYTCEATHKT STSPIVKSFN KNE
[0213] The amino acid sequence for the 31.1 heavy chain is set
forth below. The CDR regions are underlined and the constant region
is in italics.
TABLE-US-00010 (SEQ ID NO: 23) CDR 1 CDR 2 1 VXLQQSGAEL VRPGVSVKIS
CKGSGYTFTD YAMHWVKQSH AKSLEWIGVI TNYYGDASYN CDR 2 CDR 3 61
QKFKGKATMT VDKSSSTAYM ELARLTSEDS AIYYCARGGY DGYYVDFDYW GQGTTLTVSS
CL 1 121 AKTTPPSVYP LAPGSAAQTN SMVTLGCLVK GYFPEPVTVT WNSGSLSSGV
HTFPAVLQSD CL 1 181 LYTLSSSVTV PSSTWPSETV TCNVAHPASS TKVDKKLE
[0214] Certain embodiments comprise a VH domain, a VL domain, or a
combination thereof, of the Fv fragment from 3B3.11 and 31.1.
Further embodiments comprise one, two, three, four, five or six
complementarity determining regions (CDRs) from the VH and VL
domains. Antibodies whose CDR sequences are included within SEQ ID
NO: 20, 21, 22, or 23 are encompassed within the scope of this
invention.
[0215] The disclosure provides a method for obtaining anti-FcRn
antibodies that comprise creating antibodies with altered VH and/or
VL sequence(s) obtained from SEQ ID NOS: 20, 21, 22, or 23. Such
antibodies may be derived by a skilled artisan using techniques
known in the art. For example, amino acid substitutions, deletions,
or additions can be introduced in FR and/or CDR regions. FR changes
are usually designed to improve the stability and immunogenicity of
the antibody, while CDR changes are typically designed to increase
antibody affinity for its antigen. The changes that increase
affinity may be tested by altering CDR sequence and measuring
antibody affinity for its target (Antibody Engineering, 2nd ed.,
Oxford University Press, ed. Borrebaeck (1995).
[0216] Antibodies whose CDR sequences differ insubstantially from
those included in or included within the sequences in SEQ ID NOS:
20, 21, 22, or 23 are encompassed within the scope of this
invention. Typically, this involves substitution of an amino acid
with an amino acid having similar charge, hydrophobic, or
stereochemical characteristics. More drastic substitutions in FR
regions, in contrast to CDR regions, may also be made as long as
they do not adversely affect (e.g., reduce affinity by more than
50% as compared to unsubstituted antibody) the binding properties
of the antibody. Substitutions may also be made to germline the
antibody or stabilize the antigen binding site.
Methods of Making Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies
[0217] Methods of making monoclonal antibodies have been described
(Harlow et al., Antibodies A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1988)). In some instances, as
a first step, a rodent, e.g., a mouse is immunized with an
antigenic polypeptide to generate an antibody response. Because
FcRn is expressed ubiquitously and exhibits high degree of homology
between species, polypeptide immunization has not been successful
in producing high affinity FcRn specific monoclonal antibodies or
FcRn monoclonal blocking antibodies. To solve this problem DNA
vaccination can be performed (Castagliola et al., J. Immunology
160:1458 (1998)). DNA vaccination involves immunizing a rodent,
e.g., a mouse with a cDNA construct encoding FcRn or a fragment
thereof. Immunization can be administered intramuscularly,
intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intradermally or
directly into the lymph node. In one embodiment the immunizations
administered intramuscularly. DNA vaccination can be administered
with an adjuvant, e.g. Freunds complete adjuvant or Freund's
incomplete adjuvant. The DNA vaccination can be accompanied by
administration of a cardiotoxin to increase the antibody titer.
Administration of a cardiotoxin causes cell death and cell
regeneration which enhances cellular uptake of the administered DNA
vaccine. The cardiotoxin can also increase inflammation which
results in a more robust immune response.
[0218] Antibody secreting cells (B cells) are isolated from the
rodent. Typically the B cell can be isolated from the rodents
spleen and fused with a myeloma cell line. The myeloma cell lines
are immortalized cell lines that do not produce antibodies. The
myeloma cell line can be chosen from, but is not limited to
P3-X63Ag8, X63Ag8.653, Sp2/0-Ag14, FO, NSI/1-Ag4-1, NSO/1, FOX-NY,
Y3-Ag1.2.3, YB2/0 and IR983F.
[0219] Splenocytes are fused with the myeloma cell line to form a
hybridoma. Fusion can be mediated by mixing the two cell types with
polyethylene glycol for an appropriate period of time (e.g. five
minutes). The formed hybridomas are grown in cell culture using an
appropriate selection media (e.g. HAT) and screened for their
ability to produce a monoclonal antibody against FcRn. Screening
can be performed using known immunological techniques, e.g. an
ELISA.
[0220] Another approach to making FcRn specific monoclonal
antibodies is to immunize a transgenic FcRn knockout mouse with
soluble human FcRn, see, PCT Application WO 02/43658. WO 02/43658
describes a transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a homozygous
disruption in its endogenous FcRn gene, wherein said homozygous
disruption prevents expression of a functional FcRn protein. The
monoclonal antibody of the invention is not made in a transgenic
mouse whose genome comprises a homozygous disruption in its
endogenous FcRn gene, wherein said homozygous disruption prevents
expression of a functional FcRn protein. The monoclonal antibody of
the invention is not comprised of a B cell from a transgenic mouse
whose genome comprises a homozygous disruption in its endogenous
FcRn gene, wherein said homozygous disruption prevents expression
of a functional FcRn protein.
Humanized Anti-FcRn Antibodies Display Libraries
[0221] A display library can be used to identify antibodies that
bind to the FcRn. A display library is a collection of entities;
each entity includes an accessible polypeptide component and a
recoverable component that encodes or identifies the polypeptide
component. The polypeptide component is varied so that different
amino acid sequences are represented. The polypeptide component can
be of any length, e.g. from three amino acids to over 300 amino
acids. In a selection, the polypeptide component of each member of
the library is probed with the FcRn and if the polypeptide
component binds to the FcRn, the display library member is
identified, typically by retention on a support. In addition, a
display library entity can include more than one polypeptide
component, for example, the two polypeptide chains of an sFab.
[0222] Retained display library members are recovered from the
support and analyzed. The analysis can include amplification and a
subsequent selection under similar or dissimilar conditions. For
example, positive and negative selections can be alternated. The
analysis can also include determining the amino acid sequence of
the polypeptide component and purification of the polypeptide
component for detailed characterization.
[0223] A variety of formats can be used for display libraries.
Examples include the following.
[0224] Phage Display. One format utilizes viruses, particularly
bacteriophages. This format is termed "phage display." The protein
component is typically covalently linked to a bacteriophage coat
protein. The linkage results from translation of a nucleic acid
encoding the protein component fused to the coat protein. The
linkage can include a flexible peptide linker, a protease site, or
an amino acid incorporated as a result of suppression of a stop
codon. Phage display is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
5,223,409; Smith (1985) Science 228:1315-1317; WO 92/18619; WO
91/17271; WO 92/20791; WO 92/15679; WO 93/01288; WO 92/01047; WO
92/09690; WO 90/02809; de Haard et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem
274:18218-30; Hoogenboom et al. (1998) Immunotechnology 4:1-20;
Hoogenboom et al. (2000) Immunol Today 2:371-8; Fuchs et al. (1991)
Bio/Technology 9:1370-1372; Hay et al. (1992) Hum Antibod
Hybridomas 3:81-85; Huse et al. (1989) Science 246:1275-1281;
Griffiths et al. (1993) EMBO J 12:725-734; Hawkins et al. (1992) J
Mol Biol 226:889-896; Clackson et al. (1991) Nature 352:624-628;
Gram et al. (1992) PNAS 89:3576-3580; Garrard et al. (1991)
Bio/Technology 9:1373-1377; and Hoogenboom et al. (1991) Nuc Acid
Res 19:4133-4137.
[0225] Phage display systems have been developed for filamentous
phage (phage fl, fd, and M13) as well as other bacteriophage. The
filamentous phage display systems typically use fusions to a minor
coat protein, such as gene III protein, and gene VIII protein, a
major coat protein, but fusions to other coat proteins such as gene
VI protein, gene VII protein, gene IX protein, or domains thereof
can also been used (see, e.g., WO 00/71694). In one embodiment, the
fusion is to a domain of the gene III protein, e.g., the anchor
domain or "stump," (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,727 for a
description of the gene III protein anchor domain). It is also
possible to physically associate the protein being displayed to the
coat using a non-peptide linkage.
[0226] Bacteriophage displaying the protein component can be grown
and harvested using standard phage preparatory methods, e.g., PEG
precipitation from growth media. After selection of individual
display phages, the nucleic acid encoding the selected protein
components can be isolated from cells infected with the selected
phages or from the phage themselves, after amplification.
Individual colonies or plaques can be picked, the nucleic acid
isolated and sequenced.
[0227] Other Display Formats. Other display formats include cell
based display (see, e.g., WO 03/029456), protein-nucleic acid
fusions (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,446), and ribosome display
(See, e.g., Mattheakis et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
91:9022 and Hanes et al. (2000) Nat Biotechnol. 18:1287-92; Hanes
et al. (2000) Methods Enzymol. 328:404-30; and Schaffitzel et al.
(1999) J Immunol Methods. 231(1-2):119-35).
[0228] Scaffolds. Scaffolds for display can include: antibodies
(e.g., Fab fragments, single chain Fv molecules (scFV), single
domain antibodies, camelid antibodies, and camelized antibodies);
T-cell receptors; MHC proteins; extracellular domains (e.g.,
fibronectin Type III repeats, EGF repeats); protease inhibitors
(e.g., Kunitz domains, ecotin, BPTI, and so forth); TPR repeats;
trifoil structures; zinc finger domains; DNA-binding proteins;
particularly monomeric DNA binding proteins; RNA binding proteins;
enzymes, e.g., proteases (particularly inactivated proteases),
RNase; chaperones, e.g., thioredoxin and heat shock proteins;
intracellular signaling domains (such as SH2 and SH3 domains);
linear and constrained peptides; and linear peptide substrates.
Display libraries can include synthetic and/or natural diversity.
See, e.g., US 2004-0005709.
[0229] Display technology can also be used to obtain antibodies
that bind particular epitopes of a target. This can be done, for
example, by using competing non-target molecules that lack the
particular epitope or are mutated within the epitope, e.g., with
alanine. Such non-target molecules can be used in a negative
selection procedure as described below, as competing molecules when
binding a display library to the target, or as a pre-elution agent,
e.g., to capture in a wash solution dissociating display library
members that are not specific to the target.
[0230] Iterative Selection. In one embodiment, display library
technology is used in an iterative mode. A first display library is
used to identify one or more antibodies that bind a target. These
identified antibodies are then varied using a mutagenesis method to
form a second display library. Higher affinity antibodies are then
selected from the second library, e.g., by using higher stringency
or more competitive binding and washing conditions.
[0231] In some implementations, the mutagenesis is targeted to
regions known or likely to be at the binding interface. In the case
of antibodies, the mutagenesis can be directed to the CDR regions
of the heavy or light chains as described herein. Further,
mutagenesis can be directed to framework regions near or adjacent
to the CDRs. In the case of antibodies, mutagenesis can also be
limited to one or a few of the CDRs, e.g., to make precise
step-wise improvements. Exemplary mutagenesis techniques include:
error-prone PCR, recombination, DNA shuffling, site-directed
mutagenesis and cassette mutagenesis.
[0232] In one example of iterative selection, the methods described
herein are used to first identify an antibody from a display
library that binds an FcRn with at least a minimal binding
specificity for a target or a minimal activity, e.g., an
equilibrium dissociation constant for binding of less than 1 nM, 10
nM, or 100 nM. The nucleic acid sequence encoding the initial
identified antibodies are used as a template nucleic acid for the
introduction of variations, e.g., to identify a second antibody
that has enhanced properties (e.g., binding affinity, kinetics, or
stability) relative to the initial antibody.
[0233] Off-Rate Selection. Since a slow dissociation rate can be
predictive of high affinity, particularly with respect to
interactions between antibodies and their targets, the methods
described herein can be used to isolate antibodies with a desired
kinetic dissociation rate (e.g., reduced) for a binding interaction
to a target.
[0234] To select for slow dissociating antibodies from a display
library, the library is contacted to an immobilized target. The
immobilized target is then washed with a first solution that
removes non-specifically or weakly bound biomolecules. Then the
bound antibodies are eluted with a second solution that includes a
saturating amount of free target or a target specific high-affinity
competing monoclonal antibody, i.e., replicates of the target that
are not attached to the particle. The free target binds to
biomolecules that dissociate from the target. Rebinding is
effectively prevented by the saturating amount of free target
relative to the much lower concentration of immobilized target.
[0235] The second solution can have solution conditions that are
substantially physiological or that are stringent. Typically, the
solution conditions of the second solution are identical to the
solution conditions of the first solution. Fractions of the second
solution are collected in temporal order to distinguish early from
late fractions. Later fractions include biomolecules that
dissociate at a slower rate from the target than biomolecules in
the early fractions.
[0236] Further, it is also possible to recover display library
members that remain bound to the target even after extended
incubation. These can either be dissociated using chaotropic
conditions or can be amplified while attached to the target. For
example, phage bound to the target can be contacted to bacterial
cells.
[0237] Selecting or Screening for Specificity. The display library
screening methods described herein can include a selection or
screening process that discards display library members that bind
to a non-target molecule. Examples of non-target molecules include
streptavidin on magnetic beads, blocking agents such as bovine
serum albumin, non-fat bovine milk, any capturing or target
immobilizing monoclonal antibody, or non-transfected cells which do
not express the human FcRn target.
[0238] In one implementation, a so-called "negative selection" step
is used to discriminate between the target and related non-target
molecule and a related, but distinct non-target molecules. The
display library or a pool thereof is contacted to the non-target
molecule. Members of the sample that do not bind the non-target are
collected and used in subsequent selections for binding to the
target molecule or even for subsequent negative selections. The
negative selection step can be prior to or after selecting library
members that bind to the target molecule.
[0239] In another implementation, a screening step is used. After
display library members are isolated for binding to the target
molecule, each isolated library member is tested for its ability to
bind to a non-target molecule (e.g., a non-target listed above).
For example, a high-throughput ELISA screen can be used to obtain
this data. The ELISA screen can also be used to obtain quantitative
data for binding of each library member to the target as well as
for cross species reactivity to related targets or subunits of the
target (e.g., rat FcRn; .beta.2 microglobulin) and also under
different condition such as pH6 or pH 7.5. The non-target and
target binding data are compared (e.g., using a computer and
software) to identify library members that specifically bind to the
target.
Other Expression Libraries
[0240] Other types of collections of proteins (e.g., expression
libraries) can be used to identify proteins with a particular
property (e.g., ability to bind FcRn and/or ability to modulate
FcRn), including, e.g., protein arrays of antibodies (see, e.g., De
Wildt et al. (2000) Nat. Biotechnol. 18:989-994), lambda gt11
libraries, two-hybrid libraries and so forth.
Antibody Libraries
[0241] In one embodiment, the library presents a diverse pool of
polypeptides, each of which includes an immunoglobulin domain,
e.g., an immunoglobulin variable domain. Display libraries are
particularly useful, for example, for identifying human or
"humanized" antibodies that recognize human antigens. Such
antibodies can be used as therapeutics to treat human disorders
such as autoimmune disorders. Because the constant and framework
regions of the antibody are human, these therapeutic antibodies may
avoid themselves being recognized and targeted as antigens. The
constant regions may also be optimized to recruit effector
functions of the human immune system. The in vitro display
selection process surmounts the inability of a normal human immune
system to generate antibodies against self-antigens.
[0242] A typical antibody display library displays a polypeptide
that includes a VH domain and a VL domain. An "immunoglobulin
domain" refers to a domain from the variable or constant domain of
immunoglobulin molecules Immunoglobulin domains typically contain
two .beta.-sheets formed of about seven .beta.-strands, and a
conserved disulphide bond (see, e.g., A. F. Williams and A. N.
Barclay, 1988, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 6:381-405). The display library
can display the antibody as a Fab fragment (e.g., using two
polypeptide chains) or a single chain Fv (e.g., using a single
polypeptide chain). Other formats can also be used.
[0243] As in the case of the Fab and other formats, the displayed
antibody can include one or more constant regions as part of a
light and/or heavy chain. In one embodiment, each chain includes
one constant region, e.g., as in the case of a Fab. In other
embodiments, additional constant regions are displayed.
[0244] Antibody libraries can be constructed by a number of
processes (see, e.g., de Haard et al., 1999, J. Biol. Chem.
274:18218-30; Hoogenboom et al., 1998, Immunotechnology 4:1-20; and
Hoogenboom et al., 2000, Immunol. Today 21:371-378. Further,
elements of each process can be combined with those of other
processes. The processes can be used such that variation is
introduced into a single immunoglobulin domain (e.g., VH or VL) or
into multiple immunoglobulin domains (e.g., VH and VL). The
variation can be introduced into an immunoglobulin variable domain,
e.g., in the region of one or more of CDR1, CDR2, CDR3, FR1, FR2,
FR3, and FR4, referring to such regions of either and both of heavy
and light chain variable domains In one embodiment, variation is
introduced into all three CDRs of a given variable domain. In
another embodiment, the variation is introduced into CDR1 and CDR2,
e.g., of a heavy chain variable domain. Any combination is
feasible. In one process, antibody libraries are constructed by
inserting diverse oligonucleotides that encode CDRs into the
corresponding regions of the nucleic acid. The oligonucleotides can
be synthesized using monomeric nucleotides or trinucleotides. For
example, Knappik et al., 2000, J. Mol. Biol. 296:57-86 describe a
method for constructing CDR encoding oligonucleotides using
trinucleotide synthesis and a template with engineered restriction
sites for accepting the oligonucleotides.
[0245] In another process, an animal, e.g., a rodent, is immunized
with the FcRn. The animal is optionally boosted with the antigen to
further stimulate the response. Then spleen cells are isolated from
the animal, and nucleic acid encoding VH and/or VL domains is
amplified and cloned for expression in the display library.
[0246] In yet another process, antibody libraries are constructed
from nucleic acid amplified from naive germline immunoglobulin
genes. The amplified nucleic acid includes nucleic acid encoding
the VH and/or VL domain. Sources of immunoglobulin-encoding nucleic
acids are described below. Amplification can include PCR, e.g.,
with primers that anneal to the conserved constant region, or
another amplification method.
[0247] Nucleic acid encoding immunoglobulin domains can be obtained
from the immune cells of, e.g., a human, a primate, mouse, rabbit,
camel, llama or rodent. In one example, the cells are selected for
a particular property. B cells at various stages of maturity can be
selected. In another example, the B cells are naive.
[0248] In one embodiment, fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS)
is used to sort B cells that express surface-bound IgM, IgD, or IgG
molecules. Further, B cells expressing different isotypes of IgG
can be isolated. In another embodiment, the B or T cell is cultured
in vitro. The cells can be stimulated in vitro, e.g., by culturing
with feeder cells or by adding mitogens or other modulatory
reagents, such as antibodies to CD40, CD40 ligand or CD20, phorbol
myristate acetate, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A,
phytohemagglutinin, or pokeweed mitogen.
[0249] In still one embodiment, the cells are isolated from a
subject that has an autoimmune disorder, e.g., systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, Sjogren
syndrome, systemic sclerosis, or anti-phospholipid syndrome. The
subject can be a human, or an animal, e.g., an animal model for the
human disease, or an animal having an analogous disorder. In yet
one embodiment, the cells are isolated from a transgenic non-human
animal that includes a human immunoglobulin locus.
[0250] In one embodiment, the cells have activated a program of
somatic hypermutation. Cells can be stimulated to undergo somatic
mutagenesis of immunoglobulin genes, for example, by treatment with
anti-immunoglobulin, anti-CD40, and anti-CD38 antibodies (see,
e.g., Bergthorsdottir et al., 2001, J. Immunol. 166:2228). In one
embodiment, the cells are naive.
[0251] The nucleic acid encoding an immunoglobulin variable domain
can be isolated from a natural repertoire by the following
exemplary method. First, RNA is isolated from the immune cell. Full
length (i.e., capped) mRNAs are separated (e.g., by degrading
uncapped RNAs with calf intestinal phosphatase). The cap is then
removed with tobacco acid pyrophosphatase and reverse transcription
is used to produce the cDNAs.
[0252] The reverse transcription of the first (antisense) strand
can be done in any manner with any suitable primer. See, e.g., de
Haard et al., 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274:18218-30. The primer binding
region can be constant among different immunoglobulins, e.g., in
order to reverse transcribe different isotypes of immunoglobulin.
The primer binding region can also be specific to a particular
isotype of immunoglobulin. Typically, the primer is specific for a
region that is 3' to a sequence encoding at least one CDR. In one
embodiment, poly-dT primers may be used (and may be preferred for
the heavy-chain genes).
[0253] A synthetic sequence can be ligated to the 3' end of the
reverse transcribed strand. The synthetic sequence can be used as a
primer binding site for binding of the forward primer during PCR
amplification after reverse transcription. The use of the synthetic
sequence can obviate the need to use a pool of different forward
primers to fully capture the available diversity.
[0254] The variable domain-encoding gene is then amplified, e.g.,
using one or more rounds. If multiple rounds are used, nested
primers can be used for increased fidelity. The amplified nucleic
acid is then cloned into a display library vector.
Secondary Screening Methods
[0255] After selecting candidate library members that bind to a
target, each candidate library member can be further analyzed,
e.g., to further characterize its binding properties for the
target. Each candidate library member can be subjected to one or
more secondary screening assays. The assay can be for a binding
property, a catalytic property, an inhibitory property, a
physiological property (e.g., cytotoxicity, renal clearance,
immunogenicity), a structural property (e.g., stability,
conformation, oligomerization state) or another functional
property. The same assay can be used repeatedly, but with varying
conditions, e.g., to determine pH, ionic, or thermal
sensitivities.
[0256] As appropriate, the assays can use a display library member
directly, a recombinant polypeptide produced from the nucleic acid
encoding the selected polypeptide, or a synthetic peptide
synthesized based on the sequence of the selected polypeptide.
Exemplary assays for binding properties include the following.
[0257] ELISA. Antibodies selected from an expression library can
also be screened for a binding property using an ELISA. For
example, each antibody is contacted to a microtitre plate whose
bottom surface has been coated with the target, e.g., a limiting
amount of the target. The plate is washed with buffer to remove
non-specifically bound polypeptides. Then the amount of the
antibody bound to the plate is determined by probing the plate with
an antibody that can recognize the test antibody, e.g., a tag or
constant portion of the antibody. The detection antibody is linked
to an enzyme such as alkaline phosphatase or horse radish
peroxidase (HRP) which produces a colorimetric product when
appropriate substrates are provided.
[0258] In the case of an antibody from a display library, the
antibody can be purified from cells or assayed in a display library
format, e.g., as a fusion to a filamentous bacteriophage coat. In
another version of the ELISA, each antibody selected from an
expression library is used to coat a different well of a microtitre
plate. The ELISA then proceeds using a constant target molecule to
query each well.
[0259] Homogeneous Binding Assays. The binding interaction of
candidate antibody with a target can be analyzed using a homogenous
assay, i.e., after all components of the assay are added,
additional fluid manipulations are not required. For example,
fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) can be used as a
homogenous assay (see, for example, Lakowicz et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,631,169; Stavrianopoulos, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,103). A
fluorophore label on the first molecule (e.g., the molecule
identified in the fraction) is selected such that its emitted
fluorescent energy can be absorbed by a fluorescent label on a
second molecule (e.g., the target) if the second molecule is in
proximity to the first molecule. The fluorescent label on the
second molecule fluoresces when it absorbs to the transferred
energy. Since the efficiency of energy transfer between the labels
is related to the distance separating the molecules, the spatial
relationship between the molecules can be assessed. In a situation
in which binding occurs between the molecules, the fluorescent
emission of the `acceptor` molecule label in the assay should be
maximal. A binding event that is configured for monitoring by FRET
can be conveniently measured through standard fluorometric
detection means well known in the art (e.g., using a fluorimeter).
By titrating the amount of the first or second binding molecule, a
binding curve can be generated to estimate the equilibrium binding
constant.
[0260] Another example of a homogenous assay is ALPHASCREEN.TM.
(Packard Bioscience, Meriden Conn.). ALPHASCREEN.TM. uses two
labeled beads. One bead generates singlet oxygen when excited by a
laser. The other bead generates a light signal when singlet oxygen
diffuses from the first bead and collides with it. The signal is
only generated when the two beads are in proximity One bead can be
attached to the display library member, the other to the target.
Signals are measured to determine the extent of binding.
[0261] The homogenous assays can be performed while the candidate
polypeptide is attached to the display library vehicle, e.g., a
bacteriophage.
[0262] Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). The binding interaction of
a molecule isolated from an expression library and a target can be
analyzed using SPR. SPR or Biomolecular Interaction Analysis (BIA)
detects biospecific interactions in real time, without labeling any
of the interactants. Changes in the mass at the binding surface
(indicative of a binding event) of the BIA chip result in
alterations of the refractive index of light near the surface (the
optical phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR)). The changes
in the refractivity generate a detectable signal, which are
measured as an indication of real-time reactions between biological
molecules. Methods for using SPR are described, for example, in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,640; Raether, 1988, Surface Plasmons Springer
Verlag; Sjolander and Urbaniczky, 1991, Anal. Chem. 63:2338-2345;
Szabo et al., 1995, Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 5:699-705 and on-line
resources provide by BIAcore International AB (Uppsala,
Sweden).
[0263] Information from SPR can be used to provide an accurate and
quantitative measure of the equilibrium dissociation constant
(K.sub.d), and kinetic parameters, including K.sub.on and
K.sub.off, for the binding of a biomolecule to a target. Such data
can be used to compare different biomolecules. For example,
selected proteins from an expression library can be compared to
identify proteins that have high affinity for the target or that
have a slow K.sub.off. This information can also be used to develop
structure-activity relationships (SAR). For example, the kinetic
and equilibrium binding parameters of matured versions of a parent
protein can be compared to the parameters of the parent protein.
Variant amino acids at given positions can be identified that
correlate with particular binding parameters, e.g., high affinity
and slow K.sub.off. This information can be combined with
structural modeling (e.g., using homology modeling, energy
minimization, or structure determination by x-ray crystallography
or NMR). As a result, an understanding of the physical interaction
between the protein and its target can be formulated and used to
guide other design processes.
[0264] Cellular Assays. A library of candidate antibodies (e.g.,
previously identified by a display library or otherwise) can be
screened for target binding on cells which transiently or stably
express and display the target of interest on the cell surface. For
example, the target can include vector nucleic acid sequences that
include segments that encode only the extracellular portion of the
polypeptides such that the chimeric target polypeptides are
produced within the cell, secreted from the cell, or attached to
the cell surface through the anchor e.g., in fusion with a membrane
anchoring proteins such as Fc. The cell surface expressed target
can be used for screening antibodies that bind to FcRn and block
the binding of IgG-Fc. For example, non-specific human IgG-Fc could
be fluorescently labeled and its binding to FcRn in the presence of
absence of antagonistic antibody can be detected by a change in
fluorescence intensity using flow cytometry e.g., a FACS
machine.
Other Methods for Obtaining FcRn-Binding Antibodies
[0265] In addition to the use of display libraries, other methods
can be used to obtain a FcRn-binding antibody. For example, the
FcRn protein or a region thereof can be used as an antigen in a
non-human animal, e.g., a rodent.
[0266] In one embodiment, the non-human animal includes at least a
part of a human immunoglobulin gene. For example, it is possible to
engineer mouse strains deficient in mouse antibody production with
large fragments of the human Ig loci. Using the hybridoma
technology, antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) derived
from the genes with the desired specificity may be produced and
selected. See, e.g., XENOMOUSE.TM., Green et al., 1994, Nat. Gen.
7:13-21; U.S. 2003-0070185, WO 96/34096, published Oct. 31, 1996,
and PCT Application No. PCT/US96/05928, filed Apr. 29, 1996.
[0267] In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody is obtained from
the non-human animal, and then modified, e.g., humanized or
deimmunized. Winter describes a CDR-grafting method that may be
used to prepare the humanized antibodies (UK Patent Application GB
2188638A, filed on Mar. 26, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539. All of
the CDRs of a particular human antibody may be replaced with at
least a portion of a non-human CDR or only some of the CDRs may be
replaced with non-human CDRs. It is only necessary to replace the
number of CDRs required for binding of the humanized antibody to a
predetermined antigen.
[0268] Humanized antibodies can be generated by replacing sequences
of the Fv variable region that are not directly involved in antigen
binding with equivalent sequences from human Fv variable regions.
General methods for generating humanized antibodies are provided by
Morrison, S. L., 1985, Science 229:1202-1207, by Oi et al., 1986,
BioTechniques 4:214, and by Queen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,761 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,762. Those methods
include isolating, manipulating, and expressing the nucleic acid
sequences that encode all or part of immunoglobulin Fv variable
regions from at least one of a heavy or light chain. Sources of
such nucleic acid are well known to those skilled in the art and,
for example, may be obtained from a hybridoma producing an antibody
against a predetermined target, as described above. The recombinant
DNA encoding the humanized antibody, or fragment thereof, can then
be cloned into an appropriate expression vector.
[0269] An FcRn-binding antibody may also be modified by specific
deletion of human T cell epitopes or "deimmunization" by the
methods disclosed in WO 98/52976 and WO 00/34317, the contents of
which are specifically incorporated by reference herein. Briefly,
the heavy and light chain variable regions of an antibody can be
analyzed for peptides that bind to MHC Class II; these peptides
represent potential T-cell epitopes (as defined in WO 98/52976 and
WO 00/34317). For detection of potential T-cell epitopes, a
computer modeling approach termed "peptide threading" can be
applied, and in addition a database of human MHC class II binding
peptides can be searched for motifs present in the VH and VL
sequences, as described in WO 98/52976 and WO 00/34317. These
motifs bind to any of the 18 major MHC class II DR allotypes, and
thus constitute potential T cell epitopes. Potential T-cell
epitopes detected can be eliminated by substituting small numbers
of amino acid residues in the variable regions or by single amino
acid substitutions. As far as possible conservative substitutions
are made, often but not exclusively, an amino acid common at this
position in human germline antibody sequences may be used. Human
germline sequences are disclosed in Tomlinson, I. A. et al., 1992,
J. Mol. Biol. 227:776-798; Cook, G. P. et al., 1995, Immunol. Today
Vol. 16 (5): 237-242; Chothia, D. et al., 1992, J. Mol. Bio.
227:799-817. The V BASE directory provides a comprehensive
directory of human immunoglobulin variable region sequences
(compiled by Tomlinson, I. A. et al. MRC Centre for Protein
Engineering, Cambridge, UK). After the deimmunizing changes are
identified, nucleic acids encoding V.sub.H and V.sub.L can be
constructed by mutagenesis or other synthetic methods (e.g., de
novo synthesis, cassette replacement, and so forth). Mutagenized
variable sequence can, optionally, be fused to a human constant
region, e.g., human IgG1 or .kappa. constant regions.
[0270] In some cases, a potential T cell epitope will include
residues which are known or predicted to be important for antibody
function. For example, potential T cell epitopes are usually biased
towards the CDRs. In addition, potential T cell epitopes can occur
in framework residues important for antibody structure and binding.
Changes to eliminate these potential epitopes will in some cases
require more scrutiny, e.g., by making and testing chains with and
without the change. Where possible, potential T cell epitopes that
overlap the CDRs were eliminated by substitutions outside the CDRs.
In some cases, an alteration within a CDR is the only option, and
thus variants with and without this substitution should be tested.
In other cases, the substitution required to remove a potential T
cell epitope is at a residue position within the framework that
might be critical for antibody binding. In these cases, variants
with and without this substitution should be tested. Thus, in some
cases several variant deimmunized heavy and light chain variable
regions were designed and various heavy/light chain combinations
tested in order to identify the optimal deimmunized antibody. The
choice of the final deimmunized antibody can then be made by
considering the binding affinity of the different variants in
conjunction with the extent of deimmunization, i.e., the number of
potential T cell epitopes remaining in the variable region.
Deimmunization can be used to modify any antibody, e.g., an
antibody that includes a non-human sequence, e.g., a synthetic
antibody, a murine antibody other non-human monoclonal antibody, or
an antibody isolated from a display library.
Germlining Antibodies.
[0271] An antibody used to treat an IgG-mediated autoimmune disease
can be used for multiple administrations. Precautions that would
lower the immunogenicity of the therapeutic antibody include
reverting one or more non-germline amino acids in framework regions
to corresponding germline amino acids (e.g., so long as binding
properties are substantially retained) of the antibody (especially
of Fabs).
[0272] It is possible to modify an antibody that binds FcRn, e.g.,
an antibody described herein, in order to make the variable regions
of the antibody more similar to one or more 3o germline sequences.
For example, an antibody can include one, two, three, or more amino
acid substitutions, e.g., in a framework, CDR, or constant region,
to make it more similar to a reference germline sequence. One
exemplary germlining method can include identifying one or more
germline sequences that are similar (e.g., most similar in a
particular database) to the sequence of the isolated antibody.
Mutations (at the amino acid level) can then be made in the
isolated antibody, either incrementally or in combination with
other mutations. For example, a nucleic acid library that includes
sequences encoding some or all possible germline mutations is made.
The mutated antibodies are then evaluated, e.g., to identify an
antibody that has one or more additional germline residues relative
to the isolated antibody and that is still useful (e.g., has a
functional activity). In one embodiment, as many germline residues
are introduced into an isolated antibody as possible.
[0273] In one embodiment, mutagenesis is used to substitute or
insert one or more germline residues into a framework and/or
constant region. For example, a germline framework and/or constant
region residue can be from a germline sequence that is similar
(e.g., most similar) to the non-variable region being modified.
After mutagenesis, activity (e.g., binding or other functional
activity) of the antibody can be evaluated to determine if the
germline residue or residues are tolerated (i.e., do not abrogate
activity). Similar mutagenesis can be performed in the framework
regions.
[0274] Selecting a germline sequence can be performed in different
ways. For example, a germline sequence can be selected if it meets
a predetermined criteria for selectivity or similarity, e.g., at
least a certain percentage identity, e.g., at least 75, 80, 85, 90,
91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5% identity. The
selection can be performed using at least 2, 3, 5, or 10 germline
sequences. In the case of CDR1 and CDR2, identifying a similar
germline sequence can include selecting one such sequence. In the
case of CDR3, identifying a similar germline sequence can include
selecting one such sequence, but may including using two germline
sequences that separately contribute to the amino-terminal portion
and the carboxy-terminal portion. In other implementations more
than one or two germline sequences are used, e.g., to form a
consensus sequence.
[0275] In one embodiment, with respect to a particular reference
variable domain sequence, e.g., a sequence described herein, a
related variable domain sequence has at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70,
80, 90, 95 or 100% of the CDR amino acid positions that are not
identical to residues in the reference CDR sequences, residues that
are identical to residues at corresponding positions in a human
germline sequence (i.e., an amino acid sequence encoded by a human
germline nucleic acid).
[0276] In one embodiment, with respect to a particular reference
variable domain sequence, e.g., a sequence described herein, a
related variable domain sequence has at least 30, 50, 60, 70, 80,
90 or 100% of the FR regions are identical to FR sequence from a
human germline sequence, e.g., a germline sequence related to the
reference variable domain sequence.
[0277] Accordingly, it is possible to isolate an antibody which has
similar activity to a given antibody of interest, but is more
similar to one or more germline sequences, particularly one or more
human germline sequences. For example, an antibody can be at least
90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5% identical to a
germline sequence in a region outside the CDRs (e.g., framework
regions). Further, an antibody can include at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or
5 germline residues in a CDR region, the germline residue being
from a germline sequence of similar (e.g., most similar) to the
variable region being modified. Germline sequences of primary
interest are human germline sequences. The activity of the antibody
(e.g., the binding activity) can be within a factor or 100, 10, 5,
2, 0.5, 0.1, and 0.001 of the original antibody.
[0278] Exemplary germline reference sequences for V.sub.kappa
include: O12/O2, O18/O8, A20, A30, L14, L1, L15, L4/18a, L5/L19,
L8, L23, L9 ,L24, L11, L12, O11/O1, A17, A1, A18, A2, A19/A3, A23,
A27, A11, L2/L16, L6, L20, L25, B3, B2, A26/A10, and A14. See,
e.g., Tomlinson et al., 1995, EMBO J. 14(18):4628-3.
[0279] A germline reference sequence for the HC variable domain can
be based on a sequence that has particular canonical structures,
e.g., 1-3 structures in the H1 and H2 hypervariable loops. The
canonical structures of hypervariable loops of an immunoglobulin
variable domain can be inferred from its sequence, as described in
Chothia et al., 1992, J. Mol. Biol. 227:799-817; Tomlinson et al.,
1992, J. Mol. Biol. 227:776-798); and Tomlinson et al., 1995, EMBO
J. 14(18):4628-38. Exemplary sequences with a 1-3 structure
include: DP-1, DP-8, DP-12, DP-2, DP-25, DP-15, DP-7, DP-4, DP-31,
DP-32, DP-33, DP-35, DP-40, 7-2, hv3005, hv3005f3, DP-46, DP-47,
DP-58, DP-49, DP-50, DP-51, DP-53, and DP-54.
Ligand Production
[0280] Standard recombinant nucleic acid methods can be used to
express an antibody that binds to FcRn. Generally, a nucleic acid
sequence encoding the antibody is cloned into a nucleic acid
expression vector. Of course, if the antibody includes multiple
polypeptide chains, each chain can be cloned into an expression
vector, e.g., the same or different vectors, that are expressed in
the same or different cells.
[0281] Antibody Production. Some antibodies, e.g., Fabs, can be
produced in bacterial cells, e.g., E. coli cells. For example, if
the Fab is encoded by sequences in a phage display vector that
includes a suppressible stop codon between the display entity and a
bacteriophage protein (or fragment thereof), the vector nucleic
acid can be transferred into a bacterial cell that cannot suppress
a stop codon. In this case, the Fab is not fused to the gene III
protein and is secreted into the periplasm and/or media.
[0282] Antibodies can also be produced in eukaryotic cells. In one
embodiment, the antibodies (e.g., scFv's) are expressed in a yeast
cell such as Pichia (see, e.g., Powers et al., 2001, J. Immunol.
Methods. 251:123-35), Hanseula, or Saccharomyces.
[0283] In one embodiment, antibodies are produced in mammalian
cells. Mammalian host cells for expressing the clone antibodies or
antigen-binding fragments thereof include Chinese Hamster Ovary
(CHO cells) (including dhfr-CHO cells, described in Urlaub and
Chasin, 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216-4220, used with a
DHFR selectable marker, e.g., as described in Kaufman and Sharp,
1982, Mol. Biol. 159:601 621), lymphocytic cell lines, e.g., NS0
myeloma cells and SP2 cells, COS cells, and a cell from a
transgenic animal, e.g., a transgenic mammal. For example, the cell
is a mammary epithelial cell.
[0284] In addition to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the
diversified immunoglobulin domain, the recombinant expression
vectors may carry additional sequences, such as sequences that
regulate replication of the vector in host cells (e.g., origins of
replication) and selectable marker genes. The selectable marker
gene facilitates selection of host cells into which the vector has
been introduced (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,399,216, 4,634,665 and
5,179,017). For example, typically the selectable marker gene
confers resistance to drugs, such as G418, hygromycin or
methotrexate, on a host cell into which the vector has been
introduced. Selectable marker genes include the dihydrofolate
reductase (DHFR) gene (for use in dhfr.sup.- host cells with
methotrexate selection/amplification) and the neo gene (for G418
selection).
[0285] In an exemplary system for recombinant expression of an
antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, a recombinant
expression vector encoding both the antibody heavy chain and the
antibody light chain is introduced into dhfr.sup.- CHO cells by
calcium phosphate-mediated transfection. Within the recombinant
expression vector, the antibody heavy and light chain genes are
each operatively linked to enhancer/promoter regulatory elements
(e.g., derived from SV40, CMV, adenovirus and the like, such as a
CMV enhancer/AdMLP promoter regulatory element or an SV40
enhancer/AdMLP promoter regulatory element) to drive high levels of
transcription of the genes. The recombinant expression vector also
carries a DHFR gene, which allows for selection of CHO cells that
have been transfected with the vector using methotrexate
selection/amplification. The selected transformant host cells are
cultured to allow for expression of the antibody heavy and light
chains and intact antibody is recovered from the culture medium.
Standard molecular biology techniques are used to prepare the
recombinant expression vector, transfect the host cells, select for
transformants, culture the host cells and recover the antibody from
the culture medium. For example, some antibodies can be isolated by
affinity chromatography with a Protein A or Protein G coupled
matrix.
[0286] For antibodies that include an Fc domain, the antibody
production system may produce antibodies in which the Fc region is
glycosylated. For example, the Fc domain of IgG molecules is
glycosylated at asparagine 297 in the CH2 domain. This asparagine
is the site for modification with biantennary-type
oligosaccharides. It has been demonstrated that this glycosylation
is required for effector functions mediated by Fcg receptors and
complement Clq (Burton and Woof, 1992, Adv. Immunol. 51:1-84;
Jefferis et al., 1998, Immunol. Rev. 163:59-76). In one embodiment,
the Fc domain is produced in a mammalian expression system that
appropriately glycosylates the residue corresponding to asparagine
297. The Fc domain can also include other eukaryotic
post-translational modifications.
[0287] Antibodies can also be produced by a transgenic animal. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,992 describes a method of expressing
an antibody in the mammary gland of a transgenic mammal A transgene
is constructed that includes a milk-specific promoter and nucleic
acids encoding the antibody of interest and a signal sequence for
secretion. The milk produced by females of such transgenic mammals
includes, secreted-therein, the antibody of interest. The antibody
can be purified from the milk, or for some applications, used
directly.
[0288] One method for producing a transgenic mouse is as follows.
Briefly, a targeting construct that encodes the antibody is
microinjected into the male pronucleus of fertilized oocytes. The
oocytes are injected into the uterus of a pseudopregnant foster
mother for the development into viable pups. Some offspring
incorporate the transgene.
Assay Systems for FcRn Candidate Antibodies
[0289] FcRn candidate antibodies can be further characterized in
assays that measure their modulatory activity toward FcRn or
fragments thereof in vitro or in vivo. For example, FcRn can be
combined with a substrate such as non-specific IgG or Fc portion of
the IgG or albumin under assay conditions permitting reaction of
the FcRn with the substrate. The assay is performed in the absence
of the FcRn candidate antibody, and in the presence of increasing
concentrations of the FcRn candidate antibody. The concentration of
candidate antibody at which 50% of the FcRn activity (e.g., binding
to the substrate) is inhibited by the candidate antibody is the
IC.sub.50 value (Inhibitory Concentration 50%) or EC.sub.50
(Effective Concentration 50%) value for that antibody. Within a
series or group of candidate antibodies, those having lower
IC.sub.50 or EC.sub.50 values are considered more potent inhibitors
of FcRn than those antibodies having higher IC.sub.50 or EC.sub.50
values. In some embodiments, antibodies have an IC.sub.50 value of
800 nM, 400 nM, 100 nM, 25 nM, 5 nM, 1 nM, or less as measured in
an in vitro assay for inhibition of FcRn activity.
[0290] The candidate antibodies can also be evaluated for
selectivity toward FcRn. For example, a FcRn candidate antibody can
be assayed for its potency toward FcRn and a panel of cell surface
receptors, such as receptors that also utilize the 132M domain, and
an IC.sub.50 value or EC.sub.50 value can be determined for each
receptor protein. In one embodiment, a compound that demonstrates a
low IC.sub.50 value or EC.sub.50 value for the FcRn, and a higher
IC.sub.50 value or EC.sub.50 value for other receptors within the
test panel (e. g., MHC class I molecules) is considered to be
selective toward FcRn.
[0291] Ex vivo endothelial cells or epithelial cells expressing the
endogenous FcRn could be used to follow the endocytosis or
transcytosis of the candidate antibodies under different pH and
temperature conditions. IgG transcytosis or recycling by FcRn can
be measured by following a labeled antibody in the presence or
absence of various chemicals and under different conditions that
are known to influence or affect the intracellular trafficking
pathway.
[0292] A pharmacokinetics study in rat, mice, or monkey could be
performed with pH dependent and independent FcRn binding antibodies
for determining their half-life in the serum. Likewise, the
protective effect of the antibody can be assessed in vivo for
potential use in immunomodulating therapy or as an salvage
immunotherapy by injecting the antibody in the presence or absence
of a labeled IgG or the labeled Fc portion of the IgG. A decrease
in the half-life of the labeled IgG/Fc in the presence of the
candidate antibody is an indication of the therapeutic efficacy of
the antibody.
Pharmaceutical Compositions
[0293] In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions,
e.g., pharmaceutically acceptable compositions or pharmaceutical
compositions, which include an FcRn-binding antibody. The
FcRn-binding antibody can be formulated together with a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutical compositions
include therapeutic compositions and diagnostic compositions, e.g.,
compositions that include labeled FcRn-binding antibodies for in
vivo imaging.
[0294] A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier includes any and all
solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal
agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that
are physiologically compatible. Preferably, the carrier is suitable
for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, spinal,
or epidermal administration (e.g., by injection or infusion).
Depending on the route of administration, the FcRn-binding antibody
may be coated in a material to protect the compound from the action
of acids and other natural conditions that may inactivate the
compound.
[0295] A pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a salt that retains
the desired biological activity of the parent compound and does not
impart any undesired toxicological effects (see e.g., Berge, S. M.,
et al., 1977, J. Pharm. Sci. 66:1-19). Examples of such salts
include acid addition salts and base addition salts. Acid addition
salts include those derived from nontoxic inorganic acids, such as
hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrobromic,
hydroiodic, phosphorous, and the like, as well as from nontoxic
organic acids such as aliphatic mono- and dicarboxylic acids,
phenyl-substituted alkanoic acids, hydroxy alkanoic acids, aromatic
acids, aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids, and the like. Base
addition salts include those derived from alkaline earth metals,
such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and the like, as
well as from nontoxic organic amines, such as
N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, chloroprocaine,
choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, procaine, and the
like.
[0296] The compositions may be in a variety of forms. These
include, for example, liquid, semi-solid and solid dosage forms,
such as liquid solutions (e.g., injectable and infusible
solutions), dispersions or suspensions, tablets, pills, powders,
liposomes and suppositories. The form can depend on the intended
mode of administration and therapeutic application. Many
compositions are in the form of injectable or infusible solutions,
such as compositions similar to those used for administration of
humans with antibodies. An exemplary mode of administration is
parenteral (e.g., intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal,
intramuscular). In one embodiment, the FcRn-binding antibody is
administered by intravenous infusion or injection. In another
embodiment, the FcRn-binding antibody is administered by
intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.
[0297] The composition can be formulated as a solution,
microemulsion, dispersion, liposome, or other ordered structure
suitable to high drug concentration. Sterile injectable solutions
can be prepared by incorporating the active compound (i.e., the
ligand) in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one
or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required,
followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are
prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile
vehicle that contains a basic dispersion medium and the required
other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of
sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable
solutions, the methods of preparation are vacuum drying and
freeze-drying that yields a powder of the active ingredient plus
any additional desired ingredient from a previously
sterile-filtered solution thereof. The proper fluidity of a
solution can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating
such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size
in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prolonged
absorption of injectable compositions can be brought about by
including in the composition an agent that delays absorption, for
example, monostearate salts and gelatin.
[0298] An FcRn-binding antibody can be administered by a variety of
methods known in the art, although for many applications, the
route/mode of administration is intravenous injection or infusion.
For example, for therapeutic applications, the FcRn-binding
antibody can be administered by intravenous infusion at a rate of
less than 30, 20, 10, 5, or 1 mg/min to reach a dose of about 1 to
100 mg/m.sup.2 or 7 to 25 mg/m.sup.2. The route and/or mode of
administration will vary depending upon the desired results. In
certain embodiments, the active compound may be prepared with a
carrier that will protect the compound against rapid release, such
as a controlled release formulation, including implants, and
microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible
polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate,
polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and
polylactic acid. Many methods for the preparation of such
formulations are patented or generally known. See, e.g., Sustained
and Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems, J. R. Robinson, ed.,
1978, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York.
[0299] In certain embodiments, the antibody may be orally
administered, for example, with an inert diluent or an assimilable
edible carrier. The compound (and other ingredients, if desired)
may also be enclosed in a hard or soft shell gelatin capsule,
compressed into tablets, or incorporated directly into the
subject's diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the compounds
may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of
ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs,
suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. To administer a compound
disclosed herein by other than parenteral administration, it may be
necessary to coat the compound with, or co-administer the compound
with, a material to prevent its inactivation.
[0300] Pharmaceutical compositions can be administered with medical
devices known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, a
pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein can be administered
with a device, e.g., a needleless hypodermic injection device, a
pump, or implant.
[0301] In certain embodiments, an FcRn-binding antibody can be
formulated to ensure proper distribution in vivo. For example, the
blood-brain barrier (BBB) excludes many highly hydrophilic
compounds. To ensure that the therapeutic compounds disclosed
herein cross the BBB (if desired), they can be formulated, for
example, in liposomes. For methods of manufacturing liposomes, see,
e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,522,811; 5,374,548; and 5,399,331. The
liposomes may comprise one or more moieties that are selectively
transported into specific cells or organs, thus enhance targeted
drug delivery (see, e.g., V. V. Ranade, 1989, J. Clin. Pharmacol.
29:685).
[0302] Dosage regimens are adjusted to provide the optimum desired
response (e.g., a therapeutic response). For example, a single
bolus may be administered, several divided doses may be
administered over time or the dose may be proportionally reduced or
increased as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic
situation. It is especially advantageous to formulate parenteral
compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and
uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to
physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the
subjects to be treated; each unit contains a predetermined quantity
of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic
effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The
specification for the dosage unit forms can be dictated by and
directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics of the active
compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and
(b) the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an
active compound for the treatment of sensitivity in
individuals.
[0303] An exemplary, non-limiting range for a therapeutically or
prophylactically effective amount of an antibody disclosed herein
is 0.1-20 mg/kg, or 1-10 mg/kg. An anti-FcRn antibody can be
administered, e.g., by intravenous infusion, e.g., at a rate of
less than 30, 20, 10, 5, or 1 mg/min to reach a dose of about 1 to
100 mg/m.sup.2 or about 5 to 30 mg/m.sup.2. Dosage values may vary
with the type and severity of the condition to be alleviated. For a
particular subject, specific dosage regimens can be adjusted over
time according to the individual need and the professional judgment
of the person administering or supervising the administration of
the compositions.
[0304] The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein may include
a therapeutically effective amount or a prophylactically effective
amount of an FcRn-binding antibody disclosed herein. A
"therapeutically effective amount" refers to an amount effective,
at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the
desired therapeutic result. A therapeutically effective amount of
the composition may vary according to factors such as the disease
state, age, sex, and weight of the individual, and the ability of
the antibody to elicit a desired response in the individual. A
therapeutically effective amount is also one in which any toxic or
detrimental effects of the composition is outweighed by the
therapeutically beneficial effects.
Stabilization and Retention
[0305] In one embodiment, an FcRn-binding antibody is physically
associated with a moiety that improves its stabilization and/or
retention in circulation, e.g., in blood, serum, lymph, or other
tissues, e.g., by at least 1.5, 2, 5, 10, or 50 fold. For example,
an FcRn-binding antibody can be associated with a polymer, e.g., a
substantially non-antigenic polymers, such as polyalkylene oxides
or polyethylene oxides. Suitable polymers will vary substantially
by weight. Polymers having molecular number average weights ranging
from about 200 to about 35,000 (or about 1,000 to about 15,000, and
2,000 to about 12,500) can be used. For example, an FcRn-binding
antibody can be conjugated to a water soluble polymer, e.g.,
hydrophilic polyvinyl polymers, e.g. polyvinylalcohol and
polyvinylpyrrolidone. A non-limiting list of such polymers include
polyalkylene oxide homopolymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)
or polypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylenated polyols, copolymers
thereof and block copolymers thereof, provided that the water
solubility of the block copolymers is maintained.
Kits
[0306] An FcRn-binding antibody described herein can be provided in
a kit, e.g., as a component of a kit. For example, the kit includes
(a) an FcRn-binding antibody, e.g., a composition that includes an
FcRn-binding antibody, and, optionally (b) informational material.
The informational material can be descriptive, instructional,
marketing or other material that relates to the methods described
herein and/or the use of an FcRn-binding antibody for the methods
described herein.
[0307] The informational material of the kits is not limited in its
form. In one embodiment, the informational material can include
information about production of the compound, molecular weight of
the compound, concentration, date of expiration, batch or
production site information, and so forth. In one embodiment, the
informational material relates to using the antibody to treat,
prevent, or diagnosis a disorder described herein, e.g., an
autoimmune disorder.
[0308] In one embodiment, the informational material can include
instructions to administer an FcRn-binding antibody in a suitable
manner to perform the methods described herein, e.g., in a suitable
dose, dosage form, or mode of administration (e.g., a dose, dosage
form, or mode of administration described herein). In one
embodiment, the informational material can include instructions to
administer an FcRn-binding antibody to a suitable subject, e.g., a
human, e.g., a human having, or at risk for, an autoimmune disorder
(e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosis). For
example, the material can include instructions to administer an
FcRn-binding antibody to a patient with lupus or a patient with
another autoimmune disorder.
[0309] The informational material of the kits is not limited in its
form. In many cases, the informational material, e.g.,
instructions, is provided in printed matter, e.g., a printed text,
drawing, and/or photograph, e.g., a label or printed sheet.
However, the informational material can also be provided in other
formats, such as computer readable material, video recording, or
audio recording. In one embodiment, the informational material of
the kit is contact information, e.g., a physical address, email
address, website, or telephone number, where a user of the kit can
obtain substantive information about an FcRn-binding antibody
and/or its use in the methods described herein. Of course, the
informational material can also be provided in any combination of
formats.
[0310] In addition to an FcRn-binding antibody, the composition of
the kit can include other ingredients, such as a solvent or buffer,
a stabilizer, a preservative, a flavoring agent (e.g., a bitter
antagonist or a sweetener), a fragrance or other cosmetic
ingredient, and/or a second agent for treating an autoimmune
disorder described herein, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or systemic
lupus erythematosis. Alternatively, the other ingredients can be
included in the kit, but in different compositions or containers
than an FcRn-binding antibody. In such embodiments, the kit can
include instructions for admixing an FcRn-binding antibody and the
other ingredients, or for using an FcRn-binding antibody together
with the other ingredients.
[0311] An FcRn-binding antibody can be provided in any form, e.g.,
liquid, dried or lyophilized form. It is preferred that an
FcRn-binding antibody be substantially pure and/or sterile. When an
FcRn-binding antibody is provided in a liquid solution, the liquid
solution preferably is an aqueous solution, with a sterile aqueous
solution being preferred. When an FcRn-binding antibody is provided
as a dried form, reconstitution generally is by the addition of a
suitable solvent. The solvent, e.g., sterile water or buffer, can
optionally be provided in the kit.
[0312] The kit can include one or more containers for the
composition containing an FcRn-binding antibody. In some
embodiments, the kit contains separate containers, dividers or
compartments for the composition and informational material. For
example, the composition can be contained in a bottle, vial, or
syringe, and the informational material can be contained in a
plastic sleeve or packet. In other embodiments, the separate
elements of the kit are contained within a single, undivided
container. For example, the composition is contained in a bottle,
vial or syringe that has attached thereto the informational
material in the form of a label. In some embodiments, the kit
includes a plurality (e.g., a pack) of individual containers, each
containing one or more unit dosage forms (e.g., a dosage form
described herein) of an FcRn-binding antibody. For example, the kit
includes a plurality of syringes, ampules, foil packets, or blister
packs, each containing a single unit dose of an FcRn-binding
antibody. The containers of the kits can be air tight, waterproof
(e.g., impermeable to changes in moisture or evaporation), and/or
light-tight.
[0313] The kit optionally includes a device suitable for
administration of the composition, e.g., a syringe, inhalant,
pipette, forceps, measured spoon, dropper (e.g., eye dropper), swab
(e.g., a cotton swab or wooden swab), or any such delivery device.
In one embodiment, the device is an implantable device that
dispenses metered doses of the antibody. The disclosure also
features a method of providing a kit, e.g., by combining components
described herein.
Treatments
[0314] Antibodies that bind to FcRn and identified by the method
described herein and/or detailed herein have therapeutic and
prophylactic utilities. These antibodies can be administered to a
subject to treat, prevent, and/or diagnose a variety of disorders,
including autoimmune disorders, or even to cells in culture, e.g.,
in vitro or ex vivo.
[0315] The term "treating" refers to administering a therapy in an
amount, manner, and/or mode effective to improve a condition,
symptom, or parameter associated with a disorder or to prevent
progression of a disorder, to either a statistically significant
degree or to a degree detectable to one skilled in the art. An
effective amount, manner, or mode can vary depending on the subject
and may be tailored to the subject. The subject can be a human or a
non-human animal, e.g., a non-human mammal.
[0316] The FcRn-binding antibody can be administered in a
therapeutically effective amount, e.g., such that upon single or
multiple dose administration to a subject, the subject exhibits an
amelioration of symptoms of a disorder, e.g., an autoimmune
disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus
erythematosis) or of a parameter indicative of presence or risk for
the disorder.
[0317] Exemplary disorders which affect many organs or localized
organs in the body include: Multiple Sclerosis, rheumatoid
arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), lupus, and ankylosing
spondylitis. Some of these disorders are discussed below. In one
aspect, the invention provides methods for the treatment of cancer.
Still other disorders that can be treated using an FcRn-binding
antibody include: scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, Goodpasture's
syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, polymyalgia rheumatica,
temporal arteritis/gian cell arteritis, alopecia areata, anklosing
spondylitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, autoimmune Addison's
disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hepatitis,
autoimmune inner ear disease, autoimmune lymphoproliferative
syndrome (ALPS), autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP),
Behcet's disease, bullous pemphigoid, cardiomyopathy, celiac
sprue-dermatitis, chronic fatigue syndrome immune deficiency
syndrome (CFIDS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy, cicatricial pemphigoid, cold agglutinin disease,
CREST Syndrome, Crohn's disease, Dego's disease, dermatomyositis,
juvenile dermatomyositis, discoid lupus, essential mixed
cryoglobulinemia, fibromyalgia, fibromyositis, Grave's disease,
Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), IgA
nephropathy, insulin dependent diabetes (Type I), juvenile
arthritis, Meniere's disease, mixed connective tissue disease,
myasthenia gravis, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus,
paraneoplastic pemphigus, pernicious anemia, polyarteritis nodosa,
polychondritis, polyglancular syndromes, polymyalgia rheumatica,
polymyositis, dermatomyositis, primary agammaglobulinemia, primary
biliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, Raynaud's phenomenon, Reiter's
syndrome, rheumatic fever, sarcoidosis, stiff-man syndrome,
Takayasu arteritis, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, vasculitis,
vitiligo.
[0318] In some embodiments, the anti-FcRn binding antibody is
administered to remove an unwanted therapeutic antibody from the
bloodstream.
[0319] In some embodiments, the anti-FcRn binding antibody is
administered to suppress the level of anti-HLA antibodies. In some
embodiments the level of anti-HLA antibodies is suppressed in
connection with organ transplant.
[0320] Methods of administering FcRn-binding antibodies are
described in "Pharmaceutical Compositions." Suitable dosages of the
molecules used will depend on the age and weight of the subject and
the particular drug used. The antibodies can be used as competitive
agents to inhibit or reduce an undesirable interaction, e.g.,
between a natural or pathological agent and the FcRn.
[0321] The FcRn binding antibody can be used to deliver macro and
micromolecules, e.g., a gene into the cell for gene therapy
purposes into the endothelium or epithelium and target only those
tissues expressing the FcRn. The antibodies may be used to deliver
a variety of cytotoxic drugs including therapeutic drugs, a
compound emitting radiation, molecules of plants, fungal, or
bacterial origin, biological proteins, and mixtures thereof. The
cytotoxic drugs can be intracellularly acting cytotoxic drugs, such
as short range radiation emitters, including, for example, short
range, high energy a-emitters, as described herein.
[0322] In the case of polypeptide toxins, recombinant nucleic acid
techniques can be used to construct a nucleic acid that encodes the
antibody and the cytotoxin (or a polypeptide component thereof) as
translational fusions. The recombinant nucleic acid is then
expressed, e.g., in cells and the encoded fusion polypeptide
isolated.
[0323] Alternatively, the FcRn-binding antibody can be coupled to
high energy radiation emitters, for example, a radioisotope, such
as .sup.131I, a .gamma.-emitter, which, when localized at a site,
results in a killing of several cell diameters. See, e.g., S. E.
Order, "Analysis, Results, and Future Prospective of the
Therapeutic Use of Radiolabeled Antibody in Cancer Therapy",
Monoclonal Antibodies for Cancer Detection and Therapy, R. W.
Baldwin et al. (eds.), pp 303 316 (Academic Press 1985). Other
suitable radioisotopes include a emitters, such as .sup.212Bi,
.sup.213Bi, and .sup.211At, and b emitters, such as .sup.186Re and
.sup.90Y. Moreover, .sup.177 Lu may also be used as both an imaging
and cytotoxic agent.
[0324] Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) using antibodies labeled with 131I,
.sup.90Y and .sup.177Lu is under intense clinical investigation.
There are significant differences in the physical characteristics
of these three nuclides and as a result, the choice of radionuclide
is very critical in order to deliver maximum radiation dose to a
tissue of interest. The higher beta energy particles of .sup.90Y
may be good for bulky tumors. The relatively low energy beta
particles of .sup.131I are ideal, but in vivo dehalogenation of
radioiodinated molecules is a major disadvantage for internalizing
antibody. In contrast, .sup.177Lu has low energy beta particle with
only 0.2-0 3 mm range and delivers much lower radiation dose to
bone marrow compared to .sup.90Y. In addition, due to longer
physical half-life (compared to .sup.90Y), the residence times are
higher. As a result, higher activities (more mCi amounts) of
.sup.177Lu labeled agents can be administered with comparatively
less radiation dose to marrow. There have been several clinical
studies investigating the use of .sup.177Lu labeled antibodies in
the treatment of various cancers. (Mulligan T et al., 1995, Clin.
Canc. Res. 1: 1447-1454; Meredith R F, et al., 1996, J. Nucl. Med.
37:1491-1496; Alvarez R D, et al., 1997, Gynecol. Oncol. 65:
94-101).
[0325] Use of the therapeutic methods to treat autoimmunity has a
number of benefits. Since the antibodies specifically recognize
FcRn, other tissue is spared and high levels of the agent are
delivered directly to the site where therapy is required. Treatment
can be effectively monitored with clinical parameters.
Alternatively, these parameters can be used to indicate when such
treatment should be employed.
[0326] An FcRn-binding antibody can be administered in combination
with one or more of the existing modalities for treating autoimmune
disorders including, but not limited to: intravenous Ig therapy,
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), and corticosteroids;
and anti-inflammatory treatments such as cyclosporins, rapamycins
or ascomycins, or their immunosuppressive analogs, e.g.,
cyclosporin A, cyclosporin G, FK-506, rapamycin,
40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin etc.; cyclophosphamide;
azathioprene; methotrexate; brequinar; FTY 720; leflunomide;
mnizoribine; mycophenolic acid; mycophenolate mofetil;
15-deoxyspergualine; immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies, e.g.,
monoclonal antibodies to leukocyte receptors, e.g., MHC, CD2, CD3,
CD4, CD7, CD25, CD28, B7, CD45, or CD58 or their ligands; or other
immunomodulatory compounds, e.g., CTLA4Ig, or other adhesion
molecule inhibitors, e.g. mAbs or low molecular weight inhibitors
including selectin antagonists and VLA-4 antagonists. These
combination therapies can be part of an immunomodulating regimens
or a regimen for the treatment or prevention of allo- or xenograft
acute or chronic rejection, an inflammatory disorder, or an
autoimmune disorders.
Multiple Sclerosis
[0327] Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease
that is characterized by inflammation and loss of myelin
sheaths.
[0328] Patients having MS may be identified by criteria
establishing a diagnosis of clinically definite MS as defined by
the workshop on the diagnosis of MS (Poser et al., Ann Neurol.
13:227, 1983). MS may also be diagnosed by evidence of two attacks
and oligoclonal bands of IgG in cerebrospinal fluid or by
combination of an attack, clinical evidence of two lesions and
oligoclonal band of IgG in cerebrospinal fluid. The McDonald
criteria can also be used to diagnose MS. McDonald et al.(2001)
Recommended diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines
from the International Panel on the Diagnosis of Multiple
Sclerosis, Ann Neurol 50:121-127. The McDonald criteria include the
use of MRI evidence of CNS impairment over time to be used in
diagnosis of MS, in the absence of multiple clinical attacks.
[0329] Effective treatment of multiple sclerosis may be evaluated
in several different ways. The following parameters can be used to
gauge effectiveness of treatment. Two exemplary criteria include:
EDSS (extended disability status scale), and appearance of
exacerbations on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The EDSS is a
means to grade clinical impairment due to MS (Kurtzke, Neurology
33:1444, 1983). Eight functional systems are evaluated for the type
and severity of neurologic impairment. Briefly, prior to treatment,
patients are evaluated for impairment in the following systems:
pyramidal, cerebella, brainstem, sensory, bowel and bladder,
visual, cerebral, and other. Follow-ups are conducted at defined
intervals. The scale ranges from 0 (normal) to 10 (death due to
MS). A decrease of one full step can indicate an effective
treatment (Kurtzke, Ann. Neurol. 36:573-79, 1994).
[0330] Exemplary symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, which
can be treated with the methods described herein, include: optic
neuritis, diplopia, nystagmus, ocular dysmetria, internuclear
ophthalmoplegia, movement and sound phosphenes, afferent pupillary
defect, paresis, monoparesis, paraparesis, hemiparesis,
quadraparesis, plegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, tetraplegia,
quadraplegia, spasticity, dysarthria, muscle atrophy, spasms,
cramps, hypotonia, clonus, myoclonus, myokymia, restless leg
syndrome, footdrop, dysfunctional reflexes, paraesthesia,
anaesthesia, neuralgia, neuropathic and neurogenic pain,
l'hermitte's, proprioceptive dysfunction, trigeminal neuralgia,
ataxia, intention tremor, dysmetria, vestibular ataxia, vertigo,
speech ataxia, dystonia, dysdiadochokinesia, frequent micturation,
bladder spasticity, flaccid bladder, detrusor-sphincter
dyssynergia, erectile dysfunction, anorgasmy, frigidity,
constipation, fecal urgency, fecal incontinence, depression,
cognitive dysfunction, dementia, mood swings, emotional lability,
euphoria, bipolar syndrome, anxiety, aphasia, dysphasia, fatigue,
uhthoff's symptom, gastroesophageal reflux, and sleeping
disorders.
[0331] In addition to or prior to human studies, an animal model
can be used to evaluate the efficacy of using the two agents. An
exemplary animal model for multiple sclerosis is the experimental
autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) mouse model, e.g., as described in
(Tuohy et al. (J. Immunol. (1988) 141: 1126-1130), Sobel et al. (J.
Immunol. (1984) 132: 2393-2401), and Traugott (Cell Immunol. (1989)
119: 114-129). Mice can be administered a first and second agent
described herein prior to EAE induction. Then the mice are
evaluated for characteristic criteria to determine the efficacy of
using the two agents in the model.
IBD
[0332] Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) include generally chronic,
relapsing intestinal inflammation. IBD refers to two distinct
disorders, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). The
clinical symptoms of IBD include intermittent rectal bleeding,
crampy abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea. A clinical index
can also be used to monitor IBD such as the Clinical Activity Index
for Ulcerative Colitis. See also, Walmsley et al. Gut. 1998 July;
43(1):29-32 and Jowett et al. (2003) Scand J Gastroenterol.
38(2):164-71. An FcRn-binding antibody can be used to ameliorate at
least one symptom of IBD or to ameliorate a clinical index of
IBD.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
[0333] Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease
that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the
joints. Rheumatoid arthritis often presents in a symmetrical
pattern. The disease can affect the wrist joints and the finger
joints closest to the hand. It can also affect other parts of the
body besides the joints. In addition, people with rheumatoid
arthritis may have fatigue, occasional fevers, and a general
malaise. Positive factors for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
include the "rheumatoid factor" blood antibody and citrulline
antibody. An FcRn-binding antibody can be useful in treating,
preventing, or alleviating rheumatoid arthritis or one or more
symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus
[0334] Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder
that leads to inflammation and damage to various body tissues. SLE
can be mediated by self-antibodies directed against its own DNA.
Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints,
skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although
various symptoms may present, some of the most common include
extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained
fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. Exemplary symptoms of
lupus include painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, and
extreme fatigue. A characteristic red skin rash may appear across
the nose and cheeks. Rashes may also occur on the face and ears,
upper arms, shoulders, chest, and hands. Other symptoms of lupus
include chest pain, hair loss, anemia, mouth ulcers, and pale or
purple fingers and toes from cold and stress. Some people also
experience headaches, dizziness, depression, confusion, or
seizures. Positive factors for SLE diagnosis include circulating
anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-DNA antibodies, and anti-Sm
antibodies. An FcRn-binding antibody can be useful in treating,
preventing, or alleviating SLE or one or more symptoms of SLE.
Lupus, as used herein includes cutaneous lupus and lupus
nephritits.
Immune Thromocytopenia (ITP)
[0335] ITP is a disease of increased peripheral platelet
destruction, where patients develop antibodies that bind to
specific platelet membrane proteins. The anti-platelet antibodies
opsonize the platelets, leading to destruction by macrophages.
Attempts to treat ITP have generally involved suppressing the
immune system, which causes an increase in platelet levels. An
FcRn-binding antibody can be useful in treating, preventing, or
alleviating ITP, or one or more symptoms thereof.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
[0336] Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disorder that not
only affects the spine, but may also affect the hips, shoulders,
and knees as the tendons and ligaments around the bones and joints
become inflamed, resulting in pain and stiffness. Ankylosing
spondylitis tends to affect people in late adolescence or early
adulthood. An FcRn-binding antibody can be useful in treating,
preventing, or alleviating ankylosing spondylitis, or one or more
symptoms thereof.
Pemphigus
[0337] Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder that affects mucous
membranes and the skin. The disorder is characterized by the
generation of auto-antibodies against desmoglein. Desmoglein is a
protein in the family of cadherins and is involved with the
formation of desmosomes, which join cells to one another. Pemphigus
can be classified as one of three types: pemphigus vulgaris, the
most common form of the disorder, wherein auto-antibodies target
desmoglein 3. In pemphigus folicaeus auto-antibodies against
desmoglein 1 are generated. The third type, and least common
disorder is paraneoplastic pemphigus, wherein autoantibodies target
desmoplakins and which is associated with cancers such as
lymphoma.
[0338] The disorders are commonly diagnosed by a dermatologist by
the appearance of the skin and is conformed by the detection of
auto-antibodies against desmoglein. Methods of treatment include
the administration of steroids and/or the administration of a CD20
antibody such as Rituximab (Rituxan)
Cancer
[0339] "Cancer" as used herein refers to an uncontrolled growth of
cells which interferes with the normal functioning of the bodily
organs and systems. Cancers which migrate from their original
location and seed vital organs can eventually lead to the death of
the subject through the functional deterioration of the affected
organs. Carcinomas are malignant cancers that arise from epithelial
cells and include adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Sarcomas are cancer of the connective or supportive tissue and
include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and gastrointestinal stromal
tumor. Hematopoietic cancers, such as leukemia, are able to
outcompete the normal hematopoietic compartments in a subject,
thereby leading to hematopoietic failure (in the form of anemia,
thrombocytopenia and neutropenia) ultimately causing death. A
person of ordinary skill in the art can classify a cancer as a
sarcoma, carcinoma or hematopoietic cancer.
[0340] Cancer, as used herein, includes the following types of
cancer, breast cancer, biliary tract cancer; bladder cancer; brain
cancer including glioblastomas and medulloblastomas; cervical
cancer; choriocarcinoma; colon cancer; endometrial cancer;
esophageal cancer; gastric cancer; hematological neoplasms
including acute lymphocytic and myelogenous leukemia; T-cell acute
lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma; hairy cell leukemia; chromic
myelogenous leukemia, multiple myeloma; AIDS-associated leukemias
and adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma; intraepithelial neoplasms
including Bowen's disease and Paget's disease; liver cancer; lung
cancer; lymphomas including Hodgkin's disease and lymphocytic
lymphomas; neuroblastomas; oral cancer including squamous cell
carcinoma; ovarian cancer including those arising from epithelial
cells, stromal cells, germ cells and mesenchymal cells; pancreatic
cancer; prostate cancer; rectal cancer; sarcomas including
leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and
osteosarcoma; skin cancer including melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma,
basocellular cancer, and squamous cell cancer; testicular cancer
including germinal tumors such as seminoma, non-seminoma
(teratomas, choriocarcinomas), stromal tumors, and germ cell
tumors; thyroid cancer including thyroid adenocarcinoma and
medullar carcinoma; and renal cancer including adenocarcinoma and
Wilms tumor. Other cancers will be known to one of ordinary skill
in the art.
Treatment of Fetuses
[0341] FcRn mediates the transport of maternal IgG across
epithelial cell barriers to fetus. The antibodies described herein
can be used to deliver macromolecular drugs, e.g., antibiotics,
and/or small molecules to fetuses in utero. The fetus may be
suffering from a condition or disorder (e.g., an enteric infection
or metabolic disorder) that requires treatment. The drug or
molecule for treating the condition or disorder can be conjugated
to a FcRn binding antibody and administered to a pregnant woman who
has an in utero fetus that is in need of treatment. The conjugated
FcRn-binding antibody binds to FcRn and is thereby transported to
the fetus via the placenta. The fetus receives the drug or molecule
treatment.
Immunoadsorption
[0342] In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for the
removal of an unwanted therapeutic antibody from an individual. In
some embodiments, the unwanted therapeutic antibody is an IgG
antibody. In some embodiments the unwanted therapeutic antibody is
an anti-VLA4 antibody such as Natalizumab (Tysabri, Biogen
Idec/Elan), efalizumab (Raptiva, Genetech), bevacizumab (Avastin,
Genentech) and Fc fusion proteins such as etanercept (Enbrel,
Amgen/Wyeth). Natalizumab monoclonal antibody therapy has been
associated with Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Depletion of the therapeutic antibody from the bloodstream and/or
the rest of the body may alter the progression of PML.
[0343] In some embodiments, the treatment methods presented herein
may be combined with methods to remove or partially remove
therapeutic antibodies from the bloodstream of a subject. In some
embodiments, the anti-FcRn antibodies presented herein may be
combined with a capture protein that can bind a therapeutic
antibody, the combinations resulting in an increased clearance of
the therapeutic antibody from the bloodstream. In some embodiments,
the method of removal or partial removal of the therapeutic
antibody from the bloodstream of a subject is plasma exchange
(PLEX). In some embodiments, the anti-FcRn antibodies can be
administered to a subject undergoing plasma exchange. In some
embodiments, the anti-FcRn antibodies can be used as an
immunoadsorbant for FcRn in the plasma exchange process.
[0344] In plasma exchange (also called apheresis or plasmapheresis)
blood is taken from the body and plasma containing an unwanted
agent, such as cholesterol or a therapeutic antibody, is removed
from the blood by a cell separator. Blood can be removed from the
body in batches or it can be removed in a continuous flow mode,
with the latter allowing for the reintroduction of the processed
blood into the body. The removed plasma comprising the unwanted
agent can be discarded and the patient can receive donor plasma or
saline with added proteins in return. In some embodiments, multiple
rounds of plasma exchange may be needed to remove the unwanted
agent from the blood or to lower the level of the unwanted agent in
the blood to an acceptable level. In some embodiments the blood is
"filtered" and the unwanted agent removed, before returning the
blood to the patient. Methods of plasma exchange are known in the
art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,178.
[0345] Plasma exchange has been shown to reduce therapeutic
antibody levels in the blood of a subject and the restoration of
homeostasis (See e.g., Khatri et al; 2009; Neurology
72:402-409).
[0346] An IgG based therapeutic antibody (such as natalizumab) can
be removed from blood, plasma or serum by contacting the blood with
the capture protein Staphylococcal protein A, which will bind the
Fc region of IgG and remove the IgG antibody from the bloodstream.
Other capture proteins can be used for different isotype
antibodies. In some embodiments, the anti-FcRn antibodies can be
used as a capture protein in the plasma exchange process, resulting
in the removal of FcRn from the bloodstream, thereby increasing the
amount of "free" therapeutic antibody. The resulting "free"
therapeutic antibody will have a shorter half-life than antibody
present prior to treatment and/or can be removed from the blood
more readily with a different capture protein (such as protein A).
In some embodiments, the anti-FcRn antibodies are administered to a
patient during or before plasma exchange. In some embodiments, the
anti-FcRn antibodies can be immobilized and used in a column,
resulting in the binding of FcRn. In some embodiments, the blood of
a patient that contains a therapeutic antibody is contacted both
with immobilized anti-FcRn antibody and immobilized protein A.
[0347] In some embodiments the anti-FcRn antibodies presented
herein can be used in "rescue" therapy for therapeutic antibodies
that have been administered and have shown an adverse effect. In
some embodiments, an anti-FcRn antibody can be used as an
alternative for plasma exchange. The administration of an anti-FcRn
can accomplish therapeutic antibody depletion without the risks
associated with plasmapheresis and plasma exchange such as vascular
access, citrate therapy and donor plasma sourcing.
Human Leukocyte Antigens
[0348] Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) present peptides and antigens
on the outside of the cell, which are subsequently recognized by
T-cells, which in their turn can activate B-cells. The panel of HLA
genes available is unique for each person. Any cell displaying an
HLA that is "non-self" will result in the induction of an immune
response. In general, the more different the "non-self" HLA from
the self HLA, the stronger the immune response. For instance, in
the case of organ transplants, subjects with similar HLA genes are
preferred to minimize the immune response. Donor-specific HLA
antibodies have been found to be associated with graft failure in
kidney, heart, lung and liver transplantation.
[0349] In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for the
decreasing the level of "non-self" HLA antibodies in an individual.
Decreasing the level of "non-self" HLA antibodies can result in the
suppression of an immune response, e.g., during organ
transplantation. In some embodiments a person that will be
undergoing organ transplation is administered an anti-FcRn
antibody. In some embodiments a person that is undergoing organ
transplation is administered an anti-FcRn antibody. In some
embodiments a person that has received an organ transplation is
administered an anti-FcRn antibody. Assays for measuring the levels
of HLA antibodies are well-known in the art.
Diagnostic Uses
[0350] Antibodies that bind to FcRn and identified by the method
described herein and/or detailed herein have in vitro and in vivo
diagnostic utilities.
[0351] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a diagnostic method
for detecting the presence of an FcRn, in vitro or in vivo (e.g.,
in vivo imaging in a subject). The method can include localizing
FcRn to a subcellular location, e.g., the endosome. The method can
include: (i) contacting a sample with FcRn-binding antibody; and
(ii) detecting formation of a complex between the FcRn-binding
antibody and the sample. The method can also include contacting a
reference sample (e.g., a control sample) with the antibody, and
determining the extent of formation of the complex between the
antibody and the sample relative to the same for the reference
sample. A change, e.g., a statistically significant change, in the
formation of the complex in the sample or subject relative to the
control sample or subject can be indicative of the presence of FcRn
in the sample.
[0352] Another exemplary method includes: (i) administering the
FcRn-binding antibody to a subject; and (iii) detecting formation
of a complex between the FcRn-binding antibody and the subject. The
detecting can include determining location or time of formation of
the complex.
[0353] The FcRn-binding antibody can be directly or indirectly
labeled with a detectable substance to facilitate detection of the
bound or unbound antibody. Suitable detectable substances include
various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials,
luminescent materials and radioactive materials.
[0354] Complex formation between the FcRn-binding antibody and FcRn
can be detected by measuring or visualizing either the antibody
bound to the FcRn or unbound antibody. Conventional detection
assays can be used, e.g., an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
(ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA) or tissue immunohistochemistry.
Further to labeling the FcRn-binding antibody, the presence of FcRn
can be assayed in a sample by a competition immunoassay utilizing
standards labeled with a detectable substance and an unlabeled
FcRn-binding antibody. In one example of this assay, the biological
sample, the labeled standards, and the FcRn-binding antibody are
combined and the amount of labeled standard bound to the unlabeled
antibody is determined The amount of FcRn in the sample is
inversely proportional to the amount of labeled standard bound to
the FcRn-binding antibody.
[0355] Fluorophore and chromophore labeled antibodies can be
prepared. Because antibodies and other proteins absorb light having
wavelengths up to about 310 nm, the fluorescent moieties should be
selected to have substantial absorption at wavelengths above 310 nm
and preferably above 400 nm. A variety of suitable fluorescers and
chromophores are described by Stryer,1968, Science 162:526 and
Brand, L. et al.,1972, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 41:843 868. The
antibodies can be labeled with fluorescent chromophore groups by
conventional procedures such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,940,475, 4,289,747, and 4,376,110. One group of fluorescers
having a number of the desirable properties described above is the
xanthene dyes, which include the fluoresceins and rhodamines.
Another group of fluorescent compounds are the naphthylamines. Once
labeled with a fluorophore or chromophore, the antibody can be used
to detect the presence or localization of the FcRn in a sample,
e.g., using fluorescent microscopy (such as confocal or
deconvolution microscopy).
[0356] Histological Analysis. Immunohistochemistry can be performed
using the antibodies described herein. For example, the antibody
can be synthesized with a label (such as a purification or epitope
tag), or can be detectably labeled, e.g., by conjugating a label or
label-binding group. For example, a chelator can be attached to the
antibody. The antibody is then contacted to a histological
preparation, e.g., a fixed section of tissue that is on a
microscope slide. After an incubation for binding, the preparation
is washed to remove unbound antibody. The preparation is then
analyzed, e.g., using microscopy, to identify if the antibody bound
to the preparation.
[0357] Of course, the antibody can be unlabeled at the time of
binding. After binding and washing, the antibody is labeled in
order to render it detectable.
[0358] Protein Arrays. The FcRn-binding antibody can also be
immobilized on a protein array. The protein array can be used as a
diagnostic tool, e.g., to screen medical samples (such as isolated
cells, blood, sera, biopsies, and the like). Of course, the protein
array can also include other ligands, e.g., that bind to FcRn or to
other target molecules.
[0359] Methods of producing polypeptide arrays are described, e.g.,
in De Wildt et al., 2000, Nat. Biotechnol. 18:989-994; Lueking et
al., 1999, Anal. Biochem. 270:103-111; Ge, 2000, Nucleic Acids Res.
28, e3, I-VII; MacBeath and Schreiber, 2000, Science 289:1760-1763;
WO 01/40803 and WO 99/51773A1. Polypeptides for the array can be
spotted at high speed, e.g., using commercially available robotic
apparati, e.g., from Genetic MicroSystems or BioRobotics. The array
substrate can be, for example, nitrocellulose, plastic, glass,
e.g., surface-modified glass. The array can also include a porous
matrix, e.g., acrylamide, agarose, or another polymer.
[0360] For example, the array can be an array of antibodies, e.g.,
as described in De Wildt, supra. Cells that produce the antibodies
can be grown on a filter in an arrayed format. Antibody production
is induced, and the expressed polypeptides are immobilized to the
filter at the location of the cell. An antibody array can be
contacted with a labeled target to determine the extent of binding
of the target to each immobilized antibody. Information about the
extent of binding at each address of the array can be stored as a
profile, e.g., in a computer database. The antibody array can be
produced in replicates and used to compare binding profiles, e.g.,
of a target and a non-target.
[0361] FACS (Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting). The FcRn-binding
antibody can be used to label cells, e.g., cells in a sample (e.g.,
a patient sample). The antibody is also attached (or attachable) to
a fluorescent compound. The cells can then be sorted using
fluorescence activated cell sorter (e.g., using a sorter available
from Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems, San Jose Calif.; see
also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,627,037; 5,030,002; and 5,137,809). As cells
pass through the sorter, a laser beam excites the fluorescent
compound while a detector counts cells that pass through and
determines whether a fluorescent compound is attached to the cell
by detecting fluorescence. The amount of label bound to each cell
can be quantified and analyzed to characterize the sample.
[0362] The sorter can also deflect the cell and separate cells
bound by the antibody from those cells not bound by the antibody.
The separated cells can be cultured and/or characterized.
[0363] In vivo Imaging. Also featured is a method for detecting the
presence of a FcRn-expressing tissues in vivo. The method includes
(i) administering to a subject (e.g., a patient having an
autoimmune disorder) an anti-FcRn antibody, conjugated to a
detectable marker; (ii) exposing the subject to a means for
detecting said detectable marker to the FcRn-expressing tissues or
cells. For example, the subject is imaged, e.g., by NMR or other
tomographic means.
[0364] Examples of labels useful for diagnostic imaging include
radiolabels such as .sup.131I, .sup.111In, .sup.123I, .sup.99mTc,
.sup.32P, .sup.125I, .sup.3H, .sup.14C, and .sup.188Rh, fluorescent
labels such as fluorescein and rhodamine, nuclear magnetic
resonance active labels, positron emitting isotopes detectable by a
positron emission tomography ("PET") scanner, chemiluminescers such
as luciferin, and enzymatic markers such as peroxidase or
phosphatase. Short range radiation emitters, such as isotopes
detectable by short range detector probes can also be employed. The
antibody can be labeled with such reagents using known techniques.
For example, see Wensel and Meares, 1983, Radioimmunoimaging and
Radioimmunotherapy, Elsevier, New York for techniques relating to
the radiolabeling of antibodies and D. Colcher et al., 1986, Meth.
Enzymol. 121: 802 816.
[0365] A radiolabeled antibody can also be used for in vitro
diagnostic tests. The specific activity of a isotopically-labeled
antibody depends upon the half life, the isotopic purity of the
radioactive label, and how the label is incorporated into the
antibody.
[0366] Procedures for labeling polypeptides with the radioactive
isotopes (such as .sup.14C, .sup.3H, .sup.35S, .sup.125I, .sup.32P,
.sup.131I) are generally known. For example, tritium labeling
procedures are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,438. Iodinating,
tritium labeling, and .sup.35S labeling procedures, e.g., as
adapted for murine monoclonal antibodies, are described, e.g., by
Goding, J. W. (Monoclonal antibodies: principles and practice:
production and application of monoclonal antibodies in cell
biology, biochemistry, and immunology 2nd ed. London; Orlando:
Academic Press, 1986. pp 124 126) and the references cited therein.
Other procedures for iodinating polypeptides, such as antibodies,
are described by Hunter and Greenwood, 1962, Nature 144:945, David
et al., 1974, Biochemistry 13:1014 1021, and U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,867,517 and 4,376,110. Radiolabeling elements which are useful in
imaging include .sup.123I, .sup.131I, .sup.111In, and .sup.99mTc,
for example. Procedures for iodinating antibodies are described by
Greenwood, F. et al., 1963, Biochem. J. 89:114 123; Marchalonis,
J., 1969, Biochem. J. 113:299 305; and Morrison, M. et al., 1971,
Immunochemistry 289 297. Procedures for .sup.99mTc labeling are
described by Rhodes, B. et al. in Burchiel, S. et al. (eds.), Tumor
Imaging: The Radioimmunochemical Detection of Cancer, New York:
Masson 111 123 (1982) and the references cited therein. Procedures
suitable for .sup.111In labeling antibodies are described by
Hnatowich, D. J. et al., 1983, J. Immunol. Methods, 65:147 157,
Hnatowich, D. et al., 1984, J. Applied Radiation, 35:554 557, and
Buckley, R. G. et al., 1984, F.E.B.S. 166:202 204.
[0367] In the case of a radiolabeled antibody, the antibody is
administered to the patient, is localized to cells bearing the
antigen with which the antibody reacts, and is detected or "imaged"
in vivo using known techniques such as radionuclear scanning using
e.g., a gamma camera or emission tomography. See e.g., A. R.
Bradwell et al., "Developments in Antibody Imaging", Monoclonal
Antibodies for Cancer Detection and Therapy, R. W. Baldwin et al.,
(eds.), pp 65 85 (Academic Press 1985). Alternatively, a positron
emission transaxial tomography scanner, such as designated Pet VI
located at Brookhaven National Laboratory, can be used where the
radiolabel emits positrons (e.g., .sup.11C, .sup.18F, .sup.15O, and
.sup.13N).
[0368] MRI Contrast Agents. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses
NMR to visualize internal features of living subject, and is useful
for prognosis, diagnosis, treatment, and surgery. MRI can be used
without radioactive tracer compounds for obvious benefit. Some MRI
techniques are summarized in EP-A-0 502 814. Generally, the
differences related to relaxation time constants T1 and T2 of water
protons in different environments is used to generate an image.
However, these differences can be insufficient to provide sharp
high resolution images.
[0369] The differences in these relaxation time constants can be
enhanced by contrast agents. Examples of such contrast agents
include a number of magnetic agents paramagnetic agents (which
primarily alter T1) and ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic (which
primarily alter T2 response). Chelates (e.g., EDTA, DTPA and NTA
chelates) can be used to attach (and reduce toxicity) of some
paramagnetic substances (e.g., Fe.sup.+3, Mn.sup.+2, Gd.sup.+3).
Other agents can be in the form of particles, e.g., less than 10 mm
to about 10 nM in diameter). Particles can have ferromagnetic,
antiferromagnetic, or superparamagnetic properties. Particles can
include, e.g., magnetite (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4),
.gamma.-Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ferrites, and other magnetic mineral
compounds of transition elements. Magnetic particles may include:
one or more magnetic crystals with and without nonmagnetic
material. The nonmagnetic material can include synthetic or natural
polymers (such as sepharose, dextran, dextrin, starch and the
like.
[0370] The FcRn-binding antibody can also be labeled with an
indicating group containing of the NMR active .sup.19F atom, or a
plurality of such atoms inasmuch as (i) substantially all of
naturally abundant fluorine atoms are the .sup.19F isotope and,
thus, substantially all fluorine containing compounds are NMR
active; (ii) many chemically active polyfluorinated compounds such
as trifluoracetic anhydride are commercially available at
relatively low cost; and (iii) many fluorinated compounds have been
found medically acceptable for use in humans such as the
perfluorinated polyethers utilized to carry oxygen as hemoglobin
replacements. After permitting such time for incubation, a whole
body MRI is carried out using an apparatus such as one of those
described by Pykett, 1982, Sci. Am. 246:78 88 to locate and image
tissues expressing FcRn.
[0371] The disclosure also features kits comprising an antibody
that binds to FcRn and instructions for diagnostic use, e.g., the
use of the FcRn-binding antibody or antigen-binding fragment
thereof, to detect FcRn, in vitro, e.g., in a sample, e.g., a
biopsy or cells from a patient having an autoimmune disorder, or in
vivo, e.g., by imaging a subject. The kit can further contain a
least one additional reagent, such as a label or additional
diagnostic agent. For in vivo use the antibody can be formulated as
a pharmaceutical composition.
[0372] The present invention is further illustrated by the
following Examples, which in no way should be construed as further
limiting. The entire contents of all of the references (including
literature references, issued patents, published patent
applications, and co-pending patent applications) cited throughout
this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in
particular for the teaching that is referenced hereinabove.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Cloning FcRn, FcRn-GPI And .beta..sub.2M
[0373] The full length FcRn cDNA construct used for these Examples
was originally constructed in the Simister lab (Brandeis
University, Waltham Mass.) using pcDNA6 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad,
Calif.) as the plasmid vector (FcRn:pcDNA6). The Human .beta.2m
cDNA construct used for these Examples was originally constructed
in the Blumberg lab (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.) using
pcDNA3 (Invitrogen) as the plasmid vector (.beta.2M:pcDNA3).
[0374] Plasmids were transfected into One Shot TOP10 chemically
competent E. coli (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) according to the
manufacturer's instruction. A single colony was picked from each of
the transformed plates, inoculated into 500-1000 ml of LB medium
and cultured overnight in a shaker Plasmid DNA was purified from
these cultures with Maxi Prep kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). The
pcDNA6-Full length hFcRn plasmid construct was digested with Nhe1
and Xba1. The pCDNA3.1-.beta.2-M plasmid construct was digested
with Hind III and Xba 1. The pCDNA6-hFcRn-GPI plasmid construct was
digested with Nhe1 and Xba 1. The digested products were resolved
on a 1% agarose gel to verify the size of the insert was correct.
The correct size for full-length FcRn and GPI-FcRn were about 1 kb
in length. Human .beta.2M was about 0.4 kb in length. The plasmid
DNA (4 mg/ml in ethanol) was diluted to 2mg/ml in sterile DPBS
(Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) before intra-muscular injection.
Example 2
Immunization of Mice with FcRn-Encoding Plasmid DNA
[0375] Balb/c mice were treated with 100 .mu.l of 10 mM cardiotoxin
(Calbiochem, San Diego) 5 days before plasmid DNA injection.
Cardiotoxin treatment was used to provoke an inflammatory response
and to recruit antigen presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells) to
the injected area, thereby improving antigen presentation when the
protein encoded by the plasmid was expressed.
[0376] 100 .mu.g of full-length or GPI-hFcRn plasmid construct
resuspended in 50 .mu.l of PBS were injected into the anterior
tibialis muscle of the mice. Mice immunized with the combination of
hFcRn and .beta..sub.2M received a dose of 50 .mu.g of hFcRn
plasmid in 25 .mu.l PBS and 50 .mu.g of .beta..sub.2M plasmid in 25
.mu.l PBS. All intra-muscular injections were performed under
systemic anesthesia with pentobarbital (50 mg/kg,
intraperitoneally) or ketamine(100 mg/kg)/Xylazine(10 mg/kg).
Animals were boosted with additional injections of hFcRn plasmid
DNA at 21 and 42 days after the first immunization using the same
dose and volume as used for the first injection.
[0377] Mice were also boosted with the soluble form of recombinant
hFcRn (shFcRn, 100 .mu.g/mouse, intraperitoneally) on day 76 after
the initial immunization. Next, 30 to 50 .mu.l of sera was obtained
by tail vein bleeding at 56 and 94 days after the initial
immunization. The sera as then tested for antibody titers as
described below in Example 3. In addition, mouse number 182 was
given an intra-venous (IV) boost with recombinant shFcRn (50
.mu.g/mouse) on days 129, 130 and 131 before fusion. On day 132,
spleen cells from mouse number 182 were fused with NS-1 or SP2/0
myeloma cells (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) as described below in Example
4. About 35 anti-human FcRn specific mAB hybridoma lines were
generated from this fusion.
[0378] Mouse number 187 was further boosted IV with 50 .mu.g of
recombinant shFcRn on days 276, 277, and 278 after the initial
immunization. On day 279, spleen cells from 187 were fused with
SP2/0 myeloma cells as described below in Example 4. 10% of the
resulting fusions were plated in eleven 96 well plates. The
remaining 90% of the fusions were stored in liquid nitrogen. From
the fusions plated, 35 lines that secrete mAB recognizing hFcRn
were generated. The immunization protocol is summarized in Table
2.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 2 IMMUNIZATION PROTOCOL No. Day Day Day Day of
129-131 132 276-278 279 Vaccination mice Day 5 Day 0 Day 21 Day 42
Day 56 Day 76 Day 94 #182 #182 #187 #187 Human 5 Cardio-
Immunization Boost Boost 1.sup.st Boost IP 2.sup.nd Daily Fusion
FL- toxin Serum with Serum boost FcRn- treatment test sHFcRn test
with DNA shFcRn IV Human 5 Cardio- Immunization Boost Boost Serum
Boost IP Serum Daily Fusion FL- toxin test with test boost FcRn
treatment sHFcRn with DNA + shFcRn Human IV beta 2M DNA Human 5
Cardio- Immunization Boost Boost Serum Boost IP Serum GPI- toxin
test with test FcRn treatment sHFcRn DNA Human 5 Cardio-
Immunization Boost Boost Serum Boost IP Serum GPI- toxin test with
test FcRn + treatment sHFcRn Human beta 2M DNA No 5 Cardio- Serum
Serum DNA toxin test test treatment
Example 3
Antibody Titer in Mouse Serum
[0379] Anti-hFcRn and anti-.beta..sub.2M titer in mouse serum was
measured by ELISA. ELISA plates were coated with 2 .mu.g/ml of
soluble hFcRn or h.beta..sub.2M (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) in ELISA
coating buffer (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). Plates were incubated at
37.degree. C. for 1 hour. The plates were washed twice with
PBS+0.05% Tween (PBST). The plates were blocked with 1% fish
gelatin in PBS for 1 hour at 37.degree. C. The plates were washed
twice with PBST. Serially diluted mouse serum (in PBS) was added
(100 .mu.l/well) and incubated for 2 hours at 37.degree. C. The
plates were washed 5 times with PBST. Goat anti-mouse IgG-HRP
(Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) at 1 to 10,000 dilution was added to the
plates and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. The plates
were washed 5 times with PBST. Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) solution
(KPL, Gaithersburg, Md.) was added to the plates for color
development. The substrate reaction was stopped after approximately
5 minutes when appropriate color developed. The plates were read at
450 nM in a microplate reader (Bio-rad, Hercules, Calif.). Serum
was tested in all mice at day 56 (FIG. 1). Those mice with serum
reactive with hFcRn were tested again on day 94 and the serum
titers are shown in FIG. 2.
Example 4
Hybridoma Fusions
[0380] Mouse 182 and mouse 187 were selected for making hybridoma
fusions. The spleens of both mice were removed and single cell
suspensions of spleen cells were prepared by teasing the spleens
apart followed by repeated pipetting with 10 ml of DMEM media
(Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). The spleen cells were centrifuged
at 500 g for 5 minutes. Red blood cells were lysed by resuspending
the spleen cells in 2 ml ACK lysis buffer (8.29 g NH.sub.4Cl, 1 g
KHCO.sub.3, 37.2 mg Na.sub.2EDTA, H.sub.20 to a final volume of 1
liter, pH 7.2-7.4). The cells were incubated on ice for 5 minutes.
ACK buffer treated cells were washed three times with DMEM. The
total number of spleen cells obtained from mouse 182 was
216.times.10.sup.6. One half of the cells was fused with
70.times.10.sup.6 SP2/0 myeloma cells and the other half was fused
with 27.times.10.sup.6 NS-1 cells.
[0381] The #182 fusion was carried out according to the method
described in Current Protocol of Immunology Unit 2.5, Wayne M.
Yokoyama, Publisher: John Wiley and Son Inc. Electronic version.
SP2/0 fused cells were diluted in 314 ml HAT medium and seeded onto
16.5 plates (96 well plate, 0.2 ml/well). NS-1 fused cells were
diluted in 216 ml HAT medium and seeded onto 11 plates (96 well
plate, 0.2 ml/well).
[0382] In the #187 fusion, 2.times.108 spleen cells were fused with
8.times.107 SP2/0 myeloma cells using a protocol from "Monoclonal
Antibodies" edited by J. H. Peters and H. Baumgarten, published by
Springer-Verlag, 1992, Page 149-156. New York.
[0383] On days 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 after the fusion, half of the HAT
medium was replaced with fresh HAT medium. One to two weeks after
the fusion, hybidoma cells from positive wells (determined by clear
growth under the microscope and by naked eye inspection) were
transferred to 24 well culture plates. Within 2 weeks after the
fusion, hybridoma cells were cultured in HAT media containing
complete medium. On day 16, cells were transferred to CDMEM without
HAT.
[0384] When the medium turned slightly yellow, an aliquot of
supernatant was harvested and screened for anti-hFcRn activity by
ELISA as described in Example 3. A total of 384 hybridoma lines
from SP2/0-#182 spleen cell fusion were screened. A total of 60
hybridoma lines from NS-1-#182 spleen cell fusion were screened.
Supernatants from 31 lines of SP2/0 fusion tested positive by ELISA
for anti-hFcRn reactivity. Supernatants from 8 hybridoma lines of
NS-1 fusion tested positive by ELISA for anti-hFcRn reactivity. A
total of16 hybridoma lines from #182 fusion were cloned by limiting
dilution and 3 subclones from each line were selected for further
characterization.
Example 5
Hybridoma Cloning
[0385] Hybridoma cloning media was prepared as follows: 12.5 ml
hepes buffer solution (100.times./1M) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad,
Calif.), 5 ml sodium pyruvate (100.times./100 mM) (Invitrogen,
Carlsbad, Calif.), 5 ml penicillin/streptomycin (100.times./10,000
units) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), 5 ml non-essential amino
acids (100.times./100 mM) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), 5 ml
L-glutamine (100.times./200 mM) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), 0.5
ml 2-mercaptoethanol (1000.times./5.5.times.10.sup.-2 M)
(Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), 100 ml FBS (prescreened for
hybridoma growth)(Cambrex, East Rutherford, N.J.), and 50 ml of
hybridoma cloning factor (ICN, Irvine, Calif.) were added to 317 ml
high glucose DMEM (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). The media was
filtered through a 0.22 .mu.m filter and stored at 4.degree. C.
[0386] Two days before cloning, the cDMEM culture media was
replaced with hybridoma cloning media. On the day of cloning, the
cells were washed once in DMEM and the cells were counted. The
cells were resuspended in cloning medium at a concentration varied
from 1.times.10.sup.5-1.times.10.sup.6 /ml. 3000, 300 or 100 cells
were transferred to 20 ml cloning medium to make concentration of
150 cells/ml, 15 cells/ml or 3 cells/ml. The cells were then
transferred to 3 individual plates (one for each cell
concentration) of a 96 well plate. Each well has final volume of
0.2 ml. The plates were incubated at 37.degree. C., 10% CO.sub.2
for 1-2 weeks at which point positive wells were counted. 20 30
clones were selected from plates with the least positive wells and
expanded into 24 well plates. The supernatants were tested by
anti-FcRn ELISA as described in Example 3 for reactivity to soluble
FcRn.
Example 6
Cell Competition Assay Using FcRn Specific mAB Supernatants
[0387] A. Labeling of Synagis.RTM. with Alexa-Fluor-488
[0388] Synagis.RTM. (humanized IgG1, MedImmune, Gaithersburg, Md.)
was labeled with the Alexa Fluor 488 Protein Labeling Kit
(Molecular Probes/Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) according to the
manufacturer's suggested protocol. Briefly, 50 .mu.l of 1 M sodium
bicarbonate, pH 9.0 was added to 500 .mu.l of a 2 mg/ml solution of
IgG in PBS. This protein solution was then added to the Alexa Fluor
488 succinimidyl ester (dry powder) and incubated at room
temperature for 1 hour. The protein was purified by size-exclusion
chromatography using the kit component column (Bio-Rad BioGel P-30
Fine size exclusion purification resin). The sample was loaded onto
the column and eluted with PBS. The first colored band contained
the labeled protein. The degree of labeling was determined by
measuring the absorbance of the eluted IgG at A280 and A494. The
protein molar concentration was determined using the formula:
( M ) = [ A 280 - ( A 494 .times. 0.11 ) .times. dilution factor ]
203,000 ##EQU00001##
In addition, the formula used to derive the moles of dye per mole
of protein was:
( M ) = A 494 .times. dilution factor 71,000 .times. protein
concentration ##EQU00002##
Typically, 4 to 7 moles of Alexa-Fluor 488 were incorporated per
mole of IgG. B. Cell Competition Assay with FcRn Specific
Supernatants
[0389] 293 C11 cells expressing hFcRn and human .beta..sub.2M were
used to test FcRn mAB supernatants in a competition assay with a
fluorescently labeled IgG1. 300,000 293 C11 cells were washed in
PBS and pelleted in a table top micro-centrifuge at 2500 RPM for 5
minutes. The pelleted cells were resuspended in 100-200 .mu.l of
supernatant from clones producing FcRn specific mABs and incubated
on ice for 60-90 minutes. The cells were washed twice with binding
buffer (PBS pH 6.0 10 mM EDTA). The cells were resuspended in 100
.mu.l of binding buffer. Alexa fluor 488 (Molecular Probes, Eugene,
Oreg.) labeled hIgG1 was prepared using a kit (Molecular Probes,
Eugene, Oreg.) according to the manufacturer's instructions and
added to each tube (100 nM in 0.6-1.5 .mu.l). The cells were
incubated for 40 minutes on ice. The cells were washed once in
binding buffer and analyzed by fluorescent activated cell sorter
(FACS) using EXPO.32 software (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Miami, Fla.).
The results are presented as total mean fluorescence intensity
(TMFI).
[0390] FIG. 3 depicts results from the 182 fusions. If the TMFI of
the control tube (Alexa Fluor 488 alone and without competitor) is
higher than the TMFI of the tube containing competitor (mAB sup),
the inhibition rate was calculated as follows:
TMFI of control tube-TMFI of competitor containing tube/TMFI of
control tube.
If TMFI of the control tube is lower than the TMFI of competitor
containing tube, there is enhancement of hIgG1 binding to FcRn
expressing cells. The enhancement was calculated as follows:
TMFI of competitor containing tube-TMFI of control tube/TMFI of
control tube.
[0391] FIG. 4 depict results from the 187 fusion. TMFI was
calculated as fraction of cells in the gated region multiplied by
mean fluorescence in the region. The results of one experiment
indicated 11 of the supernatants tested inhibited IgG1 labeled with
Alexa fluor 188 binding to 293C11 cells, while 4 of the
supernatants enhanced binding of IgG1 labeled with Alexa fluor 188
binding to 293C11 (FIG. 4A). The results of a second experiment
indicated that 3 supernatants inhibited IgG1 binding to 293 C11
cells, while 5 supernatants enhanced binding (FIG. 4B).
Example 7
Cell Competition Assay Using Purified FcRn Specific mABs
[0392] 293 C11 cells expressing hFcRn and human .beta..sub.2M were
used to test FcRn mAB supernatants in a competition assay with a
fluorescently labeled IgG1. The cells were washed once with binding
buffer (PBS pH 6.0, 10 mM EDTA) and pelleted at 1800 RPM, 4.degree.
C. in a table top centrifuge. The cells were aliquoted into
micro-centrifuge tubes (1-3.times.10.sup.5/vial/ml binding buffer).
The cells were pelleted in a micro-centrifuge at 2500 RPM for five
minutes. The supernatant was aspirated and the cell pellet was
resuspended in 100 .mu.l of binding buffer. Purified FcRn specific
mABs were added at various concentrations. Alexa fluor 488
(Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.) labeled IgG was added at a
concentration of 100 nM (final concentration) to each tube. The
samples were incubated at 4.degree. C. for 40 minutes. The samples
were washed once with binding buffer and resuspended in binding
buffer for FACS analysis (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Miami, Fla.).
Before sample analysis the FACS was equilibrated with binding
buffer. The results are presented as total mean fluorescence
intensity (TMFI). TMFI was calculated as percentage of cells in the
gated region x mean fluorescence in the region. The results
indicated the mAB 3B3.11, mAB 4B4.12, mAB 31.1 and mAB 4.13
inhibited IgG1 binding to 293 C11 cells significantly (FIG. 5).
Example 8
Cell Surface Staining for FcRn Using Monoclonal Antibodies
[0393] Surface expression of FcRn using mABs was detected by FACS.
Rat fibroblasts (expressing rat FcRn/rat .beta..sub.2M) 293 C11
cells (expressing hFcRn/human .beta..sub.2M), 3T3 FcRn cells
(expressing murine FcRn/murine (3.sub.2M) and COS cells transfected
with plasmid pCDNA6 encoding monkey FcRN/.beta..sub.2M were
studied. A micro-centrifuge was used to pellet 1-3.times.10.sup.5
of each cell type. The supernatant was removed and the cells were
resuspended in 1 .mu.g of mAB labeled with Alexa 488 (Molecular
Probes, Eugene, Oreg.) in a final volume of 100 .mu.l of PBS/1%
bovine serum albumin (pH 7.4). Purified mABs specific to FcRn were
previously labeled with Alexa Fluor 488 (Molecular Probes, Eugene,
Oreg.) using the Alexa Fluor Protein Labeling Kit (Molecular
Probes, Eugene, Oreg.) according to the manufacturers instructions.
The cells were incubated on ice for 45 minutes and then washed once
with PBS/1% bovine serum albumin (pH 7.2). FACS analysis was
performed using a Beckman Coulter, Inc. FACS (Beckman Coulter,
Inc., Miami Fla.). The results are presented in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.
FIG. 6 shows that mABs 3B3.11, 31.1, 4.13, 4B.12 and 15B6.1 all
recognized hFcRn expressed on the cell surface of 293 C11 cells.
FIG. 7 shows that mABs 4.13 and 4B4.12 also recognized rat FcRn
expressed on the surface of cells expressing rat FcRn while mABS
3B3.11 and 31.1 did not cross react with rat FcRn. FIG. 8 shows
that mABs 3B3.11, 4B4.12 and 4.13 recognized murine FcRn expressed
on the cell surface of mouse 3T3 cells, while 15B6.1 and 31.1 did
not cross react.
Example 9
Sub-Cloning of Various Hybridoma Cell Lines
[0394] Hybridomas from mouse 187 were selected for sub-cloning.
Hybridomas 6A4, 6A1, 5A4, 7D2, 4B4, 3C5, 3B3, 10B4, 1C1, and 11A5
were selected for sub-cloning. Sub-cloning was performed by
limiting dilution. 3B5 clones secrets anti-h.beta.2M antibody.
Between 20 and 30 sub-clones were grown and the supernatants from
the cultures were tested by ELISA as described in Example 3.
Cultures from 2-10 positive clones were expanded into T150 flasks
(4 flasks per clone). A total of 350-400 ml of supernatant was
harvested for mAB purification. The mAB yield from each clone
ranged from 3-20 mg. The purified mABs were tested for FcRn
blocking using the 293 C11 competition assay as described in
Example 7. The mABs were titrated 2-fold from 1000 nM to 16 nM for
the competition assay. A summary of the results obtained for the
187 sub-clones and the 182 clones is presented in Table 3.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 3 Characterization of mABs from #182 fusion
and #187 fusion Blocking test Blocking ELISA (sup) % of IgG
(purified) Clones (shFcRn) inhibition isotyping % Inhibition #182
fusions 4.13 + >50 IgG1 90 15B6.1 ++ >50 IgG2a 14C5.3 +
>40 IgG2a 31.1 + >40 IgG1 93 3C6.2 + >35 IgG2a 74 #187
fusion 3B3.11 ++ >60 IgG1 92 3B3.16 ++ >60 IgG1 73 3B3.21
++++ >60 IgG1 84 3B3.35 ++ >60 IgG1 86 6A4.1 + >40 IgG1 42
6A4.4 + >40 IgG1 52 6A4.16 + >40 IgG1 65 6A4.17 + >40 IgG1
42 6A1.12 + 21 IgG1 IgG2a 35 6A1.13 + 25 IgG2a 39 6A1.29 + 33 IgG2a
81 3B5.2 (@.beta.2m) +++ 71 IgG2a 90 3B5.4(@.beta.2m) +++ 79 IgG2a
52 3B5.5(@.beta.2m) +++ 63 IgG2a 3B5.9(@.beta.2m) +++ 71 IgG2a 80
7D2.13 + 49 IgG1 IgG2a 11 7D2.21 ++ 43 7D2.22 + 49 IgG1 IgG2a 43
7D2.27 + 46 IgG1 52 5A4.9 + 57 5A4.10 + 49 IgG1 63 5A4.25 + 54 IgG1
31 5A4.27 + 51 39 5A4.38 + 43 15 5A4.39 + 49 20 5A4.40 + 53 30
5A4.41 + 66 35 5A4.42 + 72 4B4.1 ++ 70 IgG2a 4B4.2 ++ 66 IgG2a 69
4B4.12 ++ 70 IgG2a 71 4B4.13 ++ 66 IgG2a 60 3C5.10 + 30 3C5.11 + 40
3C5.14 + 40 3C5.16 + 33 10B4.5 +++ 23 54 10B4.9 ++ 23 31 1C1.7 +++
32 IgG1 23 1C1.22 +++ 27 IgG1 61 1C1.23 +++ 32 IgG1 27 1C1.25 ++ 32
IgG1 38 11A5.5 +++ 49 IgG1 13 11A5.9 + 43 11A5.11 + 45 11A5.12 + 51
IgG1/IgG2a 76
Example 10
Intracellular Staining of FcRn
[0395] THP-1 cells (a human monocytic cell line) and Caco-2 cells
(a human intestinal epithelial cell line) were studied for
intracellular staining of FcRn using purified monoclonal antibodies
(mABs) specific to FcRn. Aliquots of 300,000 cells/tube of THP-1 or
Caco-2 cells were pelleted and resuspended in 250 .mu.l of BD
Cytofix/Cytoperm (BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.).
The cells were washed twice with 1 ml of BD Perm/wash solution (BD
Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.) and resuspended in the
same solution. Alexa fluor 488 (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.)
labeled mABs (1 .quadrature.g/tube) were added to the cells and the
cells were incubated for 45 minutes on ice. The cells were washed
twice with BD Perm/wash solution (BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San
Diego, Calif.) and resupended in PBS/1% bovine serum albumin The
cells were analyzed by FACS (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Miami Fla.).
The results are presented in FIGS. 9 and 10 and indicated that mABs
3B3.11, 31.1, 4B4.12 and 15B6.1 all effectively bound to
intra-cellular FcRn in THP-1 cells (FIG. 9), while the 4.13 mAB did
not. Similar results were obtained for the Caco-2 cells (FIG.
10).
Example 11
Intracellular and Surface Staining of Mouse Spleen Cells with
Anti-FcRn mABs
[0396] Forceps were used to tease apart cells from the mouse
spleen. The cells were pelleted and resuspended in ACK lysis buffer
(8.29 g NH.sub.4Cl, 1 g KHCO.sub.3, 37.2 mg Na.sub.2EDTA, H.sub.20
to a final volume of 1 liter, pH 7.2-7.4) and incubated at room
temperature for 5 minutes. The cells were washed three times with
DMEM/5% FBS(Invitrogen, Carlsbad,Calif.). 1.times.10.sup.6 cells
were transferred to a microfuge tube and pelleted in a table top
micro-centrifuge. For intracellular staining a fixation and
permeabilization step was performed as described in Example 10. The
cells were resuspended in washing buffer (PBS/1% BSA) containing 20
.mu.g/ml mouse isotype control antibody and incubated on ice 20
minutes. The cells were pelleted and Alexa 488 (Molecular Probes,
Eugene, Oreg.) labeled mABs (1 .mu.g/tube) in 100 .mu.l washing
buffer containing 1 .mu.g/ml isotype control antibody was added to
the cells. The cells were incubated on ice for 40 minutes and then
washed twice with washing buffer. Scatter was gated as
macrophages/monocytes enriched population using EXPO.32 software.
By adjusting forward scatter and size scatter, macrophage/monocytes
(unique population with large size and high granuality) enriched
population was analyzed. The cells were analyzed by FACS (Beckman
Coulter, Inc., Miami Fla.). The results are presented in FIG. 11
and indicate that mAB 4B4.12 detected mouse FcRn on the surface and
intracellularly in both spleen cells and macrophage/monocytes
obtained from the spleen cell population.
Example 12
Effect of Anti-FcRn mAB 4B4.12 on Immune Response
[0397] Female Balb/c mice, 6-8 weeks old, were immunized with 50
.mu.l of an emulsion of complete Freund's adjuvant mixed 1:1 with
ovalbumin. Mice were immunized subcutaneously once on each side of
the flank on day 0 and boosted on day 10 with 100 .mu.g of
ovalbumin/mouse. Mice were treated by injecting intra-peritoneally
either the 4B4.12 mAB specific to FcRn or the isotype control
(1813; ATCC1813) antibody (1 mg/ml in PBS/mouse) or PBS. Treatments
were administered on day -1, day 0, day 1, and every other day
there after. The mice were bled on day 9 for serum samples and
euthanized on day 16. A maximum serum draw was made after
euthanization. The protocol is summarized below in Table 4.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 4 Treatment Protocol Treatments Day 0 Every
Day Day Group# Day-1 IP SC Day +1 other day +9 +10 Day +16 1 4B4.12
4B4.12 OVA + CFA 4B4.12 4B4.12 Bleed OVA Assays 2 1813 1813 OVA +
CFA 1813 1813 Bleed OVA Assays 3 PBS PBS OVA + CFA PBS PBS Bleed
OVA Assays
[0398] Spleens and draining lymph nodes were obtained and weighed
in an analytical balance. The results presented in FIG. 12 indicate
that the weight of both the spleen and the draining (inguinal)
lymph node was reduced in the mice treated with the 4B4.12 mAB
compared to the 2 controls.
[0399] Ovalbumin antibody titer was measured by ELISA. Ovalbumin at
a concentration of 10 .mu.g/ml was coated on ELISA plates and
blocked with PBS/1% BSA. Titrated serum (starting with 1 to 50 then
2 fold dilution of 2 .mu.g/ml in PBS/1% BSA) and standard mouse
IgG1 (mouse mAB anti-OVA) was added to the plates and incubated at
37.degree. C. for 2 hours. Goat anti-mouse IgG HRP (Pierce,
Rockford, Ill.) was added and the plates were incubated for 30
minutes. TMB solution (KPL, Gaithersburg, Md.) was added and the
color developed. Optical density was measured at 450 nM using a
microplate reader (Bio-rad, Hercules, Calif.). The results are
presented in FIG. 13 and demonstrate that the 4b4.12 mAB
significantly reduced anti-ovalbumin serum concentration.
Example 13
Effect of 4B4.12 on Catabolism of Synagis in CD1 Mice
[0400] CD1 Mice (n=4) (Charles River Laboratories) were injected
intra-peritoneally with Synagis 1 mg/kg. 72 hours later, 4B4.12,
MIgG1 or PBS were injected intra-peritoneally (20 mg/kg). After 4,
6 and 10 days, mouse serum was obtained and Synagis concentration
was determined by ELISA. Anti-human IgG (FAB')2 antibody at the
concentration of 10 .quadrature.g/ml in ELISA coating buffer
(Sigma) was coated on ELISA plates at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour.
After two washes with PBST, the plates were blocked with PBS/2% BSA
for 1 hour at 37.degree. C. Following two washes, serum samples
were diluted two fold starting at a 1 to 50 dilution and added to
the plates in duplicates (100 .mu.l/well). The plates were
incubated for 2 hours at 37.degree. C. After three washes with
PBST, HRP conjugate of Goat anti-human IgG Fc was added to the
plates and incubated at room temperature for 40 minutes. After 4
washes with PBST, TMB substrates (KPL) were added to the plates and
incubate for 5 minutes at room temperature. The color reaction was
stopped with stop solution (KPL) and the plates were read at a
microplate reader (Molecular Devices).
[0401] The results at day 4 are presented in FIG. 14 and
demonstrate the 4B4.12 mAB increases catabolism of Synagis compared
to control antibody MIgG2a or PBS. The concentration of Synagis
over 10 days in the three treatment groups is depicted in FIG. 15
and demonstrates that mAb 4B4.12 increased Synagis catabolism
consistently from day 4 through day 10 when compared to MIgG2a or
PBS.
Example 14
Therapeutic Effect of mAB 4B4.12 in a Rat Model for Autoimmune
Disease
[0402] The experimental autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis
(EAMG), can be induced in the rat by passive transfer of anti-AchR
mAB35 (Socrates et al. Journal of Neuroimmunology. 15:185-194
(1987)). Monoclonal antibody 4B4.12 which cross-reacts with rat
FcRn was evaluated for its ability to effect disease status in the
EAMG rat model.
[0403] 4-5 week-old female Lewis rats (75-100 g) were used. Rats
were clearly ear-marked. Monoclonal antibodies were administered
intra-peritoneally 24 hours before the disease induction, on the
day of disease induction and 24 hours after the disease induction.
On the day of disease induction, FcRn blocking or control mABs were
given first intra-peritoneally followed by intra-peritoneally
injection of mAB35 two hours later. Injection volume was 1 ml.
Three groups (6 rats/group) of rats were used for the experiment:
group 1 was treated with mAB 4B4.12, group 2 was treated with 1813
(control mAB), group 3 was treated with PBS. 48 hours after the
disease induction,100 .mu.l of serum was obtained from each rat for
the measurement of mAB35 and mouse mABs. The protocol is summarized
in Table 5.
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 5 Treatment Protocol Treatments Samples Group#
Day -1 Day 0 Day +1 Day +2 1 4B4.12 40 mg/kg 4B4.12 IP followed
4B4.12 40 Bleed IP lot 2 - 4.98 (2 h later) by mg/kg IP for serum
mg/ml mAB35 IP 2 1813 40 mg/kg 1813 IP followed 1813 40 Bleed IP
lot 2 - 4.67 (2 h later) by mg/kg IP for serum mg/ml mAB35 IP 5 PBS
PBS followed PBS Bleed (2 h later) by for serum mAB35 IP
[0404] Rats were observed for the signs of disease twice daily 12
hours after the disease induction. The following scoring system was
used: Grade 0, no symptoms; (1) weak grip, fatigability and
sometimes wheezing; (2) general weakness, hunched posture at rest,
decreased body weight, tremors; (3) severe weakness, moribund; and
(4) death. The protocol is summarized in Table 5. The results are
presented in Table 6 and FIG. 16 and demonstrate that mAB 4B4.12
decreased disease severity in the EAMG model.
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 6 Disease Status Group Disease free Disease
4B4.12 2 4 1813 (mIgG2a) 0 6 PBS 0 6
[0405] Weight loss or weight gain was determined for rats in each
of the experimental groups. The results are presented in Table 7
and FIG. 17 and demonstrate that rats treated with the 4B4.12 mAB
lost less weight than the corresponding control groups.
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 7 Weight Change Group Gained weight Lost
weight 4B4.12 3 3 1813 (mIgG2a) 0 6 PBS 1 5
Example 15
Effect of Antibodies of the Invention on Human IgG Catabolism in
TG32B Mice
[0406] Adult TG32B mice were injected intravenously with 5 mg/kg of
biotin-hIgG and 495 mg/kg of human IgG (MP Biomedicals, Irvine,
Calif.) at t=0 hours (T.sub.0). Then at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120
hours, the mice were injected intravenously with 50 mg/kg of an
antibody of the invention. Control injections were performed at
each timepoint using PBS. Blood samples were taken prior to
injections at all timepoints, as well as at 168 hours. Serum was
prepared and stored at -20.degree. C. until an ELISA measuring
Biotin-hIgG was performed.
[0407] Streptavidin coated plates (Pierce) were rehydrated with
three washes (200 .mu.l/well) of PBST (PBS containing 0.05% Tween
20). Serum samples and standards were diluted in PBS containing 2%
BSA (dilution buffer). Sample dilutions were 1:10,000, 1:20,000,
1:30,000 and 1:40,000. Standard was diluted from 200 ng/ml to 1.56
ng/ml in 2 fold dilutions. The plates were incubated at 37.degree.
C. for 2 hours followed by washing three times with PBST. Then the
plates were incubated with 100 .mu.l/well goat anti-human Fc-HRP
conjugate (Pierce) diluted 1:25,000 in dilution buffer at room
temperature for 30 minutes. After three washes of PBST, 100 .mu.l
TMB solution (BioFx) was added to the plates and the plates were
incubated in dark at room temperature until appropriate color
developed (when the wells of highest standard turn dark blue). Then
100 .mu.l/well of 0.25M H.sub.2SO.sub.4 was added to stop the color
reaction and OD was measured at 450 nM.
[0408] The results showed that 3B3.11 significantly reduced the
serum concentration of Biotin-hIgG, indicating the increased
catabolism of hIgG after FcRn blockade (FIGS. 18 & 19).
Example 16
Summary of mABs in Reactivity Across Species
[0409] MAB 4B4.12, 3B3.11, 31.1, 4.13 and 3B5.4 were studied in
FACS binding assays and FACS blocking assays for reactivity to FcRn
across species. Human FcRn expressing cells (293C11) and monkey
FcRn expressing cells were produced. Rat and mouse FcRn expressing
cells were from Neil Simister of Brandeis University. For blocking
experiments, FcRn expressing cells were incubated with Alexa-A488
labeled hIgG1 (100 nM) and various concentrations of mABs (4B4.12,
3B3.11, 31.1, 4.13 and 3B5.4 or isotype controls such as IgG1,
IgG2a) in pH6 PBS buffer. 45 minutes later, the cells were analyzed
by fluorescence staining and TMFI was calculated (see Example 6 for
detailed method). If the mAB inhibits hIgG1 binding to respective
FcRn expressing cells above 30%, this mAb is considered a blocking
mAB in this species. For binding experiments, FcRn expressing cells
were incubated with Alexa-A488 labeled mABs (4B4.12, 3B3.11, 31.1,
4.13 and 3B5.4 or isotype controls such as IgG1, IgG2a) in pH7.4
PBS buffer for 60 minutes. After one wash with PBS buffer, the
cells were examined in a Coulter flow cytometer for fluorescence
staining. If the binding of particular mAB to the cells is
significant above isotype control binding (TMFI is 50% higher),
this mAb is considered capable of binding to such species FcRn.
Table 8 and FIG. 20 show a summary of the results.
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 8 Summary of mAB for cross reactivity Binding
Blocking mAB Isotype Human Monkey Rat Mouse Human Monkey Rat Mouse
4B4.12 IgG2a Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3B3.11 IgG1 Yes Yes No
Yes Yes Yes No No 31.1 IgG1 Yes No No No Yes No No No 4.13 IgG1 Yes
No Yes Yes Yes No No No 3B5.4 IgG2a Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
(anti- .beta.2m)
Example 17
Monkey FcRn Transient Transfectants Stained with Anti-hFcRn
mABs
[0410] Cos1 cells were transfected with monkey FcRn heavy chain (in
pCDNA6) and .beta.2M (pED.dc) with Gene Jammer transfection reagent
(Strategene). 48 hours later, the cells were harvested and washed
once with PBS containing 0.5% BSA. 5.times.10.sup.5 cells were
incubated with mABs for 45 minutes on ice. Then the cells were
washed once with PBS containing 0.5% BSA. The cells were then
incubated with Alexa 488 labeled goat anti-mouse IgG (1:2500
dilution) for 45 minutes on ice. After one wash, the cells were
analyzed for fluorescence staining in a Coulter flow cytometer. The
results are expressed as TMFI.
Example 18
Western Blots with Anti-hFcRn mABs
[0411] 3 .mu.g of soluble human FcRn (Extra-cellular domain of
heavy chain and .beta.2M) was loaded to each lane of a 4-20%
Tris-glycine gel (Invitrogen) and was run at 200V for 60 minutes.
Then the gel was loaded to a gel blotting apparatus (Xcell II,
Invitrogen) with a PVDF membrane (Amersham) and run at 55V for 1 hr
at room temperature. Then the membrane was blocked with 5% milk in
PBST (PBS plus 0.05% Tween 20) for 1 hour. After that, the membrane
was incubated with 10 .mu.g/ml of various mABs overnight at
4.degree. C. After washing twice with PBST, the membrane was
incubated with goat anti-human IgG HRP (Southern Biotech
Associates) at 1:10,000 dilution for 90 min After another two
washes, the membrane was developed with a ECL kit (Amersham). The
results show that mAB 3B3.11, 3B3.16, 3B3.21, 3B3.35, 4.13, 15B6.1
and 31.1 recognized the human FcRn heavy chain while 3B5.4 and
5A4.9 recognized .beta.2M (FIG. 21).
Example 19
Biacore Analysis of 3B3.11
[0412] A CM5 chip (Biacore) was coated with approximately 500 RU of
soluble human FcRn or soluble monkey FcRn (diluted 100.times. into
acetate at pH 4.5) using standard amine coupling. Five five-fold
serial dilutions of antibody were made, starting from an initial
concentration of 10 .mu.g/mL. Each dilution was passed over the
chip in duplicate at 50 .quadrature.l/min for 1 minute. The data
were solved for a 1:1 binding interaction. Both bindings at pH 6
and pH 7.4 were examined (FIG. 22 and Table 9).
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 9 Biacore analysis of anti-hFcRn mAb 3B3.11
Human FcRn pH 6.0 pH 7.4 Off-Rate Off-Rate KD (sec.sup.-1) .times.
KD (sec.sup.-1 .times. mAb (nM) 10.sup.-4 (nM) 10.sup.-4) 3B3.11
1.17 .+-. 0.39 1.76 .+-. 0.79 0.16 (n = 2) 0.0145 (n = 2) 3B3_11
3.23 .+-. 0.14 5.52 .+-. 5.4 3.24 .+-. 0.30 2.47 .+-. 2.3
(cyno)
Example 20
Epitope Mapping of Anti-hFcRN mABs
[0413] Soluble human FcRn and mouse monoclonal antibodies are
prepared routinely in house. All reagents, buffers and chemicals
were purchased form Biacore AB (Uppsala, Sweden) unless otherwise
noted.
[0414] Instrumentation and surface preparation: Analysis of
macromolecular interactions using surface plasmon resonance has
been described in detail (1). A BIACORE 3000 instrument (Biacore
AB) was used and all binding interactions were performed at
25.degree. C. A carboxymethyl-modified dextran (CM5) sensor chip
(Biacore AB) was used for the analysis. Anti-FcRn monoclonal
antibodies was diluted to 1-10 .mu.g/mL in 10 mM sodium acetate (pH
5.0) and immobilized to one flow-cell of the sensor chip, using
amine coupling as described in (1). Final immobilization level was
approximately 10000 Resonance Units (RU). A control antibody
surface using a separate flow-cell was created using the same
procedure in the presence of a non-FcRn specific antibody (mAB
1745) and served as a reference for the binding studies.
[0415] Assay Design: The amino acid sequence of soluble human FcRn
(shFcRn) was synthesized as a continuous series of 27 peptides,
with each peptide extending 20 residues in length. These peptides
had an overlapping sequence of 10 amino acids. The peptides were
dissolved in 100% DMSO to a final concentration of 1-5 mg/mL. For
analysis, the peptide solutions were diluted 100-fold in HBS-N
buffer (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4; 150 mM NaCl) and injected over the
FcRn-specific antibody and reference surfaces for 3 minutes at a
rate of 20 uL/min After a 35 s. dissociation phase, the surface was
regenerated by a 30 s pulse of 10 mM glycine (pH 2.0) and a 15 s
pulse of 1% SDS at a flow rate of 60 uL/min. As a positive control,
shFcRn was injected over the specific and control flow-cells before
the first peptide tested and after the last peptide tested to
ensure chip stability. A buffer control (1% DMSO in HBS-N) was also
passed over both flow-cells as a negative control.
[0416] Data Evaluation: The sensorgrams (RU versus time) generated
for the control-coated (non-specific mAB) flow-cell were
automatically subtracted from the FcRn-coated sensograms. Response
at equilibrium (Req) was measured 30 s before the end of the
injection phase (1). Positive response indicates specific binding
of the peptide to the specific antibody (Frostell-Karlsson, et al.
J. Med. Chem., 43: 1986-1992 (2000)).
Summary of mAb Epitopes
TABLE-US-00019 [0417] Syn 558: (SEQ ID NO: 24)
Ac-SCPHRLREHLERGRGNLEWK-CONH2 - - - mAB 4B4.12, 4.13 Syn 559: (SEQ
ID NO: 25) Ac-ERGRGNLEWKEPPSMRLKAR-CONH2 - - - mAB 4B4.12, 4.13 Syn
562: (SEQ ID NO: 26) Ac-CSAFSFYPPELQLRFLRNGL-CONH2 - - - mAB
3B3.11, 4.13 Syn 544: (SEQ ID NO: 27) Ac-APGTPAFWVSGWLGPQQYLS-CONH2
- - - mAB 31.1
Example 21
Selection and Primary Screening of Fabs
A. Selection Protocols
[0418] Soluble Fabs (sFabs) were identified from a phage display
library that displays Fab fragments. Four different selections
using soluble human (shFcRn) or rat FcRn proteins and 293 C11 cells
expressing the human FcRn protein were carried out. Additional
selections were also carried out using a combination of cells and
protein targets using the same elution strategy as outlined below:
[0419] 1) Selections against biotinylated shFcRn: Three rounds of
selection against biotinylated shFcRn were carried out with
depletion on streptavidin beads. Phagemid were allowed to bind to
target in acidic binding buffer (pH 6), and were then eluted with
non-specific commercial human IgG (Calbiochem, 401114
http://www.emdbiosciences.com/product/401114) and monoclonal mouse
anti-human FcRn mAb (3B3) in an acidic buffer. After competitive
elution, all remaining bound phage were eluted by direct bead
infection of cells. The eluted phage output was used as input for
next round of selection. [0420] 2) Selections against
non-biotinylated shFcRn: Three rounds of selection against
non-biotinylated hFcRn which were passively immobilized on a 96
well ELISA plate were carried out with depletion on BSA coated
wells. Phagemid were allowed to bind to target in acidic binding
buffer (pH 6), and then were eluted with non-specific commercial
human IgG and anti-human FcRn mAb (3B3) in the same acidic buffer.
After competitive elution, all remaining bound phage were eluted by
using pH 7.4 buffer as well by direct infection of cells. The
eluted phage output was used as input for next round of selection.
[0421] 3) Selections against anti-human FcRn antibody
(17D3)-immobilized non-biotinylated shFcRn: Three rounds of
selection against hFcRn captured using biotinylated 17D3 on
streptavidin beads was carried out. Also included was a step of
depletion using biotinylated 17D3 on streptavidin beads in the
absence of FcRn. Phagemid were allowed to bind to target in acidic
binding buffer (pH 6), and then were eluted with non-specific
commercial human IgG and anti-human FcRn mAb (3B3) in the same
acidic buffer. After competitive elution, all remaining bound phage
were eluted by direct bead infection of cells. The eluted phage
output was used as input for next round of selection. [0422] 4)
Selections against hFcRn expressing cells: Three rounds of
selection against hFcRn-transfected cells were carried out with
depletion on untransfected parental cells. Phagemid were allowed to
bind to cells in acidic binding buffer (pH 6), and then were eluted
with non-specific human IgG and anti-Fc-Rn mAb in the same acidic
buffer. After competitive elution, all remaining bound phage were
eluted by cell lysis with magnetic streptavidin beads and
subsequent infection of bacteria. The eluted phage output is used
as input for next round of selection. Selection against both
soluble human FcRn protein (shFcRn) and hFcRn-expressing cells:
[0423] Outputs from (1) and (2) and (4) above were used in
alternate protein:cell:protein and cell:protein:cell (Round
1:Round2:Round3:Round4) selections using the same elution strategy
as above. ELISA Screening for Fab inhibitors of FcRn.
[0424] To identify hFcRn binders, primary screening of round 2
and/or 3 outputs from each selection arm described above against
biotinylated shFcRn in phage ELISA was carried out. Approximately
768 primary ELISA-positive Fabs on phagemid were re-arrayed, the
DNA sequenced, and further secondary screened for pH-dependent
binding (pH 6 vs. pH 7.5), species specificity (rat vs. human),
beta 2 microglobulin binding, and IgG competition.
[0425] One hundred sixty-one unique phagemids that passed the
secondary ELISA screening had distinct heavy chains. All 161 unique
phagemids were subcloned and expressed as sFabs and screened in a
FACS blocking assay.
[0426] Blocking of IgG-Fc binding to human FcRn-expressing 293 C11
cells performed at 4.degree. C. in an acidic environment resulted
in the discovery of eleven sFabs with antagonistic anti-FcRn
properties. All eleven sFab Fc-FcRn blockers were reformatted into
IgG1 and reformatted as AZ allotypes and further characterized in
vitro for affinity to soluble human and rat FcRn (K.sub.D
determination by SPR method), Fc-FcRn blocking using FACS analysis
(IC.sub.50), beta 2 microglobulin binding (by SPR), pH dependent
binding and blocking at pH 6 and pH 7.5 to soluble proteins and
cells (human FcRn and rat FcRn in FACS and by SPR).
Example 22
Anti-FcRN Fabs
[0427] The CDR sequences of exemplary ant-FcRn Fabs identified in
the phage display library selections are shown in Table 10.
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 10 Summary of anti-FcRn phagemid Fab Amino
Acid CDR Sequences Fab LV-CDR1 LV-CDR2 LV-CDR3 HV-CDR1 HV-CDR2
HV-CDR3 532A- SGSSSNIGSNTVS SDNQRPS AAWDDSLKGWV DYTMS
SIWSSGGATVYADSV DIRGSRNWFD M0090-F09 (SEQ ID NO: 28) (SEQ ID (SEQ
ID (SEQ ID KG P NO: 29) NO: 30) NO: 31) (SEQ ID NO: 32) (SEQ ID NO:
33) 532A- TGTGSDVGSYNLVS GDSQRPS CSYAGSGIYV EYAMG SIGSSGGQTKYADSV
LSTGELY M0090-F11 (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG (SEQ
ID NO: 35) NO: 36) NO: 37) (SEQ ID NO: 38) NO: 39) 532A-
RSSQSLLHSNGYNY LVSNRAS MQAQQTPIT IYSMT SIVPSGGETSYADSV GHSGVGMDV
M0062-C09 LD (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 40) NO:
41) NO: 42) NO: 43) (SEQ ID NO: 44) NO: 45) 532A- RSSQSLLHGNGHTY
LVSNRAS MQGLQTPRT FYSMT GIRSSGGSTRYADSV GWGLDAFDV M0064-H04 LD (SEQ
ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 46) NO: 47) NO: 48) NO:
49) (SEQ ID NO: 50) NO: 51) 532A- RSSLSLLHSNGYIYL LGSHRAS MQPLQTPYT
YYHMN VISPSGGVTMYADSV GKAFDI M0057-F02 D (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG
(SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 52) NO: 53) NO: 54) NO: 55) (SEQ ID NO: 56) NO:
57) 532A- SGDKLGDKYVS QDNRRPS QAWLSNTASVA FYGMH GIYSSGGITGYADSV
GLRTFDY M0084-B11 (SEQ ID NO: 58) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG (SEQ
ID NO: 59) NO: 60) NO: 61) (SEQ ID NO: 62) NO: 63) 532A-
RASQPVGSYLA GASNRAT QHYGHSPPYT SYAMY RIVPSGGGTMYADSV GMDV M0084-B03
(SEQ ID NO: 64) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID QG (SEQ ID NO: 65) NO: 66)
NO: 67) (SEQ ID NO: 68) NO: 69) 532A- RASQSVSSYLA DASNRAT QQRSNWPLT
NYNMS YISPSGGSTWYADSV YHYGMDV M0073-E10 (SEQ ID NO: 70) (SEQ ID
(SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG (SEQ ID NO: 71) NO: 72) NO: 73) (SEQ ID NO: 74)
NO: 75) 532A- RASQSISNHLV DASNRAT QQRSNWPPT YYGMT SISPSGGHTSYADSVK
GPEYFFGVY M0056-G05 (SEQ ID NO: 76) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID G (SEQ
ID NO: 77) NO: 78) NO: 79) (SEQ ID NO: 80) NO: 81) 532A-
RASQSVGSYLN AAYILQS QQSYSNRIT AYNMI SIGPSGGKTVYADSV VRSGFWSGHD
M0055-G12 (SEQ ID NO: 82) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG Y NO: 83) NO:
84) NO: 85) (SEQ ID NO: 86) (SEQ ID NO: 87) 532A- RASQSVSSSYLA
GASSRAT QQYGSSPRT HYGMS YIRPSGGKTIYADSV DSWGSFPNDA M0092-D02 (SEQ
ID NO: 88) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID KG FDI NO: 89) NO: 90) NO: 91)
(SEQ ID NO: 92) (SEQ ID NO: 93)
[0428] The DNA sequences of these Fab light chain variable regions
(LV) are shown below:
TABLE-US-00021 >M0062-009 LV kappa (SEQ ID NO: 94)
CAAGACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGACTCCCTGCCCGTCACCCCTGG
AGAGCCGGCCTCCATCTCCTGCAGGTCTAGTCAGAGCCTCCTGCATAGTA
ATGGATACAACTATTTGGATTGGTACCTGCAGAGGCCAGGGCAGTCTCCG
CAGCTCCTGATCTATTTGGTTTCTAATCGGGCCTCCGGGGTCCCTGACAG
GTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTCAGGCACAGATTTTACACTGAAAATCAGCAGAG
TGGAGGCTGAAGATGCTGGATTTTATTACTGCATGCAAGCTCAACAAACT
CCGATCACCTTCGGCCAAGGGACACGACTGGAGATTAAA >M0057-F02 LV kappa (SEQ
ID NO: 95) CAAGACATCCAGATGACCTAGTCTCCACTCTCCCTGCCCGTCACCCCTGG
AGAGCCGGCCTCCATGTCCTGCAGGTCTAGTCTGAGCCTCCTGCATAGTA
ATGGATACATCTATTTGGATTGGTACCTGCAGAGGCCAGGACAGTCTCCA
CAGCTCCTGATGTATTTGGGTTCTCATCGGGCCTCCGGGGTCCCTGACAG
GTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTCAGGCACAGATTTTACACTGAACATCAGCAGAG
TGGAGGCGGAGGATGTTGGGGTTTATTACTGCATGCAACCTCTACAAACT
CCGTACACTTTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAA >M0055-G12 LV kappa (SEQ
ID NO: 96) CAAGACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGG
AGACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGAGCGTTGGCAGTTATT
TAAATTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGCGAAGCCCCTAAGGCCCTGATCTAT
GCTGCATACATTTTGCAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGCGG
CTCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAACAGTCTACAACCTGAAGATT
TTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGAGTTACAGTAATAGAATCACTTTCGGC
CCTGGGACCAGAGTGGATGTCAAA >M0064-H04 LV kappa (SEQ ID NO: 97)
CAAGACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCACTCTCCCTGCCCGTCACCCCTGG
AGAGCCGGCCTCCATCTCCTGCAGGTCTAGTCAGAGCCTCCTGCACGGAA
ATGGACACACCTATTTGGATTGGTATCTGCAGAAGCCAGGGCAGTCTCCA
CAGCTCCTGATCTATTTGGTTTCTAATCGGGCCTCCGGGGTCCCTGACAG
GTTCAGTGGCAGTGGATCAGGCACAGATTTTACACTGAAAATCAGCAGAG
TGGAGGCTGAAGATGTTGGGGTTTATTACTGCATGCAAGGTCTACAAACT
CCGAGGACGTTCGGCCAGGGGACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAA >M0056-G05 LV kappa (SEQ
ID NO: 98) CAAGACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGCCACCCTGTCTTTGTCTCCAGG
GGAAAGAGCCACCCTCTCCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATTAGCAACCACT
TAGTCTGGTTCCAACAGAAACCTGGCCAGGCTCCCAGGCTCCTCATCTAT
GATGCATCCAACAGGGCCACTGGCATCCCAGCCAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGG
GTCTGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTAGAGCCTGAAGATT
TTGCAGTTTATTACTGTCAGCAGCGTAGCAACTGGCCTCCCACCTTCGGC
CAAGGGACACGACTGGAGATTAAA >M0084-B03 LV kappa (SEQ ID NO: 99)
CAAGACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGCCACCCTGTCTTTGTCTCCAGG
GGAAACAGCCACCCTCTCCTGCCGGGCCAGTCAGCCTGTTGGCAGCTACT
TAGCCTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGGCCAGGCTCCCAGGCTCCTCATCTAT
GGTGCATCCAATAGGGCCACTGGCATCCCAGCCAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGG
GTCTGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCGCCATCAGCAGCCTGGAGCCTGAAGATT
TTGGAGTGTATTACTGTCAGCACTATGGTCACTCACCTCCGTACACTTTT
GGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAA >M0092-D02 LV kappa (SEQ ID NO: 100)
CAAGACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGGCACCCTGTCTTTGTCTCCAGG
GGAAAGAGCCACCCTCTCCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTGTTAGCAGCAGCT
ACTTAGCCTGGTACCAGCAGAAACCTGGCCAGGCTCCCAGGCTCCTCATC
TATGGTGCATCCAGCAGGGCCACTGGCATCCCAGACAGGTTCAGTGGCAG
TGGGTCTGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGACTGGAGCCTGAAG
ATTTTGCAGTGTATTACTGTCAGCAGTATGGTAGCTCACCTCGGACGTTC
GGCCAAGGGACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAA >M0090-F09 LV lambda (SEQ ID NO:
101) CAGAGCGCTTTGACTCAGCCACCCTCAGCGTCTGAGACCCCCGGGCAGAG
AGTCACCATCTCTTGTTCTGGAAGCAGCTCCAACATCGGAAGTAATACTG
TAAGCTGGTACCAGCAGCTCCCAGGAACGGCCCCCAAACTCCTCATCTAT
AGTGATAATCAGCGGCCCTCAGGGGTCCCTGACCGATTCGCTGGCTCCAA
GTCTGGCACCTCTGCCTCCCTGGCCATCAGTGGGCTCCAGTCTGAGGATG
AGGCTGAATATCACTGTGCAGCATGGGATGACAGCCTGAAGGGTTGGGTG
TTCGGCGGAGGGACAAAGCTGACCGTCCTA >M0084-B11 LV lambda (SEQ ID NO:
102) CAGAGCGCTTTGACTCAGACACCCTCAGTGTCCGTGTCCCCCGGACAGAC
AGCCACCATCACCTGCTCTGGAGATAAATTGGGGGATAAGTATGTTTCTT
GGTTTCAACAGAAGCCAGGCCAGTCCCCTATCCTACTCCTTTATCAAGAC
AACAGGCGGCCCTCTGGGATCCCTGAACGATTCTCTGGCTCCAATTCTGG
GAACACAGCCTCTCTGACCATCAGCGGGACCCAGGCTATGGATGAGGCTG
ACTACCACTGTCAGGCGTGGCTCAGCAATACTGCTTCCGTGGCATTCGGC
GGAGGGACCAGGCTGACCGTCCTC >M0073-E10 LV kappa (SEQ ID NO: 103)
CAAGACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGCCACCCTGTCTTTGTCTCCAGG
GGAAAGAGCCACCCTCTCCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTGTTAGCAGCTACT
TAGCCTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGGCCAGGCTCCCAGGCTCCTCATCTAT
GATGCATCCAACAGGGCCACTGGCATCCCAGCCAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGG
GTCTGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTAGAGCCTGAAGATT
TTGCAGTTTATTACTGTCAGCAGCGTAGCAACTGGCCCCTCACTTTCGGC
GGAGGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >M0090-F11 LV lambda (SEQ ID NO: 104)
CAGAGCGTCTTGACTCAGCCTGCCTCCGTGTCGGGGTCTCCTGGACAGTC
GATCACCATCTCCTGCACTGGGACCGGGAGTGATGTTGGAAGTTATAACC
TTGTCTCCTGGTACCAAAAGTACCCCGGCAAAGCCCCCAAACTCATCATT
TATGGGGACAGTCAGCGGCCCTCGGGACTTTCTAGTCGCTTCTCTGGCTC
CAAGTCTGGCAACTCGGCCTCCCTGACAATCTCTGGGCTCCAGGCTGAGG
ACGAGGCTGATTATTACTGTTGCTCATATGCAGGTAGTGGCATTTACGTC
TTTGGCAGTGGGACCAAGGTCACCGTCCTA
Example 23
Binding of sFabs and Antibodies to FcRn
[0429] To further characterize the Fabs and their respective IgG1,
SPR 8500/BIACORE.TM. analysis was performed on eleven exemplary
antagonsitic anti FcRn antibody clones that were positive for FcRn
binding to determine the K.sub.D. Exemplary SPR 8500/BIACORE.TM.
data is provided in Tables 2 and 3. SFabs and antibodies (IgG) were
tested for their ability to bind to human FcRn (hFcRn) or rat FcRn
(rat FcRn) and pH 6 and 7.5. Binding was measured by SPR 8500 and
by BIACORE.TM. and is expressed by K.sub.D values (nM). The binding
of 8 clones was observed to be pH independent and 3 pH
dependent.
TABLE-US-00022 TABLES 11A through E: Summary of in vitro SPR 8500
binding data (K.sub.D (nM)) of FcRn binding sFabs; On and Off Rate
Analyses A. Binding Data Antagonistic anti-FcRn IgG data SPR 8500
SPR 8500 SPR 8500 SPR 8500 soluble Fabs sol FAB sol FAB sol FAB sol
FAB sol hFcRn sol hFcRn sol rat sol rat FcRn FcRn Clone # K.sub.D
nM K.sub.D nM K.sub.D nM K.sub.D nM @ pH 6 @ pH 7.5 @ pH 6 @ pH 7.5
532A-M0090-F11 9.2 19.1 31.2 9.9 532A-M0064-H04 28 25.9 no binding
no binding 532A-M0090-F09 5.7 no binding no binding no binding (pH
dependent) 532A-M0084-B03 No fit no binding no binding no binding
(pH dependent) 532A-M0062-C09 25 no binding no binding no binding
(pH dependent) 532A-M0055-G12 12 39.7 no binding no binding
532A-M0056-G05 13.6 18.1 no binding no binding 532A-M0084-B11 17.4
19.6 no binding no binding 532A-M0092-D02 3.9 18.7 no binding no
binding 532A-M0073-E10 82 9.7 no binding no binding 532A-M0057-F02
29 11.3 no binding no binding B. hFcRn pH 6 kon koff KD 17D3
2.77E+05 4.30E-04 1.5E-09 3B3 3.82E+06 1.31E-03 3.4E-10 FcI -- --
-- hIgG Myeloma -- -- -- hIgG plasma 4.32E+03 2.31E-03 5.3E-07
X0002 - G07 2.06E+04 1.24E-04 6.0E-09 M0055 - G12 1.27E+06 1.53E-02
1.2E-08 M0057 - F02 1.48E+05 4.26E-03 2.9E-08 M0062 - C09 9.44E+04
2.38E-03 2.5E-08 M0064 - H04 1.29E+05 3.68E-03 2.8E-08 M0073 - E10
3.36E+05 2.75E-02 8.2E-08 M0090 - F11 9.68E+04 8.97E-04 9.2E-09
X0002 - A07 -- -- -- C. hFcRn pH 7.4 kon koff KD ( 17D3 3.24E+05
5.23E-04 1.61E-09 3B3 2.97E+06 1.76E-03 5.93E-10 FcI -- -- -- hIgG
Myeloma -- -- -- hIgG plasma -- -- -- X0002 - G07 -- -- -- M0055 -
G12 2.01E+05 7.96E-03 3.97E-08 M0057 - F02 3.25E+05 3.67E-03
1.13E-08 M0062 - C09 -- -- -- M0064 - H04 1.55E+05 4.02E-03
2.59E-08 M0073 - E10 3.59E+05 3.49E-03 9.71E-09 M0090 - F11
5.94E+04 1.13E-03 1.91E-08 X0002 - A07 -- -- -- D. rat FcRn pH 6
kon koff KD 17D3 1.74E+04 6.03E-03 3.40E-07 3B3 6.83E+05 1.04E-03
1.50E-09 FcI 2.08E+05 3.29E-03 1.58E-08 hIgG Myeloma 1.30E+05
1.27E-03 9.80E-09 hIgG plasma 9.13E+04 2.42E-03 2.65E-08 X0002 -
G07 9.70E+04 8.62E-04 8.90E-09 M0055 - G12 -- -- -- M0057 - F02 --
-- -- M0062 - C09 -- -- -- M0064 - H04 -- -- -- M0073 - E10 -- --
-- M0090 - F11 1.84E+04 5.73E-04 3.12E-08 X0002 - A07 -- -- -- E.
rat FcRn pH 7.4 kon koff KD 17D3 -- -- -- 3B3 -- -- -- FcI -- -- --
hIgG Myeloma -- -- -- hIgG plasma -- -- -- X0002 - G07 -- -- --
M0055 - G12 -- -- -- M0057 - F02 -- -- -- M0062 - C09 -- -- --
M0064 - H04 -- -- -- M0073 - E10 -- -- -- M0090 - F11 2.75E+04
7.40E-04 9.96E-09 X0002 - A07 -- -- --
TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 12A through E: Summary of in vitro SPR 8500
binding data (K.sub.D (nM)) of FcRn binding antibodies; On and Off
Rate Analyses A. Binding Data Antagonistic anti-FcRn IgG data SPR
8500 SPR 8500 SPR 8500 SPR 8500 Format IgG IgG IgG IgG hFcRn hFcRn
ratFcRn ratFcRn Clone # K.sub.D K.sub.D K.sub.D K.sub.D @pH 6 @pH
7.5 @pH 6 @pH 7.5 532A-M0090-F11 2.44 10.8 9.8 9.14 532A-M0064-H04
6.82 12.5 31 no binding 532A-M0090-F09 3.64 No fit 13.9 no binding
(pH dependent) 532A-M0084-B03 2.99 No fit 29.6 no binding (pH
dependent) 532A-M0062-C09 29.5 No fit no fit no binding (pH
dependent) 532A-M0055-G12 3.1 10.2 16 no binding 532A-M0056-G05
2.48 2.1 22.9 no binding 532A-M0084-B11 3.3 2.59 6.43 no binding
532A-M0092-D02 17.9 24.2 30.2 no binding 532A-M0073-E10 No fit No
fit No fit no binding 532A-M0057-F02 NA NA NA no binding B. hFcRn
pH 6 Kon Koff KD M62-C9 (Fab) 8.12E+04 1.60E-03 1.97E-08
M90-F11(Fab) 9.21E+04 5.63E-04 6.11E-09 M62-C09 (IgG) 2.36E+05
6.95E-03 2.95E-08 M90-F11 (IgG) 1.02E+06 2.48E-03 2.44E-09 3B3
2.30E+06 9.40E-04 4.09E-10 17D3 8.17E+04 1.81E-04 2.22E-09 M92-D2
3.87E+04 6.92E-04 1.79E-08 M56-G05 1.13E+05 2.80E-04 2.48E-09
M84-B03 1.14E+05 3.40E-04 2.99E-09 SA-A08 -- -- -- FCI -- -- human
IgG Myeloma -- -- -- human IgG plasma 3.89E+04 6.85E-04 1.76E-08
X11-5 -- -- -- M55-G12 7.49E+04 2.32E-04 3.10E-09 M73-E10 -- -- --
M84-B11 7.53E+04 2.48E-04 3.30E-09 M64-H04 1.04E+05 7.06E-04
6.82E-09 M90-F09 3.14E+05 1.14E-03 3.64E-09 C. hFcRn pH 7.4 Kon
Koff KD M90-F11(Fab) 9.12E+04 6.45E-04 7.08E-09 M90-F11 (IgG)
1.59E+05 1.73E-03 1.08E-08 SA-A08 -- -- -- FCI -- -- -- M84-B11
1.31E+05 3.41E-04 2.59E-09 M64-H04 2.17E+05 2.71E-03 1.25E-08
M73-E10 -- -- -- M55-G12 7.78E+04 7.97E-04 1.02E-08 X11-5 -- -- --
M62-C09 -- -- -- M62-C09 IgG -- -- -- M84-B03 -- -- -- M56-G05
4.14E+05 8.68E-04 2.10E-09 M90-F09 -- -- -- 3B3 3.41E+06 2.30E-03
6.75E-10 M92-D2 8.16E+04 1.98E-03 2.42E-08 17D3 1.21E+05 2.42E-04
2.01E-09 human IgG Myeloma -- -- -- human IgG Plasma -- -- -- D.
rat FcRn pH 6 Kon Koff KD M90-F11 (IgG) 1.19E+05 1.17E-03 9.80E-09
M90-F11(Fab) 4.30E+04 8.72E-04 2.03E-08 M90-F09 3.21E+05 4.46E-03
1.39E-08 M62-C09 (Fab) -- -- M62-C09 -- -- M64-H04 7.80E+04
2.42E-03 3.10E-08 M84-B11 3.14E+05 2.02E-03 6.43E-09 M73-E10 -- --
-- M55-G12 1.99E+05 3.20E-03 1.60E-08 X11-5 -- -- -- M84-B03
1.56E+05 4.63E-03 2.96E-08 M56-G05 4.78E+04 1.09E-03 2.29E-08
M92-D2 4.93E+04 1.49E-03 3.02E-08 M55-G12 1.99E+05 3.20E-03
1.60E-08 3B3 -- -- -- human IgG Plasma 2.33E+05 1.42E-03 6.12E-09
human IgG Myeloma -- -- -- FCI -- -- -- SA-A08 -- -- -- E. rat FcRn
pH 7.4 Kon Koff KD M90-F11 1.17E+06 3.84E-03 3.29E-09 M90-F11 (IgG)
1.25E+05 1.14E-03 9.14E-09 SA-A08 -- -- -- FCI -- -- -- M84-B11 --
-- -- M64-H04 -- -- -- M73-E10 -- -- -- M55-G12 -- -- -- X11-5 --
-- -- M62-C09 -- -- -- M62-C09 (IgG) -- -- -- M84-B03 -- -- --
M56-G05 -- -- -- M90-F09 -- -- -- 3B3 -- -- -- M92-D2 -- -- -- 17D3
-- -- -- human IgG Myeloma -- -- -- human IgG Plasma -- -- --
Example 24
IC.sub.50 Values of sFabs and Antibodies
[0430] The sFabs and IgG antibodies of eleven exemplary
antagonistic anti-FcRn clones that were positive for FcRn binding
were tested in an in vitro model for their ability to block
non-specific human IgG-Fc binding to FcRn. Cultures of 293 C11
cells expressing human FcRn (hFcRn) or rat FcRn (rat FcRn) were
treated with an sFab or IgG1 of a binding-positive clone, a
positive control anti-rat FcRn antibody (1G3), a positive control
anti-human FcRn antibody (3B3), or a SA-A2 negative control. The
cell cultures were treated with ALEXAFLUOR.RTM. labeled
non-specific IgG-Fc and incubated at 4.degree. C. in pH 6 buffer
conditions. The amount of IgG-Fc-FcRn binding was determined.
Results of exemplary sFabs and /or the respective IgGs are
presented in Table 13. The IC.sub.50 values were determined by flow
cytometry (i.e., FACS) and are expressed in nM.
TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 13 Summary of in vitro FACS inhibition data
(IC.sub.50 (nM)) of FcRn binding antibodies Antagonistic FACS FACS
FACS FACS anti-FcRn IgG data (blocking) (blocking) (blocking)
(blocking) IC50 sol FAB sol FAB IgG IgG hFcRn rat FcRn hFcRn rat
FcRn (cells) (cells) (cells) (cells) Clone # IC50 nM IC50 nM IC50
nM IC50 nM @ pH 6 @ pH 6 @ pH 6 @ pH 6 532A-M0090-F11 13 6481 2.6
4.9 532A-M0064-H04 63 no 1.8 20 blocking 532A-M0090-F09 645 no 4.6
5.5 (pH dependent) blocking 532A-M0084-B03 754 no 1.8 91 (pH
dependent) blocking 532A-M0062-C09 35 no 3.9 148 (pH dependent)
blocking 532A-M0055-G12 228 no 1.7 30 blocking 532A-M0056-G05 337
no 1.4 18 blocking 532A-M0084-B11 355 no 1.9 25 blocking
532A-M0092-D02 271 no 1.2 15 blocking 532A-M0073-E10 110 no 377 161
blocking 532A-M0057-F02 70 no NA NA (amber stop) blocking
Streptavidin NA NA 562 101 binder SA-A2 IgG (negative control) lead
3B3 mouse 9.7 anti-human FcRn IgG lead 1G3 mouse NA NA 1.5 anti-rat
FcRn IgG
Example 25
Efficacy Testing of FcRn Binding Antibodies in Animals
[0431] Experiments with human FcRn Knock-in Tg32B transgenic mice
showed that four consecutive daily intravenous doses of M90-F11
(also referred to as M090-F11 and M0090-F11) IgG significantly
reduced the serum half-life of human IgG tracer (biotinylated hIgG)
at all doses tested (50, 20, 10 and 5 mg/kg) (FIGS. 23 & 24).
At 50 mg/kg, four iv injections of M55-G12 only moderately reduced
the serum half-life of tracer hIgG while M84-B 11 was not
efficacious (FIG. 23). An experiment with single doses of M90-F11
(20 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) showed moderate reduction of Biotin-hIgG1
tracer in the serum of TG32B mice (FIG. 25).
[0432] The protocol used for testing anti-FcRn IgGs in transgenic
mice was: [0433] 1) Administer 500 mg/kg tracer hIgG intravenously
at time 0 (approximately 1% is biotinylated for quantitation
purposes) [0434] 2) Anti-FcRn antibodies given intravenously at 24,
48, 72, 96 and 120 hr at 50,20,10 and 5 mg/kg [0435] 3) Blood
samples collected at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 168 hours [0436] 4)
Quantitate hIgG in serum by ELISA
[0437] Based on the Tg mouse model in vivo data, M90-F11 was chosen
as lead candidate for further lead optimization. The 10 germline
changes that were introduced into the M90-F11 light chain is given
below and in FIG. 29. The one germline changes that was required in
the heavy chain was not introduced, however the allotype of the
heavy chain was changed from AZ to F allotype.
TABLE-US-00025 LIGHT CONSTANT S Q P K A N P T V T L F P P S S E E L
Q A CONST:
AGTCAGCCCAAGGCCAACCCCACTGTCACTCTGTTCCCGCCCTCCTCTGAGGAGCTCCAAGCC
GRMLN:
GGTCAGCCCAAGGCCAACCCCACGGTCACTCTGTTCCCGCCCTCCTCTGAGGAGCTCCAAGCC G Q
P K A N P T V T L F P P S S E E L Q A N K A T L V C L I S D F Y P G
A V T V A W CONST:
AACAAGGCCACACTAGTGTGTCTGATCAGTGACTTCTACCCGGGAGCTGTGACAGTGGCCTGG
GRMLN:
AACAAGGCCACACTAGTGTGTCTGATCAGTGACTTCTACCCGGGAGCTGTGACAGTGGCTTGG N K
A T L V C L I S D F Y P G A V T V A W K A D G S P V K A G V E T T K
P S K Q S N CONST:
AAGGCAGATGGCAGCCCCGTCAAGGCGGGAGTGGAGACCACCAAACCCTCCAAACAGAGCAAC
GRMLN:
AAGGCAGATGGCAGCCCCGTCAAGGCGGGAGTGGAGACGACCAAACCCTCCAAACAGAGCAAC K A
D G S P V K A G V E T T K P S K Q S N N K Y A A S S Y L S L T P E Q
W K S H R S CONST:
AACAAGTACGCGGCCAGCAGCTACCTGAGCCTGACGCCCGAGCAGTGGAAGTCCCACAGAAGC
GRMLN:
AACAAGTACGCGGCCAGCAGCTACCTGAGCCTGACGCCCGAGCAGTGGAAGTCCCACAGAAGC N K
Y A A S S Y L S L T P E Q W K S H R S Y S C Q V T H E G S T V E K T
V A P A E C S CONST:
TACAGCTGCCAGGTCACGCATGAAGGGAGCACCGTGGAGAAGACAGTGGCCCCTGCAGAATGCTCT
GRMLN:
TACAGCTGCCAGGTCACGCATGAAGGGAGCACCGTGGAGAAGACAGTGGCCCCTACAGAATGTTCA
Y S C Q V T H E G S T V E K T V A P T E C S CONST Amino acid (SEQ
ID NO: 107) CONST Nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO: 108) GRMLN Nucleic acid
(SEQ ID NO: 110) GRMLN Amino acid (SEQ ID NO: 109) HEAVY Amino Acid
(SEQ ID NO: 111) HEAVY Nucleic Acid (SEQ ID NO: 112) GRMLN Nucleic
Acid (SEQ ID NO: 114) GRMLN Amino Acid (SEQ ID NO: 113) HEAVY:
V:V3-23; J:JH1 FR1-H E V Q L L E S G G G L V Q P G G S L R L S C
HEAVY:
GAAGTTCAATTGTTAGAGTCTGGTGGCGGTCTTGTTCAGCCTGGTGGTTCTTTACGTCTTTCTTGC
GRMLN:
GAGGTGCAGCTGTTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTACAGCCTGGGGGGTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGT
E V Q L L E S G G G L V Q P G G S L R L S C CDR1-H A A S G F T F S
E Y A M G W V R Q A P G K G HEAVY: GCTGCTTCCGGATTCACTTTCTCT
GAGTACGCTATGGGT TGGGTTCGCCAAGCTCCTGGTAAAGGT GRMLN:
GCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCTTTAGC AGCTATGCCATGAGC
TGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGG A A S G F T F S S A Y M S W V R Q A P G
K G FR2-H CDR2-H L E W V S S I G S S G G Q T K Y A D S V K G HEAVY:
TTGGAGTGGGTTTCT TCTATCGGTTCTTCTGGTGGCCAGACTAAGTATGCTGACTCCGTTAAAGGT
GRMLN: CTGGAGTGGGTCTCA
GCTATTAGTGGTAGTGGTGGTAGCACATACTACGCAGACTCCGTGAAGGGC L E W V S A I S
G S G G S T Y Y A D S V K G FR3-H R F T I S R D N S K N T L Y L Q M
N S L R A HEAVY:
CGCTTCACTATCTCTAGAGACAACTCTAAGAATACTCTCTACTTGCAGATGAACAGCTTAAGGGCT
GRMLN:
CGGTTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAATGAACAGCCTGAGAGCC
R F T I S R D N S K N T L Y L Q M N S L R A CDR3-H FR4-H E D T A V
Y Y C A R L S T G E L Y W G Q G T HEAVY:
GAGGACACGGCCGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGA CTCTCAACAGGGGAGCTCTAC
TGGGGCCAGGGCACC GRMLN: GAGGACACGGCCGTATATTACTGTGCGAAA
GA................TAC TGGGGCCAGGGCACC E D T A V Y Y C A K Y W G Q G
T FR4-H L V T V S S HEAVY: CTGGTCACCGTCTCAAGC GRMLN:
CTGGTCACCGTCTCATCA (a, z)
ASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTS (f)
------------------------------------------------ (a, z)
GVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKK (f)
------------------------------------------------R (a, z)
VEPKECDKTKTCPPCAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVV (f)
------------------------------------------------- (a, z)
DVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDW (f)
------------------------------------------------- (a, z)
LNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSPREPQVYT (f)
------------------------------------------------- (a, z)
LPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD (f)
-----E-M----------------------------------------- (a, z)
SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK* (f)
------------------------------------------------ (a, z) (SEQ ID NO:
115) (f) (SEQ ID NO: 116)
Example 26
Germlining, Reformatting and Affinity Maturation of Parental Clone
M90-F11
[0438] Allotype variation of IgG is shown in FIG. 30, the three
amino acid changes (highlighted in bold) from AZ to F allotype were
introduced to germlined M90-F11 IgG which already had 10 amino acid
changes as part of germlining in the light chain.
[0439] The parental clone M90-F11 as germ lined had 10 amino acid
changes in the light chain and as part of lead optimization the
germlined clone was reformatted to IgG which had sequences for F
allotype in the heavy chain Fc region. In total there were 13 amino
acid changes as compared to parent M90-F11, the reformatted clone
was nucleotide sequence optimized for expression in CHO cell lines.
Nucleotide sequence/Geneart optimized clone was given a DX-2500
name, which was used for making stable pool. Parental M90-F11,
Germlined M90-F11 (GL) and DX-2500 were characterized in vitro by
Biacore and FACS to assess binding and blocking ability.
[0440] Tables 14 and 15 contain the results of Biacore and FACS
analysis comparing the highly purified, parental, germlined and
reformatted IgG's:
TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 14 Biacore analysis: hFcRn immobilized on the
chip and IgG were flowed over the chip and FACS analysis (IC50).
Antagonistic anti-FcRn antibody data biacore biacore biacore
biacore biacore biacore FACS (blocking) IgG IgG IgG IgG IgG IgG IgG
hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn (cells) Clone # K.sub.on
@pH 6 K.sub.off @pH 6 K.sub.D @pH 6 K.sub.on @pH 7.4 K.sub.off @pH
7.4 K.sub.D @pH 7.4 IC50 nM @ pH 6 532A-M0090-F11 2.13E+06 2.52E-04
1.18E-10 9.09E+05 7.02E-04 7.72E-10 0.43 532A-M0090-F11 4.45E+06
7.64E-04 1.72E-10 9.96E+05 7.76E-04 7.79E-10 0.38 (germlined LC
changes) DX-2500 (germlined LC & 2.11E+06 3.36E-04 1.60E-10
1.26E+06 3.38E-04 2.68E-10 0.65 allotype HC changes)
TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 15 Biacore analysis: IgG immobilized on the
chip and hFcRn were flowed over the chip. Antagonistic anti-FcRn
antibody data biacore biacore biacore biacore biacore biacore IgG
IgG IgG IgG IgG IgG hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn hFcRn Clone #
K.sub.on @pH 6 K.sub.off @pH 6 K.sub.D @pH 6 K.sub.on @pH 7.4
K.sub.off @pH 7.4 K.sub.D @pH 7.4 532A-M0090-F11 3.03E+05 3.12E-03
1.03E-08 1.81E+05 3.73E-03 2.05E-08 532A-M0090-F11 (germlined
5.74E+05 1.72E-02 2.99E-08 4.33E+05 1.52E-02 3.52E-08 LC changes)
DX-2500 (germlined LC & 6.42E+05 1.77E-02 2.76E-08 3.72E+05
7.52E-02 2.02E-08 allotype HC changes)
[0441] Previous experience with anti-FcRn monoclonal antibody
suggested that the Koff at pH 7.4 is very critical for in vivo
efficacy of the antibody, it became apparent during biacore
analysis that when the antibody was immobilized on the chip and
target hFcRn was flowed over the chip, the Koff was much faster for
germlined and DX-2500 antibody at both pH 6 & 7.4. A decision
was made to affinity mature the germlined M90-F11 to select for
clones with improved Koff value over DX2500.
[0442] A parallel approach was used to affinity mature the
germlined M90-F11. Three different libraries (LC shuffled, CDR 1
& 2 and CDR 3 library) were built and are depicted in FIG. 26.
A germlined light chain was used to build library 2 and 3 in order
to avoid further sequence optimization after selecting the affinity
matured lead.
Selection Protocols
[0443] Soluble Fabs (sFabs) were identified from the affinity
matured M90-F11 phagemid display library that displays Fab
fragments. Two different selections using soluble human (shFcRn)
and 293 C11 cells expressing the human FcRn protein were carried
out using three different affinity matured libraries. Additional
selections were also carried out using a combination of cells and
protein targets using the same elution strategy as outlined below:
[0444] i) Selections against biotinylated shFcRn: Two rounds of
selection against biotinylated shFcRn were carried out with
depletion on streptavidin beads. Phagemid were allowed to bind to
target in acidic binding buffer (pH 6), and were then eluted with
parental M90-F11 IgG in an pH 7.4 buffer. After competitive
elution/wash, all remaining bound phage were eluted by direct bead
infection of cells. The eluted phage output was used as input for
next round of selection. Round 2 output was used in alternate round
3 selection against hFcRn-transfected cells followed by a fourth
round selection using biotinylated shFcRn selections using the same
elution strategy. [0445] ii) Selections against hFcRn expressing
cells: Two rounds of selection against hFcRn-transfected cells were
carried out. Phagemid were allowed to bind to cells in acidic
binding buffer (pH 6) at 4 degree, and were then eluted with
parental M90-F11 IgG in an pH 7.4 buffer. After competitive
elution/wash, all remaining bound phage were eluted by cell lysis
with magnetic streptavidin beads and subsequent infection of
bacteria. The eluted phage output is used as input for next round
of selection. Two additional rounds of selection against
biotinylated shFcRn were carried out as described in (i).
Elisa Screening for Fab Inhibitors of FcRn
[0446] To identify hFcRn binders, primary screening of round 3 and
4 outputs from each selection arm (4 per library) against
biotinylated shFcRn in phage ELISA was carried out at pH 6 &
7.4. Approximately 1152 primary ELISA-positive Fabs on phagemid
were screened and DNA sequenced.
[0447] One hundred seventy eight unique phagemids from three
affinity matured libraries (16 from light chain shuffled library,
46 from CDR 1 & 2 library and from 116 CDR3 library) that were
pH independent binders to hFcRn were selected and subcloned for
expression as sFabs.
[0448] 15 out of 16 phagemid clones screened from LC library had
same CDR as the parent M90-F11 suggesting selection and screening
strategy was biased in enriching for the parental clones. Affinity
matured Sol FAB clones (.about.165) were subjected to high
throughput SPR analysis and ranked by pH 7.4 off-rate and by pH 6
KD values and there were 21 affinity matured clones from CDR3
library and one clone from CDR1 & 2 library that were better
than germlined M90-F11. Based on the high throughput SPR screening
data, affinity matured M0159-009 clone from CDR 1 & 2 library
was swapped into HV CDR 1 & 2 position of the affinity matured
M0157-H04 and M0157-E05 from CDR3 library. The constructed two
hybrid clones M0171-A01 (also referred to as M171-A01) and
M0171-A03 (also referred to as M171-A03) had complete affinity
matured HV CDR 1,2 & 3 with germlined M90-F11 LC sequences.
[0449] In total there were 24 sFAB clones (parental and Germlined
M90-F11, 19 from CDR3 library, 1 from CDR l& 2 library and 2
hybrid clones) that were sequenced, purified in medium scale and
ranked by repeated SPR analysis (Table 16) and confirmed their
antagonistic anti-FcRn properties in an Fc-FcRn blocking assay
using FACS analysis.
TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 16 Top 22 affinity matured sol FAB binding
kinetics, ranking and HV-CDR sequences ##STR00001## ##STR00002##
##STR00003## ##STR00004## ##STR00005##
TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 16A Sequences corresponding to Table 16
##STR00006## ##STR00007## ##STR00008## ##STR00009##
##STR00010##
[0450] All 22 sFAB clones were reformatted to IgG but only 8 IgG
were expressed, purified and subjected to Flexchip analysis at pH 6
& 7.4. Based on the Flexchip SPR 8500 data the following 4
affinity matured IgG clones were selected for further in vitro
(Biacore analysis) and in vivo study in hFcRn transgenic mouse
model.
[0451] Table 17A shows the total number of amino acid changes in
the HV-CDR1 &2 or 3 of the 4 affinity matured IgG in comparison
to the parental or DX2500 clone.
TABLE-US-00030 TABLE 17A Top 4 affinity matured IgG LV & HV-CDR
sequences and # of mutation compared to parent M90-F11 ##STR00011##
* 10 Germline changes, 3 changes due to AZ to F allotype switch +
HV-CDR mutation
TABLE-US-00031 TABLE 17 A1 SEQ ID NOs corresponding to Table 17A
SEQ ID NOs LV-CDR1 LV-CDR2 LV-CDR3 HV-CDR1 HV-CDR2 HV-CDR3 Parent
M90-F11 141 142 143 144 145 146 Dx-2500 147 148 149 150 151 152
532A-M0171-A03 153 154 155 156 157 158 532A-M0171-A01 159 160 161
162 163 164 532A-M0171-A07 165 166 167 168 169 170 532A-M0171-B04
171 172 173 174 175 176
[0452] Biacore analysis of the 4 affinity matured clone done at pH
7.4 by immobilizing the IgG on the chip and hFcRn flowed over and
their raw data and fold improvement (K.sub.off and K.sub.D) over
DX-2500 and parental M90-F11 clone is presented in Table 17B.
TABLE-US-00032 TABLE 17B Top 4 affinity matured IgG binding
kinetics, fold improvement over DX-2500 & Parent M90-F11 K off
Fold K.sub.D Fold Comparison of Biacore Data done at pH 7.4
improvement over improvement over Clone # + SPR Method Ka s-1 M-1
Kd s-1 KD (M) DX2500 M90-F11 DX2500 M90-F11 M171-A01 IgG Biacore
1.26E+05 1.92E-04 1.52E-09 103 16 58 12 M171-A03 IgG Biacore
1.42E+05 2.84E-04 2.00E-09 69 11 44 9 M159-A07 IgG Biacore 1.27E+05
6.88E-04 5.40E-09 29 4 16 3 M161-B04 IgG Biacore 1.21E+05 8.57E-04
7.06E-09 23 3 12 3 M90-F11 parental Biacore 1.61E+05 2.99E-03
1.86E-08 7 1 5 1 DX-2500 Biacore 2.24E+05 1.97E-02 8.79E-08 1 0.15
1 0.21
[0453] The protocol used for testing affinity matured anti-FcRn IgG
and sol FAB in hFcRn transgenic mice was: [0454] 6 groups (1
placebo, 4 IgG, 1 Fab. 4 mice/group) [0455] Intravenous dose of 495
mg/kg hIgG+5 mg/kg biotin-hIgG at time=0 hr [0456] Intravenous dose
of 5 or 20 mg/kg of Ab (1.67 or 6.67 mg/kg of Fab) at time=24 hr :
[0457] M171-A01-IgG, [0458] M171-A03-IgG, [0459] M159-A07-IgG,
[0460] M161-B04-IgG or [0461] S32A-M171-A01-Fab [0462] Blood
samples collected at 24 (pre-dose), 30, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 168 hr.
[0463] Biotin-hIgG serum levels quantified using a streptavidin
capture/Fc detection ELISA and total IgG quantified using an Fab
capture/Fc detection ELISA.
[0464] Based on the in vivo data shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, and
Table 18 below, M0161-B04 and M0171-A01 have been selected to be
tested head to head with M90-F11 and DX-2500 in Tg32B mice.
TABLE-US-00033 TABLE 18 Effect of affinity matured IgG and sol FAB
in accelerating the hIgG Catabolism in Tg32B Mice: 5 & 20 mg/kg
Intravenous Dose (Biotin IgG & Total IgG). % PBS control of %
PBS control of Biotin-IgG remaining in total gG remaining in the
serum at 168 hrs the serum at 168 hrs 5 mg/kg 20 mg/kg 5 mg/kg 20
mg/kg (1.7 mg/kg (6.7 mg/kg (1.7 mg/kg (6.7 mg/kg IgGName sFAb)
sFAb) sFAb) sFAb) Parent M90- 77 63 NA NA F11 532A-M0171- 124 45 96
40 A01 532A-M0171- 128 66 84 44 A03 532A-M0159- 131 59 96 40 A07
532A-M0161- 100 41 76 24 B04 S32A-M171- 152 103 140 108
A03-sFAb
Example 27
Effect of Anti-FcRn Antibodies on the Catabolism of hIgG
[0465] In vivo studies with anti-FcRn antibodies demonstrated
efficacy in depleting circulating IgG. Dose dependent depletion was
exhibited in two species, mice and monkeys, and by two routes of
administration, intravenous and subcutaneous. In monkeys, reduction
of IgG was not accompanied by any change in circulating IgA, IgM or
serum albumin
A) Effect of Anti-FcRn Antibodies on the Catabolism of hIgG in
Mice
[0466] Tg32B mice (mouse FcRn and mouse .beta.2-macroglobulin
knock-out)/knock-in (human FcRn and human .beta.2-macroglobulin
knock-in) were administered human IgG at day 0. At day 1 and day 7
the mice were intravenously administered different doses of the
anti-FcRn antibodies M161-B04 (DX-2504) and M171-A01. The level of
human IgG in the serum of the mice was measured over 14 days. As
shown in FIG. 31, the level of human IgG was reduced significantly
over the 14 day period for each of the antibodies administered. The
decrease in IgG was dependent on the concentration of anti-FcRn
antibody administered.
B) Effect of Anti-FcRn Antibodies on the Catabolism of hIgG in Mice
by Subcutaneous Administration.
[0467] Tg32B mice (mouse FcRn and mouse .beta.2-macroglobulin
knock-out)/knock-in (human FcRn and human .beta.2-macroglobulin
knock-in) were administered human IgG at day 0. At day 1 and day 7
the mice were subcutaneously administered different doses of the
anti-FcRn antibody M161-B04 (DX-2504). The level of human IgG in
the serum of the mice was measured over 14 days. As shown in FIG.
32, the level of human IgG was reduced significantly over the 14
day period for each of the antibodies administered. The decrease in
IgG was dependent on the concentration of anti-FcRn antibody
administered. The efficacy of subcutaneous administration is
similar to intravenous administration.
C) Effect of Anti-FcRn Antibodies on the Catabolism of hIgG in
Cynomolgus Monkeys
[0468] Cynomolgus monkeys were administered different doses of the
anti-FcRn antibody M161-B04 (DX-2504) and a vehicle control. FIG.
33 shows the timeline of administration (FIG. 33A) and the results
for the control (FIG. 33B). The level of IgG in the serum of the
monkeys was measured over 14 days. As shown in FIGS. 34-35
(individual monkeys) and FIG. 36 (group mean data), the level of
IgG was reduced significantly over the 14 day period for each of
the antibodies administered. The decrease in IgG was dependent on
the concentration of anti-FcRn antibody administered. The efficacy
of subcutaneous administration is similar to intravenous
administration. FIGS. 37A-37C show that the serum levels of IgA,
IgM and serum albumin are unaffected by the administration of the
anti-FcRn antibody.
[0469] The contents of all cited references including literature
references, issued patents, published or non-published patent
applications cited throughout this application as well as those
listed below are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in
their entireties. In case of conflict, the present application,
including any definitions herein, will control.
[0470] A number of embodiments of the invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within
the scope of the following claims.
Sequence CWU 1
1
1901365PRTHomo sapiens 1Met Gly Val Pro Arg Pro Gln Pro Trp Ala Leu
Gly Leu Leu Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Pro Gly Ser Leu Gly Ala Glu
Ser His Leu Ser Leu Leu Tyr 20 25 30 His Leu Thr Ala Val Ser Ser
Pro Ala Pro Gly Thr Pro Ala Phe Trp 35 40 45 Val Ser Gly Trp Leu
Gly Pro Gln Gln Tyr Leu Ser Tyr Asn Ser Leu 50 55 60 Arg Gly Glu
Ala Glu Pro Cys Gly Ala Trp Val Trp Glu Asn Gln Val 65 70 75 80 Ser
Trp Tyr Trp Glu Lys Glu Thr Thr Asp Leu Arg Ile Lys Glu Lys 85 90
95 Leu Phe Leu Glu Ala Phe Lys Ala Leu Gly Gly Lys Gly Pro Tyr Thr
100 105 110 Leu Gln Gly Leu Leu Gly Cys Glu Leu Gly Pro Asp Asn Thr
Ser Val 115 120 125 Pro Thr Ala Lys Phe Ala Leu Asn Gly Glu Glu Phe
Met Asn Phe Asp 130 135 140 Leu Lys Gln Gly Thr Trp Gly Gly Asp Trp
Pro Glu Ala Leu Ala Ile 145 150 155 160 Ser Gln Arg Trp Gln Gln Gln
Asp Lys Ala Ala Asn Lys Glu Leu Thr 165 170 175 Phe Leu Leu Phe Ser
Cys Pro His Arg Leu Arg Glu His Leu Glu Arg 180 185 190 Gly Arg Gly
Asn Leu Glu Trp Lys Glu Pro Pro Ser Met Arg Leu Lys 195 200 205 Ala
Arg Pro Ser Ser Pro Gly Phe Ser Val Leu Thr Cys Ser Ala Phe 210 215
220 Ser Phe Tyr Pro Pro Glu Leu Gln Leu Arg Phe Leu Arg Asn Gly Leu
225 230 235 240 Ala Ala Gly Thr Gly Gln Gly Asp Phe Gly Pro Asn Ser
Asp Gly Ser 245 250 255 Phe His Ala Ser Ser Ser Leu Thr Val Lys Ser
Gly Asp Glu His His 260 265 270 Tyr Cys Cys Ile Val Gln His Ala Gly
Leu Ala Gln Pro Leu Arg Val 275 280 285 Glu Leu Glu Ser Pro Ala Lys
Ser Ser Val Leu Val Val Gly Ile Val 290 295 300 Ile Gly Val Leu Leu
Leu Thr Ala Ala Ala Val Gly Gly Ala Leu Leu 305 310 315 320 Trp Arg
Arg Met Arg Ser Gly Leu Pro Ala Pro Trp Ile Ser Leu Arg 325 330 335
Gly Asp Asp Thr Gly Val Leu Leu Pro Thr Pro Gly Glu Ala Gln Asp 340
345 350 Ala Asp Leu Lys Asp Val Asn Val Ile Pro Ala Thr Ala 355 360
365 2366PRTRattus norvegicus 2Met Gly Met Ser Gln Pro Gly Val Leu
Leu Ser Leu Leu Leu Val Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Gln Thr Trp Gly Ala
Glu Pro Arg Leu Pro Leu Met Tyr His 20 25 30 Leu Ala Ala Val Ser
Asp Leu Ser Thr Gly Leu Pro Ser Phe Trp Ala 35 40 45 Thr Gly Trp
Leu Gly Ala Gln Gln Tyr Leu Thr Tyr Asn Asn Leu Arg 50 55 60 Gln
Glu Ala Asp Pro Cys Gly Ala Trp Ile Trp Glu Asn Gln Val Ser 65 70
75 80 Trp Tyr Trp Glu Lys Glu Thr Thr Asp Leu Lys Ser Lys Glu Gln
Leu 85 90 95 Phe Leu Glu Ala Ile Arg Thr Leu Glu Asn Gln Ile Asn
Gly Thr Phe 100 105 110 Thr Leu Gln Gly Leu Leu Gly Cys Glu Leu Ala
Pro Asp Asn Ser Ser 115 120 125 Leu Pro Thr Ala Val Phe Ala Leu Asn
Gly Glu Glu Phe Met Arg Phe 130 135 140 Asn Pro Arg Thr Gly Asn Trp
Ser Gly Glu Trp Pro Glu Thr Asp Ile 145 150 155 160 Val Gly Asn Leu
Trp Met Lys Gln Pro Glu Ala Ala Arg Lys Glu Ser 165 170 175 Glu Phe
Leu Leu Thr Ser Cys Pro Glu Arg Leu Leu Gly His Leu Glu 180 185 190
Arg Gly Arg Gln Asn Leu Glu Trp Lys Glu Pro Pro Ser Met Arg Leu 195
200 205 Lys Ala Arg Pro Gly Asn Ser Gly Ser Ser Val Leu Thr Cys Ala
Ala 210 215 220 Phe Ser Phe Tyr Pro Pro Glu Leu Lys Phe Arg Phe Leu
Arg Asn Gly 225 230 235 240 Leu Ala Ser Gly Ser Gly Asn Cys Ser Thr
Gly Pro Asn Gly Asp Gly 245 250 255 Ser Phe His Ala Trp Ser Leu Leu
Glu Val Lys Arg Gly Asp Glu His 260 265 270 His Tyr Gln Cys Gln Val
Glu His Glu Gly Leu Ala Gln Pro Leu Thr 275 280 285 Val Asp Leu Asp
Ser Pro Ala Arg Ser Ser Val Pro Val Val Gly Ile 290 295 300 Ile Leu
Gly Leu Leu Leu Val Val Val Ala Ile Ala Gly Gly Val Leu 305 310 315
320 Leu Trp Asn Arg Met Arg Ser Gly Leu Pro Ala Pro Trp Leu Ser Leu
325 330 335 Ser Gly Asp Asp Ser Gly Asp Leu Leu Pro Gly Gly Asn Leu
Pro Pro 340 345 350 Glu Ala Glu Pro Gln Gly Val Asn Ala Phe Pro Ala
Thr Ser 355 360 365 3119PRTHomo sapiens 3Met Ser Arg Ser Val Ala
Leu Ala Val Leu Ala Leu Leu Ser Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Gly Leu Glu Ala
Ile Gln Arg Thr Pro Lys Ile Gln Val Tyr Ser Arg 20 25 30 His Pro
Ala Glu Asn Gly Lys Ser Asn Phe Leu Asn Cys Tyr Val Ser 35 40 45
Gly Phe His Pro Ser Asp Ile Glu Val Asp Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Glu 50
55 60 Arg Ile Glu Lys Val Glu His Ser Asp Leu Ser Phe Ser Lys Asp
Trp 65 70 75 80 Ser Phe Tyr Leu Leu Tyr Tyr Thr Glu Phe Thr Pro Thr
Glu Lys Asp 85 90 95 Glu Tyr Ala Cys Arg Val Asn His Val Thr Leu
Ser Gln Pro Lys Ile 100 105 110 Val Lys Trp Asp Arg Asp Met 115
4119PRTRattus norvegicus 4Met Ala Arg Ser Val Thr Val Ile Phe Leu
Val Leu Val Ser Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 Val Val Leu Ala Ile Gln Lys Thr
Pro Gln Ile Gln Val Tyr Ser Arg 20 25 30 His Pro Pro Glu Asn Gly
Lys Pro Asn Phe Leu Asn Cys Tyr Val Ser 35 40 45 Gln Phe His Pro
Pro Gln Ile Glu Ile Glu Leu Leu Lys Asn Gly Lys 50 55 60 Lys Ile
Pro Asn Ile Glu Met Ser Asp Leu Ser Phe Ser Lys Asp Trp 65 70 75 80
Ser Phe Tyr Ile Leu Ala His Thr Glu Phe Thr Pro Thr Glu Thr Asp 85
90 95 Val Tyr Ala Cys Arg Val Lys His Val Thr Leu Lys Glu Pro Lys
Thr 100 105 110 Val Thr Trp Asp Arg Asp Met 115 51510DNAHomo
sapiens 5gttcttcagg tacgaggagg gcattgttgt cagtctggac cgagcccgca
gagcccctcc 60tcggcgtcct ggtcccggcc gtgcccgcgg tgtcccggga ggaaggggcg
ggccgggggt 120cgggaggagt cacgtgcccc ctcccgcccc aggtcgtcct
ctcagcatgg gggtcccgcg 180gcctcagccc tgggcgctgg ggctcctgct
ctttctcctt cctgggagcc tgggcgcaga 240aagccacctc tccctcctgt
accaccttac cgcggtgtcc tcgcctgccc cggggactcc 300tgccttctgg
gtgtccggct ggctgggccc gcagcagtac ctgagctaca atagcctgcg
360gggcgaggcg gagccctgtg gagcttgggt ctgggaaaac caggtgtcct
ggtattggga 420gaaagagacc acagatctga ggatcaagga gaagctcttt
ctggaagctt tcaaagcttt 480ggggggaaaa ggtccctaca ctctgcaggg
cctgctgggc tgtgaactgg gccctgacaa 540cacctcggtg cccaccgcca
agttcgccct gaacggcgag gagttcatga atttcgacct 600caagcagggc
acctggggtg gggactggcc cgaggccctg gctatcagtc agcggtggca
660gcagcaggac aaggcggcca acaaggagct caccttcctg ctattctcct
gcccgcaccg 720cctgcgggag cacctggaga ggggccgcgg aaacctggag
tggaaggagc ccccctccat 780gcgcctgaag gcccgaccca gcagccctgg
cttttccgtg cttacctgca gcgccttctc 840cttctaccct ccggagctgc
aacttcggtt cctgcggaat gggctggccg ctggcaccgg 900ccagggtgac
ttcggcccca acagtgacgg atccttccac gcctcgtcgt cactaacagt
960caaaagtggc gatgagcacc actactgctg cattgtgcag cacgcggggc
tggcgcagcc 1020cctcagggtg gagctggaat ctccagccaa gtcctccgtg
ctcgtggtgg gaatcgtcat 1080cggtgtcttg ctactcacgg cagcggctgt
aggaggagct ctgttgtgga gaaggatgag 1140gagtgggctg ccagcccctt
ggatctccct tcgtggagac gacaccgggg tcctcctgcc 1200caccccaggg
gaggcccagg atgctgattt gaaggatgta aatgtgattc cagccaccgc
1260ctgaccatcc gccattccga ctgctaaaag cgaatgtagt caggcccctt
tcatgctgtg 1320agacctcctg gaacactggc atctctgagc ctccagaagg
ggttctgggc ctagttgtcc 1380tccctctgga gccccgtcct gtggtctgcc
tcagtttccc ctcctaatac atatggctgt 1440tttccacctc gataatataa
cacgagtttg ggcccgaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa 1500aaaaaaaaaa
15106984DNAHomo sapiens 6atgggggtcc cgcggcctca gccctgggcg
ctggggctcc tgctctttct ccttcctggg 60agcctgggcg cagaaagcca cctctccctc
ctgtaccacc ttaccgcggt gtcctcgcct 120gccccgggga ctcctgcctt
ctgggtgtcc ggctggctgg gcccgcagca gtacctgagc 180tacaatagcc
tgcggggcga ggcggagccc tgtggagctt gggtctggga aaaccaggtg
240tcctggtatt gggagaaaga gaccacagat ctgaggatca aggagaagct
ctttctggaa 300gctttcaaag ctttgggggg aaaaggtccc tacactctgc
agggcctgct gggctgtgaa 360ctgggccctg acaacacctc ggtgcccacc
gccaagttcg ccctgaacgg cgaggagttc 420atgaatttcg acctcaagca
gggcacctgg ggtggggact ggcccgaggc cctggctatc 480agtcagcggt
ggcagcagca ggacaaggcg gccaacaagg agctcacctt cctgctattc
540tcctgcccgc accgcctgcg ggagcacctg gagaggggcc gcggaaacct
ggagtggaag 600gagcccccct ccatgcgcct gaaggcccga cccagcagcc
ctggcttttc cgtgcttacc 660tgcagcgcct tctccttcta ccctccggag
ctgcaacttc ggttcctgcg gaatgggctg 720gccgctggca ccggccaggg
tgacttcggc cccaacagtg acggatcctt ccacgcctcg 780tcgtcactaa
cagtcaaaag tggcgatgag caccactact gctgcattgt gcagcacgcg
840gggctggcgc agcccctcag ggtggagctg gaatctccag ccaagtcctc
ccggccgctc 900gacgggctac gagcatcagt aacactacta ggcgcaggcc
tactactatc actactacca 960gcactactac gatttgggcc ataa
9847987DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide 7aatataagtg
gaggcgtcgc gctggcgggc attcctgaag ctgacagcat tcgggccgag 60atgtctcgct
ccgtggcctt agctgtgctc gcgctactct ctctttctgg cctggaggct
120atccagcgta ctccaaagat tcaggtttac tcacgtcatc cagcagagaa
tggaaagtca 180aatttcctga attgctatgt gtctgggttt catccatccg
acattgaagt tgacttactg 240aagaatggag agagaattga aaaagtggag
cattcagact tgtctttcag caaggactgg 300tctttctatc tcttgtacta
cactgaattc acccccactg aaaaagatga gtatgcctgc 360cgtgtgaacc
atgtgacttt gtcacagccc aagatagtta agtgggatcg agacatgtaa
420gcagcatcat ggaggtttga agatgccgca tttggattgg atgaattcca
aattctgctt 480gcttgctttt taatattgat atgcttatac acttacactt
tatgcacaaa atgtagggtt 540ataataatgt taacatggac atgatcttct
ttataattct actttgagtg ctgtctccat 600gtttgatgta tctgagcagg
ttgctccaca ggtagctcta ggagggctgg caacttagag 660gtggggagca
gagaattctc ttatccaaca tcaacatctt ggtcagattt gaactcttca
720atctcttgca ctcaaagctt gttaagatag ttaagcgtgc ataagttaac
ttccaattta 780catactctgc ttagaatttg ggggaaaatt tagaaatata
attgacagga ttattggaaa 840tttgttataa tgaatgaaac attttgtcat
ataagattca tatttacttc ttatacattt 900gataaagtaa ggcatggttg
tggttaatct ggtttatttt tgttccacaa gttaaataaa 960tcataaaact
tgatgtgtta tctctta 987812PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
8Ser Ala Ser Ser Ser Ile Ser Ser Asn Tyr Leu His 1 5 10
97PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 9Arg Thr Ser Asn Leu
Ala Ser 1 5 109PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 10Gln Gln
Gly Ser Asn Ile Pro Leu Thr 1 5 115PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 11Arg Ser Trp Met Asn 1 5
1217PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 12Arg Ile His Pro Gly
Asp Gly Asp Thr Asn Tyr Asn Gly Lys Phe Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
138PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 13Glu Gly Ser Pro Tyr
Phe Asp Tyr 1 5 1411PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 14Lys
Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Asn Asn Tyr Ile Ala 1 5 10 157PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 15Tyr Thr Ser Thr Leu Gln Pro 1 5
169PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 16Leu Gln Tyr Asp Asn
Leu Leu Arg Thr 1 5 175PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
17Asp Tyr Ala Met His 1 5 1817PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 18Val Ile Thr Asn Tyr Tyr Gly Asp Ala Ser Tyr Asn Gln Lys
Phe Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly 1912PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
19Gly Gly Tyr Asp Gly Tyr Tyr Val Asp Phe Asp Tyr 1 5 10
20214PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 20Asp Ile Gln Leu
Thr Gln Ser Pro Thr Thr Val Ala Ala Ser Pro Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Lys
Ile Thr Ile Thr Cys Ser Ala Ser Ser Ser Ile Ser Ser Asn 20 25 30
Tyr Leu His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Phe Ser Pro Lys Leu Leu 35
40 45 Ile Tyr Arg Thr Ser Asn Leu Ala Ser Gly Val Pro Ala Arg Phe
Ser 50 55 60 Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Ser Tyr Ser Leu Thr Ile Gly
Thr Met Glu 65 70 75 80 Ala Glu Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln
Gly Ser Asn Ile Pro 85 90 95 Leu Thr Phe Gly Ala Gly Thr Lys Leu
Glu Leu Lys Arg Ala Asp Ala 100 105 110 Ala Pro Thr Val Ser Ile Phe
Pro Pro Ser Ser Glu Gln Leu Thr Ser 115 120 125 Gly Gly Ala Ser Val
Val Cys Phe Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Lys Asp 130 135 140 Ile Asn Val
Lys Trp Lys Ile Asp Gly Ser Glu Arg Gln Asn Gly Val 145 150 155 160
Leu Asn Ser Trp Thr Asp Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Met 165
170 175 Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Thr Lys Asp Glu Tyr Glu Arg His Asn
Ser 180 185 190 Tyr Thr Cys Glu Ala Thr His Lys Thr Ser Thr Ser Pro
Ile Val Lys 195 200 205 Ser Phe Asn Lys Asn Glu 210
21214PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 21Val Lys Leu Gln
Glu Ser Gly Pro Glu Leu Val Lys Pro Gly Ala Ser 1 5 10 15 Val Lys
Ile Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ala Phe Ser Arg Ser Trp 20 25 30
Met Asn Trp Val Lys Gln Arg Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly 35
40 45 Arg Ile His Pro Gly Asp Gly Asp Thr Asn Tyr Asn Gly Lys Phe
Lys 50 55 60 Gly Lys Ala Thr Leu Thr Val Ala Lys Ser Ser Ser Thr
Ala Tyr Met 65 70 75 80 Gln Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Val Asp Ser Ala
Val Tyr Phe Cys Ala 85 90 95 Asn Glu Gly Ser Pro Tyr Phe Asp Tyr
Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Thr Leu 100 105 110 Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Lys Thr
Thr Pro Pro Ser Val Tyr Pro Leu Ala 115 120 125 Pro Gly Ser Ala Ala
Gln Thr Asn Ser Met Val Thr Leu Gly Cys Leu 130 135 140 Val Lys Gly
Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Thr Trp Asn Ser Gly 145 150 155 160
Ser Leu Ser Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Asp 165
170 175 Leu Tyr Thr Leu Ser Ser Ser Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Thr Trp
Pro 180 185 190 Ser Glu Thr Val Thr Cys Asn Val Ala His Pro Ala Ser
Ser Thr Lys 195 200 205 Val Asp Lys Lys Leu Glu 210
22213PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 22Asp Ile Gln Leu
Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Lys
Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Asn Asn Tyr 20 25 30
Ile Ala Trp Tyr Gln His Lys Pro Gly Lys Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu Ile 35
40 45 His Tyr Thr Ser Thr Leu Gln Pro Gly Ile Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser
Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Arg Asp Tyr Ser Phe Ser Ile Ser Asn
Leu Glu Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Leu Gln Tyr
Asp Asn Leu Leu Arg 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu
Ile Lys Arg Ala Asp Ala Ala 100 105 110 Pro Thr Val Ser Ile Phe Pro
Pro
Ser Ser Glu Gln Leu Thr Ser Gly 115 120 125 Gly Ala Ser Val Val Cys
Phe Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Lys Asp Ile 130 135 140 Asn Val Lys Trp
Lys Ile Asp Gly Ser Glu Arg Gln Asn Gly Val Leu 145 150 155 160 Asn
Ser Trp Thr Asp Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Met Ser 165 170
175 Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Thr Lys Asp Glu Tyr Glu Arg His Asn Ser Tyr
180 185 190 Thr Cys Glu Ala Thr His Lys Thr Ser Thr Ser Pro Ile Val
Lys Ser 195 200 205 Phe Asn Lys Asn Glu 210 23218PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 23Val Xaa Leu Gln Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu
Leu Val Arg Pro Gly Val Ser 1 5 10 15 Val Lys Ile Ser Cys Lys Gly
Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Asp Tyr Ala 20 25 30 Met His Trp Val Lys
Gln Ser His Ala Lys Ser Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly 35 40 45 Val Ile Thr
Asn Tyr Tyr Gly Asp Ala Ser Tyr Asn Gln Lys Phe Lys 50 55 60 Gly
Lys Ala Thr Met Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Ser Ser Thr Ala Tyr Met 65 70
75 80 Glu Leu Ala Arg Leu Thr Ser Glu Asp Ser Ala Ile Tyr Tyr Cys
Ala 85 90 95 Arg Gly Gly Tyr Asp Gly Tyr Tyr Val Asp Phe Asp Tyr
Trp Gly Gln 100 105 110 Gly Thr Thr Leu Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Lys Thr
Thr Pro Pro Ser Val 115 120 125 Tyr Pro Leu Ala Pro Gly Ser Ala Ala
Gln Thr Asn Ser Met Val Thr 130 135 140 Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Gly
Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Thr 145 150 155 160 Trp Asn Ser Gly
Ser Leu Ser Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val 165 170 175 Leu Gln
Ser Asp Leu Tyr Thr Leu Ser Ser Ser Val Thr Val Pro Ser 180 185 190
Ser Thr Trp Pro Ser Glu Thr Val Thr Cys Asn Val Ala His Pro Ala 195
200 205 Ser Ser Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Leu Glu 210 215
2420PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 24Ser Cys Pro His Arg
Leu Arg Glu His Leu Glu Arg Gly Arg Gly Asn 1 5 10 15 Leu Glu Trp
Lys 20 2520PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 25Glu Arg Gly
Arg Gly Asn Leu Glu Trp Lys Glu Pro Pro Ser Met Arg 1 5 10 15 Leu
Lys Ala Arg 20 2620PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 26Cys
Ser Ala Phe Ser Phe Tyr Pro Pro Glu Leu Gln Leu Arg Phe Leu 1 5 10
15 Arg Asn Gly Leu 20 2720PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
27Ala Pro Gly Thr Pro Ala Phe Trp Val Ser Gly Trp Leu Gly Pro Gln 1
5 10 15 Gln Tyr Leu Ser 20 2813PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 28Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Asn Ile Gly Ser Asn Thr Val Ser 1 5
10 297PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 29Ser Asp Asn Gln
Arg Pro Ser 1 5 3011PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 30Ala
Ala Trp Asp Asp Ser Leu Lys Gly Trp Val 1 5 10 315PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 31Asp Tyr Thr Met Ser 1 5
3217PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 32Ser Ile Trp Ser Ser
Gly Gly Ala Thr Val Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
3311PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 33Asp Ile Arg Gly Ser
Arg Asn Trp Phe Asp Pro 1 5 10 3414PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 34Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser
Tyr Asn Leu Val Ser 1 5 10 357PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 35Gly Asp Ser Gln Arg Pro Ser 1 5 3610PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 36Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gly Ile Tyr
Val 1 5 10 375PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 37Glu Tyr
Ala Met Gly 1 5 3817PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 38Ser
Ile Gly Ser Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10
15 Gly 397PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 39Leu Ser Thr
Gly Glu Leu Tyr 1 5 4016PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
40Arg Ser Ser Gln Ser Leu Leu His Ser Asn Gly Tyr Asn Tyr Leu Asp 1
5 10 15 417PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 41Leu Val Ser
Asn Arg Ala Ser 1 5 429PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
42Met Gln Ala Gln Gln Thr Pro Ile Thr 1 5 435PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 43Ile Tyr Ser Met Thr 1 5
4417PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 44Ser Ile Val Pro Ser
Gly Gly Glu Thr Ser Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
459PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 45Gly His Ser Gly Val
Gly Met Asp Val 1 5 4616PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
46Arg Ser Ser Gln Ser Leu Leu His Gly Asn Gly His Thr Tyr Leu Asp 1
5 10 15 477PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 47Leu Val Ser
Asn Arg Ala Ser 1 5 489PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
48Met Gln Gly Leu Gln Thr Pro Arg Thr 1 5 495PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 49Phe Tyr Ser Met Thr 1 5
5017PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 50Gly Ile Arg Ser Ser
Gly Gly Ser Thr Arg Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
519PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 51Gly Trp Gly Leu Asp
Ala Phe Asp Val 1 5 5216PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
52Arg Ser Ser Leu Ser Leu Leu His Ser Asn Gly Tyr Ile Tyr Leu Asp 1
5 10 15 537PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 53Leu Gly Ser
His Arg Ala Ser 1 5 549PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
54Met Gln Pro Leu Gln Thr Pro Tyr Thr 1 5 555PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 55Tyr Tyr His Met Asn 1 5
5617PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 56Val Ile Ser Pro Ser
Gly Gly Val Thr Met Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
576PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 57Gly Lys Ala Phe Asp
Ile 1 5 5811PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 58Ser Gly Asp
Lys Leu Gly Asp Lys Tyr Val Ser 1 5 10 597PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 59Gln Asp Asn Arg Arg Pro Ser 1 5
6011PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 60Gln Ala Trp Leu Ser
Asn Thr Ala Ser Val Ala 1 5 10 615PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 61Phe Tyr Gly Met His 1 5 6217PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 62Gly Ile Tyr Ser Ser Gly Gly Ile Thr
Gly Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly 637PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 63Gly Leu Arg Thr Phe Asp Tyr 1 5
6411PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 64Arg Ala Ser Gln Pro
Val Gly Ser Tyr Leu Ala 1 5 10 657PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 65Gly Ala Ser Asn Arg Ala Thr 1 5 6610PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 66Gln His Tyr Gly His Ser Pro Pro Tyr
Thr 1 5 10 675PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 67Ser Tyr
Ala Met Tyr 1 5 6817PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 68Arg
Ile Val Pro Ser Gly Gly Gly Thr Met Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Gln 1 5 10
15 Gly 694PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 69Gly Met Asp
Val 1 7011PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 70Arg Ala Ser
Gln Ser Val Ser Ser Tyr Leu Ala 1 5 10 717PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 71Asp Ala Ser Asn Arg Ala Thr 1 5
729PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 72Gln Gln Arg Ser Asn
Trp Pro Leu Thr 1 5 735PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
73Asn Tyr Asn Met Ser 1 5 7417PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 74Tyr Ile Ser Pro Ser Gly Gly Ser Thr Trp Tyr Ala Asp Ser
Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly 757PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
75Tyr His Tyr Gly Met Asp Val 1 5 7611PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 76Arg Ala Ser Gln Ser Ile Ser Asn His
Leu Val 1 5 10 777PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 77Asp
Ala Ser Asn Arg Ala Thr 1 5 789PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 78Gln Gln Arg Ser Asn Trp Pro Pro Thr 1 5 795PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 79Tyr Tyr Gly Met Thr 1 5
8017PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 80Ser Ile Ser Pro Ser
Gly Gly His Thr Ser Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
819PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 81Gly Pro Glu Tyr Phe
Phe Gly Val Tyr 1 5 8211PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
82Arg Ala Ser Gln Ser Val Gly Ser Tyr Leu Asn 1 5 10
837PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 83Ala Ala Tyr Ile Leu
Gln Ser 1 5 849PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 84Gln Gln
Ser Tyr Ser Asn Arg Ile Thr 1 5 855PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 85Ala Tyr Asn Met Ile 1 5
8617PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 86Ser Ile Gly Pro Ser
Gly Gly Lys Thr Val Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
8711PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 87Val Arg Ser Gly Phe
Trp Ser Gly His Asp Tyr 1 5 10 8812PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 88Arg Ala Ser Gln Ser Val Ser Ser Ser
Tyr Leu Ala 1 5 10 897PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
89Gly Ala Ser Ser Arg Ala Thr 1 5 909PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 90Gln Gln Tyr Gly Ser Ser Pro Arg Thr 1
5 915PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 91His Tyr Gly Met
Ser 1 5 9217PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 92Tyr Ile Arg
Pro Ser Gly Gly Lys Thr Ile Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
9313PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 93Asp Ser Trp Gly Ser
Phe Pro Asn Asp Ala Phe Asp Ile 1 5 10 94339DNAArtificial
Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide 94caagacatcc agatgaccca
gtctccagac tccctgcccg tcacccctgg agagccggcc 60tccatctcct gcaggtctag
tcagagcctc ctgcatagta atggatacaa ctatttggat 120tggtacctgc
agaggccagg gcagtctccg cagctcctga tctatttggt ttctaatcgg
180gcctccgggg tccctgacag gttcagtggc agtgggtcag gcacagattt
tacactgaaa 240atcagcagag tggaggctga agatgctgga ttttattact
gcatgcaagc tcaacaaact 300ccgatcacct tcggccaagg gacacgactg gagattaaa
33995339DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide
95caagacatcc agatgaccta gtctccactc tccctgcccg tcacccctgg agagccggcc
60tccatgtcct gcaggtctag tctgagcctc ctgcatagta atggatacat ctatttggat
120tggtacctgc agaggccagg acagtctcca cagctcctga tgtatttggg
ttctcatcgg 180gcctccgggg tccctgacag gttcagtggc agtgggtcag
gcacagattt tacactgaac 240atcagcagag tggaggcgga ggatgttggg
gtttattact gcatgcaacc tctacaaact 300ccgtacactt ttggccaggg
gaccaagctg gagatcaaa 33996324DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant
polynucleotide 96caagacatcc agatgaccca gtctccatcc tccctgtctg
catctgtagg agacagagtc 60accatcactt gccgggcaag tcagagcgtt ggcagttatt
taaattggta tcagcagaaa 120ccaggcgaag cccctaaggc cctgatctat
gctgcataca ttttgcaaag tggggtccca 180tcgaggttca gtggcagcgg
ctctgggaca gatttcactc tcaccatcaa cagtctacaa 240cctgaagatt
ttgcaactta ttactgtcaa cagagttaca gtaatagaat cactttcggc
300cctgggacca gagtggatgt caaa 32497339DNAArtificial
Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide 97caagacatcc agatgaccca
gtctccactc tccctgcccg tcacccctgg agagccggcc 60tccatctcct gcaggtctag
tcagagcctc ctgcacggaa atggacacac ctatttggat 120tggtatctgc
agaagccagg gcagtctcca cagctcctga tctatttggt ttctaatcgg
180gcctccgggg tccctgacag gttcagtggc agtggatcag gcacagattt
tacactgaaa 240atcagcagag tggaggctga agatgttggg gtttattact
gcatgcaagg tctacaaact 300ccgaggacgt tcggccaggg gaccaaggtg gaaatcaaa
33998324DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide
98caagacatcc agatgaccca gtctccagcc accctgtctt tgtctccagg ggaaagagcc
60accctctcct gcagggccag tcagagtatt agcaaccact tagtctggtt ccaacagaaa
120cctggccagg ctcccaggct cctcatctat gatgcatcca acagggccac
tggcatccca 180gccaggttca gtggcagtgg gtctgggaca gacttcactc
tcaccatcag cagcctagag 240cctgaagatt ttgcagttta ttactgtcag
cagcgtagca actggcctcc caccttcggc 300caagggacac gactggagat taaa
32499327DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide
99caagacatcc agatgaccca gtctccagcc accctgtctt tgtctccagg ggaaacagcc
60accctctcct gccgggccag tcagcctgtt ggcagctact tagcctggta ccaacagaaa
120cctggccagg ctcccaggct cctcatctat ggtgcatcca atagggccac
tggcatccca 180gccaggttca gtggcagtgg gtctgggaca gacttcactc
tcgccatcag cagcctggag 240cctgaagatt ttggagtgta ttactgtcag
cactatggtc actcacctcc gtacactttt 300ggccagggga ccaagctgga gatcaaa
327100327DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide
100caagacatcc agatgaccca gtctccaggc accctgtctt tgtctccagg
ggaaagagcc 60accctctcct gcagggccag tcagagtgtt agcagcagct acttagcctg
gtaccagcag 120aaacctggcc aggctcccag gctcctcatc tatggtgcat
ccagcagggc cactggcatc 180ccagacaggt tcagtggcag tgggtctggg
acagacttca ctctcaccat cagcagactg 240gagcctgaag attttgcagt
gtattactgt cagcagtatg gtagctcacc tcggacgttc 300ggccaaggga
ccaaggtgga aatcaaa 327101330DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant
polynucleotide 101cagagcgctt tgactcagcc accctcagcg tctgagaccc
ccgggcagag agtcaccatc 60tcttgttctg gaagcagctc caacatcgga agtaatactg
taagctggta ccagcagctc 120ccaggaacgg cccccaaact cctcatctat
agtgataatc agcggccctc aggggtccct 180gaccgattcg ctggctccaa
gtctggcacc tctgcctccc tggccatcag tgggctccag 240tctgaggatg
aggctgaata tcactgtgca gcatgggatg acagcctgaa gggttgggtg
300ttcggcggag ggacaaagct gaccgtccta 330102324DNAArtificial
Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide 102cagagcgctt tgactcagac
accctcagtg tccgtgtccc ccggacagac agccaccatc 60acctgctctg gagataaatt
gggggataag tatgtttctt ggtttcaaca gaagccaggc 120cagtccccta
tcctactcct ttatcaagac aacaggcggc cctctgggat ccctgaacga
180ttctctggct ccaattctgg gaacacagcc tctctgacca tcagcgggac
ccaggctatg 240gatgaggctg actaccactg tcaggcgtgg ctcagcaata
ctgcttccgt ggcattcggc 300ggagggacca ggctgaccgt cctc
324103324DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide
103caagacatcc agatgaccca gtctccagcc accctgtctt tgtctccagg
ggaaagagcc 60accctctcct gcagggccag tcagagtgtt agcagctact tagcctggta
ccaacagaaa 120cctggccagg ctcccaggct cctcatctat gatgcatcca
acagggccac tggcatccca 180gccaggttca gtggcagtgg gtctgggaca
gacttcactc tcaccatcag cagcctagag 240cctgaagatt ttgcagttta
ttactgtcag cagcgtagca actggcccct cactttcggc 300ggagggacca
aggtggagat caaa 324104330DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant
polynucleotide 104cagagcgtct tgactcagcc tgcctccgtg tcggggtctc
ctggacagtc gatcaccatc 60tcctgcactg ggaccgggag tgatgttgga agttataacc
ttgtctcctg gtaccaaaag 120taccccggca aagcccccaa actcatcatt
tatggggaca gtcagcggcc ctcgggactt 180tctagtcgct tctctggctc
caagtctggc aactcggcct ccctgacaat ctctgggctc 240caggctgagg
acgaggctga ttattactgt tgctcatatg caggtagtgg catttacgtc
300tttggcagtg ggaccaaggt caccgtccta 33010510PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 105Glu Pro Pro Ser Met Arg Leu Lys Ala
Arg 1 5 10 10619PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 106Cys
Ser Ala Phe Tyr Pro Pro Glu Leu Gln Leu Arg Phe Phe Leu Arg 1 5 10
15 Asn Gly Leu 107106PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
107Ser Gln Pro Lys Ala Asn Pro Thr Val Thr Leu Phe Pro Pro Ser Ser
1 5 10 15 Glu Glu Leu Gln Ala Asn Lys Ala Thr Leu Val Cys Leu Ile
Ser
Asp 20 25 30 Phe Tyr Pro Gly Ala Val Thr Val Ala Trp Lys Ala Asp
Gly Ser Pro 35 40 45 Val Lys Ala Gly Val Glu Thr Thr Lys Pro Ser
Lys Gln Ser Asn Asn 50 55 60 Lys Tyr Ala Ala Ser Ser Tyr Leu Ser
Leu Thr Pro Glu Gln Trp Lys 65 70 75 80 Ser His Arg Ser Tyr Ser Cys
Gln Val Thr His Glu Gly Ser Thr Val 85 90 95 Glu Lys Thr Val Ala
Pro Ala Glu Cys Ser 100 105 108318DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant
polynucleotide 108agtcagccca aggccaaccc cactgtcact ctgttcccgc
cctcctctga ggagctccaa 60gccaacaagg ccacactagt gtgtctgatc agtgacttct
acccgggagc tgtgacagtg 120gcctggaagg cagatggcag ccccgtcaag
gcgggagtgg acaccaccaa accctccaaa 180cagagcaaca acaagtacgc
ggccagcagc tacctgagcc tgacgcccga gcagtggaag 240tcccacagaa
gctacagctg ccaggtcacg catgaaggga gcaccgtcca gaagacagtg
300gcccctgcag aatgctct 318109106PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 109Gly Gln Pro Lys Ala Asn Pro Thr Val Thr Leu Phe Pro Pro
Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 Glu Glu Leu Gln Ala Asn Lys Ala Thr Leu Val Cys
Leu Ile Ser Asp 20 25 30 Phe Tyr Pro Gly Ala Val Thr Val Ala Trp
Lys Ala Asp Gly Ser Pro 35 40 45 Val Lys Ala Gly Val Glu Thr Thr
Lys Pro Ser Lys Gln Ser Asn Asn 50 55 60 Lys Tyr Ala Ala Ser Ser
Tyr Leu Ser Leu Thr Pro Glu Gln Trp Lys 65 70 75 80 Ser His Arg Ser
Tyr Ser Cys Gln Val Thr His Glu Gly Ser Thr Val 85 90 95 Glu Lys
Thr Val Ala Pro Thr Glu Cys Ser 100 105 110317DNAArtificial
Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide 110ggtcagccca aggccacccc
acggtcactc tgttcccgcc ctcctctgag gagctccaag 60ccaacaaggc cacactagtg
tgtctgatca gtgacttcta cccgggagct gtgacagtgg 120cttggaaggc
agatggcagc cccgtcaagg cgggagtgga gacgaccaaa ccctccaaac
180agagcaacaa caagtacgcg gccagcagct acctgagcct gacgcccgag
cagtggaagt 240cccacagaag ctacagctgc caggtcacgc atgaagggag
caccgtggag aagacagtgg 300cccctacaga atgttca 317111116PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 111Glu Val Gln Leu Leu Glu Ser Gly Gly
Gly Leu Val Gln Pro Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala
Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe Ser Glu Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Met Gly Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Gln Val 35 40 45 Ser Ser Ile
Gly Ser Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 50 55 60 Lys
Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ser Lys Asn Thr Leu Tyr 65 70
75 80 Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr
Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Leu Ser Thr Gly Glu Leu Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly
Thr Leu Val 100 105 110 Thr Val Ser Ser 115 112349DNAArtificial
Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide 112gaagttcaat tgttagagtc
tggtggcggt cttgttcagc ctggtggttc tttacgtctt 60tcttgcgctg cttccggatt
cactttctct gagtacgcta tgggttgggt tcgccaagct 120cctggtaaag
gtttggagtg ggtttcttct atcggttctt ctggtggcca gactaagtat
180gctgactccg ttaaaggtcg cttcactatc tctagagaca acttctaaga
atactctcta 240cttgcagatg aacagcttaa gggctgagga cacggccgtg
tattactgtg cgagactctc 300aacaggggag ctctactggg gccagggcac
cctggtcacc gtctcaagc 349113110PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 113Glu Val Gly Leu Leu Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Leu Val Gln Pro
Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr
Phe Ser Ser Ala 20 25 30 Tyr Met Ser Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val 35 40 45 Ser Ala Ile Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly
Ser Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 50 55 60 Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile
Ser Arg Asp Asn Ser Lys Asn Thr Leu Tyr 65 70 75 80 Leu Gln Met Asn
Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Lys
Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 100 105 110
114331DNAArtificial Sequencerecombinant polynucleotide
114gaggtgcagc tgttggagtc tggggaggct tggtacagcc tggggggtcc
ctgagactct 60cctgtgcagc ctctggattc acctttagca gctatgccat gagctgggtc
cgccaggctc 120cagggaaggg gctggagtgg gtctcagcta ttagtggtag
tggtggtagc acatactacg 180cagactccgt gaagggccgg ttcaccatct
ccagagacaa ttccaagaac acgctgtatc 240tgcaaatgaa cagcctgaga
gccgaggaca cggccgtata ttactgtgcg aaagatactg 300gggccagggc
accctggtca ccgtctcatc a 331115338PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 115Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser
Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu
Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn
Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val
Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Thr Val
Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Ile Cys Asn Val
Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys 85 90 95 Pro Lys
Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Ala Pro Glu 100 105 110
Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp 115
120 125 Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val
Asp 130 135 140 Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr
Val Asp Gly 145 150 155 160 Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro
Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn 165 170 175 Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val
Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp 180 185 190 Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr
Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro 195 200 205 Ala Pro Ile Glu
Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu 210 215 220 Pro Gln
Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr 225 230 235
240 Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu
245 250 255 Thr Cys Leu Asx Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val
Glu Trp 260 265 270 Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr
Thr Pro Pro Val 275 280 285 Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr
Ser Lys Leu Tyr Val Asp 290 295 300 Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn
Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His 305 310 315 320 Glu Ala Leu His Asn
His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 330 335 Gly Lys
116338PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 116Ala Ser Thr Lys
Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr
Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30
Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35
40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr
Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr
Gln Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr
Lys Val Asp Lys Arg 85 90 95 Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr
Cys Pro Pro Cys Ala Pro Glu 100 105 110 Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val
Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp 115 120 125 Thr Leu Met Ile Ser
Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp 130 135 140 Val Ser His
Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly 145 150 155 160
Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn 165
170 175 Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp
Trp 180 185 190 Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys
Ala Leu Pro 195 200 205 Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys
Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu 210 215 220 Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser
Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr 225 230 235 240 Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg
Glu Glu Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu 245 250 255 Thr Cys Leu Asx
Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp 260 265 270 Glu Ser
Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val 275 280 285
Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Tyr Val Asp 290
295 300 Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met
His 305 310 315 320 Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu
Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 330 335 Gly Lys 11729PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 117Val Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Pro Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Val 20 25 11829PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 118Val Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Pro Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Val Asp Ser Tyr 20 25 11929PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 119Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ala Ile Gly Asp Ser Tyr 20 25 12029PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 120Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Ile 20 25 12129PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 121Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Ser 20 25 12229PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 122Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Val 20 25 12329PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 123Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Leu Gly Asp Ser Tyr 20 25 12429PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 124Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Val Asp Ser Phe 20 25 12529PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 125Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Asp 20 25 12629PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 126Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu His 20 25 12729PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 127Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Ser 20 25 12829PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 128Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Asp Asp Ser Tyr 20 25 12929PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 129Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Val Glu Leu Asp 20 25 13029PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 130Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Phe 20 25 13129PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 131Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Asp Ser Tyr 20 25 13229PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 132Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Asp Asp Phe Tyr 20 25 13329PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 133Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Phe 20 25 13429PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 134Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu Tyr 20 25 13529PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 135Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Val Asp Ser Tyr 20 25 13629PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 136Val Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Pro Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Thr Gly Glu Leu Tyr 20 25 13729PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 137Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu His 20 25 13829PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 138Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Thr Gly Glu Leu Tyr 20 25 13929PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 139Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Thr Gly Ala Leu Ser 20 25 14029PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 140Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Leu
Ser Thr Gly Glu Leu Tyr 20 25 14114PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 141Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser
Tyr Asn Leu Val Ser 1 5 10 1427PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant
peptide 142Gly Asp Ser Gln Arg Pro Ser 1 5 14310PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 143Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gly Ile Tyr
Val 1 5
10 1445PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 144Glu Tyr Ala Met
Gly 1 5 14517PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 145Ser Ile
Gly Ser Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15
Gly 1467PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 146Leu Ser Thr
Gly Glu Leu Tyr 1 5 14714PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
147Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr Asn Leu Val Ser 1 5 10
1487PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 148Gly Asp Ser Gln
Arg Pro Ser 1 5 14910PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
149Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gly Ile Tyr Val 1 5 10 1505PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 150Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly 1 5
15117PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 151Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
1527PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 152Leu Ser Thr Gly
Glu Leu Tyr 1 5 15314PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
153Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr Asn Leu Val Ser 1 5 10
1547PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 154Gly Asp Ser Gln
Arg Pro Ser 1 5 15510PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
155Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gly Ile Tyr Val 1 5 10 1565PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 156Val Tyr Ala Met Gly 1 5
15717PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 157Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Pro Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
1587PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 158Leu Ser Ile Arg
Glu Leu Val 1 5 15914PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
159Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr Asn Leu Val Ser 1 5 10
1607PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 160Gly Asp Ser Gln
Arg Pro Ser 1 5 16110PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
161Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gly Ile Tyr Val 1 5 10 1625PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 162Val Tyr Ala Met Gly 1 5
16317PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 163Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Pro Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
1647PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 164Leu Ser Ile Val
Asp Ser Tyr 1 5 16514PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
165Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr Asn Leu Val Ser 1 5 10
1667PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 166Gly Asp Ser Gln
Arg Pro Ser 1 5 16710PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
167Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gly Ile Tyr Val 1 5 10 1685PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 168Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly 1 5
16917PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 169Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
1707PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 170Leu Ser Leu Gly
Asp Ser Tyr 1 5 17114PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
171Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr Asn Leu Val Ser 1 5 10
1727PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 172Gly Asp Ser Gln
Arg Pro Ser 1 5 17310PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
173Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gly Ile Tyr Val 1 5 10 1745PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 174Glu Tyr Ala Met Gly 1 5
17517PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 175Ser Ile Gly Ser
Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly
1767PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 176Leu Ala Ile Gly
Asp Ser Tyr 1 5 177111PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide
177Gln Ser Val Leu Thr Gln Pro Ala Ser Val Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln
1 5 10 15 Ser Ile Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly
Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Leu Val Ser Trp Tyr Gln Lys Tyr Pro Gly Lys
Ala Pro Lys Leu 35 40 45 Ile Ile Tyr Gly Asp Ser Gln Arg Pro Ser
Gly Leu Ser Ser Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Ser
Ala Ser Leu Thr Ile Ser Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala
Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser 85 90 95 Gly Ile Tyr Tyr
Val Phe Gly Ser Gly Thr Lys Val Thr Val Leu 100 105 110
178111PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 178Gln Ser Ala Leu
Thr Gln Pro Ala Ser Val Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Ile
Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr Gly Thr Ser Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr 20 25 30
Asn Leu Val Ser Trp Tyr Gln Gln His Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu 35
40 45 Met Ile Tyr Glu Val Ser Lys Arg Pro Ser Gly Val Ser Asn Arg
Phe 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr Ile
Ser Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Cys
Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser 85 90 95 Ser Thr Phe Tyr Val Phe Gly Thr Gly
Thr Lys Val Thr Val Leu 100 105 110 179105PRTArtificial
Sequencerecombinant peptide 179Ser Pro Lys Ala Asn Pro Thr Val Thr
Leu Phe Pro Pro Ser Ser Glu 1 5 10 15 Glu Leu Gln Ala Asn Lys Ala
Thr Leu Val Cys Leu Ile Ser Asp Phe 20 25 30 Tyr Pro Gly Ala Val
Thr Val Ala Trp Lys Ala Asp Gly Ser Pro Val 35 40 45 Lys Ala Gly
Val Glu Thr Thr Lys Pro Ser Lys Gln Ser Asn Asn Lys 50 55 60 Tyr
Ala Ala Ser Ser Tyr Leu Ser Leu Thr Pro Glu Gln Trp Lys Ser 65 70
75 80 His Arg Ser Tyr Ser Cys Gln Val Thr His Glu Gly Ser Thr Val
Glu 85 90 95 Lys Thr Val Ala Pro Ala Glu Cys Ser 100 105
180105PRTArtificial Sequencerecombinant peptide 180Gly Pro Lys Ala
Asn Pro Thr Val Thr Leu Phe Pro Pro Ser Ser Glu 1 5 10 15 Glu Leu
Gln Ala Asn Lys Ala Thr Leu Val Cys Leu Ile Ser Asp Phe 20 25 30
Tyr Pro Gly Ala Val Thr Val Ala Trp Lys Ala Asp Gly Ser Pro Val 35
40 45 Lys Ala Gly Val Glu Thr Thr Lys Pro Ser Lys Gln Ser Asn Asn
Lys 50 55 60 Tyr Ala Ala Ser Ser Tyr Leu Ser Leu Thr Pro Glu Gln
Trp Lys Ser 65 70 75 80 His Arg Ser Tyr Ser Cys Gln Val Thr His Glu
Gly Ser Thr Val Glu 85 90 95 Lys Thr Val Ala Pro Thr Glu Cys Ser
100 105 181110PRTArtificial SequenceRecombinant peptide 181Gln Ser
Ala Leu Thr Gln Pro Ala Ser Val Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln 1 5 10 15
Ser Ile Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr Gly Thr Ser Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr 20
25 30 Asn Leu Val Ser Trp Tyr Gln Gln His Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys
Leu 35 40 45 Met Ile Tyr Glu Val Ser Lys Arg Pro Ser Gly Val Ser
Asn Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu
Thr Ile Ser Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr
Cys Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser 85 90 95 Ser Thr Tyr Val Phe Gly Thr
Gly Thr Lys Val Thr Val Leu 100 105 110 182110PRTArtificial
SequenceRecombinant peptide 182Gln Ser Ala Leu Thr Gln Pro Ala Ser
Val Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Ile Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr
Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Leu Val Ser Trp
Tyr Gln Gln His Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu 35 40 45 Met Ile Tyr
Gly Asp Ser Gln Arg Pro Ser Gly Val Ser Asn Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser
Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr Ile Ser Gly Leu 65 70
75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly
Ser 85 90 95 Gly Ile Tyr Val Phe Gly Thr Gly Thr Lys Val Thr Val
Leu 100 105 110 183113PRTArtificial SequenceRecombinant peptide
183Glu Val Gln Leu Leu Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Leu Val Gln Pro Gly Gly
1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe Ser
Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Met Ser Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly
Leu Glu Trp Val 35 40 45 Ser Ala Ile Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly Ser Thr
Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 50 55 60 Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg
Asp Asn Ser Lys Asn Thr Leu Tyr 65 70 75 80 Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu
Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Lys Ala Phe
Asp Ile Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Met Val Thr Val Ser 100 105 110 Ser
184116PRTArtificial SequenceRecombinant peptide 184Glu Val Gln Leu
Leu Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Leu Val Gln Pro Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu
Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe Ser Glu Tyr 20 25 30
Ala Met Gly Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val 35
40 45 Ser Ser Ile Gly Ser Ser Gly Gly Gln Thr Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ser
Val 50 55 60 Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ser Lys Asn
Thr Leu Tyr 65 70 75 80 Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr
Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Leu Ala Ile Gly Asp Ser Tyr
Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Met Val 100 105 110 Thr Val Ser Ser 115
185111PRTArtificial SequenceRecombinant peptide 185Gln Ser Ala Leu
Thr Gln Pro Ala Ser Val Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Ile
Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr Gly Thr Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr 20 25 30
Asn Leu Val Ser Trp Tyr Gln Gln His Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu 35
40 45 Met Ile Tyr Gly Asp Ser Gln Arg Pro Ser Gly Val Ser Asn Arg
Phe 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr Ile
Ser Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Cys
Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser 85 90 95 Gly Ile Tyr Tyr Val Phe Gly Thr Gly
Thr Lys Val Thr Val Leu 100 105 110 18699PRTArtificial
SequenceRecombinant peptide 186Gln Ser Ala Leu Thr Gln Pro Ala Ser
Val Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Ile Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr
Gly Thr Ser Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Leu Val Ser Trp
Tyr Gln Gln His Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu 35 40 45 Met Ile Tyr
Glu Val Ser Lys Arg Pro Ser Gly Val Ser Asn Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser
Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr Ile Ser Gly Leu 65 70
75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly
Ser 85 90 95 Ser Thr Phe 18799PRTArtificial SequenceRecombinant
peptide 187Gln Ser Ala Leu Thr Gln Pro Arg Ser Val Ser Gly Ser Pro
Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr Gly Thr Ser Ser Asp
Val Gly Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Tyr Val Ser Trp Tyr Gln Gln His Pro
Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu 35 40 45 Met Ile Tyr Asp Val Ser Lys Arg
Pro Ser Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly
Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr Ile Ser Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp
Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Cys Ser Tyr Ala Gly Ser 85 90 95 Tyr Thr
Phe 18899PRTArtificial SequenceRecombinant peptide 188Gln Ser Ala
Leu Thr Gln Pro Ala Ser Val Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser
Ile Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr Gly Thr Ser Ser Asp Val Gly Gly Tyr 20 25
30 Asn Tyr Val Ser Trp Tyr Gln Gln His Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu
35 40 45 Met Ile Tyr Glu Val Ser Asn Arg Pro Ser Gly Val Ser Asn
Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr
Ile Ser Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys
Ser Ser Tyr Thr Ser Ser 85 90 95 Ser Thr Leu 18999PRTArtificial
SequenceRecombinant peptide 189Gln Ser Ala Leu Thr Gln Pro Pro Ser
Ala Ser Gly Ser Pro Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr
Gly Thr Ser Ser Asp Val Gly Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Tyr Val Ser Trp
Tyr Gln Gln His Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu 35 40 45 Met Ile Tyr
Glu Val Ser Lys Arg Pro Ser Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser
Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr Val Ser Gly Leu 65 70
75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Ser Ser Tyr Ala Gly
Ser 85 90 95 Asn Asn Phe 19099PRTArtificial SequenceRecombinant
peptide 190Gln Ser Ala Leu Thr Gln Pro Pro Ser Val Ser Gly Ser Pro
Gly Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Thr Ile Ser Cys Thr Gly Thr Ser Ser Asp
Val Gly Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Arg Val Ser Trp Tyr Gln Gln Pro Pro
Gly Thr Ala Pro Lys Leu 35 40 45 Met Ile Tyr Glu Val Ser Asn Arg
Pro Ser Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Lys Ser Gly
Asn Thr Ala Ser Leu Thr Ile Ser Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Glu Asp
Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser Ser 85 90 95 Ser Thr
Phe
* * * * *
References