U.S. patent application number 14/256891 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding proteins.
This patent application is currently assigned to HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.. Invention is credited to Sabine IMHOF-JUNG, Christian KLEIN, Joerg Thomas REGULA, Wolfgang SCHAEFER, Juergen Michael SCHANZER.
Application Number | 20150044214 14/256891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41168686 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150044214 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IMHOF-JUNG; Sabine ; et
al. |
February 12, 2015 |
BISPECIFIC, TETRAVALENT ANTIGEN BINDING PROTEINS
Abstract
The present invention relates to bispecific, tetravalent antigen
binding proteins, methods for their production, pharmaceutical
compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.
Inventors: |
IMHOF-JUNG; Sabine;
(Planegg, DE) ; KLEIN; Christian; (Bonstetten,
CH) ; REGULA; Joerg Thomas; (Muenchen, DE) ;
SCHAEFER; Wolfgang; (Mannheim, DE) ; SCHANZER;
Juergen Michael; (Traunstein, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. |
Nutley |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE, INC.
Nutley
NJ
|
Family ID: |
41168686 |
Appl. No.: |
14/256891 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12786477 |
May 25, 2010 |
8703132 |
|
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14256891 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/136.1 ;
435/320.1; 435/328; 435/69.6; 530/387.3; 536/23.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 2317/35 20130101;
C07K 2317/76 20130101; C07K 16/22 20130101; A61P 35/02 20180101;
C07K 2317/73 20130101; C07K 2317/55 20130101; C07K 2317/31
20130101; C07K 2317/66 20130101; C07K 2317/64 20130101; A61P 35/00
20180101; C07K 2319/00 20130101; C07K 16/468 20130101; C07K 2317/56
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/136.1 ;
536/23.4; 530/387.3; 435/320.1; 435/328; 435/69.6 |
International
Class: |
C07K 16/46 20060101
C07K016/46; C07K 16/22 20060101 C07K016/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 18, 2009 |
EP |
09007966.6 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. One or more nucleic acid molecules encoding a bispecific,
tetravalent antigen binding protein, wherein the antigen binding
protein comprises: a) a first heavy chain of a first antibody,
wherein said first antibody specifically binds to a first antigen,
and wherein said first heavy chain is fused through its C-terminus
to the N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CH1 domains of said
first antibody; b) two first light chains of said first antibody of
a); c) a second heavy chain of a second antibody, wherein said
second antibody specifically binds to a second antigen, wherein
said second heavy chain is fused through its C-terminus to the
N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CL domains of said second
antibody, and wherein the CH1 domain of said second heavy chain is
replaced by the CL domain of said second antibody; and d) two
second light chains of said second antibody of c), wherein the CL
domain of each of said second light chains is replaced by the CH1
domain of said second antibody.
14. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 13, wherein i)
the CH3 domain of one of the first or second heavy chains is
altered, so that an amino acid residue in the CH3 domain of said
first or second heavy chain is replaced with an amino acid residue
having a larger side chain volume, thereby generating a
protuberance which is positionable in a cavity within the interface
of the CH3 domain of the other heavy chain and ii) the CH3 domain
of the other heavy chain is altered, so that an amino acid residue
in the CH3 domain of the other heavy chain is replaced with an
amino acid residue having a smaller side chain volume, thereby
generating a cavity within which a protuberance as set forth in i)
above is positionable.
15. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 14, wherein
said amino acid residue having a larger side chain volume is
selected from the group consisting of arginine (R), phenylalanine
(F), tyrosine (Y), tryptophan (W) and said amino acid residue
having a smaller side chain volume is selected from the group
consisting of alanine (A), serine (S), threonine (T), valine
(V).
16. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 15, wherein
both CH3 domains are further altered by the introduction of
cysteine (C) as amino acid in the corresponding positions of each
CH3 domain such that a disulfide bridge between both CH3 domains
can be formed.
17. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 13, wherein the
fusion of the first heavy chain and the fusion of the second heavy
chain are by linkage with a peptide linker.
18. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 17, wherein the
peptide linker comprises (G.sub.xS).sub.nG.sub.m, wherein x=3; n=3,
4, 5, or 6; and m=0, 1, 2 or 3, or wherein x=4; n=2, 3, 4, or 5;
and m=0, 1, 2 or 3.
19. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 17, wherein the
peptide linker comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
5-10.
20. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 13, wherein
said first antibody and said second antibody are selected from the
group consisting of: a) a human IgG1 subclass antibody; b) a human
IgG1 subclass antibody with the mutations L234A and L235A; c) a
human IgG2 subclass antibody; d) a human IgG3 subclass antibody; e)
a human IgG4 subclass antibody; f) a human IgG4 subclass antibody
with the mutation S228P; g) an antibody that has reduced FcR
binding compared to an IgG1 antibody; h) an antibody that has
reduced Fc.gamma.RIIIa binding, comprising mutations at P238, D265,
D270, N297, P329, L234, L235, G236, G237, 1253, 5254, K288, T307,
Q311, N434 and/or H435; and i) an antibody with the mutations
S228P, L234A, L235A, L235E and/or PVA236; numbering according to EU
index of Kabat.
21. The one or more nucleic acid molecules of claim 13, wherein
said first antigen is Ang-2 and said second antigen is VEGF-A.
22. One or more nucleic acid molecules encoding a bispecific,
tetravalent antigen binding protein that recognizes Ang-2 and
VEGF-A, wherein the antigen binding protein comprises: a) a first
heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; b)
two first light chains, each comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO: 2; c) a second heavy chain comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; and d) two second light chains, each
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.
23. One or more vectors comprising the one or more nucleic acid
molecules of claim 13.
24. One or more vectors comprising the one or more nucleic acid
molecules of claim 22.
25. A host cell comprising the one or more nucleic acids of claim
22.
26. The host cell of claim 25, wherein the host cell comprises one
or more vectors comprising the one or more nucleic acid
molecules.
27. The host cell of claim 25, wherein the host cell is
prokaryotic.
28. The host cell of claim 25, wherein the host cell is
eukaryotic.
29. A method for the preparation of a bispecific, tetravalent
antigen binding protein, comprising: a) culturing the host cell of
claim 25 under conditions that allow synthesis of said antigen
binding protein molecule; and b) recovering said antigen binding
protein molecule from said culture.
30. A bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein prepared by
the method of claim 29.
31. A bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein, comprising:
a) a first heavy chain of a first antibody, wherein said first
antibody specifically binds to a first antigen, and wherein said
first heavy chain is fused through its C-terminus to the N-terminus
of a moiety comprising VH-CH1 domains of said first antibody; b)
two light chains of said first antibody of a); c) a second heavy
chain of a second antibody, wherein said second antibody
specifically binds to a second antigen, wherein said second heavy
chain is fused through its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a moiety
comprising VH-CL domains of said second antibody, and wherein the
CH1 domain of said second heavy chain is replaced by the CL domain
of said second antibody; and d) two second light chains of said
second antibody of c), wherein the CL domain of each of said second
light chains is replaced by the CH1 domain of said second antibody;
wherein the first antibody of a) and the second antibody of c) are
selected from the group consisting of: i) a human IgG1 subclass
antibody with the mutations L234A and L235A; ii) a human IgG4
subclass antibody with the mutation S228P; iii) an antibody that
has reduced FcR binding compared to an IgG1 antibody; iv) an
antibody that has reduced Fc.gamma.RIIIa binding, comprising
mutations at P238, D265, D270, N297, P329, L234, L235, G236, G237,
1253, S254, K288, T307, Q311, N434 and/or H435; and v) an antibody
with the mutations S228P, L234A, L235A, L235E and/or PVA236;
numbering according to EU index of Kabat.
32. A method for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer,
comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective
amount of a bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein
comprising: a) a first heavy chain of a first antibody, wherein
said first antibody specifically binds to a first antigen, and
wherein said first heavy chain is fused through its C-terminus to
the N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CH1 domains of said first
antibody; b) two light chains of said first antibody of a); c) a
second heavy chain of a second antibody, wherein said second
antibody specifically binds to a second antigen, wherein said
second heavy chain is fused through its C-terminus to the
N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CL domains of said second
antibody, and wherein the CH1 domain of said second heavy chain is
replaced by the CL domain of said second antibody; and d) two
second light chains of said second antibody of c), wherein the CL
domain of each of said second light chains is replaced by the CH1
domain of said second antibody.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the bispecific, tetravalent
antigen binding protein is in a composition comprising the antigen
binding protein and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
excipient.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the composition further
comprises an adjuvant.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the bispecific, tetravalent
antigen binding protein is administered parenterally.
36. The method of claim 32, wherein said first antigen is Ang-2 and
said second antigen is VEGF-A, and wherein the cancer is selected
from the group consisting of lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia, lung
cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, bronchioloalviolar cell lung
cancer, bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the
head or neck, cutaneous or intraocular melanoma, uterine cancer,
ovarian cancer, rectal cancer, cancer of the anal region, stomach
cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, carcinoma of
the fallopian tubes, carcinoma of the endometrium, carcinoma of the
cervix, carcinoma of the vagina, carcinoma of the vulva, Hodgkin's
Disease, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the small intestine,
cancer of the endocrine system, cancer of the thyroid gland, cancer
of the parathyroid gland, cancer of the adrenal gland, sarcoma of
soft tissue, cancer of the urethra, cancer of the penis, prostate
cancer, cancer of the bladder, cancer of the kidney or ureter,
renal cell carcinoma, carcinoma of the renal pelvis, mesothelioma,
hepatocellular cancer, biliary cancer, neoplasms of the central
nervous system (CNS), spinal axis tumors, brain stem glioma,
glioblastoma multiforme, astrocytoma, schwanoma, ependymona,
medulloblastoma, meningioma, squamous cell carcinoma, pituitary
adenoma and Ewings sarcoma.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/786,477, filed May 25, 2010, which
claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 09007966.6,
filed Jun. 18, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
[0002] The present invention relates to bispecific, tetravalent
antigen binding proteins, methods for their production,
pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibodies, and uses
thereof.
SUBMISSION OF SEQUENCE LISTING ON ASCII TEXT FILE
[0003] The content of the following submission on ASCII text file
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: a computer
readable form (CRF) of the Sequence Listing (file name:
146392020301.txt, date recorded: Apr. 17, 2014, size: 19,734
bytes).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Engineered proteins, such as bi- or multispecific antibodies
capable of binding two or more antigens are known in the art. Such
multispecific binding proteins can be generated using cell fusion,
chemical conjugation, or recombinant DNA techniques.
[0005] A wide variety of recombinant multispecific antibody formats
have been developed in the recent past, e.g. tetravalent bispecific
antibodies by fusion of, e.g. an IgG antibody format and single
chain domains (see e.g. Coloma, M. J., et. al., Nature Biotech. 15
(1997) 159-163; WO 2001/077342; and Morrison, S. L., Nature
Biotech. 25 (2007) 1233-1234.
[0006] Also several other new formats wherein the antibody core
structure (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG or IgM) is no longer retained such as
dia-, tria- or tetrabodies, minibodies, several single chain
formats (scFv, Bis-scFv), which are capable of binding two or more
antigens, have been developed (Holliger, P., et. al, Nature Biotech
23 (2005) 1126-1136; Fischer, N., and Leger, O., Pathobiology 74
(2007) 3-14; Shen, J., et. al., J. Immunol. Methods 318 (2007)
65-74; Wu, C., et al., Nature Biotech. 25 (2007) 1290-1297).
[0007] All such formats use linkers either to fuse the antibody
core (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG or IgM) to a further binding protein (e.g.
scFv) or to fuse e.g. two Fab fragments or scFv (Fischer, N., and
Leger, O., Pathobiology 74 (2007) 3-14). While it is obvious that
linkers have advantages for the engineering of bispecific
antibodies, they may also cause problems in therapeutic settings.
Indeed, these foreign peptides might elicit an immune response
against the linker itself or the junction between the protein and
the linker. Further more, the flexible nature of these peptides
makes them more prone to proteolytic cleavage, potentially leading
to poor antibody stability, aggregation and increased
immunogenicity. In addition one may want to retain effector
functions, such as e.g. complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) or
antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), which are mediated
through the Fc part by maintaining a high degree of similarity to
naturally occurring antibodies.
[0008] Thus ideally, one should aim at developing bispecific
antibodies that are very similar in general structure to naturally
occurring antibodies (like IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG or IgM) with minimal
deviation from human sequences.
[0009] In one approach bispecific antibodies that are very similar
to natural antibodies have been produced using the quadroma
technology (see Milstein, C., and Cuello, A. C., Nature 305 (1983)
537-540) based on the somatic fusion of two different hybridoma
cell lines expressing murine monoclonal antibodies with the desired
specificities of the bispecific antibody. Because of the random
pairing of two different antibody heavy and light chains within the
resulting hybrid-hybridoma (or quadroma) cell line, up to ten
different antibody species are generated of which only one is the
desired, functional bispecific antibody. Due to the presence of
mispaired byproducts, and significantly reduced production yields,
means sophisticated purification procedures are required (see e.g.
Morrison, S. L., Nature Biotech. 25 (2007) 1233-1234). In general
the same problem of mispaired byproducts remains if recombinant
expression techniques are used.
[0010] An approach to circumvent the problem of mispaired
byproducts, which is known as `knobs-into-holes`, aims at forcing
the pairing of two different antibody heavy chains by introducing
mutations into the CH3 domains to modify the contact interface. On
one chain bulky amino acids were replaced by amino acids with short
side chains to create a `hole`. Conversely, amino acids with large
side chains were introduced into the other CH3 domain, to create a
`knob`. By coexpressing these two heavy chains (and two identical
light chains, which have to be appropriate for both heavy chains),
high yields of heterodimer formation (knob-hole') versus homodimer
formation (hole-hole' or `knob-knob`) was observed (Ridgway, J. B.,
et al., Protein Eng. 9 (1996) 617-621; and WO 96/027011). The
percentage of heterodimer could be further increased by remodeling
the interaction surfaces of the two CH3 domains using a phage
display approach and the introduction of a disulfide bridge to
stabilize the heterodimers (Merchant, A. M, et al., Nature Biotech
16 (1998) 677-681; Atwell, S., et al., J. Mol. Biol. 270 (1997)
26-35). New approaches for the knobs-into-holes technology are
described in e.g. in EP 1 870 459 A1. Although this format appears
very attractive, no data describing progression towards the clinic
are currently available. One important constraint of this strategy
is that the light chains of the two parent antibodies have to be
identical to prevent mispairing and formation of inactive
molecules. Thus this technique is not appropriate for easily
developing recombinant, bispecific antibodies against two antigens
starting from two antibodies against the first and the second
antigen, as either the heavy chains of these antibodies an/or the
identical light chains have to be optimized. The same problem of
mispairing remains when instead of bivalent, bispecific antibodies,
tetravalent bispecific antibodies are expressed e.g. by fusion of
additional Fab fragments (each identical to the Fab fragment of the
respective antibody binding to first or second antigen) to each
heavy chain C-terminus of the heterodimer. (see FIG. 2)
[0011] WO 2006/093794 relates to heterodimeric protein binding
compositions. WO 99/37791 describes multipurpose antibody
derivatives. Morrison, S. L., et al the J. Immunolog, 160 (1998)
2802-2808 refers to the influence of variable region domain
exchange on the functional properties of IgG.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention comprises a bispecific, tetravalent antigen
binding protein, comprising: [0013] a) a first heavy chain of a
first antibody, wherein the first antibody specifically binds to a
first antigen, and wherein the first heavy chain is fused through
its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CH1
domains of the first antibody; [0014] b) two light chains of the
first antibody of a); [0015] c) a second heavy chain of a second
antibody, wherein the second antibody specifically binds to a
second antigen, wherein the second heavy chain is fused through its
C-terminus to the N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CL domains
of the second antibody, and wherein the CH1 domain of the second
heavy chain is replaced by the CL domain of the second antibody;
and [0016] d) two second light chains of the second antibody of c),
[0017] wherein the CL domain of each of the second light chains is
replaced by the CH1 domain of the second antibody.
[0018] A further embodiment of the invention is a method for the
preparation of an antigen binding protein according to the
invention comprising the steps of
a) transforming a host cell with [0019] vectors comprising nucleic
acid molecules encoding a bispecific antigen binding protein
according to the invention b) culturing the host cell under
conditions that allow synthesis of the antibody molecule; and c)
recovering the antibody molecule from the culture.
[0020] A further embodiment of the invention is a host cell
comprising [0021] vectors comprising nucleic acid molecules
encoding an antigen binding protein according to the invention
[0022] A further embodiment of the invention is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising an antigen binding protein according to the
invention and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
excipient.
[0023] A further embodiment of the invention is a method for the
treatment of a patient in need of therapy, characterized by
administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of
an antigen binding protein according to the invention.
[0024] According to the invention, the ratio of a desired
bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein compared to
undesired side products can be improved by the replacement of the
CH1 with CL domain in the second heavy chain under c) and the
corresponding two second light chains under d). In this way the
undesired mispairing of the light chains of the antibody which
specifically binds to a first antigen (of b) with the wrong VH-CH1
domains of the second antibody heavy chains (of c) of the antibody
which specifically binds to a second antigen can be reduced. And
analogously the mispairing of the second light chains of d) with
the first heavy chains of a). (see FIG. 2 without these
modifications and mispairing and FIG. 3 with these CH1-CL
replacements (or exchanges) and no mispairing).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0025] FIG. 1 Schematic structure of a full length antibody without
CH4 domain specifically binding to a first antigen 1 with two pairs
of heavy and light chain which comprise variable and constant
domains in a typical order.
[0026] FIG. 2 Schematic structure of two mispairing possibilities
(out of four) leading to an exemplary undesired byproduct reducing
the yield of a bispecific, tetravalent antibody, which binds to a
first antigen 1 and a second antigen 2 and in which no domains are
exchanged.
[0027] FIG. 3 Schematic structure of a bispecific, tetravalent
antigen binding protein according to the invention--the mispairing
is impaired by the replacement of CH1 and CL domain in the heavy
and light chains of the antibody which specifically binds to the
second antigen.
[0028] FIG. 4 Schematic structure of an exemplary bispecific,
tetravalent antigen binding protein according to the invention with
knobs and hole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The invention comprises a bispecific, tetravalent antigen
binding protein, comprising: [0030] a) a first heavy chain of a
first antibody, wherein the first antibody specifically binds to a
first antigen, and wherein the first heavy chain is fused through
its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CH1
domains of the first antibody; [0031] b) two light chains of the
first antibody of a); [0032] c) a second heavy chain of a second
antibody, wherein the second antibody specifically binds to a
second antigen, wherein the second heavy chain is fused through its
C-terminus to the N-terminus of a moiety comprising VH-CL domains
of the second antibody, and wherein the CH1 domain of the second
heavy chain is replaced by the CL domain of the second antibody;
and [0033] d) two second light chains of the second antibody of c),
[0034] wherein the CL domain of each of the second light chains is
replaced by the CH1 domain of the second antibody.
[0035] According to the invention, the ratio of a desired
bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein compared to
undesired side products (due to mispairing of the light chains of
the antibody with the wrong antibody heavy chains) can be improved
by the replacement of the CH1 with CL domain in the second heavy
chain under c) and the corresponding two second light chains under
d). Mispairing in this connection means the association of i) the
first light chains of an antibody which specifically binds to a
first antigen b) with second heavy chain of an antibody which
specifically binds to a second antigen); or ii) the second light
chains of an antibody which specifically binds to a second antigen
b) with first heavy chain of an antibody which specifically binds
to a first antigen (see FIG. 2) which leads to undesired inactive
or not fully functional byproducts.
[0036] In an additional aspect of the invention such improved ratio
of a desired bispecific, tetravalent antibody compared to undesired
side products can be further improved by modifications of the CH3
domains of the antibodies which specifically bind to a first and
second antigen.
[0037] Thus in one preferred embodiment of the invention the CH3
domains of the bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein (in
the first and second heavy chains of a and c)) according to the
invention can be altered by the "knob-into-holes" technology which
is described in detail with several examples in e.g. WO 96/027011,
Ridgway, J. B., et al., Protein Eng 9 (1996) 617-621; and Merchant,
A. M., et al., Nat Biotechnol 16 (1998) 677-681. In this method the
interaction surfaces of the two CH3 domains are altered to increase
the heterodimerisation of both heavy chains containing these two
CH3 domains. Each of the two CH3 domains (of the two heavy chains)
can be the "knob", while the other is the "hole". The introduction
of a disulfide bridge further stabilizes the heterodimers
(Merchant, A. M., et al., Nature Biotech 16 (1998) 677-681; Atwell,
S., et al. J. Mol. Biol. 270 (1997) 26-35) and increases the yield.
[0038] Thus in one aspect of the invention the bispecific,
tetravalent antigen binding protein is modified so that [0039] i)
the CH3 domain of one of the first or second heavy chains is
altered, so that an amino acid residue in the CH3 domain of the
first or second heavy chain is replaced with an amino acid residue
having a larger side chain volume, thereby generating a
protuberance which is positionable in a cavity within the interface
of the CH3 domain of the other heavy chain [0040] and [0041] ii)
the CH3 domain of the other heavy chain is altered, [0042] so that
an amino acid residue in the other heavy chain is replaced with an
amino acid residue having a smaller side chain volume, thereby
generating a cavity within which a protuberance as set forth in i)
above is positionable.
[0043] Preferably the amino acid residue having a larger side chain
volume is selected from the group consisting of arginine (R),
phenylalanine (F), tyrosine (Y), tryptophan (W).
[0044] Preferably the amino acid residue having a smaller side
chain volume is selected from the group consisting of alanine (A),
serine (S), threonine (T), valine (V).
[0045] In one aspect of the invention both CH3 domains are further
altered by the introduction of cysteine (C) as amino acid in the
corresponding positions of each CH3 domain such that a disulfide
bridge between both CH3 domains can be formed.
[0046] In one preferred embodiment, the bispecific, tetravalent
antigen binding protein comprises a T366W mutation in the CH3
domain of the "knobs chain" and T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in
the CH3 domain of the "hole chain". An additional interchain
disulfide bridge between the CH3 domains can also be used
(Merchant, A. M., et al., Nature Biotech. 16 (1998) 677-681) e.g.
by introducing a Y349C mutation into the CH3 domain of the "knobs"
or "hole" chain and a E356C mutation or a S354C mutation into the
CH3 domain of the other chain. Thus in a another preferred
embodiment, the bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein
comprises S354C, T366W mutations in one of the two CH3 domains and
Y349C, T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in the other of the two CH3
domains or the bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein
comprises E356C, T366W mutations in one of the two CH3 domains and
Y349C, T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in the other of the two CH3
domains or the bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein
comprises Y349C, T366W mutations in one of the two CH3 domains and
E356C, T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in the other of the two CH3
domains or the bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein
comprises Y349C, T366W mutations in one of the two CH3 domains and
S354C, T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in the other of the two CH3
domains; (the additional Y349C mutation in one CH3 domain and the
additional E356C or S354C mutation in the other CH3 domain forming
a interchain disulfide bridge) (numbering always according to EU
index of Kabat). But also other knobs-in-holes technologies as
described by EP 1 870 459 A1, can be used alternatively or
additionally. A preferred example for the trispecific or
tetraspecific antibody are R409D; K370E mutations in the CH3 domain
of the "knobs chain" and D399K; E357K mutations in the CH3 domain
of the "hole chain" (numbering always according to EU index of
Kabat).
[0047] In another preferred embodiment the trispecific or
tetraspecific antibody comprises a T366W mutation in the CH3 domain
of the "knobs chain" and T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in the CH3
domain of the "hole chain" and additionally R409D; K370E mutations
in the CH3 domain of the "knobs chain" and D399K; E357K mutations
in the CH3 domain of the "hole chain."
[0048] In another preferred embodiment the trispecific or
tetraspecific antibody comprises Y349C, T366W mutations in one of
the two CH3 domains and S354C, T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in the
other of the two CH3 domains or the trispecific or tetraspecific
antibody comprises Y349C, T366W mutations in one of the two CH3
domains and S354C, T366S, L368A, Y407V mutations in the other of
the two CH3 domains and additionally R409D; K370E mutations in the
CH3 domain of the "knobs chain" and D399K; E357K mutations in the
CH3 domain of the "hole chain".
[0049] The term "antibody" as used herein denotes a full length
antibody consisting of two antibody heavy chains and two antibody
light chains (see FIG. 1). A heavy chain of full length antibody is
a polypeptide consisting in N-terminal to C-terminal direction of
an antibody heavy chain variable domain (VH), an antibody constant
heavy chain domain 1 (CH1), an antibody hinge region (HR), an
antibody heavy chain constant domain 2 (CH2), and an antibody heavy
chain constant domain 3 (CH3), abbreviated as VH-CH1-HR-CH2-CH3;
and optionally an antibody heavy chain constant domain 4 (CH4) in
case of an antibody of the subclass IgE. Preferably the heavy chain
of full length antibody is a polypeptide consisting in N-terminal
to C-terminal direction of VH, CH1, HR, CH2 and CH3. The light
chain of full length antibody is a polypeptide consisting in
N-terminal to C-terminal direction of an antibody light chain
variable domain (VL), and an antibody light chain constant domain
(CL), abbreviated as VL-CL. The antibody light chain constant
domain (CL) can be .kappa. (kappa) or .lamda. (lambda). The
antibody chains are linked together via inter-polypeptide disulfide
bonds between the CL domain and the CH1 domain (i.e. between the
light and heavy chain) and between the hinge regions of the full
length antibody heavy chains. Examples of typical full length
antibodies are natural antibodies like IgG (e.g. IgG 1 and IgG2),
IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE.) The antibodies according to the invention
can be from a single species e.g. human, or they can be chimerized
or humanized antibodies. The full length antibodies according to
the invention comprise two antigen binding sites each formed by a
pair of VH and VL, which both specifically bind to the same (first)
antigen. The C-terminus of the heavy or light chain of the full
length antibody denotes the last amino acid at the C-terminus of
the heavy or light chain. The antibody comprises two identical Fab
fragments consisting of the VH and CH1 domain of the heavy chain
and the VL and CL domain of the light chain. (see FIG. 1).
[0050] In an antigen binding protein according to the invention,
the CH1 and the CL domains of the second antibody which
specifically binds to a second antigen are replaced by each other
leading to the second light chains under d) and the second antibody
heavy chain under c) to which C-terminus of the heavy chain
additionally the VH-CL domains of the antibody (which specifically
binds to a second antigen) are fused via a peptide connector to
their N-terminus.
[0051] The "VH-CH1 domains" of the antibody (which specifically
binds to a first antigen) refers to the VH and CH1 domain of the
antibody in N- to C-terminal direction. And the "VH-CL domains" of
the antibody (which specifically binds to a second antigen) refers
to the VH and CL domain of the antibody in N- to C-terminal
direction.
[0052] The term "peptide connector" as used within the invention
denotes a peptide with amino acid sequences, which is preferably of
synthetic origin. These peptide connectors according to invention
are used to fuse the antigen binding peptides to the C- or
N-terminus of the full length and/or modified full length antibody
chains to form a bispecific antigen binding protein according to
the invention. Preferably the peptide connectors under c) are
peptides with an amino acid sequence with a length of at least 5
amino acids, preferably with a length of 5 to 100, more preferably
of 10 to 50 amino acids. In one embodiment the peptide connector is
(G.times.S)n or (G.times.S)nGm with G=glycine, S=serine, and (x=3,
n=3, 4, 5 or 6, and m=0, 1, 2 or 3) or (x=4, n=2, 3, 4 or 5 and
m=0, 1, 2 or 3), preferably x=4 and n=2 or 3, more preferably with
x=4, n=2. In one embodiment the peptide connector is
(G.sub.4S).sub.2.
[0053] The terms "binding site" or "antigen-binding site" as used
herein denotes the region(s) of an antigen binding protein
according to the invention to which a ligand (e.g. the antigen or
antigen fragment of it) actually binds and which is derived from an
antibody molecule or a fragment thereof (e.g. a Fab fragment). The
antigen-binding site according to the invention comprises an
antibody heavy chain variable domain (VH) and an antibody light
chain variable domain (VL) of an antibody or antibody fragment
which specifically binds to the desired antigen.
[0054] The antigen-binding sites (i.e. the pairs of VH/VL) that
specifically bind to the desired antigen can be derived a) from
known antibodies to the antigen or b) from new antibodies or
antibody fragments obtained by de novo immunization methods using
inter alia either the antigen protein or nucleic acid or fragments
thereof or by phage display.
[0055] An antigen-binding site of an antigen binding protein of the
invention contains six complementarity determining regions (CDRs)
which contribute in varying degrees to the affinity of the binding
site for antigen. There are three heavy chain variable domain CDRs
(CDRH1, CDRH2 and CDRH3) and three light chain variable domain CDRs
(CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3). The extent of CDR and framework regions
(FRs) is determined by comparison to a compiled database of amino
acid sequences in which those regions have been defined according
to variability among the sequences.
[0056] Antibody specificity refers to selective recognition of the
antibody or antigen binding protein for a particular epitope of an
antigen. Natural antibodies, for example, are monospecific.
Bispecific antibodies are antibodies which have two different
antigen-binding specificities. Where an antibody has more than one
specificity, the recognized epitopes may be associated with a
single antigen or with more than one antigen.
[0057] The term "monospecific" antibody or antigen binding protein
as used herein denotes an antibody or antigen binding protein that
has one or more binding sites each of which bind to the same
epitope of the same antigen.
[0058] The term "valent" as used within the current application
denotes the presence of a specified number of binding sites in an
antibody molecule. A natural antibody for example or a full length
antibody according to the invention has two binding sites and is
bivalent. The term "tetravalent", denotes the presence of four
binding sites in an antigen binding protein. The term "bispecific,
tetravalent," as used herein denotes antigen binding protein
according to the invention that has four antigen-binding sites of
which two bind to a first antigen and two a second antigen (or
another epitope of the antigen). Antigen binding proteins of the
present invention have four binding sites and are tetravalent.
[0059] The full length antibodies of the invention comprise
immunoglobulin constant regions of one or more immunoglobulin
classes. Immunoglobulin classes include IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE
isotypes and, in the case of IgG and IgA, their subtypes. In a
preferred embodiment, an full length antibody of the invention has
a constant domain structure of an IgG type antibody.
[0060] The terms "monoclonal antibody" or "monoclonal antibody
composition" as used herein refer to a preparation of antibody or
antibody or antigen binding protein molecules of a single amino
acid composition.
[0061] The term "chimeric antibody" refers to an antibody
comprising a variable region, i.e., binding region, from one source
or species and at least a portion of a constant region derived from
a different source or species, usually prepared by recombinant DNA
techniques. Chimeric antibodies comprising a murine variable region
and a human constant region are preferred. Other preferred forms of
"chimeric antibodies" encompassed by the present invention are
those in which the constant region has been modified or changed
from that of the original antibody to generate the properties
according to the invention, especially in regard to C1q binding
and/or Fc receptor (FcR) binding. Such chimeric antibodies are also
referred to as "class-switched antibodies.". Chimeric antibodies
are the product of expressed immunoglobulin genes comprising DNA
segments encoding immunoglobulin variable regions and DNA segments
encoding immunoglobulin constant regions. Methods for producing
chimeric antibodies involve conventional recombinant DNA and gene
transfection techniques are well known in the art. See, e.g.,
Morrison, S. L., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81 (1984)
6851-6855; U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,238 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,244.
[0062] The term "humanized antibody" refers to antibodies in which
the framework or "complementarity determining regions" (CDR) have
been modified to comprise the CDR of an immunoglobulin of different
specificity as compared to that of the parent immunoglobulin. In a
preferred embodiment, a murine CDR is grafted into the framework
region of a human antibody to prepare the "humanized antibody."
See, e.g., Riechmann, L., et al., Nature 332 (1988) 323-327; and
Neuberger, M. S., et al., Nature 314 (1985) 268-270. Particularly
preferred CDRs correspond to those representing sequences
recognizing the antigens noted above for chimeric antibodies. Other
forms of "humanized antibodies" encompassed by the present
invention are those in which the constant region has been
additionally modified or changed from that of the original antibody
to generate the properties according to the invention, especially
in regard to C1q binding and/or Fc receptor (FcR) binding.
[0063] The term "human antibody", as used herein, is intended to
include antibodies having variable and constant regions derived
from human germ line immunoglobulin sequences. Human antibodies are
well-known in the state of the art (van Dijk, M. A., and van de
Winkel, J. G., Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 5 (2001) 368-374). Human
antibodies can also be produced in transgenic animals (e.g., mice)
that are capable, upon immunization, of producing a full repertoire
or a selection of human antibodies in the absence of endogenous
immunoglobulin production. Transfer of the human germ-line
immunoglobulin gene array in such germ-line mutant mice will result
in the production of human antibodies upon antigen challenge (see,
e.g., Jakobovits, A., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90 (1993)
2551-2555; Jakobovits, A., et al., Nature 362 (1993) 255-258;
Brueggemann, M., et al., Year Immunol. 7 (1993) 33-40). Human
antibodies can also be produced in phage display libraries
(Hoogenboom, H. R., and Winter, G. J., Mol. Biol. 227 (1992)
381-388; Marks, J. D., et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222 (1991) 581-597).
The techniques of Cole, S. P. C., et al. and Boerner et al. are
also available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies
(Cole, S. P. C., et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy,
Alan R. Liss, p. 77 (1985); and Boerner, P., et al., J. Immunol.
147 (1991) 86-95). As already mentioned for chimeric and humanized
antibodies according to the invention the term "human antibody" as
used herein also comprises such antibodies which are modified in
the constant region to generate the properties according to the
invention, especially in regard to C1q binding and/or FcR binding,
e.g. by "class switching" i.e. change or mutation of Fc parts (e.g.
from IgG1 to IgG4 and/or IgG1/IgG4 mutation.)
[0064] The term "recombinant human antibody", as used herein, is
intended to include all human antibodies that are prepared,
expressed, created or isolated by recombinant means, such as
antibodies isolated from a host cell such as a NSO or CHO cell or
from an animal (e.g. a mouse) that is transgenic for human
immunoglobulin genes or antibodies expressed using a recombinant
expression vector transfected into a host cell. Such recombinant
human antibodies have variable and constant regions in a rearranged
form. The recombinant human antibodies according to the invention
have been subjected to in vivo somatic hypermutation. Thus, the
amino acid sequences of the VH and VL regions of the recombinant
antibodies are sequences that, while derived from and related to
human germ line VH and VL sequences, may not naturally exist within
the human antibody germ line repertoire in vivo.
[0065] The "variable domain" (variable domain of a light chain
(VL), variable region of a heavy chain (VH) as used herein denotes
each of the pair of light and heavy chains which is involved
directly in binding the antibody to the antigen. The domains of
variable human light and heavy chains have the same general
structure and each domain comprises four framework (FR) regions
whose sequences are widely conserved, connected by three
"hypervariable regions" (or complementarity determining regions,
CDRs). The framework regions adopt a .beta.-sheet conformation and
the CDRs may form loops connecting the .beta.-sheet structure. The
CDRs in each chain are held in their three-dimensional structure by
the framework regions and form together with the CDRs from the
other chain the antigen binding site. The antibody heavy and light
chain CDR3 regions play a particularly important role in the
binding specificity/affinity of the antibodies according to the
invention and therefore provide a further object of the
invention.
[0066] The terms "hypervariable region" or "antigen-binding portion
of an antibody" when used herein refer to the amino acid residues
of an antibody which are responsible for antigen-binding. The
hypervariable region comprises amino acid residues from the
"complementarity determining regions" or "CDRs". "Framework" or
"FR" regions are those variable domain regions other than the
hypervariable region residues as herein defined. Therefore, the
light and heavy chains of an antibody comprise from N- to
C-terminus the domains FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, and FR4.
CDRs on each chain are separated by such framework amino acids.
Especially, CDR3 of the heavy chain is the region which contributes
most to antigen binding. CDR and FR regions are determined
according to the standard definition of Kabat, et al., Sequences of
Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th ed., Public Health Service,
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991).
[0067] As used herein, the terms "binding", "specifically binding",
or "which specifically binds to" refers to the binding of the
antibody/antigen binding protein to an epitope of the antigen in an
in vitro assay, preferably in an plasmon resonance assay (BIAcore,
GE-Healthcare Uppsala, Sweden) with purified wild-type antigen. The
affinity of the binding is defined by the terms ka (rate constant
for the association of the antibody (or antibody or antigen binding
protein) from the antibody/antigen complex), k.sub.D (dissociation
constant), and K.sub.D (k.sub.D/ka). Binding or specifically
binding means a binding affinity (K.sub.D) of 10.sup.-8 mol/l or
less, preferably 10.sup.-9 M to 10.sup.-13 mol/l. Thus, a
bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein according to the
invention is specifically binding to each antigen for which it is
specific with a binding affinity (K.sub.D) of 10.sup.-8 mol/l or
less, preferably 10.sup.-9 M to 10.sup.-13 mol/l.
[0068] Binding of the antibody to the Fc.gamma.RIII can be
investigated by a BIAcore assay (GE-Healthcare Uppsala, Sweden).
The affinity of the binding is defined by the terms ka (rate
constant for the association of the antibody from the
antibody/antigen complex), k.sub.D (dissociation constant), and
K.sub.D (k.sub.D/ka).
[0069] The term "epitope" includes any polypeptide determinant
capable of specific binding to an antibody. In certain embodiments,
epitope determinant include chemically active surface groupings of
molecules such as amino acids, sugar side chains, phosphoryl, or
sulfonyl, and, in certain embodiments, may have specific three
dimensional structural characteristics, and or specific charge
characteristics. An epitope is a region of an antigen that is bound
by an antibody.
[0070] In certain embodiments, an antibody is the to specifically
bind an antigen when it preferentially recognizes its target
antigen in a complex mixture of proteins and/or macromolecules.
[0071] In a further embodiment the bispecific antigen binding
protein according to the invention is characterized in that the
full length antibody is of human IgG1 subclass, or of human IgG1
subclass with the mutations L234A and L235A.
[0072] In a further embodiment the bispecific antigen binding
protein according to the invention is characterized in that the
full length antibody is of human IgG2 subclass.
[0073] In a further embodiment the bispecific antigen binding
protein according to the invention is characterized in that the
full length antibody is of human IgG3 subclass.
[0074] In a further embodiment the bispecific antigen binding
protein according to the invention is characterized in that the
full length antibody is of human IgG4 subclass or, of human IgG4
subclass with the additional mutation S228P.
[0075] Preferably the bispecific antigen binding protein according
to the invention is characterized in that the full length antibody
is of human IgG1 subclass, of human IgG4 subclass with the
additional mutation S228P.
[0076] It has now been found that the bispecific antigen binding
proteins according to the invention have improved characteristics
such as biological or pharmacological activity, pharmacokinetic
properties or toxicity. They can be used e.g. for the treatment of
diseases such as cancer.
[0077] The term "constant region" as used within the current
applications denotes the sum of the domains of an antibody other
than the variable region. The constant region is not involved
directly in binding of an antigen, but exhibits various effector
functions. Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant
region of their heavy chains, antibodies are divided in the
classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM, and several of these may be
further divided into subclasses, such as IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and
IgG4, IgA1 and IgA2. The heavy chain constant regions that
correspond to the different classes of antibodies are called
.alpha., .delta., .epsilon., .gamma., and .mu., respectively. The
light chain constant regions (CL) which can be found in all five
antibody classes are called .kappa. (kappa) and .lamda.
(lambda).
[0078] The term "constant region derived from human origin" as used
in the current application denotes a constant heavy chain region of
a human antibody of the subclass IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4 and/or a
constant light chain kappa or lambda region. Such constant regions
are well known in the state of the art and e.g. described by Kabat,
E. A., (see e.g. Johnson, G. and Wu, T. T., Nucleic Acids Res. 28
(2000) 214-218; Kabat, E. A., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 72
(1975) 2785-2788).
[0079] While antibodies of the IgG4 subclass show reduced Fc
receptor (Fc.gamma.RIIIa) binding, antibodies of other IgG
subclasses show strong binding. However Pro238, Asp265, Asp270,
Asn297 (loss of Fc carbohydrate), Pro329, Leu234, Leu235, Gly236,
Gly237, Ile253, Ser254, Lys288, Thr307, Gln311, Asn434, and His435
are residues which, if altered, provide also reduced Fc receptor
binding (Shields, R. L., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001)
6591-6604; Lund, J., et al., FASEB J. 9 (1995) 115-119; Morgan, A.,
et al., Immunology 86 (1995) 319-324; EP 0 307 434).
[0080] In one embodiment an antigen binding protein according to
the invention has a reduced FcR binding compared to an IgG1
antibody and the full length parent antibody is in regard to FcR
binding of IgG4 subclass or of IgG1 or IgG2 subclass with a
mutation in S228, L234, L235 and/or D265, and/or contains the
PVA236 mutation. In one embodiment the mutations in the full length
parent antibody are S228P, L234A, L235A, L235E and/or PVA236. In
another embodiment the mutations in the full length parent antibody
are in IgG4 S228P and in IgG1 L234A and L235A.
[0081] The constant region of an antibody is directly involved in
ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) and CDC
(complement-dependent cytotoxicity). Complement activation (CDC) is
initiated by binding of complement factor C1q to the constant
region of most IgG antibody subclasses. Binding of C1q to an
antibody is caused by defined protein-protein interactions at the
so called binding site. Such constant region binding sites are
known in the state of the art and described e.g. by Lukas, T. J.,
et al., J. Immunol. 127 (1981) 2555-2560; Brunhouse, R. and Cebra,
J. J., Mol. Immunol. 16 (1979) 907-917; Burton, D. R., et al.,
Nature 288 (1980) 338-344; Thomason, J. E., et al., Mol. Immunol.
37 (2000) 995-1004; Idusogie, E. E., et al., J. Immunol. 164 (2000)
4178-4184; Hezareh, M., et al., J. Virol. 75 (2001) 12161-12168;
Morgan, A., et al., Immunology 86 (1995) 319-324; and EP 0 307 434.
Such constant region binding sites are, e.g., characterized by the
amino acids L234, L235, D270, N297, E318, K320, K322, P331, and
P329 (numbering according to EU index of Kabat).
[0082] The term "antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)"
refers to lysis of human target cells by an antigen binding protein
according to the invention in the presence of effector cells. ADCC
is measured preferably by the treatment of a preparation of antigen
expressing cells with an antigen binding protein according to the
invention in the presence of effector cells such as freshly
isolated PBMC or purified effector cells from buffy coats, like
monocytes or natural killer (NK) cells or a permanently growing NK
cell line.
[0083] The term "complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC)" denotes a
process initiated by binding of complement factor C1q to the Fc
part of most IgG antibody subclasses. Binding of C1q to an antibody
is caused by defined protein-protein interactions at the so called
binding site. Such Fc part binding sites are known in the state of
the art (see above). Such Fc part binding sites are, e.g.,
characterized by the amino acids L234, L235, D270, N297, E318,
K320, K322, P331, and P329 (numbering according to EU index of
Kabat). Antibodies of subclass IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 usually show
complement activation including C1q and C3 binding, whereas IgG4
does not activate the complement system and does not bind C1q
and/or C3.
[0084] Cell-mediated effector functions of monoclonal antibodies
can be enhanced by engineering their oligosaccharide component as
described in Umana, P., et al., Nature Biotechnol. 17 (1999)
176-180, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,684. IgG1 type antibodies, the
most commonly used therapeutic antibodies, are glycoproteins that
have a conserved N-linked glycosylation site at Asn297 in each CH2
domain. The two complex biantennary oligosaccharides attached to
Asn297 are buried between the CH2 domains, forming extensive
contacts with the polypeptide backbone, and their presence is
essential for the antibody to mediate effector functions such as
antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) (Lifely, M., R., et
al., Glycobiology 5 (1995) 813-822; Jefferis, R., et al., Immunol.
Rev. 163 (1998) 59-76; Wright, A., and Morrison, S., L., Trends
Biotechnol. 15 (1997) 26-32). Umana, P., et al. Nature Biotechnol.
17 (1999) 176-180 and WO 99/54342 showed that overexpression in
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells of
.beta.(1,4)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III ("GnTIII"), a
glycosyltransferase catalyzing the formation of bisected
oligosaccharides, significantly increases the in vitro ADCC
activity of antibodies. Alterations in the composition of the
Asn297 carbohydrate or its elimination affect also binding to
Fc.gamma.R and C1q (Umana, P., et al., Nature Biotechnol. 17 (1999)
176-180; Davies, J., et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 74 (2001) 288-294;
Mimura, Y., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 45539-45547; Radaev,
S., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 16478-16483; Shields, R., L.,
et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 6591-6604; Shields, R., L., et
al., J. Biol. Chem. 277 (2002) 26733-26740; Simmons, L., C., et
al., J. Immunol. Methods 263 (2002) 133-147).
[0085] Methods to enhance cell-mediated effector functions of
monoclonal antibodies are reported e.g. in WO 2005/018572, WO
2006/116260, WO 2006/114700, WO 2004/065540, WO 2005/011735, WO
2005/027966, WO 1997/028267, US 2006/0134709, US 2005/0054048, US
2005/0152894, WO 2003/035835, WO 2000/061739.
[0086] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the bispecific
antigen binding protein is glycosylated (if it comprises an Fc part
of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 subclass, preferably of IgG1 or IgG3
subclass) with a sugar chain at Asn297 whereby the amount of fucose
within the sugar chain is 65% or lower (Numbering according to
Kabat). In another embodiment is the amount of fucose within the
sugar chain is between 5% and 65%, preferably between 20% and 40%.
"Asn297" according to the invention means amino acid asparagine
located at about position 297 in the Fc region. Based on minor
sequence variations of antibodies, Asn297 can also be located some
amino acids (usually not more than +3 amino acids) upstream or
downstream of position 297, i.e. between position 294 and 300. In
one embodiment the glycosylated antigen binding protein according
to the invention the IgG subclass is of human IgG1 subclass, of
human IgG1 subclass with the mutations L234A and L235A or of IgG3
subclass. In a further embodiment the amount of
N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NGNA) is 1% or less and/or the amount of
N-terminal alpha-1,3-galactose is 1% or less within the sugar
chain. The sugar chain show preferably the characteristics of
N-linked glycans attached to Asn297 of an antibody recombinantly
expressed in a CHO cell.
[0087] The term "the sugar chains show characteristics of N-linked
glycans attached to Asn297 of an antibody recombinantly expressed
in a CHO cell" denotes that the sugar chain at Asn297 of the full
length parent antibody according to the invention has the same
structure and sugar residue sequence except for the fucose residue
as those of the same antibody expressed in unmodified CHO cells,
e.g. as those reported in WO 2006/103100.
[0088] The term "NGNA" as used within this application denotes the
sugar residue N-glycolylneuraminic acid.
[0089] Glycosylation of human IgG1 or IgG3 occurs at Asn297 as core
fucosylated biantennary complex oligosaccharide glycosylation
terminated with up to two Gal residues. Human constant heavy chain
regions of the IgG1 or IgG3 subclass are reported in detail by
Kabat, E., A., et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological
Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of
Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991), and by Bruggemann, M., et al., J.
Exp. Med. 166 (1987) 1351-1361; Love, T. W., et al., Methods
Enzymol. 178 (1989) 515-527. These structures are designated as G0,
G1 (.alpha.-1,6- or .alpha.-1,3-), or G2 glycan residues, depending
from the amount of terminal Gal residues (Raju, T. S., Bioprocess
Int. 1 (2003) 44-53). CHO type glycosylation of antibody Fc parts
is e.g. described by Routier, F. H., Glycoconjugate J. 14 (1997)
201-207. Antibodies which are recombinantly expressed in
non-glycomodified CHO host cells usually are fucosylated at Asn297
in an amount of at least 85%. The modified oligosaccharides of the
full length parent antibody may be hybrid or complex. Preferably
the bisected, reduced/not-fucosylated oligosaccharides are hybrid.
In another embodiment, the bisected, reduced/not-fucosylated
oligosaccharides are complex.
[0090] According to the invention "amount of fucose" means the
amount of the sugar within the sugar chain at Asn297, related to
the sum of all glycostructures attached to Asn297 (e.g. complex,
hybrid and high mannose structures) measured by MALDI-TOF mass
spectrometry and calculated as average value. The relative amount
of fucose is the percentage of fucose-containing structures related
to all glycostructures identified in an N-Glycosidase F treated
sample (e.g. complex, hybrid and oligo- and high-mannose
structures, resp.) by MALDI-TOF.
[0091] The antigen binding protein according to the invention is
produced by recombinant means. Thus, one aspect of the current
invention is a nucleic acid encoding the antigen binding protein
according to the invention and a further aspect is a cell
comprising the nucleic acid encoding an antigen binding protein
according to the invention. Methods for recombinant production are
widely known in the state of the art and comprise protein
expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with subsequent
isolation of the antigen binding protein and usually purification
to a pharmaceutically acceptable purity. For the expression of the
antibodies as aforementioned in a host cell, nucleic acids encoding
the respective modified light and heavy chains are inserted into
expression vectors by standard methods. Expression is performed in
appropriate prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells like CHO cells,
NS0 cells, SP2/0 cells, HEK293 cells, COS cells, PER.C6 cells,
yeast, or E. coli cells, and the antigen binding protein is
recovered from the cells (supernatant or cells after lysis).
General methods for recombinant production of antibodies are
well-known in the state of the art and described, for example, in
the review articles of Makrides, S.C., Protein Expr. Purif. 17
(1999) 183-202; Geisse, S., et al., Protein Expr. Purif. 8 (1996)
271-282; Kaufman, R. J., Mol. Biotechnol. 16 (2000) 151-161;
Werner, R. G., Drug Res. 48 (1998) 870-880.
[0092] The bispecific antigen binding proteins according to the
invention are suitably separated from the culture medium by
conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for
example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel
electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography. DNA or RNA
encoding the monoclonal antibodies is readily isolated and
sequenced using conventional procedures. The hybridoma cells can
serve as a source of such DNA and RNA. Once isolated, the DNA may
be inserted into expression vectors, which are then transfected
into host cells such as HEK 293 cells, CHO cells, or myeloma cells
that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the
synthesis of recombinant monoclonal antibodies in the host
cells.
[0093] Amino acid sequence variants (or mutants) of the bispecific
antigen binding protein are prepared by introducing appropriate
nucleotide changes into the antigen binding protein DNA, or by
nucleotide synthesis. Such modifications can be performed, however,
only in a very limited range, e.g. as described above. For example,
the modifications do not alter the above mentioned antibody
characteristics such as the IgG isotype and antigen binding, but
may improve the yield of the recombinant production, protein
stability or facilitate the purification.
[0094] The term "host cell" as used in the current application
denotes any kind of cellular system which can be engineered to
generate the antibodies according to the current invention. In one
embodiment HEK293 cells and CHO cells are used as host cells. As
used herein, the expressions "cell," "cell line," and "cell
culture" are used interchangeably and all such designations include
progeny. Thus, the words "transformants" and "transformed cells"
include the primary subject cell and cultures derived therefrom
without regard for the number of transfers. It is also understood
that all progeny may not be precisely identical in DNA content, due
to deliberate or inadvertent mutations. Variant progeny that have
the same function or biological activity as screened for in the
originally transformed cell are included.
[0095] Expression in NS0 cells is described by, e.g., Barnes, L.
M., et al., Cytotechnology 32 (2000) 109-123; Barnes, L. M., et
al., Biotech. Bioeng. 73 (2001) 261-270. Transient expression is
described by, e.g., Durocher, Y., et al., Nucl. Acids. Res. 30
(2002) E9. Cloning of variable domains is described by Orlandi, R.,
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86 (1989) 3833-3837; Carter, P.,
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89 (1992) 4285-4289; and
Norderhaug, L., et al., J. Immunol. Methods 204 (1997) 77-87. A
preferred transient expression system (HEK 293) is described by
Schlaeger, E.-J., and Christensen, K., in Cytotechnology 30 (1999)
71-83 and by Schlaeger, E.-J., in J. Immunol. Methods 194 (1996)
191-199.
[0096] The control sequences that are suitable for prokaryotes, for
example, include a promoter, optionally an operator sequence, and a
ribosome binding site. Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize
promoters, enhancers and polyadenylation signals.
[0097] A nucleic acid is "operably linked" when it is placed in a
functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For
example, DNA for a pre-sequence or secretory leader is operably
linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a pre-protein
that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter
or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects
the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is
operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to
facilitate translation. Generally, "operably linked" means that the
DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a
secretory leader, contiguous and in reading frame. However,
enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished by
ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not
exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used
in accordance with conventional practice.
[0098] Purification of antibodies is performed in order to
eliminate cellular components or other contaminants, e.g. other
cellular nucleic acids or proteins, by standard techniques,
including alkaline/SDS treatment, CsCl banding, column
chromatography, agarose gel electrophoresis, and others well known
in the art. See Ausubel, F., et al., ed. Current Protocols in
Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing and Wiley Interscience, New
York (1987). Different methods are well established and widespread
used for protein purification, such as affinity chromatography with
microbial proteins (e.g. protein A or protein G affinity
chromatography), ion exchange chromatography (e.g. cation exchange
(carboxymethyl resins), anion exchange (amino ethyl resins) and
mixed-mode exchange), thiophilic adsorption (e.g. with
beta-mercaptoethanol and other SH ligands), hydrophobic interaction
or aromatic adsorption chromatography (e.g. with phenyl-sepharose,
aza-arenophilic resins, or m-aminophenylboronic acid), metal
chelate affinity chromatography (e.g. with Ni(II)- and
Cu(II)-affinity material), size exclusion chromatography, and
electrophoretical methods (such as gel electrophoresis, capillary
electrophoresis) (Vijayalakshmi, M. A., Appl. Biochem. Biotech. 75
(1998) 93-102).
[0099] One aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition
comprising an antigen binding protein according to the invention.
Another aspect of the invention is the use of an antigen binding
protein according to the invention for the manufacture of a
pharmaceutical composition. A further aspect of the invention is a
method for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition
comprising an antigen binding protein according to the invention.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition,
e.g. a pharmaceutical composition, containing an antigen binding
protein according to the present invention, formulated together
with a pharmaceutical carrier.
[0100] Another aspect of the invention is the pharmaceutical
composition for the treatment of cancer.
[0101] Another aspect of the invention is the bispecific antigen
binding protein according to the invention for the treatment of
cancer.
[0102] Another aspect of the invention is the use of an antigen
binding protein according to the invention for the manufacture of a
medicament for the treatment of cancer.
[0103] Another aspect of the invention is a method of treatment of
a patient suffering from cancer by administering an antigen binding
protein according to the invention to the patient in the need of
such treatment.
[0104] As used herein, "pharmaceutical 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).
[0105] A composition of the present invention can be administered
by a variety of methods known in the art. As will be appreciated by
the skilled artisan, the route and/or mode of administration will
vary depending upon the desired results. To administer a compound
of the invention by certain routes of administration, it may be
necessary to coat the compound with, or co-administer the compound
with, a material to prevent its inactivation. For example, the
compound may be administered to a subject in an appropriate
carrier, for example, liposomes, or a diluent. Pharmaceutically
acceptable diluents include saline and aqueous buffer solutions.
Pharmaceutical carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or
dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation
of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such
media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is known in
the art.
[0106] 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,
intra-arterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital,
intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal, transtracheal,
subcutaneous, subcuticular, intra-articular, subcapsular,
subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural and intrasternal injection and
infusion.
[0107] The term cancer as used herein refers to proliferative
diseases, such as lymphomas, lymphocytic leukemias, lung cancer,
non small cell lung (NSCL) cancer, bronchioloalviolar cell lung
cancer, bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the
head or neck, cutaneous or intraocular melanoma, uterine cancer,
ovarian cancer, rectal cancer, cancer of the anal region, stomach
cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, uterine
cancer, carcinoma of the fallopian tubes, carcinoma of the
endometrium, carcinoma of the cervix, carcinoma of the vagina,
carcinoma of the vulva, Hodgkin's Disease, cancer of the esophagus,
cancer of the small intestine, cancer of the endocrine system,
cancer of the thyroid gland, cancer of the parathyroid gland,
cancer of the adrenal gland, sarcoma of soft tissue, cancer of the
urethra, cancer of the penis, prostate cancer, cancer of the
bladder, cancer of the kidney or ureter, renal cell carcinoma,
carcinoma of the renal pelvis, mesothelioma, hepatocellular cancer,
biliary cancer, neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS),
spinal axis tumors, brain stem glioma, glioblastoma multiforme,
astrocytomas, schwanomas, ependymonas, medulloblastomas,
meningiomas, squamous cell carcinomas, pituitary adenoma and Ewings
sarcoma, including refractory versions of any of the above cancers,
or a combination of one or more of the above cancers.
[0108] These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as
preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing
agents. Prevention of presence of microorganisms may be ensured
both by sterilization procedures, supra, and by the inclusion of
various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben,
chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be
desirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium
chloride, and the like into the compositions. In addition,
prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form may be
brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption
such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.
[0109] Regardless of the route of administration selected, the
compounds of the present invention, which may be used in a suitable
hydrated form, and/or the pharmaceutical compositions of the
present invention, are formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable
dosage forms by conventional methods known to those of skill in the
art.
[0110] Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the
pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be varied
so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient which is
effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a
particular patient, composition, and mode of administration,
without being toxic to the patient. The selected dosage level will
depend upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factors including the
activity of the particular compositions of the present invention
employed, the route of administration, the time of administration,
the rate of excretion of the particular compound being employed,
the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or
materials used in combination with the particular compositions
employed, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior
medical history of the patient being treated, and like factors well
known in the medical arts.
[0111] The composition must be sterile and fluid to the extent that
the composition is deliverable by syringe. In addition to water,
the carrier preferably is an isotonic buffered saline solution.
[0112] Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by use of
coating such as lecithin, by maintenance of required particle size
in the case of dispersion and by use of surfactants. In many cases,
it is preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars,
polyalcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol, and sodium chloride in
the composition.
[0113] As used herein, the expressions "cell," "cell line," and
"cell culture" are used interchangeably and all such designations
include progeny. Thus, the words "transformants" and "transformed
cells" include the primary subject cell and cultures derived
therefrom without regard for the number of transfers. It is also
understood that all progeny may not be precisely identical in DNA
content, due to deliberate or inadvertent mutations. Variant
progeny that have the same function or biological activity as
screened for in the originally transformed cell are included. Where
distinct designations are intended, it will be clear from the
context.
[0114] The term "transformation" as used herein refers to process
of transfer of a vectors/nucleic acid into a host cell. If cells
without formidable cell wall barriers are used as host cells,
transfection is carried out e.g. by the calcium phosphate
precipitation method as described by Graham and Van der Eh,
Virology 52 (1978) 546ff. However, other methods for introducing
DNA into cells such as by nuclear injection or by protoplast fusion
may also be used. If prokaryotic cells or cells which contain
substantial cell wall constructions are used, e.g. one method of
transfection is calcium treatment using calcium chloride as
described by Cohen, S. N, et al., PNAS 69 (1972) 2110-2114.
[0115] As used herein, "expression" refers to the process by which
a nucleic acid is transcribed into mRNA and/or to the process by
which the transcribed mRNA (also referred to as transcript) is
subsequently being translated into peptides, polypeptides, or
proteins. The transcripts and the encoded polypeptides are
collectively referred to as gene product. If the polynucleotide is
derived from genomic DNA, expression in a eukaryotic cell may
include splicing of the mRNA.
[0116] A "vector" is a nucleic acid molecule, in particular
self-replicating, which transfers an inserted nucleic acid molecule
into and/or between host cells. The term includes vectors that
function primarily for insertion of DNA or RNA into a cell (e.g.,
chromosomal integration), replication of vectors that function
primarily for the replication of DNA or RNA, and expression vectors
that function for transcription and/or translation of the DNA or
RNA. Also included are vectors that provide more than one of the
functions as described.
[0117] An "expression vector" is a polynucleotide which, when
introduced into an appropriate host cell, can be transcribed and
translated into a polypeptide. An "expression system" usually
refers to a suitable host cell comprised of an expression vector
that can function to yield a desired expression product.
[0118] The following examples, sequence listing and figures are
provided to aid the understanding of the present invention, the
true scope of which is set forth in the appended claims. It is
understood that modifications can be made in the procedures set
forth without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Description of the Sequence Listing
[0119] SEQ ID NO:1 modified heavy chain of <Ang-2> antibody
with C-terminal fused <Ang-2> antibody VH-CH1 domains [0120]
SEQ ID NO:2 unmodified light chain <Ang-2> antibody [0121]
SEQ ID NO:3 modified heavy chain of <VEGF> antibody with
CH1-CL exchange and with C-terminal fused <VEGF> antibody
VH-CL domains [0122] SEQ ID NO:4 modified light chain of
<VEGF> antibody with CH1-CL exchange (<VEGF> antibody
VL-CH1 domains)
EXAMPLES
Materials & general methods
[0123] General information regarding the nucleotide sequences of
human immunoglobulins light and heavy chains is given in: Kabat, E.
A., et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th
ed., Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, Md. (1991). Amino acids of antibody chains are numbered
and referred to according to EU numbering (Edelman, G. M., et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 63 (1969) 78-85; Kabat, E. A., et al.,
Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th ed., Public
Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.,
(1991)).
Recombinant DNA Techniques
[0124] Standard methods are used to manipulate DNA as described in
Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual; Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989. The
molecular biological reagents are used according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
Gene Synthesis
[0125] Desired gene segments are prepared from oligonucleotides
made by chemical synthesis. The gene segments, which are flanked by
singular restriction endonuclease cleavage sites, are assembled by
annealing and ligation of oligonucleotides including PCR
amplification and subsequently cloned via the indicated restriction
sites e.g. KpnI/SacI or AscI/PacI into a pPCRScript (Stratagene)
based pGA4 cloning vector. The DNA sequences of the subcloned gene
fragments are confirmed by DNA sequencing. Gene synthesis fragments
are ordered according to given specifications at Geneart
(Regensburg, Germany).
DNA Sequence Determination
[0126] DNA sequences are determined by double strand sequencing
performed at MediGenomix GmbH (Martinsried, Germany) or Sequiserve
GmbH (Vaterstetten, Germany).
DNA and Protein Sequence Analysis and Sequence Data Management
[0127] The GCG's (Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.) software
package version 10.2 and Infomax's Vector NT1 Advance suite version
8.0 is used for sequence creation, mapping, analysis, annotation
and illustration.
Expression Vectors
[0128] For the expression of the described bispecific tetravalent
antibodies variants of expression plasmids for transient expression
(e.g. in HEK293 EBNA or HEK293-F) cells based either on a cDNA
organization with or without a CMV-Intron A promoter or on a
genomic organization with a CMV promoter are applied.
[0129] Beside the antibody expression cassette the vectors
contained: [0130] an origin of replication which allows replication
of this plasmid in E. coli, and [0131] a .beta.-lactamase gene
which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli.
[0132] The transcription unit of the antibody gene is composed of
the following elements: [0133] unique restriction site(s) at the 5'
end [0134] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human
cytomegalovirus, [0135] followed by the Intron A sequence in the
case of the cDNA organization, [0136] a 5'-untranslated region of a
human antibody gene, [0137] a immunoglobulin heavy chain signal
sequence, [0138] the human bispecific tetravalent antibody chain
(wildtype or with domain exchange) either as cDNA or as genomic
organization with an the immunoglobulin exon-intron organization
[0139] a 3' untranslated region with a polyadenylation signal
sequence, and [0140] unique restriction site(s) at the 3' end.
[0141] The fusion genes comprising the described antibody chains as
described below are generated by PCR and/or gene synthesis and
assembled with known recombinant methods and techniques by
connection of the according nucleic acid segments e.g. using unique
restriction sites in the respective vectors. The subcloned nucleic
acid sequences are verified by DNA sequencing. For transient
transfections larger quantities of the plasmids are prepared by
plasmid preparation from transformed E. coli cultures (Nucleobond
AX, Macherey-Nagel).
Cell Culture Techniques
[0142] Standard cell culture techniques are used as described in
Current Protocols in Cell Biology, Bonifacino, J. S., Dasso, M.,
Harford, J. B., Lippincott-Schwartz, J. and Yamada, K. M. (eds.),
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2000).
[0143] Bispecific tetravalent antibodies are expressed by transient
co-transfection of the respective three expression plasmids in
adherently growing HEK293-EBNA or in HEK29-F cells growing in
suspension as described below.
Transient Transfections in HEK293-EBNA System
[0144] Bispecific tetravalent antibodies are expressed by transient
co-transfection of the respective three expression plasmids (e.g.
encoding the modified heavy chain, as well as the corresponding
light and modified light chain) in adherently growing HEK293-EBNA
cells (human embryonic kidney cell line 293 expressing
Epstein-Barr-Virus nuclear antigen; American type culture
collection deposit number ATCC # CRL-10852, Lot. 959 218)
cultivated in DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, Gibco)
supplemented with 10% Ultra Low IgG FCS (fetal calf serum, Gibco),
2 mM L-Glutamine (Gibco), and 250 .mu.g/mL Geneticin (Gibco). For
transfection FuGENE.TM. 6 Transfection Reagent (Roche Molecular
Biochemicals) is used in a ratio of FuGENE.TM. reagent (.mu.l) to
DNA (m) of 4:1 (ranging from 3:1 to 6:1). Proteins are expressed
from the respective plasmids using a molar ratio of (modified and
wildtype) light chain and modified heavy chain encoding plasmids of
1:1:1 (equimolar) ranging from 1:1:2 to 2:2:1, respectively. Cells
are feeded at day 3 with L-Glutamine ad 4 mM, Glucose [Sigma] and
NAA [Gibco]. Bispecific tetravalent antibody containing cell
culture supernatants are harvested from day 5 to 11 after
transfection by centrifugation and stored at -20.degree. C. General
information regarding the recombinant expression of human
immunoglobulins in e.g. HEK293 cells is given in: Meissner, P., et
al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 75 (2001) 197-203.
Transient Transfections in HEK293-F System
[0145] Alternatively, bispecific tetravalent antibodies are
generated by transient transfection of the respective plasmids
(e.g. encoding the modified heavy chain, as well as the
corresponding light and modified light chain) using the HEK293-F
system (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer's instruction.
Briefly, HEK293-F cells (Invitrogen) growing in suspension either
in a shake flask or in a stirred fermenter in serum free FreeStyle
293 expression medium (Invitrogen) are transfected with a mix of
the three expression plasmids as described above and 293fectin or
fectin (Invitrogen). For 2 L shake flask (Corning) HEK293-F cells
are seeded at a density of 1.0E*6 cells/mL in 600 mL and incubated
at 120 rpm, 8% CO2. The day after the cells are transfected at a
cell density of ca. 1.5E*6 cells/mL with ca. 42 mL mix of A) 20 mL
Opti-MEM (Invitrogen) with 600 .mu.g total plasmid DNA (1 .mu.g/mL)
encoding the modified heavy chain, the corresponding light chain
and the corresponding modified light chain in an equimolar ratio
and B) 20 mL Opti-MEM+1.2 mL 293 fectin or fectin (2 .mu.l/mL).
According to the glucose consumption glucose solution is added
during the course of the fermentation. The supernatant containing
the secreted antibody is harvested after 5-10 days and antibodies
are either directly purified from the supernatant or the
supernatant is frozen and stored.
Protein Determination
[0146] The protein concentration of purified bispecific tetravalent
antibodies and derivatives is determined by determining the optical
density (OD) at 280 nm, using the molar extinction coefficient
calculated on the basis of the amino acid sequence according to
Pace, C. N., et al., Protein Science, 1995, 4, 2411-1423.
Antibody Concentration Determination in Supernatants
[0147] The concentration of bispecific tetravalent antibodies in
cell culture supernatants is estimated by immunoprecipitation with
Protein A Agarose-beads (Roche). 60 .mu.L Protein A Agarose beads
are washed three times in TBS-NP40 (50 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 150 mM
NaCl, 1% Nonidet-P40). Subsequently, 1-15 mL cell culture
supernatant are applied to the Protein A Agarose beads
pre-equilibrated in TBS-NP40. After incubation for at 1 h at room
temperature the beads are washed on an Ultrafree-MC-filter column
(Amicon] once with 0.5 mL TBS-NP40, twice with 0.5 mL 2.times.
phosphate buffered saline (2.times.PBS, Roche) and briefly four
times with 0.5 mL 100 mM Na-citrate pH 5.0. Bound antibody is
eluted by addition of 35 .mu.l NuPAGE.RTM. LDS Sample Buffer
(Invitrogen). Half of the sample is combined with NuPAGE.RTM.
Sample Reducing Agent or left unreduced, respectively, and heated
for 10 min at 70.degree. C. Consequently, 5-30 .mu.l are applied to
an 4-12% NuPAGE.RTM. Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE (Invitrogen) (with MOPS
buffer for non-reduced SDS-PAGE and MES buffer with NuPAGE.RTM.
Antioxidant running buffer additive (Invitrogen) for reduced
SDS-PAGE) and stained with Coomassie Blue.
[0148] The concentration of bispecific tetravalent antibodies in
cell culture supernatants is quantitatively measured by affinity
HPLC chromatography. Briefly, cell culture supernatants containing
antibodies and derivatives that bind to Protein A are applied to an
Applied Biosystems Poros A/20 column in 200 mM KH2PO4, 100 mM
sodium citrate, pH 7.4 and eluted from the matrix with 200 mM NaCl,
100 mM citric acid, pH 2.5 on an Agilent HPLC 1100 system. The
eluted protein is quantified by UV absorbance and integration of
peak areas. A purified standard IgG1 antibody served as a
standard.
[0149] Alternatively, the concentration of bispecific tetravalent
antibodies in cell culture supernatants is measured by
Sandwich-IgG-ELISA. Briefly, StreptaWell High Bind Strepatavidin
A-96 well microtiter plates (Roche) are coated with 100 .mu.L/well
biotinylated anti-human IgG capture molecule
F(ab')2<h-Fc.gamma.> BI (Dianova) at 0.1 .mu.g/mL for 1 h at
room temperature or alternatively over night at 4.degree. C. and
subsequently washed three times with 200 .mu.L/well PBS, 0.05%
Tween (PBST, Sigma). 100 .mu.L/well of a dilution series in PBS
(Sigma) of the respective antibody containing cell culture
supernatants is added to the wells and incubated for 1-2 h on a
microtiterplate shaker at room temperature. The wells are washed
three times with 200 .mu.L/well PBST and bound antibody is detected
with 100 .mu.l F(ab')2<hFc.gamma.>POD (Dianova) at 0.1
.mu.g/mL as detection antibody for 1-2 h on a microtiterplate
shaker at room temperature. Unbound detection antibody is washed
away three times with 200 .mu.L/well PBST and the bound detection
antibody is detected by addition of 100 .mu.L ABTS/well.
Determination of absorbance is performed on a Tecan Fluor
Spectrometer at a measurement wavelength of 405 nm (reference
wavelength 492 nm).
Protein Purification
[0150] Proteins are purified from filtered cell culture
supernatants referring to standard protocols. In brief, bispecific
tetravalent antibodies are applied to a Protein A Sepharose column
(GE healthcare) and washed with PBS. Elution of bispecific
tetravalent antibodies is achieved at pH 2.8 followed by immediate
neutralization of the sample. Aggregated protein is separated from
monomeric antibodies by size exclusion chromatography (Superdex
200, GE Healthcare) in PBS or in 20 mM Histidine, 150 mM NaCl pH
6.0. Monomeric fractions are pooled, concentrated if required using
e.g. a MILLIPORE Amicon Ultra (30 MWCO) centrifugal concentrator,
frozen and stored at -20.degree. C. or -80.degree. C. Part of the
samples are provided for subsequent protein analytics and
analytical characterization e.g. by SDS-PAGE, size exclusion
chromatography or mass spectrometry.
SDS-PAGE
[0151] The NuPAGE.RTM. Pre-Cast gel system (Invitrogen) is used
according to the manufacturer's instruction. In particular, 10% or
4-12% NuPAGE.RTM. Novex.RTM. Bis-TRIS Pre-Cast gels (pH 6.4) and a
NuPAGE.RTM. MES (reduced gels, with NuPAGE.RTM. Antioxidant running
buffer additive) or MOPS (non-reduced gels) running buffer is
used.
Analytical Size Exclusion Chromatography
[0152] Size exclusion chromatography for the determination of the
aggregation and oligomeric state of bispecific tetravalent
antibodies is performed by HPLC chromatography. Briefly, Protein A
purified antibodies are applied to a Tosoh TSKgel G3000SW column in
300 mM NaCl, 50 mM KH2PO4/K2HPO4, pH 7.5 on an Agilent HPLC 1100
system or to a Superdex 200 column (GE Healthcare) in 2.times.PBS
on a Dionex HPLC-System. The eluted protein is quantified by UV
absorbance and integration of peak areas. BioRad Gel Filtration
Standard 151-1901 served as a standard.
Mass Spectrometry
[0153] The total deglycosylated mass of the bispecific tetravalent
antibodies is determined and confirmed via electrospray ionization
mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Briefly, 100 .mu.g purified antibodies
are deglycosylated with 50 mU N-Glycosidase F (PNGaseF, ProZyme) in
100 mM KH2PO4/K2HPO4, pH 7 at 37.degree. C. for 12-24 h at a
protein concentration of up to 2 mg/mL and subsequently desalted
via HPLC on a Sephadex G25 column (GE Healthcare). The mass of the
respective modified heavy, light chain and modified light chain is
determined by ESI-MS after deglycosylation and reduction. In brief,
50 .mu.g bispecific tetravalent antibody in 115 .mu.l are incubated
with 60 .mu.l 1M TCEP and 50 .mu.l 8 M Guanidine-hydrochloride
subsequently desalted. The total mass and the mass of the reduced
heavy and light chains is determined via ESI-MS on a Q-Star Elite
MS system equipped with a NanoMate source.
VEGF Binding ELISA
[0154] The binding properties of the bispecific tetravalent
antibodies is evaluated in an ELISA assay with full-length
VEGF165-His protein (R&D Systems). For this sake Falcon
polystyrene clear enhanced microtiter plates are coated with 100
.mu.l 2 .mu.g/mL recombinant human VEGF 165 (R&D Systems) in
PBS for 2 h at room temperature or over night at 4.degree. C. The
wells are washed three times with 300 .mu.l PBST (0.2% Tween 20)
and blocked with 200 .mu.l 2% BSA 0.1% Tween 20 for 30 min at room
temperature and subsequently washed three times with 300 .mu.l
PBST. 100 .mu.L/well of a dilution series of the purified
bispecific tetravalent antibodies in PBS (Sigma) is added to the
wells and incubated for 1 h on a microtiterplate shaker at room
temperature. The wells are washed three times with 300 .mu.l PBST
(0.2% Tween 20) and bound antibody is detected with 100 .mu.L/well
0.1 .mu.g/mL F(ab')<hFcgamma>POD (Immuno research) in 2% BSA
0.1% Tween 20 as detection antibody for 1 h on a microtiterplate
shaker at room temperature. Unbound detection antibody is washed
away three times with 300 .mu.L/well PBST and the bound detection
antibody is detected by addition of 100 .mu.L ABTS/well.
Determination of absorbance is performed on a Tecan Fluor
Spectrometer at a measurement wavelength of 405 nm (reference
wavelength 492 nm).
VEGF Binding: Kinetic Characterization of VEGF Binding at
37.degree. C. By Surface Plasmon Resonance (Biacore)
[0155] In order to further corroborate the ELISA findings the
binding of the bispecific tetravalent antibodies to VEGF is
quantitatively analyzed using surface plasmon resonance technology
on a Biacore T100 instrument according to the following protocol
and analyzed using the T100 software package: Briefly, bispecific
tetravalent antibodies are captured on a CM5-Chip via binding to a
Goat Anti Human IgG (JIR 109-005-098). The capture antibody is
immobilized by amino coupling using standard amino coupling as
follows: HBS-N buffer served as running buffer, activation is done
by mixture of EDC/NHS with the aim for a ligand density of 700 RU.
The Capture-Antibody is diluted in coupling buffer NaAc, pH 5.0,
c=2 .mu.g/mL, finally still activated carboxyl groups are blocked
by injection of 1 M Ethanolamine. Capturing of bispecific
tetravalent <VEGF> antibodies is done at a flow of 5
.mu.L/min and c=10 nM, diluted with running buffer+1 mg/mL BSA; a
capture level of approx. 30 RU should be reached. rhVEGF (rhVEGF,
R&D-Systems Cat.-No, 293-VE) is used as analyte. The kinetic
characterization of VEGF binding to bispecific tetravalent
<VEGF> antibodies is performed at 25.degree. C. or 37.degree.
C. in PBS+0.005% (v/v) Tween20 as running buffer. The sample is
injected with a flow of 50 .mu.L/min and an association of time 80
sec. and a dissociation time of 1200 sec with a concentration
series of rhVEGF from 300-0.29 nM. Regeneration of free capture
antibody surface is performed with 10 mM Glycin pH 1.5 and a
contact time of 60 sec after each analyte cycle. Kinetic constants
are calculated by using the usual double referencing method
(control reference: binding of rhVEGF to capture molecule Goat Anti
Human IgG, blanks on the measuring flow cell, rhVEGF concentration
"0", Model: Langmuir binding 1:1, (Rmax set to local because of
capture molecule binding).
Ang-2 Binding ELISA
[0156] The binding properties of the bispecific tetravalent
antibodies is evaluated in an ELISA assay with full-length
Ang-2-His protein (R&D Systems). For this sake Falcon
polystyrene clear enhanced microtiter plates are coated with 100
.mu.l 1 .mu.g/mL recombinant human Ang-2 (R&D Systems,
carrier-free) in PBS for 2 h at room temperature or over night at
4.degree. C. The wells are washed three times with 300 .mu.l PBST
(0.2% Tween 20) and blocked with 200 .mu.l 2% BSA 0.1% Tween 20 for
30 min at room temperature and subsequently washed three times with
300 .mu.l PBST. 100 .mu.L/well of a dilution series of the purified
bispecific tetravalent antibodies in PBS (Sigma) is added to the
wells and incubated for 1 h on a microtiterplate shaker at room
temperature. The wells are washed three times with 300 .mu.l PBST
(0.2% Tween 20) and bound antibody is detected with 100 .mu.L/well
0.1 .mu.g/mL F(ab')<hk>POD (Biozol Cat. No. 206005) in 2% BSA
0.1% Tween 20 as detection antibody for 1 h on a microtiterplate
shaker at room temperature. Unbound detection antibody is washed
away three times with 300 .mu.L/well PBST and the bound detection
antibody is detected by addition of 100 .mu.L ABTS/well.
Determination of absorbance is performed on a Tecan Fluor
Spectrometer at a measurement wavelength of 405 nm (reference
wavelength 492 nm).
Ang-2 Binding BIACORE
[0157] Binding of the bispecific tetravalent antibodies to human
Ang-2 is investigated by surface plasmon resonance using a BIACORE
T100 instrument (GE Healthcare Biosciences AB, Uppsala, Sweden).
Briefly, for affinity measurements goat<hIgG-Fc.gamma.>
polyclonal antibodies are immobilized on a CM5 chip via amine
coupling for presentation of the bispecific tetravalent antibodies
against human Ang-2. Binding is measured in HBS buffer (HBS-P (10
mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 0.005% Tween 20, ph 7.4), 25.degree. C.
Purified Ang-2-His (R&D systems or in house purified) is added
in various concentrations in solution. Association is measured by
an Ang-2-injection of 3 minutes; dissociation is measured by
washing the chip surface with HBS buffer for 3 minutes and a KD
value is estimated using a 1:1 Langmuir binding model. Due to
heterogenity of the Ang-2 preparation no 1:1 binding can be
observed; KD values are thus only relative estimations. Negative
control data (e.g. buffer curves) are subtracted from sample curves
for correction of system intrinsic baseline drift and for noise
signal reduction. Biacore T100 Evaluation Software version 1.1.1 is
used for analysis of sensorgrams and for calculation of affinity
data. Alternatively, Ang-2 could be captured with a capture level
of 2000-1700 RU via a PentaHisAntibody (PentaHis-Ab BSA-free,
Qiagen No. 34660) that is immobilized on a CM5 chip via amine
coupling (BSA-free) (see below).
Ang-2-VEGF Bridging ELISA
[0158] The binding properties of the bispecific tetravalent
antibodies is evaluated in an ELISA assay with immobilized
full-length VEGF165-His protein (R&D Systems) and human
Ang-2-His protein (R&D Systems) for detection of bound
bispecific antibody. Only a bispecific tetravalent
<VEGF-Ang-2> antibody is able to o bind simultaneously to
VEGF and Ang-2 and thus bridge the two antigens whereas
monospecific "standard" IgG1 antibodies is not be capable of
simultaneously binding to VEGF and Ang-2 (FIG. 7).
[0159] For this sake Falcon polystyrene clear enhanced microtiter
plates are coated with 100 .mu.l 2 .mu.g/mL recombinant human
VEGF165 (R&D Systems) in PBS for 2 h at room temperature or
over night at 4.degree. C. The wells are washed three times with
300 .mu.l PBST (0.2% Tween 20) and blocked with 200 .mu.l 2% BSA
0.1% Tween 20 for 30 min at room temperature and subsequently
washed three times with 300 .mu.l PBST. 100 .mu.L/well of a
dilution series of purified bispecific tetravalent antibodies in
PBS (Sigma) is added to the wells and incubated for 1 h on a
microtiterplate shaker at room temperature. The wells are washed
three times with 300 .mu.l PBST (0.2% Tween 20) and bound antibody
is detected by addition of 100 .mu.l 0.5 .mu.g/mL human Ang-2-His
(R&D Systems) in PBS. The wells are washed three times with 300
.mu.l PBST (0.2% Tween 20) and bound Ang-2 is detected with 100
.mu.l 0.5 .mu.g/mL<Ang-2>mIgG1-Biotin antibody (BAM0981,
R&D Systems) for 1 h at room temperature. Unbound detection
antibody is washed away with three times 300 .mu.l PBST (0.2% Tween
20) and bound antibody is detected by addition of 100 .mu.l 1:2000
Streptavidin-POD conjugate (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Cat. No.
11089153) 1:4 diluted in blocking buffer for 1 h at room
temperature. Unbound Streptavidin-POD conjugate is washed away with
three-six times 300 .mu.l PBST (0.2% Tween 20) and bound
Strepatavidin-POD conjugate is detected by addition of 100 .mu.L
ABTS/well. Determination of absorbance is performed on a Tecan
Fluor Spectrometer at a measurement wavelength of 405 nm (reference
wavelength 492 nm).
Demonstration of Simultaneous Binding of Bispecific Tetravalent
Antibody <VEGF-Ang-2> to VEGF-A and Ang-2 by Biacore
[0160] In order to further corroborate the data from the bridging
ELISA an additional assay is established to confirm simultaneous
binding to VEGF and Ang-2 using surface plasmon resonance
technology on a Biacore T100 instrument according to the following
protocol and analyzed using the T100 software package (T100
Control, Version 2.01, T100 Evaluation, Version 2.01, T100 Kinetics
Summary, Version 1.01): Ang-2 is captured with a capture level of
2000-1700 RU in PBS, 0.005% (v/v) Tween20 running buffer via a
PentaHisAntibody (PentaHis-Ab BSA-free, Qiagen No. 34660) that is
immobilized on a CM5 chip via amine coupling (BSA-free). HBS-N
buffer served as running buffer during coupling, activation is done
by mixture of EDC/NHS. The PentaHis-Ab BSA-free Capture-Antibody is
diluted in coupling buffer NaAc, pH 4.5, c=30 .mu.g/mL, finally
still activated carboxyl groups are blocked by injection of 1 M
Ethanolamine; ligand densities of 5000 and 17000 RU are tested.
Ang-2 with a concentration of 500 nM is captured by the PentaHis-Ab
at a flow of 5 .mu.L/min diluted with running buffer+1 mg/mL BSA.
Subsequently, <Ang-2, VEGF> bispecific tetravalent antibody
binding to Ang-2 and to VEGF is demonstrated by incubation with
rhVEGF and formation of a sandwich complex. For this sake, the
bispecific tetravalent <VEGF-Ang-2> antibody is bound to
Ang-2 at a flow of 50 .mu.L/min and a concentration of 100 nM,
diluted with running buffer+1 mg/mL BSA and simultaneous binding is
detected by incubation with VEGF (rhVEGF, R&D-Systems Cat.-No,
293-VE) in PBS+0.005% (v/v) Tween20 running buffer at a flow of 50
.mu.L/min and a VEGF concentration of 150 nM. Association time 120
sec, dissociation time 1200 sec. Regeneration is done after each
cycle at a flow of 50 .mu.L/min with 2.times.10 mM Glycin pH 2.0
and a contact time of 60 sec. Sensorgrams are corrected using the
usual double referencing (control reference: binding of bispecific
antibody and rhVEGF to capture molecule PentaHisAb). Blanks for
each Ab are measured with rhVEGF concentration "0".
Generation of HEK293-Tie2 Cell Line
[0161] In order to determine the interference of <Ang-2,
VEGF> bispecific tetravalent antibodies with Ang-2 stimulated
Tie2 phosphorylation and binding of Ang-2 to Tie2 on cells a
recombinant HEK293-Tie cell line was generated. Briefly, a pcDNA3
based plasmid (RB22-pcDNA3 Topo hTie2) coding for full-length human
Tie2 under control of a CMV promoter and a Neomycin resistance
marker was transfected using Fugene (Roche Applied Science) as
transfection reagent into HEK293 cells (ATCC) and resistant cells
were selected in DMEM 10% FCS, 500 .mu.g/mL G418. Individual clones
were isolated via a cloning cylinder, and subsequently analyzed for
Tie2 expression by FACS. Clone 22 was identified as clone with high
and stable Tie2 expression even in the absence of G418 (HEK293-Tie2
clone22). HEK293-Tie2 clone22 is subsequently used for cellular
assays: Ang-2 induced Tie2 phosphorylation and Ang-2 cellular
ligand binding assay.
Ang-2 Induced Tie2 Phosphorylation Assay
[0162] Inhibition of Ang-2 induced Tie2 phosphorylation by
<Ang-2, VEGF> bispecific tetravalent antibodies is measured
according to the following assay principle. HEK293-Tie2 clone22 is
stimulated with Ang-2 for 5 minutes in the absence or presence of
Ang-2 antibody and P-Tie2 is quantified by a sandwich ELISA.
Briefly, 2.times.105 HEK293-Tie2 clone 22 cells per well are grown
over night on a Poly-D-Lysine coated 96 well-microtiter plate in
100 .mu.l DMEM, 10% FCS, 500 .mu.g/mL Geneticin. The next day a
titration row of <Ang-2, VEGF> bispecific tetravalent
antibodies is prepared in a microtiter plate (4-fold concentrated,
75 .mu.l final volume/well, duplicates) and mixed with 75 .mu.l of
an Ang-2 (R&D systems #623-AN] dilution (3.2 .mu.g/mL as 4-fold
concentrated solution). Antibodies and Ang-2 are pre-incubated for
15 min at room temperature. 100 .mu.l of the mix are added to the
HEK293-Tie2 clone 22 cells (pre-incubated for 5 min with 1 mM
NaV3O4, Sigma #S6508) and incubated for 5 min at 37.degree. C.
Subsequently, cells are washed with 200 .mu.l ice-cold PBS+1 mM
NaV3O4 per well and lysed by addition of 120 .mu.l lysis buffer (20
mM Tris, pH 8.0, 137 mM NaCl, 1% NP-40, 10% glycerol, 2 mM EDTA, 1
mM NaV3O4, 1 mM PMSF and 10 .mu.g/mL Aprotinin) per well on ice.
Cells are lysed for 30 min at 4.degree. C. on a microtiter plate
shaker and 100 .mu.l lysate are transferred directly into a p-Tie2
ELISA microtiter plate (R&D Systems, R&D #DY990) without
previous centrifugation and without total protein determination.
P-Tie2 amounts are quantified according to the manufacturer's
instructions and IC50 values for inhibition are determined using
XLfit4 analysis plug-in for Excel (Dose-response one site, model
205). IC50 values can be compared within on experiment but might
vary from experiment to experiment.
VEGF Induced HUVEC Proliferation Assay
[0163] VEGF induced HUVEC (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells,
Promocell #C-12200) proliferation is chosen to measure the cellular
function of <Ang-2, VEGF> bispecific tetravalent antibodies.
Briefly, 5000 HUVEC cells (low passage number, .ltoreq.5 passages)
per 96 well are incubated in 100 .mu.l starvation medium (EBM-2
Endothelial basal medium 2, Promocell # C-22211, 0.5% FCS,
Penicilline/Streptomycine) in a collagen I-coated BD Biocoat
Collagen I 96-well microtiter plate (BD #354407/35640 over night.
Varying concentrations of <Ang-2, VEGF> bispecific
tetravalent antibody are mixed with rhVEGF (30 ng 1/mL final
concentration, BD #354107) and pre-incubated for 15 minutes at room
temperature. Subsequently, the mix is added to the HUVEC cells and
they are incubated for 72 h at 37.degree. C., 5% CO2. On the day of
analysis the plate is equilibrated to room temperature for 30 min
and cell viability/proliferation is determined using the
CellTiter-Glo.TM. Luminescent Cell Viability Assay kit according to
the manual (Promega, # G7571/2/3). Luminescence is determined in a
spectrophotometer.
Example 1
Production, Expression, Purification and Characterization of a
Bispecific, Tetravalent Antigen Binding Protein Recognizing Ang-2
and VEGF-A
[0164] In a first example a bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding
protein recognizing Ang-2 and VEGF-A is made by fusing via a
(G4S)4-connector a VH-CH1 domain fusion of an antibody recognizing
Ang-2 to the C-terminus of the heavy chain of the antibody
recognizing Ang-2 (SEQ1); and by fusing via a (G4S)4-connector a
VH-CL domain fusion of an antibody recognizing VEGF-A to the
C-terminus of the heavy chain of a CH1-CL exchange antibody
recognizing VEGF (SEQ3). In order to induce heterodimerization of
the two respective heavy chains SEQ 1 contains e.g. the knob
sequence (T366W) and SEQ2 contains e.g. the hole sequences T366S,
L368A and Y407V as well as two introduced Cysteine residues
S354C/Y349'C respectively to form a stabilizing disulfide bridge
upon heterodimerization. In order to obtain the bispecific,
tetravalent antigen binding protein according to the invention this
heavy chain constructs are co-expressed with plasmids coding for
the respective light chain of the Ang-2 antibody (SEQ2) and a
VL-CH1 domain fusion recognizing VEGF-A (SEQ4). A general scheme of
the respective bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein with
knobs-into-holes modification is given in FIG. 4.
[0165] The bispecific, tetravalent antigen binding protein was
generated as described in the general methods section by classical
molecular biology techniques and is expressed transiently in
HEK293F cells as described above. Subsequently, it is purified from
the supernatant by a combination of Protein A affinity
chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. The obtained
product was characterized for identity by mass spectrometry and
analytical properties such as purity by SDS-PAGE, monomer content
and stability.
TABLE-US-00001 expression purification Titer [.mu.g/mL] yield final
product homogeneity (final product) 9.8 16.7 mg/L 29%
[0166] These data show that the bispecific, tetravalent antigen
binding protein can be produced in good yields and is stable.
[0167] Subsequently binding to Ang-2 and VEGF-A as well as
simultaneous binding was studied by ELISA and Biacore assays
described above and functional properties such as inhibition of
Tie2 phosphorylation and inhibition of VEGF induced HUVEC
proliferation are analyzed showing that the generated bispecific
tetravalent antibody is able to bind to Ang-2 and VEGF-A and block
their activity simultaneously.
Sequence CWU 1
1
101711PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic polypeptide 1Gln Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Ala Glu Val
Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser
Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Tyr Met His Trp Val Arg Gln
Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Trp Ile Asn Pro
Asn Ser Gly Gly Thr Asn Tyr Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg
Val Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Ile Ser Thr Ala Tyr65 70 75 80 Met
Glu Leu Ser Arg Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90
95 Ala Arg Ser Pro Asn Pro Tyr Tyr Tyr Asp Ser Ser Gly Tyr Tyr Tyr
100 105 110 Pro Gly Ala Phe Asp Ile Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Met Val Thr
Val Ser 115 120 125 Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu
Ala Pro Ser Ser 130 135 140 Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu
Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp145 150 155 160 Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr
Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr 165 170 175 Ser Gly Val His Thr
Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr 180 185 190 Ser Leu Ser
Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln 195 200 205 Thr
Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp 210 215
220 Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro
Pro225 230 235 240 Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val
Phe Leu Phe Pro 245 250 255 Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser
Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr 260 265 270 Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His
Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn 275 280 285 Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val
Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg 290 295 300 Glu Glu Gln Tyr
Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val305 310 315 320 Leu
His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser 325 330
335 Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys
340 345 350 Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys
Arg Asp 355 360 365 Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Trp Cys Leu
Val Lys Gly Phe 370 375 380 Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu
Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu385 390 395 400 Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro
Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe 405 410 415 Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys
Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly 420 425 430 Asn Val Phe
Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr 435 440 445 Thr
Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 450 455
460 Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser
Gln465 470 475 480 Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys
Pro Gly Ala Ser 485 490 495 Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Phe Thr Gly Tyr Tyr 500 505 510 Met His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro
Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met Gly 515 520 525 Trp Ile Asn Pro Asn Ser
Gly Gly Thr Asn Tyr Ala Gln Lys Phe Gln 530 535 540 Gly Arg Val Thr
Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Ile Ser Thr Ala Tyr Met545 550 555 560 Glu
Leu Ser Arg Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala 565 570
575 Arg Ser Pro Asn Pro Tyr Tyr Tyr Asp Ser Ser Gly Tyr Tyr Tyr Pro
580 585 590 Gly Ala Phe Asp Ile Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Met Val Thr Val
Ser Ser 595 600 605 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala
Pro Ser Ser Lys 610 615 620 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly
Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr625 630 635 640 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val
Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 645 650 655 Gly Val His Thr Phe
Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 660 665 670 Leu Ser Ser
Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 675 680 685 Tyr
Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 690 695
700 Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys705 710 2215PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic polypeptide
2Gln Pro Gly Leu Thr Gln Pro Pro Ser Val Ser Val Ala Pro Gly Gln1 5
10 15 Thr Ala Arg Ile Thr Cys Gly Gly Asn Asn Ile Gly Ser Lys Ser
Val 20 25 30 His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ala Pro Val Leu
Val Val Tyr 35 40 45 Asp Asp Ser Asp Arg Pro Ser Gly Ile Pro Glu
Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser 50 55 60 Asn Ser Gly Asn Thr Ala Thr Leu Thr
Ile Ser Arg Val Glu Ala Gly65 70 75 80 Asp Glu Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys
Gln Val Trp Asp Ser Ser Ser Asp His 85 90 95 Tyr Val Phe Gly Thr
Gly Thr Lys Val Thr Val Leu Arg Thr Val Ala 100 105 110 Ala Pro Ser
Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser 115 120 125 Gly
Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu 130 135
140 Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn
Ser145 150 155 160 Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser
Thr Tyr Ser Leu 165 170 175 Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp
Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val 180 185 190 Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln
Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys 195 200 205 Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu
Cys 210 215 3707PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic polypeptide 3Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly
Gly Leu Val Gln Pro Gly Gly1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala
Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Met Asn Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val 35 40 45 Gly Trp Ile
Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala Ala Asp Phe 50 55 60 Lys
Arg Arg Phe Thr Phe Ser Leu Asp Thr Ser Lys Ser Thr Ala Tyr65 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 Pro His Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Ser His Trp Tyr Phe
Asp Val 100 105 110 Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala
Ser Val Ala Ala 115 120 125 Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp
Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly 130 135 140 Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu Leu
Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala145 150 155 160 Lys Val Gln Trp Lys
Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln 165 170 175 Glu Ser Val
Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser 180 185 190 Ser
Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr 195 200
205 Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser
210 215 220 Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro
Cys Pro225 230 235 240 Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe
Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys 245 250 255 Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg
Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val 260 265 270 Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu
Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr 275 280 285 Val Asp Gly Val Glu
Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu 290 295 300 Gln Tyr Asn
Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His305 310 315 320
Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys 325
330 335 Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly
Gln 340 345 350 Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg
Asp Glu Leu 355 360 365 Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Ser Cys Ala Val
Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro 370 375 380 Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser
Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn385 390 395 400 Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro
Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu 405 410 415 Val Ser Lys Leu
Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val 420 425 430 Phe Ser
Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln 435 440 445
Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly 450
455 460 Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Glu Val
Gln465 470 475 480 Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Leu Val Gln Pro Gly
Gly Ser Leu Arg 485 490 495 Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe
Thr Asn Tyr Gly Met Asn 500 505 510 Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys
Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly Trp Ile 515 520 525 Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu
Pro Thr Tyr Ala Ala Asp Phe Lys Arg Arg 530 535 540 Phe Thr Phe Ser
Leu Asp Thr Ser Lys Ser Thr Ala Tyr Leu Gln Met545 550 555 560 Asn
Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Lys Tyr 565 570
575 Pro His Tyr Tyr Gly Ser Ser His Trp Tyr Phe Asp Val Trp Gly Gln
580 585 590 Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Val Ala Ala Pro
Ser Val 595 600 605 Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser
Gly Thr Ala Ser 610 615 620 Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro
Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln625 630 635 640 Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu
Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val 645 650 655 Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser
Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu 660 665 670 Thr Leu Ser
Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu 675 680 685 Val
Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg 690 695
700 Gly Glu Cys705 4212PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic polypeptide 4Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln
Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr
Ile Thr Cys Ser Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Ser Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Asn
Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Val Leu Ile 35 40 45
Tyr Phe Thr Ser Ser Leu His Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50
55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln
Pro65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Tyr Ser Thr
Val Pro Trp 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys
Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr 100 105 110 Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala
Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser 115 120 125 Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly
Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu 130 135 140 Pro Val Thr Val Ser
Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His145 150 155 160 Thr Phe
Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser 165 170 175
Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys 180
185 190 Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val
Glu 195 200 205 Pro Lys Ser Cys 210 524PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic polypeptide
5Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser1 5
10 15 Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser 20 627PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic polypeptide
6Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser1 5
10 15 Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly 20 25
725PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic polypeptide 7Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly
Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly1 5 10 15 Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 20
25 828PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic polypeptide 8Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly
Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly1 5 10 15 Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser
Gly Gly Gly 20 25 910PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic polypeptide 9Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly
Gly Gly Gly Ser1 5 10 1020PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic polypeptide 10Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly
Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly1 5 10 15 Gly Gly Gly Ser
20
* * * * *