U.S. patent application number 17/591109 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-19 for anti-c5a antibodies and uses thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Invention is credited to Damodar Gullipalli, Takashi Miwa, Sayaka Sato, Wenchao Song.
Application Number | 20220153824 17/591109 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006114378 |
Filed Date | 2022-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220153824 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Song; Wenchao ; et
al. |
May 19, 2022 |
ANTI-C5A ANTIBODIES AND USES THEREOF
Abstract
This invention relates to inhibition of the complement signaling
using an anti-C5a antibody. Specifically, the invention relates to
methods of treating a complement-mediated disease or
complement-mediated disorder in an individual by contacting the
individual with an anti-C5a antibody.
Inventors: |
Song; Wenchao; (Bryn Mawr,
PA) ; Sato; Sayaka; (Philadelphia, PA) ; Miwa;
Takashi; (Bala Cynwyd, PA) ; Gullipalli; Damodar;
(Philadelphia, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006114378 |
Appl. No.: |
17/591109 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16495979 |
Sep 20, 2019 |
11274146 |
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PCT/US18/23927 |
Mar 23, 2018 |
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17591109 |
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62475573 |
Mar 23, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
424/130.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 16/18 20130101;
C12N 2015/8518 20130101; C07K 2317/565 20130101; C07K 2317/76
20130101; C12N 15/85 20130101; C07K 2317/54 20130101; C07K 2317/622
20130101; C07K 2317/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07K 16/18 20060101
C07K016/18; C12N 15/85 20060101 C12N015/85 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] This invention was made with government support under NIH
A144970 awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The
government has certain rights in the invention.
Claims
1. An antibody that specifically binds to human C5a, wherein the
antibody comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light
chain variable (VL) region, wherein the VH region comprises i) a
VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEO ID NO: 3, or a
variant thereof comprising up to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid
substitutions; ii) a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEO ID NO: 4, or a variant thereof comprising up to 3, 2, or 1
amino acid substitutions; and iii) a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEO ID NO: 5, or a variant thereof comprising up
to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid substitutions; and wherein the VL region
comprises i) a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEO ID
NO: 8, or a variant thereof comprising up to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid
substitutions; ii) a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEO ID NO: 9, or a variant thereof comprising up to 3, 2, or 1
amino acid substitutions; and iii) a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEO ID NO: 10, or a variant thereof comprising up
to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid substitutions.
2. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody is a chimeric
antibody.
3. (canceled)
4. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises the
CDRs: VH-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:3; VH-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:4; VH-CDR3: SEQ ID
NO:5; VL-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:8; VL-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:9; and VL-CDR3: SEQ
ID NO:10.
5. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises a heavy
chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or a
variant thereof.
6. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises a light
chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, or a
variant thereof.
7. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises a heavy
chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or a
variant thereof and a light chain comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, or a variant thereof.
8. A method of treating a complement pathway-mediated disease or
disorder in an individual, comprising the step of administering to
said individual the anti-C5a antibody of claim 1.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the disease or disorder is at
least one selected from the group consisting of: macular
degeneration (MD), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ischemia
reperfusion injury, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus,
ulcerative colitis, stroke, post-surgery systemic inflammatory
syndrome, asthma, allergic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) syndrome,
autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), Gaucher disease, myasthenia
gravis, neuromyelitis optica, (NMO), multiple sclerosis, delayed
graft function, antibody-mediated rejection, atypical hemolytic
uremic syndrome (aHUS), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO),
central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), epidermolysis bullosa,
sepsis, septic shock, organ transplantation, inflammation,
inflammation associated with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and
kidney dialysis, C3 glomerulopathy, membranous nephropathy, IgA
nephropathy, glomerulonephritis, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic
antibody (ANCA)-mediated glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis,
ANCA-mediated vasculitis, Shiga toxin induced HUS, antiphospholipid
antibody-induced pregnancy loss, graft versus host disease (GVHD)
and any combinations thereof.
10. A method of reducing the activity of a complement system of an
individual, wherein the method comprises administering an antibody
to the individual via a route of administration selected from the
group consisting of enteral administration, parenteral
administration, and a combination thereof, and wherein the antibody
comprises six complementarity determining regions having the
following amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NO: 3, or a variant thereof
comprising up to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid substitutions; SEQ ID NO: 4,
or a variant thereof comprising up to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid
substitutions; SEQ ID NO: 5, or a variant thereof comprising up to
3, 2, or 1 amino acid substitutions; SEQ ID NO: 8, or a variant
thereof comprising up to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid substitutions; SEQ
ID NO: 9, or a variant thereof comprising up to 3, 2, or 1 amino
acid substitutions; and SEQ ID NO: 10, or a variant thereof
comprising up to 3, 2, or 1 amino acid substitutions.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the antibody is an antibody
fragment selected from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2,
F(ab')2, scFv, and combinations thereof.
12. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody has a heavy chain
variable (VH) region that has an amino acid sequence that is more
than 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2.
13. The antibody of claim 12, wherein the antibody is an antibody
fragment selected from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2,
F(ab')2, scFv, and combinations thereof.
14. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody has a light chain
variable (VL) region that has an amino acid sequence that is more
than 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7.
15. The antibody of claim 14, wherein the antibody is an antibody
fragment selected from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2,
F(ab')2, scFv, and combinations thereof.
16. An antibody that specifically binds to human C5a, wherein the
antibody has a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain
variable (VL) region, wherein the VH region has an amino acid
sequence that is more than 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, and
wherein the VL region has an amino acid sequence that is more than
90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7.
17. The antibody of claim 16, wherein the antibody is an antibody
fragment selected from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2,
F(ab')2, scFv, and combinations thereof.
18. A cell comprising the antibody of claim 1.
19. The cell of claim 18, wherein the cell produces the antibody of
claim 1.
20. The cell of claim 18, wherein the cell is a hybridoma.
21. The antibody of claim 1, wherein the heavy chain variable (VH)
region comprises an amino acid sequence that is more than 90%
identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, and wherein the light chain variable
(VL) region comprises an amino acid sequence that is more than 90%
identical to SEQ ID NO: 7.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/475,573, filed Mar. 23, 2017, the contents of
which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The complement system is part of innate immunity that plays
a key role in host defense. However, activated complement also has
the potential to cause significant tissue injury and destruction
and dysregulated complement activity has been found to be
associated with a number of rare and common diseases such as
paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic
uremic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, age-related macular
degeneration, etc. Thus, anti-complement therapy is a promising way
of treating these human disorders.
[0004] Complement C5 is a critical protein in the terminal pathway
of complement activation and is the precursor protein for
generating the potent pro-inflammatory mediator C5a, as well as the
cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC), C5b-9.
[0005] In some complement-mediated diseases, both C5a and
MAC-mediated processes may contribute to pathogenesis, while in
other diseases only C5a-mediated inflammation or MAC-mediated
cellular injury may be involved. Since complement mediators,
including C5a and MAC, also play an important role in host defense
against pathogen infection, it is desirable that in therapeutic
drug development, we develop anti-complement drugs that are
selective, i.e. drugs that will block only the detrimental effect
of complement in tissue injury while leaving its normal host
defense function intact.
[0006] The hemolytic disease PNH is caused by MAC. Other anti-C5
mAbs for the treatment of PNH exist. However, those antibodies
unnecessarily block C5a production, putting patients at a greater
risk for infection than a therapeutic drug that blocks MAC alone.
Likewise, there are complement-mediated diseases that may be
mediated primarily by C5a-dependent inflammation (e.g., sepsis) and
for such conditions, an anti-C5 mAb drug, while expected to be
effective, would unnecessarily block MAC as a side effect.
[0007] Thus, there is a need in the art for anti-human C5a mAbs
that can inhibit C5a-mediate activity but does not block MAC
activity. The present invention addresses and meets these and other
needs.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an
antibody that specifically binds to C5a. In one embodiment, the C5a
is human C5a. In one embodiment, the antibody is a monoclonal
antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is a humanized antibody.
In some embodiments, the antibody is a full-length antibody. In
some embodiments, the antibody is an antibody fragment, which
includes, but is not limited to, Fab, Fab', F(ab)2, F(ab')2, and
scFv. In some embodiments, the antibody is part of a construct, for
example a fusion construct comprising the antibody and a targeting
moiety or an effector moiety. In some embodiments, the antibody is
part of a conjugate construct, such as an antibody drug conjugate
construct.
[0009] In one embodiment, the antibody is a chimeric antibody. In
one embodiment, the antibody comprises at least one of the CDRs
selected from the group consisting of: VH-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:3;
VH-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:4; VH-CDR3: SEQ ID NO:5; VL-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:8;
VL-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:9; and VL-CDR3: SEQ ID NO:10, or a variant or
variants thereof. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the
CDRs: VH-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:3; VH-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:4; VH-CDR3: SEQ ID
NO:5; VL-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:8; VL-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:9; and VL-CDR3: SEQ
ID NO:10, or a variant or variants thereof. In one embodiment, the
antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:2, or a variant thereof. In one embodiment, the
antibody comprises a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:7, or a variant thereof. In one embodiment, the
antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:2, or a variant thereof and a light chain comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, or a variant thereof. In
one embodiment, the antibody is 7A12.
[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method
of treating a complement pathway-mediated disease or disorder in an
individual, comprising the step of administering to said individual
the anti-C5a antibody described herein. In one embodiment, the
disease or disorder is at least selected from the group consisting
of: macular degeneration (MD), age-related macular degeneration
(AMD), ischemia reperfusion injury, arthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, stroke, post-surgery systemic
inflammatory syndrome, asthma, allergic asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
syndrome, autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), Gaucher disease,
myasthenia gravis, neuromyelitis optica, (NMO), multiple sclerosis,
delayed graft function, antibody-mediated rejection, atypical
hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), central retinal vein occlusion
(CRVO), central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), epidermolysis
bullosa, sepsis, septic shock, organ transplantation, inflammation
(including, but not limited to, inflammation associated with
cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and kidney dialysis), C3
glomerulopathy, membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy,
glomerulonephritis (including, but not limited to, anti-neutrophil
cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-mediated glomerulonephritis, lupus
nephritis, and combinations thereof), ANCA-mediated vasculitis,
Shiga toxin induced HUS, and antiphospholipid antibody-induced
pregnancy loss, graft versus host disease (GVHD) or any
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the AP-mediated disease
is sepsis, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hemolytic
anemia, GvHD, anti-phospholipid syndrome, or Gaucher's disease. In
one embodiment, administration of the anti-C5a antibody inhibits
the activity of a C5a protein.
[0011] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method
of reducing the activity of a complement system of an individual,
wherein the method comprises administering an antibody to the
individual via a route of administration selected from the group
consisting of enteral administration, parenteral administration,
and a combination thereof, and wherein the antibody comprises six
complementarity determining regions having the following amino acid
sequences: SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 8,
SEQ ID NO: 9, and SEQ ID NO: 10, or a variant or variants thereof.
In one embodiment, the antibody is an antibody fragment selected
from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2, F(ab')2, scFv,
and combinations thereof.
[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention describes an
antibody against human C5a, wherein the antibody has a heavy chain
variable (vH) region that has an amino acid sequence that is more
than about 90% (such as more than any of 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,
96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, or a
variant thereof. In one embodiment, the antibody is an antibody
fragment selected from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2,
F(ab')2, scFv, and combinations thereof.
[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention describes an
antibody against human C5a, wherein the antibody has a light chain
variable (vL) region that has an amino acid sequence that is more
than about 90% (such as more than any of 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,
96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) identical to SEQ ID NO: 7, or a
variant thereof. In one embodiment, the antibody is an antibody
fragment selected from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2,
F(ab')2, scFv, and combinations thereof.
[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention is an antibody
against human C5a, wherein the antibody has a heavy chain variable
(vH) region and a light chain variable (vL) region, wherein the vH
region has an amino acid sequence that is more than about 90% (such
as more than any of 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or
100%) identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, or a variant thereof, and wherein
the vL region has an amino acid sequence that is more than about
90% (such as more than any of 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%,
98%, 99%, or 100%) identical to SEQ ID NO: 7, or a variant thereof:
In one embodiment, the antibody is an antibody fragment selected
from the group consisting of a Fab, Fab', F(ab)2, F(ab')2, scFv,
and combinations thereof.
[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention is a cell
comprising at least one the antibodies described elsewhere herein.
In one embodiment, the cell produces at least one of the antibodies
described elsewhere herein. In one embodiment, the cell is a
hybridoma.
[0016] In one embodiment, the present invention is a cell line
comprising at least one of the antibodies described herein. In one
embodiment, the cell line produces at least one of the antibodies
described herein. In one embodiment, the cell line is a hybridoma
cell line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is
not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of
the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1, comprising FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, depicts results
demonstrating that mAb 7A12 binds to human C5. FIG. 1A depicts
reactivity of 7A12 and 2G1, a control anti-C5 mAb, with intact
human C5 as assessed by ELISA. The plate was coated with purified
human C5. After incubation with serially diluted 7A12 or control
anti-C5 mAb, bound mAb was detected by HRP-conjugated rabbit
anti-mouse IgG. Both 7A12 and the control anti-C5 mAb showed high
reactivity with human C5. FIG. 1B depicts by western-blotting, that
mAb 7A12 and the control anti-C5 mAb recognized purified human C5
protein under non-reducing and reducing conditions, respectively.
The observed 7A12-reactive 190 kDa band represents the whole C5
protein, whereas the 115 kDa band represents the C5 .alpha.-chain.
NR: non-reducing condition; R: reducing condition.
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts results showing that, unlike the control C5
mAb 2G1 which inhibits red blood cell (RBC) lysis, 7A12 has no
activity in a hemolysis assay. Antibody-sensitized sheep RBCs were
incubated with normal human serum (NHS) containing serial dilutions
of 7A12 or the control anti-C5 mAb at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour. RBC
lysis was determined by measuring the absorbance at OD405 nm. As
expected, the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1 inhibited 50% NHS-mediated
sheep erythrocyte lysis in a dose-dependent manner. On the other
hand, at doses of 0.975 to 120 .mu.g/ml, mAb 7A12 showed no
inhibition of 50% NHS-mediated sheep erythrocyte lysis.
[0020] FIG. 3, comprising FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, depicts results
showing that unlike the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1 that does not bind
C5a, 7A12 binds human C5a in a dose-dependent manner, but it does
not bind mouse C5a. A plate was coated with human C5a or mouse C5a.
After incubation with serially diluted 7A12 or the control anti-C5
mAb, bound mAb was detected by HRP-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse
IgG. FIG. 3A depicts that mAb 7A12 showed high reactivity to human
C5a. Since mAb 7A12 reacts with the whole C5 protein (as shown in
FIG. 1), it can be concluded that mAb 7A12 binds both the C5a
moiety of native human C5 and free human C5a. On the other hand, no
binding of the control anti-C5 mAb to human C5a was seen. FIG. 3B
depicts that binding of mAb 7A12 to C5a was specific to human C5a
with little binding to mouse C5a.
[0021] FIG. 4, comprising FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, depicts the results
of experiments assessing the binding affinity of mAb 7A12 to human
C5 and C5a. Purified human C5 or C5a was coupled onto CM4 chip
using the amine coupling method. Biacore analysis was performed on
a Biacore-2000 instrument. The chip was regenerated between each
binding using 50 mM NaOH. mAb 7A12 binds to human C5, depicted in
FIG. 4A, and human C5a, depicted in FIG. 4B with similar
affinities.
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts results demonstrating that mAb 7A12, but not
the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1, inhibits C5a-mediated neutrophil
migration. Human C5a at 10 nM was used to induce chemotaxis of the
human monocytic cell line, U937 transfected with the human C5a
receptor. Cells were placed in the upper chamber of a trans-well
plated in the presence of mAb 7A12 or the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1,
and cell migration was quantified by counting the cells in the
lower chamber. mAb 7A12 showed complete inhibition of C5a-induced
chemotaxis at 10 .mu.g/ml whereas the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1
failed to block C5a-induced chemotaxis.
[0023] FIG. 6, comprising FIG. 6A through FIG. 6D, depicts results
demonstrating that mAb 7A12, but not the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1,
inhibits C5a-induced intracellular calcium mobilization in U937
cells. No calcium mobilization occurred in U937 cells expressing
the human C5a receptor (U937-C5aR) in the absence of human C5a
stimulation, shown in FIG. 6A. C5a (10 nM) treatment led to a
transient calcium influx in U937-C5aR cells, shown in FIG. 6B,
which could be inhibited by pre-incubation with mAb 7A12 (50
.mu.g/ml), shown in FIG. 6C, but not with the control anti-C5 mAb
2G1 (50 .mu.g/ml), shown in FIG. 6D. Arrows refer to the time point
when C5a or a mixture of C5a and antibody was added to the cell
suspension.
[0024] FIG. 7, comprising FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, depicts sequences of
the variable regions of mAb 7A12 heavy and light chains. FIG. 7A
depicts nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of VH of mAb 7A12.
Signal peptide is underlined and CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences are
bolded and highlighted in gray. FIG. 7B depicts nucleic acid and
amino acid sequences of VL of mAb 7A12. Signal peptide is
underlined and CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences are bolded and
highlighted in gray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] This invention relates to the inhibition of complement
signaling using an anti-C5a antibody. In various embodiments, the
invention is directed to compositions and methods for treating a
complement-mediated disease or complement-mediated disorder in an
individual by contacting the individual with an anti-C5a antibody.
The complement-mediated diseases and disorders that can be treated
with the compositions and methods of the invention include, but are
not limited to, macular degeneration (MD), age-related macular
degeneration (AMD), ischemia reperfusion injury, arthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, stroke,
post-surgery systemic inflammatory syndrome, asthma, allergic
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), paroxysmal
nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) syndrome, autoimmune hemolytic
anemia (AIHA), Gaucher disease, myasthenia gravis, neuromyelitis
optica, (NMO), multiple sclerosis, delayed graft function,
antibody-mediated rejection, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
(aHUS), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), central retinal
artery occlusion (CRAO), epidermolysis bullosa, sepsis, septic
shock, organ transplantation, inflammation (including, but not
limited to, inflammation associated with cardiopulmonary bypass
surgery and kidney dialysis), C3 glomerulopathy, membranous
nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, glomerulonephritis (including, but
not limited to, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
(ANCA)-mediated glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, and
combinations thereof), ANCA-mediated vasculitis, Shiga toxin
induced HUS, and antiphospholipid antibody-induced pregnancy loss,
graft versus host disease (GVHD) or any combinations thereof.
Definitions
[0026] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, exemplary methods and materials are described.
[0027] As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning
associated with it in this section.
[0028] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or
to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object
of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element
or more than one element.
[0029] The terms "inhibit" and "inhibition," as used herein, means
to reduce, suppress, diminish or block an activity or function by
at least about 10% relative to a control value. In some
embodiments, the activity is suppressed or blocked by at least
about 50% compared to a control value. In some embodiments, the
activity is suppressed or blocked by at least about 75%. In some
embodiments, the activity is suppressed or blocked by at least
about 95%.
[0030] The terms "effective amount" and "pharmaceutically effective
amount" refer to a sufficient amount of an agent to provide the
desired biological result. That result can be reduction and/or
alleviation of the signs, symptoms, or causes of a disease or
disorder, or any other desired alteration of a biological system.
An appropriate effective amount in any individual case may be
determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using routine
experimentation.
[0031] The terms "patient," "subject," "individual," and the like
are used interchangeably herein, and refer to any animal, in some
embodiments a mammal, and in some embodiments a human, having a
complement system, including a human in need of therapy for, or
susceptible to, a condition or its sequelae. The individual may
include, for example, dogs, cats, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, horses,
rats, monkeys, and mice and humans.
[0032] The term "abnormal" when used in the context of organisms,
tissues, cells or components thereof, refers to those organisms,
tissues, cells or components thereof that differ in at least one
observable or detectable characteristic (e.g., age, treatment, time
of day, etc.) from those organisms, tissues, cells or components
thereof that display the "normal" (expected/homeostatic) respective
characteristic. Characteristics which are normal or expected for
one cell, tissue type, or subject, might be abnormal for a
different cell or tissue type.
[0033] A "disease" is a state of health of a subject wherein the
subject cannot maintain homeostasis, and wherein if the disease is
not ameliorated then the subject's health continues to
deteriorate.
[0034] In contrast, a "disorder" in a subject is a state of health
in which the subject is able to maintain homeostasis, but in which
the subject's state of health is less favorable than it would be in
the absence of the disorder. Left untreated, a disorder does not
necessarily cause a further decrease in the subject's state of
health.
[0035] A disease or disorder is "alleviated" if the severity of a
sign or symptom of the disease or disorder, the frequency with
which such a sign or symptom is experienced by a patient, or both,
is reduced.
[0036] An "effective amount" or "therapeutically effective amount"
of a compound is that amount of compound which is sufficient to
provide a beneficial effect to the subject to which the compound is
administered.
[0037] As used herein, an "instructional material" includes a
publication, a recording, a diagram, or any other medium of
expression which can be used to communicate the usefulness of a
compound, composition, vector, or delivery system of the invention
in the kit for effecting alleviation of the various diseases or
disorders recited herein. Optionally, or alternately, the
instructional material can describe one or more methods of
alleviating the diseases or disorders in a cell or a tissue of a
mammal. The instructional material of the kit of the invention can,
for example, be affixed to a container which contains the
identified compound, composition, vector, or delivery system of the
invention or be shipped together with a container which contains
the identified compound, composition, vector, or delivery system.
Alternatively, the instructional material can be shipped separately
from the container with the intention that the instructional
material and the compound be used cooperatively by the
recipient.
[0038] "Operably linked" or "operatively linked" as used herein may
mean that expression of a gene is under the control of a promoter
with which it is spatially connected. A promoter may be positioned
5' (upstream) or 3' (downstream) of a gene under its control. The
distance between the promoter and a gene may be approximately the
same as the distance between that promoter and the gene it controls
in the gene from which the promoter is derived. As is known in the
art, variation in this distance may be accommodated without loss of
promoter function.
[0039] A "therapeutic treatment" is a treatment administered to a
subject who exhibits signs of disease or disorder, for the purpose
of diminishing or eliminating those signs.
[0040] As used herein, "treating a disease or disorder" means
reducing the frequency and/or severity of a sign and/or symptom of
the disease or disorder is experienced by a patient.
[0041] The phrase "biological sample", "sample" or "specimen" as
used herein, is intended to include any sample comprising a cell, a
tissue, or a bodily fluid in which expression of a nucleic acid or
polypeptide can be detected. The biological sample may contain any
biological material suitable for detecting the desired biomarkers,
and may comprise cellular and/or non-cellular material obtained
from the individual. Examples of such biological samples include
but are not limited to blood, lymph, bone marrow, biopsies and
smears. Samples that are liquid in nature are referred to herein as
"bodily fluids." Biological samples may be obtained from a patient
by a variety of techniques including, for example, by scraping or
swabbing an area or by using a needle to obtain bodily fluids.
Methods for collecting various body samples are well known in the
art.
[0042] The term "antibody," as used herein, refers to an
immunoglobulin molecule which is able to specifically bind to a
specific epitope of an antigen. Antibodies can be intact
immunoglobulins derived from natural sources, or from recombinant
sources and can be immunoreactive portions of intact
immunoglobulins. The antibodies in the present invention may exist
in a variety of forms including, for example, polyclonal
antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, intracellular antibodies
("intrabodies"), Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab)2 and F(ab')2, as well as
single chain antibodies (scFv), heavy chain antibodies, such as
camelid antibodies, and humanized antibodies (Harlow et al., 1999,
Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory Press, NY; Harlow et al., 1989, Antibodies: A Laboratory
Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Houston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; Bird et al., 1988, Science
242:423426).
[0043] By the term "synthetic antibody" as used herein, is meant an
antibody which is generated using recombinant DNA technology, such
as, for example, an antibody expressed by a bacteriophage. The term
should also be construed to mean an antibody which has been
generated by the synthesis of a DNA molecule encoding the antibody
and which DNA molecule expresses an antibody protein, or an amino
acid sequence specifying the antibody, wherein the DNA or amino
acid sequence has been obtained using synthetic DNA or amino acid
sequence technology which is available and well known in the
art.
[0044] As used herein, the term "heavy chain antibody" or "heavy
chain antibodies" comprises immunoglobulin molecules derived from
camelid species, either by immunization with a peptide and
subsequent isolation of sera, or by the cloning and expression of
nucleic acid sequences encoding such antibodies. The term "heavy
chain antibody" or "heavy chain antibodies" further encompasses
immunoglobulin molecules isolated from a subject with heavy chain
disease, or prepared by the cloning and expression of VH (variable
heavy chain immunoglobulin) genes from a subject.
[0045] A "chimeric antibody" refers to a type of engineered
antibody which contains a naturally-occurring variable region
(light chain and heavy chains) derived from a donor antibody in
association with light and heavy chain constant regions derived
from an acceptor antibody.
[0046] A "humanized antibody" refers to a type of engineered
antibody having its CDRs derived from a non-human donor
immunoglobulin, the remaining immunoglobulin-derived parts of the
molecule being derived from one (or more) human immunoglobulin(s).
In addition, framework support residues may be altered to preserve
binding affinity (see, e.g., 1989, Queen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad
Sci USA, 86:10029-10032; 1991, Hodgson et al., Bio/Technology,
9:421). A suitable human acceptor antibody may be one selected from
a conventional database, e.g., the KABAT database, Los Alamos
database, and Swiss Protein database, by homology to the nucleotide
and amino acid sequences of the donor antibody. A human antibody
characterized by a homology to the framework regions of the donor
antibody (on an amino acid basis) may be suitable to provide a
heavy chain constant region and/or a heavy chain variable framework
region for insertion of the donor CDRs. A suitable acceptor
antibody capable of donating light chain constant or variable
framework regions may be selected in a similar manner. It should be
noted that the acceptor antibody heavy and light chains are not
required to originate from the same acceptor antibody. The prior
art describes several ways of producing such humanized antibodies
(see for example EP-A-0239400 and EP-A-054951).
[0047] The term "donor antibody" refers to an antibody (monoclonal,
and/or recombinant) which contributes the amino acid sequences of
its variable regions, CDRs, or other functional fragments or
analogs thereof to a first immunoglobulin partner, so as to provide
the altered immunoglobulin coding region and resulting expressed
altered antibody with the antigenic specificity and neutralizing
activity characteristic of the donor antibody.
[0048] The term "acceptor antibody" refers to an antibody
(monoclonal and/or recombinant) heterologous to the donor antibody,
which contributes all (or any portion, but in some embodiments all)
of the amino acid sequences encoding its heavy and/or light chain
framework regions and/or its heavy and/or light chain constant
regions to the first immunoglobulin partner. In certain
embodiments, a human antibody is the acceptor antibody.
[0049] "CDRs" are defined as the complementarity determining region
amino acid sequences of an antibody which are the hypervariable
regions of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. See, e.g., Kabat
et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 4th Ed.,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes
of Health (1987). There are three heavy chain and three light chain
CDRs (or CDR regions) in the variable portion of an immunoglobulin.
The structure and protein folding of the antibody may mean that
other residues are considered part of the antigen binding region
and would be understood to be so by a skilled person. See for
example Chothia et al., (1989) Conformations of immunoglobulin
hypervariable regions; Nature 342, p 877-883. The skilled artisan
will understand that there are multiple methods and techniques used
for predicting CDR sequences. Thus, the CDR sequences of a given
antibody can vary somewhat depending on which methods and
techniques are employed to predict the CDR sequences. Exemplary
methods and techniques include, but are not limited to, those
described in Lyskov et al., 2013, PLoS One, 8(5):e63906; Kunik, et
al., 2012, Nucleic Acids Res. 40:W521-524; Marcatili et al., 2008,
Bioinformatics 24:1953; Chothia et al., 1989, Nature 342:887; Kabat
et al., 1991, Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th
Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda,
Md.; Johnson et al., 2000, Nucleic Acids Res 28:214; Martin et al.,
1989, P.N.A.S 86:9268; MacCallum et al., 1996, J Mol Biol 5:732;
and Dunbar et al., 20106, Nucleic Acids Res. 44:W474-478.
[0050] As used herein, an "immunoassay" refers to any binding assay
that uses an antibody capable of binding specifically to a target
molecule to detect and quantify the target molecule.
[0051] By the term "specifically binds," as used herein with
respect to an antibody, is meant an antibody which recognizes and
binds to a specific target molecule, but does not substantially
recognize or bind other molecules in a sample. In some instances,
the terms "specific binding" or "specifically binding," is used to
mean that the recognition and binding is dependent upon the
presence of a particular structure (e.g., an antigenic determinant
or epitope) on the target molecule. If, for example, an antibody
specifically binds to epitope "A," the presence of an unlabelled
molecule containing epitope A (or free, unlabeled A) in a reaction
containing labeled "A" and the antibody, will reduce the amount of
labeled A bound to the antibody.
[0052] A "coding region" of a gene consists of the nucleotide
residues of the coding strand of the gene and the nucleotides of
the non-coding strand of the gene which are homologous with or
complementary to, respectively, the coding region of an mRNA
molecule which is produced by transcription of the gene.
[0053] A "coding region" of a mRNA molecule also consists of the
nucleotide residues of the mRNA molecule which are matched with an
anti-codon region of a transfer RNA molecule during translation of
the mRNA molecule or which encode a stop codon. The coding region
may thus include nucleotide residues comprising codons for amino
acid residues which are not present in the mature protein encoded
by the mRNA molecule (e.g., amino acid residues in a protein export
signal sequence).
[0054] "Differentially decreased expression" or "down regulation"
refers to biomarker product levels which are at least 10% or more,
for example, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% lower or
less, and/or 2.0 fold, 1.8 fold, 1.6 fold, 1.4 fold, 1.2 fold, 1.1
fold or less lower, and any and all whole or partial increments
therebetween than a control.
[0055] "Differentially increased expression" or "up regulation"
refers to biomarker product levels which are at least 10% or more,
for example, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% higher or
more, and/or 1.1 fold, 1.2 fold, 1.4 fold, 1.6 fold, 1.8 fold, 2.0
fold higher or more, and any and all whole or partial increments
therebetween than a control.
[0056] "Complementary" as used herein to refer to a nucleic acid,
refers to the broad concept of sequence complementarity between
regions of two nucleic acid strands or between two regions of the
same nucleic acid strand. It is known that an adenine residue of a
first nucleic acid region is capable of forming specific hydrogen
bonds ("base pairing") with a residue of a second nucleic acid
region which is antiparallel to the first region if the residue is
thymine or uracil. Similarly, it is known that a cytosine residue
of a first nucleic acid strand is capable of base pairing with a
residue of a second nucleic acid strand which is antiparallel to
the first strand if the residue is guanine. A first region of a
nucleic acid is complementary to a second region of the same or a
different nucleic acid if, when the two regions are arranged in an
antiparallel fashion, at least one nucleotide residue of the first
region is capable of base pairing with a residue of the second
region. In some embodiments, the first region comprises a first
portion and the second region comprises a second portion, whereby,
when the first and second portions are arranged in an antiparallel
fashion, at least about 50%, and or at least about 75%, or at least
about 90%, or at least about 95% of the nucleotide residues of the
first portion are capable of base pairing with nucleotide residues
in the second portion. In some embodiments, all nucleotide residues
of the first portion are capable of base pairing with nucleotide
residues in the second portion.
[0057] The term "DNA" as used herein is defined as deoxyribonucleic
acid.
[0058] "Encoding" refers to the inherent property of specific
sequences of nucleotides in a polynucleotide, such as a gene, a
cDNA, or an mRNA, to serve as templates for synthesis of other
polymers and macromolecules in biological processes having either a
defined sequence of nucleotides (i.e., rRNA, tRNA and mRNA) or a
defined sequence of amino acids and the biological properties
resulting there from. Thus, a gene encodes a protein if
transcription and translation of mRNA corresponding to that gene
produces the protein in a cell or other biological system. Both the
coding strand, the nucleotide sequence of which is identical to the
mRNA sequence and is usually provided in sequence listings, and the
non-coding strand, used as the template for transcription of a gene
or cDNA, can be referred to as encoding the protein or other
product of that gene or cDNA.
[0059] Unless otherwise specified, a "nucleotide sequence encoding
an amino acid sequence" includes all nucleotide sequences that are
degenerate versions of each other and that encode the same amino
acid sequence. The phrase nucleotide sequence that encodes a
protein or an RNA may also include introns to the extent that the
nucleotide sequence encoding the protein may in some version
contain an intron(s).
[0060] The term "hybridoma," as used herein refers to a cell
resulting from the fusion of a B-lymphocyte and a fusion partner
such as a myeloma cell. A hybridoma can be cloned and maintained
indefinitely in cell culture and is able to produce monoclonal
antibodies. A hybridoma can also be considered to be a hybrid
cell.
[0061] "Isolated" means altered or removed from the natural state.
For example, a nucleic acid or a peptide naturally present in its
normal context in a living subject is not "isolated," but the same
nucleic acid or peptide partially or completely separated from the
coexisting materials of its natural context is "isolated." An
isolated nucleic acid or protein can exist in substantially
purified form, or can exist in a non-native environment such as,
for example, a host cell.
[0062] An "isolated nucleic acid" refers to a nucleic acid segment
or fragment which has been separated from sequences which flank it
in a naturally occurring state, i.e., a DNA fragment which has been
removed from the sequences which are normally adjacent to the
fragment, i.e., the sequences adjacent to the fragment in a genome
in which it naturally occurs. The term also applies to nucleic
acids which have been substantially purified from other components
which naturally accompany the nucleic acid, i.e., RNA or DNA or
proteins, which naturally accompany it in the cell. The term
therefore includes, for example, a recombinant DNA which is
incorporated into a vector, into an autonomously replicating
plasmid or virus, or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or
eukaryote, or which exists as a separate molecule (i.e., as a cDNA
or a genomic or cDNA fragment produced by PCR or restriction enzyme
digestion) independent of other sequences. It also includes a
recombinant DNA which is part of a hybrid gene encoding additional
polypeptide sequence.
[0063] In the context of the present invention, the following
abbreviations for the commonly occurring nucleic acid bases are
used. "A" refers to adenosine, "C" refers to cytosine, "G" refers
to guanosine, "T" refers to thymidine, and "U" refers to
uridine.
[0064] The term "polynucleotide" as used herein is defined as a
chain of nucleotides. Furthermore, nucleic acids are polymers of
nucleotides. Thus, nucleic acids and polynucleotides as used herein
are interchangeable. One skilled in the art has the general
knowledge that nucleic acids are polynucleotides, which can be
hydrolyzed into the monomeric "nucleotides." The monomeric
nucleotides can be hydrolyzed into nucleosides. As used herein
polynucleotides include, but are not limited to, all nucleic acid
sequences which are obtained by any means available in the art,
including, without limitation, recombinant means, i.e., the cloning
of nucleic acid sequences from a recombinant library or a cell
genome, using ordinary cloning technology and PCR, and the like,
and by synthetic means.
[0065] As used herein, the terms "peptide," "polypeptide," and
"protein" are used interchangeably, and refer to a compound
comprised of amino acid residues covalently linked by peptide
bonds. A protein or peptide must contain at least two amino acids,
and no limitation is placed on the maximum number of amino acids
that can comprise a protein's or peptide's sequence. Polypeptides
include any peptide or protein comprising two or more amino acids
joined to each other by peptide bonds. As used herein, the term
refers to both short chains, which also commonly are referred to in
the art as peptides, oligopeptides and oligomers, for example, and
to longer chains, which generally are referred to in the art as
proteins, of which there are many types. "Polypeptides" include,
for example, biologically active fragments, substantially
homologous polypeptides, oligopeptides, homodimers, heterodimers,
variants of polypeptides, modified polypeptides, derivatives,
analogs, fusion proteins, among others. The polypeptides include
natural peptides, recombinant peptides, synthetic peptides, or a
combination thereof.
[0066] The term "progeny" as used herein refers to a descendent or
offspring and includes the offspring of a mammal, and also included
the differentiated or undifferentiated decedent cell derived from a
parent cell. In one usage, the term progeny refers to a descendent
cell which is genetically identical to the parent. In another use,
the term progeny refers to a descendent cell which is genetically
and phenotypically identical to the parent. In yet another usage,
the term progeny refers to a descendent cell that has
differentiated from the parent cell.
[0067] The term "RNA" as used herein is defined as ribonucleic
acid.
[0068] The term "recombinant DNA" as used herein is defined as DNA
produced by joining pieces of DNA from different sources.
[0069] The term "recombinant polypeptide" as used herein is defined
as a polypeptide produced by using recombinant DNA methods.
[0070] As used herein, "conjugated" refers to covalent attachment
of one molecule to a second molecule.
[0071] "Variant" as the term is used herein, is a nucleic acid
sequence or a peptide sequence that differs in sequence from a
reference nucleic acid sequence or peptide sequence respectively,
but retains essential biological properties of the reference
molecule. Changes in the sequence of a nucleic acid variant may not
alter the amino acid sequence of a peptide encoded by the reference
nucleic acid, or may result in amino acid substitutions, additions,
deletions, fusions and truncations. Changes in the sequence of
peptide variants are typically limited or conservative, so that the
sequences of the reference peptide and the variant are closely
similar overall and, in many regions, identical. A variant and
reference peptide can differ in amino acid sequence by one or more
substitutions, additions, deletions in any combination. A variant
of a nucleic acid or peptide can be a naturally occurring such as
an allelic variant, or can be a variant that is not known to occur
naturally. Non-naturally occurring variants of nucleic acids and
peptides may be made by mutagenesis techniques or by direct
synthesis. In various embodiments, the variant sequence is at least
99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at
least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%,
at least 89%, at least 88%, at least 87%, at least 86%, at least
85% identical to the reference sequence.
[0072] The term "regulating" as used herein can mean any method of
altering the level or activity of a substrate. Non-limiting
examples of regulating with regard to a protein include affecting
expression (including transcription and/or translation), affecting
folding, affecting degradation or protein turnover, and affecting
localization of a protein. Non-limiting examples of regulating with
regard to an enzyme further include affecting the enzymatic
activity. "Regulator" refers to a molecule whose activity includes
affecting the level or activity of a substrate. A regulator can be
direct or indirect. A regulator can function to activate or inhibit
or otherwise modulate its substrate.
[0073] A "scanning window," as used herein, refers to a segment of
a number of contiguous positions in which a sequence may be
evaluated independently of any flanking sequence. A scanning window
generally is shifted incrementally along the length of a sequence
to be evaluated with each new segment being independently
evaluated. An incremental shift may be of 1 or more than one
position.
[0074] "Vector" as used herein may mean a nucleic acid sequence
containing an origin of replication. A vector may be a plasmid,
bacteriophage, bacterial artificial chromosome or yeast artificial
chromosome. A vector may be a DNA or RNA vector. A vector may be
either a self-replicating extrachromosomal vector or a vector which
integrates into a host genome.
[0075] Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the
invention can be presented in a range format. It should be
understood that the description in range format is merely for
convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an
inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly,
the description of a range should be considered to have
specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as
individual numerical values within that range. For example,
description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to
have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1
to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as
well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2,
2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of
the range.
DESCRIPTION
[0076] This invention relates to the inhibition of the complement
signaling and complement-related diseases and disorders using an
anti-C5a antibody. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to
inhibiting the complement signaling cascade by specifically
targeting the complement component C5 and its cleavage product C5a
protein, while leaving C5 cleavage product C5b functional. In one
embodiment, the invention is directed to methods of treating and
preventing inflammation and autoimmune diseases and disorders
mediated by unwanted, uncontrolled, or excessive complement
activation. In one embodiment, the invention is directed towards
the treatment of a complement-mediated disease or a
complement-mediated disorder in an individual by contacting the
individual with an anti-C5a antibody. In some embodiments, the
invention is directed to methods of treating C5a-mediated
chemotaxis while leaving C5b-mediated MAC assembly intact.
[0077] In one embodiment, the invention is a method of treating a
complement-mediated disease or disorder in an individual,
comprising the step of administering to said individual an anti-C5a
antibody, thereby selectively inhibiting the effects of C5a
protein. Examples of complement-mediated diseases and disorders
that can be treated using the methods of the invention include, but
are not limited to macular degeneration (MD), age-related macular
degeneration (AMD), ischemia reperfusion injury, arthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, stroke,
post-surgery systemic inflammatory syndrome, asthma, allergic
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), paroxysmal
nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) syndrome, autoimmune hemolytic
anemia (ATHA), Gaucher disease, myasthenia gravis, neuromyelitis
optica, (NMO), multiple sclerosis, delayed graft function,
antibody-mediated rejection, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
(aHUS), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), central retinal
artery occlusion (CRAO), epidermolysis bullosa, sepsis, septic
shock, organ transplantation, inflammation (including, but not
limited to, inflammation associated with cardiopulmonary bypass
surgery and kidney dialysis), C3 glomerulopathy, membranous
nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, glomerulonephritis (including, but
not limited to, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
(ANCA)-mediated glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, and
combinations thereof), ANCA-mediated vasculitis, Shiga toxin
induced HUS, and antiphospholipid antibody-induced pregnancy loss,
graft versus host disease (GVHD) or any combinations thereof. In
some embodiments, the AP-mediated disease is sepsis, septic shock,
rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, GvHD,
anti-phospholipid syndrome, or Gaucher's disease.
[0078] The ability of the immune system to discriminate between
"self" and "non-self" antigens is vital to the functioning of the
immune system as a specific defense against invading
microorganisms. "Non-self" antigens are those antigens on
substances entering or present in the body which are detectably
different or foreign from the subject's own constituents, whereas
"self" antigens are those which, in the healthy subject, are not
detectably different or foreign from its own constituents. In
various embodiments of the methods, the complement activation that
is inhibited is that which was triggered by at least one of the
group consisting of a microbial antigen, a non-biological foreign
surface, altered self-tissue, or combinations thereof. One example
of a non-biological foreign surface is blood tubing such as that
used in cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery or kidney dialysis.
Examples of altered self-tissues include apoptotic, necrotic and
ischemia-stressed tissues and cells, or combinations thereof.
[0079] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibodies of the
invention inhibit the downstream effects of activation of the
alternative complement pathway (AP), the classical pathway (CP), or
the lectin pathway (LP). Generally, the CP is initiated by
antigen-antibody complexes, the LP is activated by binding of
lectins to sugar molecules on microbial surfaces, while the AP is
constitutively active at a low level but can be quickly amplified
on bacterial, viral, and parasitic cell surfaces due to the lack of
regulatory proteins. Host cells are usually protected from AP
complement activation by regulatory proteins. But in some
situations, such as when the regulatory proteins are defective or
missing, the AP can also be activated uncontrollably on host cells,
leading to complement-mediated disease or disorder. The CP consists
of components C1, C2, C4 and converges with the AP at the C3
activation step. The LP consists of mannose-binding lectins (MBLs)
and MBL-associated serine proteases (Masps) and shares with the CP
the components C4 and C2. The AP consists of components C3 and
several factors, such as factor B, factor D, properdin, C5 and the
fluid phase regulator factor H. Complement activation consists of
three stages: (a) recognition, (b) enzymatic activation, and (c)
membrane attack leading to cell death. The first phase of CP
complement activation begins with C1. C1 is made up of three
distinct proteins: a recognition subunit, C1q, and the serine
protease subcomponents, C1r and C1s, which are bound together in a
calcium-dependent tetrameric complex, C1r2 s2. An intact C1 complex
is necessary for physiological activation of C1 to result.
Activation occurs when the intact C1 complex binds to
immunoglobulin complexed with antigen. This binding activates Cis
which then cleaves both the C4 and C2 proteins to generate C4a and
C4b, as well as C2a and C2b. The C4b and C2a fragments combine to
form the C3 convertase, C4b2a, which in turn cleaves C3 to form C3a
and C3b. Activation of the LP is initiated by MBL binding to
certain sugars on the target surface and this triggers the
activation of MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs) which then
cleave C4 and C2 in a manner analogous to the activity of C1s of
the CP, resulting in the generation of the C3 convertase, C4b2a.
Thus, the CP and LP are activated by different mechanisms but they
share the same components C4 and C2 and both pathways lead to the
generation of the same C3 convertase, C4b2a. The cleavage of C3 by
C4b2a into C3b and C3a is a central event of the complement pathway
for two reasons. It initiates the AP amplification loop because
surface deposited C3b is a central intermediate of the AP. Both C3a
and C3b are biologically important. C3a is proinflammatory and
together with C5a are referred to as anaphylatoxins. C3b and its
further cleavage products also bind to complement receptors present
on neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and macrophages, thereby
facilitating phagocytosis and clearance of C3b-opsonized particles.
Finally, C3b can associate with C4b2a to form the C5 convertase of
the CP and LP to activate the terminal complement sequence, leading
to the production of C5a, a potent proinflammatory mediator, and
the assembly of the lytic membrane attack complex (MAC), C5-C9.
[0080] In one embodiment, the activity of the complement pathway
that is inhibited using a method of the invention is complement
pathway activation induced by at least one of the group selected
from a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipooligosaccharide (LOS),
pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and
danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In another
embodiment, the activity of complement signaling that is inhibited
using a method of invention is the activity of C5a protein. In
another embodiment, the activity of the complement pathway that is
inhibited using a method of the invention is C5a dependent.
[0081] In one embodiment, the invention is a method of inhibiting
initiation of an inflammatory cascade through terminal complement
activation in an individual, comprising the step of administering
to said individual an anti-C5a antibody, thereby inhibiting
initiation of C5a-dependent inflammation through terminal
complement activation originating from CP, LP or AP activation in
an individual. Examples of these embodiments are sepsis patients
who suffer from complement-mediated systemic inflammation and
individuals suffering from conditions that may be caused by
complement-mediated, organ-specific inflammation such as aHUS,
AIHA, anti-phospholipid syndrome, GVHD, asthma,
ischemic/reperfusion injury, rheumatoid arthritis and ANCA-mediated
kidney diseases. In various embodiments of the invention, diseases
and disorders that can be treated using the compositions and
methods of the invention include, but are not limited to,
complement-mediated hemolysis, complement-mediated aHUS, C3
glomerulopathy, neuromyelitis optica, myasthenia gravis, asthma,
ischemic/reperfusion injury, sepsis, septic shock, rheumatoid
arthritis and ANCA-mediated kidney diseases or disorders. In some
embodiments, the AP-mediated disease is sepsis, septic shock,
rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, GvHD,
anti-phospholipid syndrome, or Gaucher's disease.
[0082] In various other embodiments, provided herein are methods of
identifying a potential anti-C5a antibody having inhibitory effects
on complement signaling. One such method includes the steps of: a)
stably transfecting cells with the C5a receptor; b) seeding the
cells, in chemotaxis assay buffer (RPMI media with 0.5% BSA) onto
the upper chambers of Transwell inserts; c) adding 10 nM of
recombinant human complement C5a pretreated with antibody in the
chemotaxis assay buffer; d) incubating for 3 hours at 37.degree.
C.; e) collecting the migrated cells from the lower chambers and
counting the cells using a Coulter counter; f) comparing the number
of cells seeded in the that migrated into the lower chamber
Transwells that received recombinant human complement C5a to the
number of cells that migrated into the lower chamber of a positive
comparator control Transwell and a negative comparator control
Transwell; wherein when the number of migrated cells is diminished
as compared with the positive comparator control, the anti-C5a
antibody is identified.
[0083] In various other embodiments, provided herein are methods of
identifying a potential anti-C5a antibody having inhibitory effects
on complement signaling. One such method includes the steps of: a)
stably transfecting cells with the C5a receptor; b) washing cells
with calcium mobilization assay HEPES buffer (25 mM HEPES, 119 mM
NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 5.6 mM glucose, 0.4 mM MgCl.sub.2, and 1 mM
CaCl.sub.2) containing 1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA); c)
incubating the cells with 1 .mu.M indo-1 acetoxymethyl ester at
room temperature for 30 minutes; d) washing cells twice and
resuspending in 1.3 mL of above mentioned buffer, e) mixing 10 nM
human C5a protein and 50 .mu.g/ml C5a antibody to a final
concentration of 10 nM of protein and 50 .mu.g/ml of antibody at
room temperature; f) measuring intercellular Ca.sup.2+ at an
excitation wavelength of 360 nm and an emission wavelength of 415
nm using an Infinite F200 multimode microplate reader; g) comparing
the C5a-induced intercellular calcium mobilization in cells treated
with of a positive comparator control and a negative comparator
control; wherein when the calcium mobilization is diminished as
compared with the positive comparator control, the anti-C5a
antibody is identified.
Anti-C5a Antibodies
[0084] In some embodiments, the invention includes compositions
comprising an antibody that specifically binds to C5 and C5a. In
one embodiment, the anti-C5a antibody of the invention specifically
binds to C5. In one embodiment, the anti-C5a antibody of the
invention specifically binds to C5a. In one embodiment, the
anti-C5a of the invention, specifically binds to both C5 and C5a.
In one embodiment, the anti-C5a of the invention, specifically
binds both to the C5a moiety of C5 and to free C5a. In some
embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody of the invention specifically
binds to C5, but does not block C5 cleavage into C5a and C5b. In
one embodiment, the anti-C5a antibody is a polyclonal antibody. In
another embodiment, the anti-C5a antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody does not block C5
cleavage into C5a and C5b but inhibits C5a-dependent biological
activity. In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody is a chimeric
antibody. In further embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody is a
humanized antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody is an
antibody fragment. In some embodiments, the C5a is human C5a.
[0085] In some embodiments, binding of the antibody or the fragment
of the antibody to human C5a is associated with a reduction in the
expression level or half-life of C5a in an intact organism. In some
embodiments, the invention is a protein or a polypeptide capable of
binding to human C5a. In some embodiments, the antibody or antibody
fragment, the protein, or the polypeptide binds to a relevant
portion or fraction or epitope of the human C5a, and the binding of
the antibody, or the antibody fragment thereof, or the protein or
the polypeptide to the relevant portion of the human C5a is
associated with a reduction in the expression level or half-life of
C5a in an intact organism.
[0086] In some embodiments, binding of the antibody or the fragment
of the antibody to human C5a is associated with a reduction in the
activity of C5a in the complement activation pathway in an intact
organism. In some embodiments, the invention is a protein or a
polypeptide capable of binding to human C5a. In some embodiments,
the antibody or antibody fragment, the protein or the polypeptide
binds to a relevant portion or fraction or epitope of the human
C5a; and the binding of the antibody, or the antibody fragment
thereof, or the protein or the polypeptide to the relevant portion
of the human C5a is associated with a reduction in the activity of
C5a in an intact organism.
[0087] In some embodiments, the human C5a binding antibody or a C5a
binding antibody fragment thereof, is further conjugated to a
protein, a peptide or another compound. In some embodiments, the
C5a binding antibody, or an antibody fragment thereof, is
conjugated to a protein, a peptide or other compound. In some
embodiments, the protein, peptide or other compound to which the
human-C5 binding antibody or antibody fragment thereof is
conjugated is a targeting moiety (i.e., the targeting moiety
specifically binds to a molecule other than C5a). In some
embodiments, the protein, peptide, or other compound to which the
C5a binding antibody or antibody fragment thereof is conjugated to
is an effector molecule (e.g., a cytotoxic molecule).
[0088] In one embodiment, the anti-C5a antibody or an
antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises at least one of the CDRs
selected from the group consisting of: VH-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:3;
VH-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:4; VH-CDR3: SEQ ID NO:5; VL-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:8;
VL-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:9; and VL-CDR3: SEQ ID NO:10, or a variant or
variants thereof. In another embodiment, the anti-C5 antibody
comprises all of the CDRs of the group consisting of: VH-CDR1: SEQ
ID NO:3; VH-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:4; VH-CDR3: SEQ ID NO:5; VL-CDR1: SEQ
ID NO:8; VL-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:9; and VL-CDR3: SEQ ID NO:10, or a
variant or variants thereof.
[0089] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 or a variant thereof comprising
up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid
substitutions; and VL-CDR1: SEQ ID NO:8, or a variant thereof
comprising up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino
acid substitutions. In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
an antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR1 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; and VL-CDR1: SEQ ID
NO:8.
[0090] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR2 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, or a variant thereof comprising
up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid
substitutions; and VL-CDR2: SEQ ID NO:9, or a variant thereof
comprising up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino
acid substitutions. In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
an antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4; and VL-CDR2: SEQ ID
NO:9.
[0091] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR3 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, or a variant thereof comprising
up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid
substitutions; and VL-CDR3: SEQ ID NO:10, or a variant thereof
comprising up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino
acid substitutions. In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
an antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR3 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5; and VL-CDR3: SEQ ID
NO:10.
[0092] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, or a variant thereof comprising
up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid
substitutions; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ TD
NO:4, or a variant thereof comprising up to about 3 (such as about
any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid substitutions; VH-CDR3 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, or a variant thereof comprising
up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid
substitutions; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:8, or a variant thereof comprising up to about 3 (such as about
any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid substitutions; VL-CDR2 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9, or a variant thereof comprising
up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid
substitutions; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO:10, or a variant thereof comprising up to about 3 (such
as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid substitutions.
[0093] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, or a variant thereof comprising
up to about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid
substitutions; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:4, or a variant thereof comprising up to about 3 (such as about
any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid substitutions: VH-CDR3 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, or a variant thereof comprising up to
about 3 (such as about any of 1, 2, or 3) amino acid substitutions;
VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9, or a
variant thereof comprising up to about 3 (such as about any of 1,
2, or 3) amino acid substitutions; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10.
[0094] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or
antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH-CDR1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4; VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:5; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:8; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO:9; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:10.
[0095] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or an antigen
binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or a variant thereof. In other
embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody comprises a light chain
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, or a variant
thereof. In another embodiment, the anti-C5a antibody is a
monoclonal antibody designated mAb 7A12. The monoclonal anti-C5a
antibody designated mAb 7A12 comprises a heavy chain comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or a variant thereof, and a
light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, or a
variant thereof. In some embodiments, the monoclonal anti-C5a
antibody is a humanized antibody having one or more or all of the
CDRs, or variants thereof, of the mAb designated 7A12. In some
embodiments, the monoclonal anti-C5a antibody is a chimeric
antibody having one or more or all of the CDRs, or variants
thereof, of the mAb designated 7A12.
[0096] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody or an antigen
binding fragment thereof comprises at least one of CDR1, CDR2, and
CDR3 of the heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO:2, or a variant thereof. In other embodiments, the anti-C5a
antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof comprises at least
one of CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 of the light chain comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, or a variant thereof.
[0097] In some embodiments, the antibodies are chimeric antibodies.
In some embodiments, the anti-human C5a antibody may comprise human
light chain and human heavy chain constant regions in combination
with the variable region CDR sequences, or a variant thereof,
described elsewhere in the specification. One of skill in the art
would be able to prepare and obtain a chimeric antibody using known
techniques of swapping relevant domains of specific antibodies of
interest. Such an antibody is easily prepared by grafting
heterogeneous antibody domains, incorporating one or more CDR
sequences described in this application. Using known recombinant
technology, it is possible to obtain and prepare a recombinant
antibody comprising heavy and light chain constant regions encoded
by nucleic acid sequences of human heavy and light chain constant
regions; and the heavy and light chain variable regions comprising
CDRs encoded by nucleic acid sequences corresponding to the CDR
sequences set forth in the disclosure. One of skill in the art can
prepare an anti-human C5a antibody comprises one or more CDR
sequences described in this disclosure, wherein portions of the
light chain alone or portions of the heavy chain alone are replaced
with regions from an antibody belonging to another species, such as
a human. A human anti-human-C5a antibody comprising variable
regions having one or more CDR sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs:
3-5 and 8-10, or a variant or variants thereof, in combination with
murine or non-murine antibody structural elements outside the CDR
regions can be prepared by routine methods known in the art. In
some embodiments, the antibodies or antibody fragments are further
humanized using known techniques in the art.
[0098] In some embodiments, the anti-C5a antibody comprises an
antibody having at least about 85% amino acid identity with one or
more of the CDR sequences described herein, listed in SEQ ID NOs
3-5 and 8-10.
[0099] In one embodiment, the invention encompasses an anti-C5a
antibody having CDR sequences of at least about 85% identity to the
CDR sequences described herein. The invention encompasses an
anti-C5a antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having CDR
sequences of that are at least about 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%,
91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97% 99%, or 100% identical to the CDR
sequences described herein. In one embodiment, the antibody against
human C5a has a heavy chain variable (vH) region and a light chain
variable (vL) region, wherein the vH region has an amino acid
sequence that is at least about 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 and
wherein the vL region has an amino acid sequence that is at least
about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments the
antibody or the antibody fragment is modified. In some embodiments,
the modifications include fusion of the antibody or the
antigen-binding fragment thereof with portions of another protein,
or a protein fragment. In some embodiments, the antibody or the
antibody fragment thereof of the invention is modified to increase
the circulating half-life of the same in vivo. For example, the
antibody of the fragment may be fused with an FcRn molecule, which
is also known as neonatal Fc receptor to stabilize the antibody in
vivo. (Nature Reviews Immunology 7:715-725). One of skill in the
art would be able to prepare human C5a binding single chain
variable fragment (scFv), comprising at least one CDR sequence
selected from SEQ ID NOs: 3-5 and 8-10. An scFv may comprise at
least one heavy chain variable region sequences designated in SEQ
ID NOs: 3-5, and at least one light chain variable regions
designated in SEQ ID NOs: 8-10. CDR sequences incorporated within
the scFv having amino acid sequence identity of 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%,
84%, 85% 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%,
97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% to the CDR sequences described in the
present disclosure are encompassed within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0100] In some embodiments the antibody or the antibody fragment is
modified. In some embodiments the modifications include fusion of
the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment thereof with portions
of another protein, or a protein fragment. In some embodiments the
antibody or the antibody fragment thereof of the invention is
modified to increase the circulating half-life of the same in vivo.
For example, the antibody of the fragment may be fused with an FcRn
molecule, which is also known as neonatal Fc receptor to stabilize
the antibody in vivo. (Nature Reviews Immunology 7:715-725). In
some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof
is conjugated (e.g., fused) to an effector molecule and/or another
targeting moiety (such as an antibody or antibody fragment
recognizing a different molecule, different antigen or a different
epitope).
[0101] In various embodiments, any of the antibodies of the
invention described herein, having any of the variable regions
described herein, may comprise a human IgG4 constant heavy chain.
In some embodiments, the antibody of the invention comprises a
human IgG4 constant heavy chain having an S228P mutation.
[0102] One of skill in the art would be able to prepare C5a binding
single chain variable fragment (scFv), comprising at least one
specific CDR sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs 3-5, 8-10, or a
variant or variants thereof. An scFv may comprise heavy chain
variable region sequences designated in SEQ ID NOs 3-5, or a
variant or variants thereof, and light chain variable regions
designated in SEQ ID NOs 8-10, or a variant or variants thereof.
CDR sequences incorporated within the scFv having amino acid
sequence identity of at least about 85% 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%,
91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% to the CDR
sequences described in the present disclosure are encompassed
within the scope of the present disclosure.
Screening Assays
[0103] The present invention has application in various screening
assays, including, determining whether a candidate anti-C5a
antibody can inhibit complement activity.
[0104] In some embodiments, the level of complement activity in the
presence of the candidate anti-C5a antibody is compared with
complement activity detected in a positive comparator control. The
positive comparator control comprises complement activation in the
absence of added test compound or in the presence of another test
compound that does not bind C5a. In some embodiments, the candidate
anti-C5a antibody is identified as an inhibitor of the complement
when the complement activity in the presence of the candidate
anti-C5a antibody is less than about 70% of the complement activity
detected in a positive comparator control; this corresponds to
greater than about 30% inhibition of complement activity in the
presence of the test compound. In other embodiments, the candidate
anti-C5a antibody is identified as an inhibitor of the complement
when the complement activity in the presence of the candidate
anti-C5a antibody is less than about 80% of the complement activity
detected in a positive comparator control; this corresponds to
greater than about 20% inhibition of complement activity in the
presence of the test compound. In still other embodiments, the
candidate anti-C5a antibody is identified as an inhibitor of the
complement when the complement activity in the presence of the
candidate anti-C5 antibody is less than about 90% of the complement
activity detected in a positive comparator control; this
corresponds to greater than about 10% inhibition of complement
activity in the presence of the test compound. In some embodiments,
the level of complement inhibition by the candidate anti-C5a
antibody is compared with the level of inhibition detected in a
negative comparator control.
[0105] A variety of immunoassay formats, including competitive and
non-competitive immunoassay formats, antigen capture assays,
two-antibody sandwich assays, and three-antibody sandwich assays
are useful methods of the invention (Self et al., 1996, Curr. Opin.
Biotechnol. 7:60-65). The invention should not be construed to be
limited to any one type of known or heretofor unknown assay,
provided that the assay is able to detect the inhibition of
complement.
[0106] Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are useful in
the methods of the invention. An enzyme such as, but not limited
to, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase,
beta-galactosidase or urease can be linked, for example, to an
antibody or to a secondary antibody for use in a method of the
invention. A horseradish-peroxidase detection system may be used,
for example, with the chromogenic substrate tetramethylbenzidine
(TMB), which yields a soluble product in the presence of hydrogen
peroxide that is detectable at 450 nm. Other convenient
enzyme-linked systems include, for example, the alkaline
phosphatase detection system, which may be used with the
chromogenic substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate to yield a soluble
product readily detectable at 405 nm. Similarly, a
beta-galactosidase detection system may be used with the
chromogenic substrate o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG)
to yield a soluble product detectable at 410 nm. Alternatively, a
urease detection system may be used with a substrate such as
urea-bromocresol purple (Sigma Immunochemicals, St. Louis, Mo.).
Useful enzyme-linked primary and secondary antibodies can be
obtained from any number of commercial sources.
[0107] Chemiluminescent detection is also useful for detecting the
inhibition of the complement. Chemiluminescent secondary antibodies
may be obtained from any number of commercial sources.
[0108] Fluorescent detection is also useful for detecting the
inhibition of the complement. Useful fluorochromes include, but are
not limited to, DAPI, fluorescein, Hoechst 33258, R-phycocyanin,
B-phycoerythrin, R-phycoerythrin, rhodamine, Texas red and
lissamine-Fluorescein- or rhodamine-labeled antibodies.
[0109] Radioimmunoassays (RIAs) are also useful in the methods of
the invention. Such assays are well known in the art, and are
described for example in Brophy et al. (1990, Biochem. Biophys.
Res. Comm. 167:898-903) and Guechot et al. (1996, Clin. Chem.
42:558-563). Radioimmunoassays are performed, for example, using
Iodine-125-labeled primary or secondary antibody (Harlow et al.,
supra, 1999).
[0110] A signal emitted from a detectable antibody is analyzed, for
example, using a spectrophotometer to detect color from a
chromogenic substrate; a radiation counter to detect radiation,
such as a gamma counter for detection of Iodine-125; or a
fluorometer to detect fluorescence in the presence of light of a
certain wavelength. Where an enzyme-linked assay is used,
quantitative analysis is performed using a spectrophotometer. It is
understood that the assays of the invention can be performed
manually or, if desired, can be automated and that the signal
emitted from multiple samples can be detected simultaneously in
many systems available commercially.
[0111] The methods of the invention also encompass the use of
capillary electrophoresis based immunoassays (CEIA), which can be
automated, if desired. Immunoassays also may be used in conjunction
with laser-induced fluorescence as described, for example, in
Schmalzing et al. (1997, Electrophoresis 18:2184-2193) and Bao
(1997, J. Chromatogr. B. Biomed. Sci. 699:463-480). Liposome
immunoassays, such as flow-injection liposome immunoassays and
liposome immunosensors, may also be used according to the methods
of the invention (Rongen et al., 1997, J. Immunol. Methods
204:105-133).
[0112] Quantitative western blotting may also be used to determine
the level of complement inhibition in the methods of the invention.
Western blots are quantified using well known methods such as
scanning densitometry (Parra et al., 1998, J. Vasc. Surg.
28:669-675).
Methods of Administration
[0113] The methods of the invention comprise administering a
therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-C5a antibody,
or binding fragment thereof (such as any of the antibodies or
fragments thereof described elsewhere herein), to an individual
identified as or suspected of having a complement-mediated disease
or disorder. In one embodiment, the individual is a mammal having a
complement system. In one embodiment, the individual is a human. In
various embodiments, at least one anti-C5a antibody, or binding
fragment thereof, is administered locally, regionally, or
systemically.
[0114] In various embodiments, the disease or disorder is at least
selected from the group consisting of: macular degeneration (MD),
age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ischemia reperfusion
injury, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergic asthma,
lupus, ulcerative colitis, stroke, post-surgery systemic
inflammatory syndrome, asthma, allergic asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
syndrome, myasthenia gravis, neuromyelitis optica, (NMO), multiple
sclerosis, delayed graft function, antibody-mediated rejection,
atypical hemolytic uremic (aHUS) syndrome, central retinal vein
occlusion (CRVO), central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO),
epidermolysis bullosa, sepsis, septic shock, organ transplantation,
inflammation (including, but not limited to, inflammation
associated with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and kidney
dialysis), C3 glomerulopathy, membranous nephropathy, IgA
nephropathy, glomerulonephritis (including, but not limited to,
anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-mediated
glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, and combinations thereof),
ANCA-mediated vasculitis, Shiga toxin induced HUS, and
antiphospholipid antibody-induced pregnancy loss, or any
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the AP-mediated disease
is sepsis, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hemolytic
anemia, GvHD, anti-phospholipid syndrome, or Gaucher's disease. The
methods of the invention can comprise the administration of at
least one anti-C5a antibody, or binding fragment thereof, but the
present invention should in no way be construed to be limited to
the anti-C5a antibodies described herein, but rather should be
construed to encompass any anti-C5a antibody, both known and
unknown, that diminish and reduce complement activation.
[0115] The method of the invention comprises administering a
therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-C5a antibody,
or binding fragment thereof, to an individual wherein a composition
of the present invention comprising at least one anti-C5a antibody,
or binding fragment thereof, either alone or in combination with at
least one other therapeutic agent. The invention can be used in
combination with other treatment modalities, such as, for example
anti-inflammatory therapies, and the like. Examples of
anti-inflammatory therapies that can be used in combination with
the methods of the invention include, for example, therapies that
employ steroidal drugs, as well as therapies that employ
non-steroidal drugs.
[0116] The method of the invention comprises administering a
therapeutically effective amount of an anti-C5a antibody, or an
antigen-binding fragment thereof, to a subject. In some
embodiments, the invention encompasses a method of treatment of C5a
related diseases involving dysregulation of the complement
signaling by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an
antibody of the invention, or a therapeutically effective amount of
an antibody fragment thereof, such that a reduction of C5a activity
is effected in the subject. In some embodiments, the invention
encompasses a method of treatment of C5a related diseases involving
dysregulation of complement signaling by administering a
therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or an antibody
fragment. In some embodiments, the invention encompasses a method
of treatment of C5a related diseases involving dysregulation of
complement signaling by administering to a subject an effective
amount of an antibody, an antibody fragment, a polypeptide, a
peptide, or a conjugated peptide, such that the complement activity
is reduced in the subject. In some embodiments, the method of
treatment encompasses administering to a subject a systemically
effective dose of an antibody or an antibody fragment, whereby
systemic reduction of C5a activity is effected in the subject.
[0117] Administration of an anti-C5a antibody, or binding fragment
thereof, in a method of treatment of the invention can be achieved
in a number of different ways, using methods known in the art. The
therapeutic and prophylactic methods of the invention thus
encompass the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising an
anti-C5a antibody. The pharmaceutical compositions useful for
practicing the invention may be administered to deliver a dose of
at least about 1 ng/kg, at least about 5 ng/kg, at least about
ng/kg, at least about 25 ng/kg, at least about 50 ng/kg, at least
about 100 ng/kg, at least about 500 ng/kg, at least about 1
.mu.g/kg, at least about 5 .mu.g/kg, at least about 10 .mu.g/kg, at
least about 25 .mu.g/kg, at least about 50 .mu.g/kg, at least about
100 .mu.g/kg, at least about 500 .mu.g/kg, at least about 1 mg/kg,
at least about 5 mg/kg, at least about 10 mg/kg, at least about 25
mg/kg, at least about 50 mg/kg, at least about 100 mg/kg, at least
about 200 mg/kg, at least about 300 mg/kg, at least about 400
mg/kg, and at least about 500 mg/kg of body weight of the subject.
In one embodiment, the invention administers a dose which results
in a concentration of the C5a antibody, or binding fragment
thereof, of the present invention of at least about 1 .mu.M, at
least about 10 .mu.M, at least about 100 .mu.M, at least about 1
nM, at least about 10 nM, at least about 100 nM, at least about 1
.mu.M, at least about 2 .mu.M, at least about 3 .mu.M, at least
about 4 .mu.M, at least about 5 .mu.M, at least about 6 .mu.M, at
least about 7 .mu.M, at least about 8 .mu.M, at least about 9 .mu.M
and at least about 10 .mu.M in an individual. In another
embodiment, the invention envisions administration of a dose which
results in a concentration of the C5a antibody, or binding fragment
thereof, of the present invention between at least about 1 .mu.M,
at least about 10 .mu.M, at least about 100 .mu.M, at least about 1
nM, at least about 10 nM, at least about 100 nM, at least about 1
.mu.M, at least about 2 sM, at least about 3 .mu.M, at least about
4 .mu.M, at least about 5 .mu.M, at least about 6 .mu.M, at least
about 7 .mu.M, at least about 8 .mu.M, at least about 9 .mu.M and
at least about 10 .mu.M in the plasma of an individual.
[0118] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions useful
for practicing the invention may be administered to deliver a dose
of no more than about 1 ng/kg, no more than about 5 ng/kg, no more
than about 10 ng/kg, no more than about 25 ng/kg, no more than
about 50 ng/kg, no more than about 100 ng/kg, no more than about
500 ng/kg, no more than about 1 .mu.g/kg, no more than about 5
.mu.g/kg, no more than about 10 .mu.g/kg, no more than about 25
.mu.g/kg, no more than about 50 .mu.g/kg, no more than about 100
.mu.g/kg, no more than about 500 .mu.g/kg, no more than about 1
mg/kg, no more than about 5 mg/kg, no more than about 10 mg/kg, no
more than about 25 mg/kg, no more than about 50 mg/kg, no more than
about 100 mg/kg, no more than about 200 mg/kg, no more than about
300 mg/kg, no more than about 400 mg/kg, and no more than about 500
mg/kg of body weight of the subject. In one embodiment, the
invention administers a dose which results in a concentration of
the anti-C5a antibody of the present invention of no more than
about 1 .mu.M, no more than about .mu.M, no more than about 100
.mu.M, no more than about 1 nM, no more than about 10 nM, no more
than about 100 nM, no more than about 1 .mu.M, no more than about 2
.mu.M, no more than about 3 .mu.M, no more than about 4 .mu.M, no
more than about 5 .mu.M, no more than about 6 .mu.M, no more than
about 7 .mu.M, no more than about 8 .mu.M, no more than about 9
.mu.M and no more than about 10 .mu.M in an individual. In another
embodiment, the invention envisions administration of a dose which
results in a concentration of the anti-C5a antibody of the present
invention between no more than about 1 .mu.M, no more than about 10
.mu.M, no more than about 100 .mu.M, no more than about 1 nM, no
more than about 10 nM, no more than about 100 nM, no more than
about 1 .mu.M, no more than about 2 .mu.M, no more than about 3
.mu.M, no more than about 4 .mu.M, no more than about 5 .mu.M, no
more than about 6 .mu.M, no more than about 7 .mu.M, no more than
about 8 .mu.M, no more than about 9 .mu.M and no more than about 10
.mu.M in the plasma of an individual. Also contemplated are dosage
ranges between any of the doses disclosed herein.
[0119] Typically, dosages which may be administered in a method of
the invention to a subject, in some embodiments a human, range in
amount from 0.5 .mu.g to about 50 mg per kilogram of body weight of
the subject. While the precise dosage administered will vary
depending upon any number of factors, including but not limited to,
the type of subject and type of disease state being treated, the
age of the subject and the route of administration. In some
embodiments, the dosage of the compound will vary from about 1
.mu.g to about 10 mg per kilogram of body weight of the subject. In
other embodiments, the dosage will vary from about 3 .mu.g to about
1 mg per kilogram of body weight of the subject.
[0120] The antibody may be administered to a subject as frequently
as several times daily, or it may be administered less frequently,
such as once a day, twice a day, thrice a day, once a week, twice a
week, thrice a week, once every two weeks, twice every two weeks,
thrice every two weeks, once a month, twice a month, thrice a
month, or even less frequently, such as once every several months
or even once or a few times a year or less. The frequency of the
dose will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan and will
depend upon any number of factors, such as, but not limited to, the
type and severity of the disease being treated, the type and age of
the subject, etc. The formulations of the pharmaceutical
compositions may be prepared by any method known or hereafter
developed in the art of pharmacology. In general, such preparatory
methods include the step of bringing the active ingredient into
association with a carrier or one or more other accessory
ingredients, and then, if necessary or desirable, shaping or
packaging the product into a desired single- or multi-dose
unit.
[0121] Although the description of pharmaceutical compositions
provided herein are principally directed to pharmaceutical
compositions which are suitable for ethical administration to
humans, it will be understood by the skilled artisan that such
compositions are generally suitable for administration to subjects
of all sorts. Modification of pharmaceutical compositions suitable
for administration to humans in order to render the compositions
suitable for administration to various subjects is well understood,
and the ordinarily skilled veterinary pharmacologist can design and
perform such modification with merely ordinary, if any,
experimentation. Individuals to which administration of the
pharmaceutical compositions of the invention is contemplated
include, but are not limited to, humans and other primates, mammals
including commercially relevant mammals such as non-human primates,
cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, cats, and dogs.
[0122] Pharmaceutical compositions that are useful in the methods
of the invention may be prepared, packaged, or sold in formulations
suitable for ophthalmic, oral, rectal, vaginal, parenteral,
topical, pulmonary, intranasal, buccal, intraocular, intravitreal,
intramuscular, intradermal and intravenous routes of
administration. Other contemplated formulations include projected
nanoparticles, liposomal preparations, resealed erythrocytes
containing the active ingredient, and immunologically-based
formulations.
[0123] A pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be
prepared, packaged, or sold in bulk, as a single unit dose, or as a
plurality of single unit doses. A unit dose is discrete amount of
the pharmaceutical composition comprising a predetermined amount of
the active ingredient. The amount of the active ingredient is
generally equal to the dosage of the active ingredient which would
be administered to an individual or a convenient fraction of such a
dosage such as, for example, one-half or one-third of such a
dosage.
[0124] The relative amounts of the active ingredient, the
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and any additional ingredients
in a pharmaceutical composition of the invention will vary,
depending upon the identity, size, and condition of the individual
treated and further depending upon the route by which the
composition is to be administered. By way of example, the
composition may comprise between 0.1% and 100% (w/w) active
ingredient. In various embodiments, the composition comprises at
least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least
about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 6%, at least about 7%,
at least about 8%, at least about 9%, at least about 10%, at least
about 11%, at least about 12%, at least about 13%, at least about
14%, at least about 15%, at least about 16%, at least about 17%, at
least about 18%, at least about 19%, at least about 20%, at least
about 21%, at least about 22%, at least about 23%, at least about
24%, at least about 25%, at least about 26%, at least about 27%, at
least about 28%, at least about 29%, at least about 30%, at least
about 31%, at least about 32%, at least about 33%, at least about
34%, at least about 35%, at least about 36%, at least about 37%, at
least about 38%, at least about 39%, at least about 40%, at least
about 41%, at least about 42%, at least about 43%, at least about
44%, at least about 45%, at least about 46%, at least about 47%, at
least about 48%, at least about 49%, at least about 50%, at least
about 51%, at least about 52%, at least about 53%, at least about
54%, at least about 55%, at least about 56%, at least about 57%, at
least about 58%, at least about 59%, at least about 60%, at least
about 61%, at least about 62%, at least about 63%, at least about
64%, at least about 65%, at least about 66%, at least about 67%, at
least about 68%, at least about 69%, at least about 70%, at least
about 71%, at least about 72%, at least about 73%, at least about
74%, at least about 75%, at least about 76%, at least about 77%, at
least about 78%, at least about 79%, at least about 80%, at least
about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about
84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at
least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least
about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about
94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at
least about 98%, at least about 99%, or at least about 100% (w/w)
active ingredient.
[0125] In addition to the active ingredient, a pharmaceutical
composition of the invention may further comprise one or more
additional pharmaceutically active agents.
[0126] Controlled- or sustained-release formulations of a
pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be made using
conventional technology.
[0127] Parenteral administration of a pharmaceutical composition
includes any route of administration characterized by physical
breaching of a tissue of an individual and administration of the
pharmaceutical composition through the breach in the tissue.
Parental administration can be local, regional or systemic.
Parenteral administration thus includes, but is not limited to,
administration of a pharmaceutical composition by injection of the
composition, by application of the composition through a surgical
incision, by application of the composition through a
tissue-penetrating non-surgical wound, and the like. In particular,
parenteral administration is contemplated to include, but is not
limited to, intravenous, intraocular, intravitreol, intravitreal,
subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intradermal,
intrasternal injection, and intratumoral.
[0128] Formulations of a pharmaceutical composition suitable for
parenteral administration comprise the active ingredient combined
with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as sterile water
or sterile isotonic saline. Such formulations may be prepared,
packaged, or sold in a form suitable for bolus administration or
for continuous administration. Injectable formulations may be
prepared, packaged, or sold in unit dosage form, such as in ampules
or in multi-dose containers containing a preservative. Formulations
for parenteral administration include, but are not limited to,
suspensions, solutions, emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles,
pastes, and implantable sustained-release or biodegradable
formulations. Such formulations may further comprise one or more
additional ingredients including, but not limited to, suspending,
stabilizing, or dispersing agents. In one embodiment of a
formulation for parenteral administration, the active ingredient is
provided in dry (i.e. powder or granular) form for reconstitution
with a suitable vehicle (e.g. sterile pyrogen-free water) prior to
parenteral administration of the reconstituted composition.
[0129] The pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared, packaged,
or sold in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oily
suspension or solution. This suspension or solution may be
formulated according to the known art, and may comprise, in
addition to the active ingredient, additional ingredients such as
the dispersing agents, wetting agents, or suspending agents. Such
sterile injectable formulations may be prepared using a non-toxic
parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, such as water or
1,3-butane diol, for example. Other acceptable diluents and
solvents include, but are not limited to, Ringer's solution,
isotonic sodium chloride solution, and fixed oils such as synthetic
mono- or di-glycerides. Other parentally-administrable formulations
which are useful include those which comprise the active ingredient
in microcrystalline form, in a liposomal preparation, or as a
component of a biodegradable polymer systems. Compositions for
sustained release or implantation may comprise pharmaceutically
acceptable polymeric or hydrophobic materials such as an emulsion,
an ion exchange resin, a sparingly soluble polymer, or a sparingly
soluble salt.
[0130] A pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be
prepared, packaged, or sold in a formulation suitable for pulmonary
administration via the buccal cavity. Such a formulation may
comprise dry particles which comprise the active ingredient and
which have a diameter in the range from about 0.5 to about 7
nanometers, and in some embodiments from about 1 to about 6
nanometers. Such compositions are conveniently in the form of dry
powders for administration using a device comprising a dry powder
reservoir to which a stream of propellant may be directed to
disperse the powder or using a self-propelling
solvent/powder-dispensing container such as a device comprising the
active ingredient dissolved or suspended in a low-boiling
propellant in a sealed container. In some embodiments, such powders
comprise particles wherein at least 98% of the particles by weight
have a diameter greater than 0.5 nanometers and at least 95% of the
particles by number have a diameter less than 7 nanometers. In some
embodiments, at least 95% of the particles by weight have a
diameter greater than 1 nanometer and at least 90% of the particles
by number have a diameter less than 6 nanometers. In some
embodiments, dry powder compositions include a solid fine powder
diluent such as sugar and are conveniently provided in a unit dose
form.
[0131] Low boiling propellants generally include liquid propellants
having a boiling point of below 65.degree. F. at atmospheric
pressure. Generally, the propellant may constitute 50 to 99.9%
(w/w) of the composition, and the active ingredient may constitute
0.1 to 20% (w/w) of the composition. The propellant may further
comprise additional ingredients such as a liquid non-ionic or solid
anionic surfactant or a solid diluent (in some embodiments having a
particle size of the same order as particles comprising the active
ingredient).
[0132] Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention formulated for
pulmonary delivery may also provide the active ingredient in the
form of droplets of a solution or suspension. Such formulations may
be prepared, packaged, or sold as aqueous or dilute alcoholic
solutions or suspensions, optionally sterile, comprising the active
ingredient, and may conveniently be administered using any
nebulization or atomization device. Such formulations may further
comprise one or more additional ingredients including, but not
limited to, a flavoring agent such as saccharin sodium, a volatile
oil, a buffering agent, a surface active agent, or a preservative
such as methylhydroxybenzoate. In some embodiments, the droplets
provided by this route of administration have an average diameter
in the range from about 0.1 to about 200 nanometers.
[0133] The formulations are also useful for intranasal delivery of
a pharmaceutical composition of the invention.
[0134] Another formulation suitable for intranasal administration
is a coarse powder comprising the active ingredient and having an
average particle from about 0.2 to 500 micrometers. Such a
formulation is administered in the manner in which snuff is taken
i.e. by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage from a container
of the powder held close to the nares.
[0135] Formulations suitable for nasal administration may, for
example, comprise from about as little as 0.1% (w/w) and as much as
100% (w/w) of the active ingredient, and may further comprise one
or more additional ingredients.
[0136] A pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be
prepared, packaged, or sold in a formulation suitable for buccal
administration. Such formulations may, for example, be in the form
of tablets or lozenges made using conventional methods, and may,
for example, 0.1 to 20% (w/w) active ingredient, the balance
comprising an orally dissolvable or degradable composition and,
optionally, one or more additional ingredients. Alternately,
formulations suitable for buccal administration may comprise a
powder or an aerosolized or atomized solution or suspension
comprising the active ingredient. In some embodiments, such
powdered, aerosolized, or aerosolized formulations, when dispersed,
have an average particle or droplet size in the range from about
0.1 to about 200 nanometers, and may further comprise one or more
additional ingredients.
[0137] As used herein, "additional ingredients" include, but are
not limited to, one or more of the following: excipients; surface
active agents; dispersing agents; inert diluents; granulating and
disintegrating agents; binding agents; lubricating agents;
sweetening agents; flavoring agents; coloring agents;
preservatives; physiologically degradable compositions such as
gelatin; aqueous vehicles and solvents; oily vehicles and solvents;
suspending agents; dispersing or wetting agents; emulsifying
agents, demulcents; buffers; salts; thickening agents; fillers;
emulsifying agents; antioxidants; antibiotics; antifungal agents;
stabilizing agents; and pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric or
hydrophobic materials. Other "additional ingredients" which may be
included in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are
known in the art and described, for example in Remington's
Pharmaceutical Sciences (1985, Genaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co.,
Easton, Pa.), which is incorporated herein by reference.
Cells Producing Antibodies and Antigen Binding Fragments
Thereof.
[0138] In some embodiments, the invention is a cell or cell line
(such as host cells) that produces at least one of the anti-C5a
antibodies, or antigen binding fragments, described herein. In one
embodiment, the cell or cell line is a genetically modified cell
that produces at least one of the anti-C5a antibodies, or antigen
binding fragments, described herein. In one embodiment, the cell or
cell line is a hybridoma that produces at least one of the anti-C5a
antibodies, or antigen binding fragments, described herein.
[0139] Hybrid cells (hybridomas) are generally produced from mass
fusions between murine splenocytes, which are highly enriched for
B-lymphocytes, and myeloma "fusion partner cells" (Alberts et al.,
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Garland Publishing, Inc. 1994);
Harlow et al., Antibodies. A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, 1988). The cells in the fusion are
subsequently distributed into pools that can be analyzed for the
production of antibodies with the desired specificity. Pools that
test positive can be further subdivided until single cell clones
are identified that produce antibodies of the desired specificity.
Antibodies produced by such clones are referred to as monoclonal
antibodies.
[0140] Also provided are nucleic acids encoding any of the
antibodies, or antibody fragments, disclosed herein, as well as
vectors comprising the nucleic acids. Thus, the antibodies and
fragments of the invention can be generated by expressing the
nucleic acid in a cell or a cell line, such as the cell lines
typically used for expression of recombinant or humanized
immunoglobulins. Thus, the antibodies and fragments of the
invention can also be generated by cloning the nucleic acids into
one or more expression vectors, and transforming the vector into a
cell line such as the cell lines typically used for expression of
recombinant or humanized immunoglobulins.
[0141] The genes encoding the heavy and light chains of
immunoglobulins, or fragments thereof, can be engineered according
to methods, including but not limited to, the polymerase chain
reaction (PCR), known in the art (see, e.g., Sambrook et al.,
Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring
Harbor, N.Y., 1989; Berger & Kimmel, Methods in Enzymology,
Vol. 152: Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques, Academic Press,
Inc., San Diego, Calif., 1987; Co et al., 1992, J. Immunol.
148:1149). For example, genes encoding heavy and light chains, or
fragments thereof, can be cloned from an antibody secreting cell's
genomic DNA, or cDNA is produced by reverse transcription of the
cell's RNA. Cloning is accomplished by conventional techniques
including the use of PCR primers that hybridize to the sequences
flanking or overlapping the genes, or segments of genes, to be
cloned.
[0142] Nucleic acids encoding the antibody of the invention, or the
heavy chain or light chain or fragments thereof, can be obtained
and used in accordance with recombinant nucleic acid techniques for
the production of the specific immunoglobulin, immunoglobulin
chain, or a fragment or variant thereof, in a variety of host cells
or in an in vitro translation system. For example, the
antibody-encoding nucleic acids, or fragments thereof, can be
placed into suitable prokaryotic or eukaryotic vectors, e.g.,
expression vectors, and introduced into a suitable host cell by an
appropriate method, e.g., transformation, transfection,
electroporation, infection, such that the nucleic acid is operably
linked to one or more expression control elements, e.g., in the
vector or integrated into the host cell genome.
[0143] In some embodiments, the heavy and light chains, or
fragments thereof, can be assembled in two different expression
vectors that can be used to co-transfect a recipient cell. In some
embodiments, each vector can contain two or more selectable genes,
one for selection in a bacterial system and one for selection in a
eukaryotic system. These vectors allow for the production and
amplification of the genes in a bacterial system, and subsequent
co-transfection of eukaryotic cells and selection of the
co-transfected cells. The selection procedure can be used to select
for the expression of antibody nucleic acids introduced on two
different DNA vectors into a eukaryotic cell.
[0144] Alternatively, the nucleic acids encoding the heavy and
light chains, or fragments thereof, may be expressed from one
vector. Although the light and heavy chains are coded for by
separate genes, they can be joined, using recombinant methods. For
example, the two polypeptides can be joined by a synthetic linker
that enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which the
V.sub.L and V.sub.H regions pair to form monovalent molecules
(known as single chain Fv (scFv); see e.g., Bird et al., 1988,
Science 242: 423-426; and Huston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 85:5879-5883).
[0145] The invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule
comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heavy chain and/or a
light chain, as well as fragments thereof. A nucleic acid molecule
comprising sequences encoding both the light and heavy chain, or
fragments thereof, can be engineered to contain a synthetic signal
sequence for secretion of the antibody, or fragment, when produced
in a cell. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule can contain
specific DNA links which allow for the insertion of other antibody
sequences and maintain the translational reading frame so to not
alter the amino acids normally found in antibody sequences.
[0146] In accordance with the present invention, antibody-encoding
nucleic acid sequences can be inserted into an appropriate
expression vector. In various embodiments, the expression vector
comprises the necessary elements for transcription and translation
of the inserted antibody-encoding nucleic acid so as to generate
recombinant DNA molecules that direct the expression of antibody
sequences for the formation of an antibody, or a fragment
thereof.
[0147] The antibody-encoding nucleic acids, or fragments thereof,
can be subjected to various recombinant nucleic acid techniques
known to those skilled in the art such as site-directed
mutagenesis.
[0148] A variety of methods can be used to express nucleic acids in
a cell. Nucleic acids can be cloned into a number of types of
vectors. However, the present invention should not be construed to
be limited to any particular vector. Instead, the present invention
should be construed to encompass a wide variety of vectors which
are readily available and/or known in the art. For example, the
nucleic acid of the invention can be cloned into a vector
including, but not limited to a plasmid, a phagemid, a phage
derivative, an animal virus, and a cosmid. Vectors of particular
interest include expression vectors, replication vectors, probe
generation vectors, and sequencing vectors.
[0149] In specific embodiments, the expression vector is selected
from the group consisting of a viral vector, a bacterial vector and
a mammalian cell vector. Numerous expression vector systems exist
that comprise at least a part or all of the compositions discussed
above. Prokaryote- and/or eukaryote-vector based systems can be
employed for use with the present invention to produce
polynucleotides, or their cognate polypeptides. Many such systems
are commercially and widely available.
[0150] Viral vector technology is well known in the art and is
described, for example, in Sambrook et al. (2012), and in Ausubel
et al. (1999), and in other virology and molecular biology manuals.
Viruses, which are useful as vectors include, but are not limited
to, retroviruses, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, herpes
viruses, and lentiviruses. In some embodiments, a murine stem cell
virus (MSCV) vector is used to express a desired nucleic acid. MSCV
vectors have been demonstrated to efficiently express desired
nucleic acids in cells. However, the invention should not be
limited to only using a MSCV vector, rather any retroviral
expression method is included in the invention. Other examples of
viral vectors are those based upon Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus
(MoMuLV) and HIV. In some embodiments, a suitable vector contains
an origin of replication functional in at least one organism, a
promoter sequence, convenient restriction endonuclease sites, and
one or more selectable markers. (See, e.g., WO 01/96584; WO
01/29058; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,193).
[0151] Additional regulatory elements, e.g., enhancers, can be used
modulate the frequency of transcriptional initiation. A promoter
may be one naturally associated with a gene or nucleic acid
sequence, as may be obtained by isolating the 5' non-coding
sequences located upstream of the coding segment and/or exon. Such
a promoter can be referred to as "endogenous." Similarly, an
enhancer may be one naturally associated with a nucleic acid
sequence, located either downstream or upstream of that sequence.
Alternatively, certain advantages will be gained by positioning the
coding nucleic acid segment under the control of a recombinant or
heterologous promoter, which refers to a promoter that is not
normally associated with a nucleic acid sequence in its natural
environment. A recombinant or heterologous enhancer refers also to
an enhancer not normally associated with a nucleic acid sequence in
its natural environment. Such promoters or enhancers may include
promoters or enhancers of other genes, and promoters or enhancers
isolated from any other prokaryotic, viral, or eukaryotic cell, and
promoters or enhancers not "naturally occurring," e.g., containing
different elements of different transcriptional regulatory regions,
and/or mutations that alter expression. In addition to producing
nucleic acid sequences of promoters and enhancers synthetically,
sequences may be produced using recombinant cloning and/or nucleic
acid amplification technology, including PCR, in connection with
the compositions disclosed herein (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,202,
5,928,906). Furthermore, it is contemplated the control sequences
that direct transcription and/or expression of sequences within
non-nuclear organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, and the
like, can be employed as well.
[0152] Naturally, it will be important to employ a promoter and/or
enhancer that effectively directs the expression of the DNA segment
in the cell type, organelle, and organism chosen for expression.
Those of skill in the art of molecular biology generally know how
to use promoters, enhancers, and cell type combinations for protein
expression, for example, see Sambrook et al. (2012). The promoters
employed may be constitutive, tissue-specific, inducible, and/or
useful under the appropriate conditions to direct high-level
expression of the introduced DNA segment, such as is advantageous
in the large-scale production of recombinant proteins and fragments
thereof.
[0153] An example of a promoter is the immediate early
cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter sequence. This promoter sequence is
a strong constitutive promoter sequence capable of driving high
levels of expression of any polynucleotide sequence operatively
linked thereto. However, other constitutive promoter sequences may
also be used, including, but not limited to the simian virus 40
(SV40) early promoter, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter,
Moloney virus promoter, the avian leukemia virus promoter,
Epstein-Barr virus immediate early promoter, Rous sarcoma virus
promoter, as well as human gene promoters such as, but not limited
to, the actin promoter, the myosin promoter, the hemoglobin
promoter, and the muscle creatine promoter. Further, the invention
should not be limited to the use of constitutive promoters.
Inducible promoters are also contemplated as part of the invention.
The use of an inducible promoter in the invention provides a
molecular switch capable of turning on expression of the
polynucleotide sequence which it is operatively linked when such
expression is desired, or turning off the expression when
expression is not desired. Examples of inducible promoters include,
but are not limited to a metallothionine promoter, a glucocorticoid
promoter, a progesterone promoter, and a tetracycline promoter.
Further, the invention includes the use of a tissue-specific
promoter or cell-type specific promoter, which is a promoter that
is active only in a desired tissue or cell. Tissue-specific
promoters are well known in the art and include, but are not
limited to, the HER-2 promoter and the PSA associated promoter
sequences.
[0154] In order to assess the expression of the nucleic acids, the
expression vector to be introduced into a cell can also contain
either a selectable marker gene or a reporter gene or both to
facilitate identification and selection of expressing cells from
the population of cells sought to be transfected or infected
through viral vectors. In other embodiments, the selectable marker
may be carried on a separate nucleic acid and used in a
co-transfection procedure. Both selectable markers and reporter
genes may be flanked with appropriate regulatory sequences to
enable expression in the host cells. Useful selectable markers are
known in the art and include, for example, antibiotic-resistance
genes, such as neo and the like.
[0155] Reporter genes are used for identifying potentially
transfected cells and for evaluating the functionality of
regulatory sequences. Reporter genes that encode for easily
assayable proteins are well known in the art. In general, a
reporter gene is a gene that is not present in or expressed by the
recipient organism or tissue and that encodes a protein whose
expression is manifested by some easily detectable property, e.g.,
enzymatic activity. Expression of the reporter gene is assayed at a
suitable time after the DNA has been introduced into the recipient
cells.
[0156] Suitable reporter genes may include genes encoding
luciferase, beta-galactosidase, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase,
secreted alkaline phosphatase, or the green fluorescent protein
gene (see, e.g., Ui-Tei et al., 2000 FEBS Lett. 479:79-82).
Suitable expression systems are well known and may be prepared
using well known techniques or obtained commercially. In general,
the construct with the minimal 5' flanking region showing the
highest level of expression of reporter gene is identified as the
promoter. Such promoter regions may be linked to a reporter gene
and used to evaluate agents for the ability to modulate
promoter-driven transcription.
[0157] Methods of introducing and expressing nucleic acids into a
cell are known in the art. In the context of an expression vector,
the vector can be readily introduced into a host cell, e.g.,
mammalian, bacterial, yeast or insect cell by any method in the
art. For example, the expression vector can be transferred into a
host cell by physical, chemical or biological means.
[0158] Physical methods for introducing a polynucleotide into a
host cell include calcium phosphate precipitation, lipofection,
particle bombardment, microinjection, electroporation,
laserporation and the like. Methods for producing cells comprising
vectors and/or exogenous nucleic acids are well-known in the art.
See, for example, Sambrook et al. (2012) and Ausubel et al.
(1999).
[0159] Biological methods for introducing a nucleic acid of
interest into a host cell include the use of DNA and RNA vectors.
Viral vectors, and especially retroviral vectors, have become the
most widely used method for inserting genes into mammalian, e.g.,
human cells. Other viral vectors can be derived from lentivirus,
poxviruses, herpes simplex virus 1, adenoviruses and
adeno-associated viruses, and the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,350,674 and 5,585,362.
[0160] Chemical means for introducing a nucleic acid into a host
cell include colloidal dispersion systems, such as macromolecule
complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads, and lipid-based
systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles,
and liposomes. A preferred colloidal system for use as a delivery
vehicle in vitro and in vivo is a liposome (e.g., an artificial
membrane vesicle). The preparation and use of such systems is well
known in the art.
[0161] Regardless of the method used to introduce exogenous nucleic
acids into a host cell or otherwise expose a cell to the nucleic
acid of the present invention, in order to confirm the presence of
the recombinant DNA sequence in the host cell, a variety of assays
may be performed. Such assays include, for example, "molecular
biological" assays well known to those of skill in the art, such as
Southern and Northern blotting, RT-PCR and PCR; "biochemical"
assays, such as detecting the presence or absence of a particular
peptide, e.g., by immunological means (ELISAs and Western blots) or
by assays described herein to identify agents falling within the
scope of the invention.
Kits
[0162] The invention also includes a kit comprising an anti-C5a
antibody, or combinations thereof, of the invention and an
instructional material which describes, for instance, administering
the anti-C5a antibody, or combinations thereof, to an individual as
a therapeutic treatment or a non-treatment use as described
elsewhere herein. In an embodiment, this kit further comprises a
(optionally sterile) pharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable
for dissolving or suspending the therapeutic composition,
comprising an anti-C5a antibody, or combinations thereof, of the
invention, for instance, prior to administering the antibody to an
individual. Optionally, the kit comprises an applicator for
administering the antibody.
EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES
[0163] The invention is now described with reference to the
following Examples. These Examples are provided for the purpose of
illustration only and the invention should in no way be construed
as being limited to these Examples, but rather should be construed
to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a
result of the teaching provided herein.
[0164] Without further description, it is believed that one of
ordinary skill in the art can, using the preceding description and
the following illustrative examples, make and utilize the compounds
of the present invention and practice the claimed methods. The
following working examples therefore and are not to be construed as
limiting in any way the remainder of the disclosure.
Example 1
[0165] The complement system is part of innate immunity that plays
a key role in host defense. However, activated complement also has
the potential to cause significant tissue injury and destruction
and dysregulated complement activity has been found to be
associated with a number of rare and common diseases such as
paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic
uremic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, age-related macular
degeneration etc. Thus, anti-complement therapy is a promising way
of treating these human disorders. Complement C5 is a critical
protein in the terminal pathway of complement activation and is the
precursor protein for generating the potent pro-inflammatory
mediator C5a, as well as the cytolytic membrane attack complex
(MAC), C5b-9.
[0166] A function-blocking anti-human C5a monoclonal antibody
(7A12) was developed and is described herein. This mAb blocks
C5a-mediated activity but does not block MAC activity (assessed in
a hemolytic assay).
[0167] The methods and material used in this example are now
described.
Western-Blotting
[0168] Purified human C5 protein (1 .mu.g) was boiled in sample
buffer and loaded onto 6% SDS-PAGE gels under non-reducing or
reducing conditions. The proteins were blotted onto PVDF membranes,
which were probed with 10 .mu.g/ml of primary antibody (mAb 7A12 or
control anti-C5 mAb) for 1 hour, followed by detection with HRP
anti-mouse IgG (1:4000, Bio-Rad).
Human C5, C5a and mAb Binding Assay
[0169] Polystyrene microtiter plates were coated with purified
human C5 or C5a (50 ng/well, Hycult) in PBS at 37.degree. C. for 1
hr. After aspirating the C5 or C5a solution, wells were blocked
with PBS containing 1% BSA in PBS at room temperature for 1 hour.
Wells without C5 or C5a coating served as background controls.
Different concentration of 7A12 mAb or control anti-C5 mAb or
chimeric 7A12, 50 .mu.l/well in blocking solution, were added to
the wells. Following 1 hour incubation at room temperature, the
wells were extensively washed with PBST. Human C5 or C5a-bound mAb
was detected by the addition of anti-mouse IgG HRP 1:4000 dilution
in blocking solution, which was allowed to incubate for 1 hour at
RT. After washing with PBST, the plate was developed with HRP
substrate for 6-10 min. The reaction was stopped with 2N H2SO4 and
plate was read at 450 nm in a micro plate reader.
Mouse C5a and mAb Binding Assay
[0170] Polystyrene microtiter plates were coated with purified
mouse C5a (50 ng/well, Hycult) in PBS at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour.
After aspirating the C5a solution, wells were blocked with PBS
containing 1% BSA in PBS at room temperature for 1 hour. Wells
without C5a coating served as background controls. Different
concentration of 7A12 mAb or control anti-C5 mAb or chimeric 7A12,
50 .mu.l/well in blocking solution, were added to the wells.
Following 1 hour incubation at room temperature, the wells were
extensively washed with PBST. Mouse C5a-bound mAb was detected by
the addition of anti-mouse IgG HRP 1:4000 dilution in blocking
solution, which incubated for 1 hour at room temperature (RT).
After washing with PBST, the plate was developed with HRP substrate
for 6-10 minutes. The reaction was stopped with 2 N H.sub.2SO.sub.4
and plate was read at 450 nm in a micro plate reader.
Generation of Anti-Human C5a mAbs:
[0171] B10.D2/oSnJ female (Stock #000461, Jackson laboratory) mice
were immunized with 30 .mu.g of purified human C5 (# A120,
Complement Technology, Inc) emulsified with adjuvant. At day 14,
the mice were again immunized with 30 .mu.g of purified human C5
emulsified with adjuvant. Mice were boosted with 33 .mu.g of
purified human C5 three times before fusion. Then, mice were
sacrificed by cervical dislocation and spleen was isolated for
preparation of single cell suspension by mechanical disruption. The
spleen cell suspension was washed once with hybridoma serum-free
media (HYB-SFM) (Invitrogen)+10% FBS medium and cells were counted,
and mixed with X63-Ag8.653 myeloma cells (ATCC) in a 2:1 ratio.
Cell mixture was again washed with HYB-SFM medium, and the cell
pellet was prepared by centrifugation (1000 rpm.times.5 minutes).
The cell pellet was gently disturbed and loosened and then cell
fusion was induced by slowly adding poly ethylene glycol (PEG 1500)
(1.5 ml PEG for 3.times.10.sup.8 cells). The cells were left for 1
min at 37.degree. C. and then 20 ml HYB-SFM medium were added to
the cells in 3 min (1 ml for the first minute, 3 ml for the second
minute and 16 ml for the third minute). The mixture was centrifuged
at 1000 rpm for 5 minutes and the cells were plated in 24-well
plates in HAT medium (10 ml HAT [Sigma H0262], 5 ml Pen/Strep, 500
.mu.l Gentamicin and 10% FBS in 500 ml HYB-SFM medium). After 2
weeks, supernatants from wells with visible colonies were withdrawn
for screening of reactivity with purified human C5 by ELISA.
Positive clones were picked up and plated in 96-well plates by
limiting dilution method to obtain single clones after second round
screening by ELISA. Positive clones were expanded in HT-medium (10
ml HT, 5 ml Pen/Strep 500 .mu.l Gentamicin and 10% FBS in 500 ml
HYB-SFM medium). Before antibody collection, the hybridoma cells
were switched to serum-free medium (HYB-SFM) for 2-3 days. Cell
culture medium was collected for mAb purification by protein G
affinity chromatography.
Mab Cloning:
[0172] To clone the cDNAs of 7A12, total RNAs were isolated from
the hybridoma cells by TRizol reagent (Sigma). First-strand cDNAs
were synthesized by reverse transcription using Oligo(dT) primer,
To amplify the heavy chain cDNAs (for IgG1, IgG2a;b), the following
primers were used in PCR reactions: 5'-GAG GTG A AGCTG GTG G
AG(T/A)C(T/A) GG-3' (SEQ ID NO: 11) and 5'-GGGGCCAGTGGATAGAC-3'
(SEQ ID NO:12). To amplify the k light chain, the following primers
were used: mixture of 4 upstream primers:
5'-CCAGTTCCGAGCTCCAGATGACCCAGACTCCA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 70);
5'-CCAGTTCCGAGCTCGTGCTCACCCAGTCTCCA-3' (SEQ ID NO:71);
5'-CCAGTTCCGAGCTCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCA-3' (SEQ ID NO:72); 5'-CC AGTTC
CG A G CTC GTG ATG AC AC AGTCTCC A-3' (SEQ ID NO:13); downstream
primer: 5'-GTTGGTGCAGCATCAGC-3, (SEQ ID NO:14). The PCR amplicons
were cloned into pCR TOPO TA 2.1 vector (Invitrogen) and sequenced.
To obtain the signal peptide (leader) sequence of the mAbs, the
5'-RACE method was used with a kit (GeneRacer) from Invitrogen. The
complete variable region cDNAs were amplified using specific
primers determined from the 5'-RACE and the initial sequencing
data.
Hemolysis Assay
[0173] Antibody-sensitized sheep RBCs (1.times.10.sup.7 cells,
Complement Technology, Inc.) were incubated at 37.degree. C. for 20
minutes with 50% NHS (Complement Technology, Inc.) in gelatin
veronal buffer (GVB2+, Sigma). Before addition to the sheep RBCs,
NHS was pre-incubated with 7A12 mAb or control anti-C5 mAb for 1
hour at 4.degree. C. Lysis reaction was stopped by addition of
ice-cold 40 mM EDTA in PBS. The incubation mixtures were
centrifuged for 5 minutes at 1500 rpm and the supernatant was
collected and measured for OD405 nm. Samples without NHS or with
EDTA added were used as negative lysis controls, and a sample of
sheep RBCs lysed completely with distilled water was used as a
positive control (100% lysis) against which % lysis in other
samples was normalized.
Transwell Migration Assay
[0174] U937 cells stably transfected with the C5a receptor
(U937-C5aR cells), these were seeded (1.times.10.sup.6 cells per
well, in the chemotaxis assay buffer) onto the upper chambers of
24-well Transwell inserts with 3.0-.mu.m pore size polycarbonate
membrane filter (Corning). The lower Boyden chambers received 10 nM
of recombinant human complement C5a pretreated with antibody (1
.mu.g/ml or 10 .mu.g/ml) in the chemotaxis assay buffer. After a
3-hour incubation at 37.degree. C., the migrated cells in the lower
chambers were collected and counted using Coulter counter (Beckman
Coulter). (Chemotaxis assay buffer: RPMI 1640 medium with 0.5%
BSA).
Calcium Mobilization Assay
[0175] 1.times.10.sup.7 of cells were washed twice with HEPES
buffer for calcium mobilization assay (25 mM HEPES, 119 mM NaCl, 5
mM KCl, 5.6 mM glucose, 0.4 mM MgCl.sub.2, and 1 mM CaCl.sub.2)
containing 1 mg/ml BSA, and afterward incubated with 1 .mu.M indo-1
acetoxymethyl ester (Anaspec, Inc, Fremont, Calif., USA) at room
temperature for 30 minutes. Subsequently, cells were washed twice
and resuspended in 1.3 mL of the same buffer. Human C5a and
antibody were mixed so as to be 10 nM and 50 .mu.g/ml respectively
in the final concentration for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Finally, intercellular Ca.sup.2+ measurements were performed using
Infinite F200 multimode microplate reader (Tecan Systems Inc, San
Jose, Calif., USA) with an excitation wavelength of 360 nm and an
emission wavelength of 415 nm. Addition of the mixture was
performed at 300 seconds after the starting measurement.
The results of this example are now described.
[0176] As depicted in FIG. 1, 7A12 was shown to bind to human C5.
The reactivity of 7A12 and 2G1, a control anti-C5 mAb, with intact
human C5 was assessed by ELISA, shown in FIG. 1. An ELISA plate was
coated with purified human C5. After incubation with serially
diluted 7A12 or control anti-C5 mAb, bound mAb was detected by
HRP-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse IgG. Both 7A12 and the control
anti-C5 mAb showed high reactivity with human C5. By
western-blotting, mAb 7A12 and the control anti-C5 mAb recognized
purified human C5 protein under non-reducing and reducing
conditions, respectively, shown in FIG. 1B. The observed
7A12-reactive 190 kDa band represents the whole C5 protein, whereas
the 115 kDa band represents the C5 .alpha.-chain.
[0177] Unlike the control C5 mAb 2G1 which inhibits red blood cell
(RBC) lysis, 7A12 was demonstrated to have no activity in a
hemolysis assay, depicted in FIG. 2. Antibody-sensitized sheep RBCs
were incubated with normal human serum (NHS) containing serial
dilutions of 7A12 or the control anti-C5 mAb at 37 C for 1 hr. RBC
lysis was determined by measuring the absorbance at OD405 nm. As
expected, control anti-C5 mAb inhibited 50% NHS-mediated sheep
erythrocyte lysis in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, at
doses of 0.975 to 120 .mu.g/ml, mAb 7A12 showed no inhibition of
50% NHS-mediated sheep erythrocyte lysis.
[0178] Unlike the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1 that does not bind C5a,
7A12 was shown to bind to human C5a. An ELISA plate was coated with
human C5a or mouse C5a. After incubation with serially diluted 7A12
or the control anti-C5 mAb, bound mAb was detected by
HRP-conjugated anti-mouse IgG. FIG. 3A demonstrates that mAb 7A12
showed high reactivity to human C5a. Since mAb 7A12 reacts with the
whole C5 protein (as shown in FIG. 1), it can be concluded that mAb
7A12 binds both the C5a moiety of native human C5 and free human
C5a. On the other hand, no binding of the control anti-C5 mAb to
human C5a was seen, as depicted in FIG. 3B. Binding of mAb 7A12 to
C5a was found to be specific to human C5a with little binding to
mouse C5a.
[0179] Binding affinity of mAb 7A12 to human C5 and C5a. Purified
human C5 or C5a was coupled onto CM4 chip using the amine coupling
method. Biacore analysis was performed on a Biacore-2000
instrument. The chip was regenerated between each binding using 50
mM NaOH. mAb 7A12 binds to human C5, shown in FIG. 4A, and human
C5a, shown in FIG. 4B, with similar affinities.
[0180] Results shown in FIG. 5 demonstrate that mAb 7A12 but not
the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1 inhibits C5a-mediated neutrophil
migration. Human C5a at 10 nM was used to induce chemotaxis of the
human monocytic cell line, U937 transfected with the human C5a
receptor. Cells were placed in the upper chamber of a trans-well
plated in the presence of mAb 7A12 or the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1,
and cell migration was quantified by counting the cells in lower
chamber. mAb 7A12 showed complete inhibition of C5a-induced
chemotaxis at 10 .mu.g/ml whereas the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1
failed to block C5a-induced chemotaxis.
[0181] Results shown in FIG. 6 demonstrate that mAb 7A12 but not
the control anti-C5 mAb 2G1 inhibits C5a-induced intracellular
calcium mobilization in U937 cells. No calcium mobilization
occurred in U937 cells expressing the human C5a receptor
(U937-C5aR) in the absence of human C5a stimulation, shown in FIG.
6A. C5a treatment led to a transient calcium influx in U937-C5aR
cells, shown in FIG. 6B, which could be inhibited by pre-incubation
with mAb 7A12 (50 .mu.g/ml), shown in FIG. 6C, but not with the
control anti-C5 mAb 2G1 (50 .mu.g/ml), shown in FIG. 6D. Arrows
refer to the time point when a mixture of C5a and antibody was
added to the cell suspension.
[0182] The disclosures of each and every patent, patent
application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
[0183] While this invention has been disclosed with reference to
specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and
variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in
the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention. The appended claims are intended to be construed to
include all such embodiments and equivalent variations.
Sequence CWU 1
1
171499DNAMus musculus 1catggactga aggagtagaa atcttcagtc cctgaacaca
ctgactgtaa caatggaatg 60gagctgggtc tctctcttct tcctgtcagt aactacaggt
gtccactccc aggttcagct 120gcaacagtct gacgctgagt tggtgaaacc
tggagcttca gtgaagattt cctgcaaggt 180ttctggctac accttcactg
accatattat tcactggatg aaccagaggc ctgaacaggg 240cctggaatgg
attggatata tttatcctag agatggtaat actaactaca atgaaaactt
300caagggcaag gccacattga ctgcagacaa atcctccagc acagcctaca
tgcagctcaa 360cagcctgaca tctgaggact ctgcagtcta tttctgtgca
agagaaagga acttggaata 420ctttgactac tggggccaag gcaccactct
cacagtctcc tcagccaaaa cgacaccccc 480atctgtctat ccactggcc
4992149PRTMus musculus 2Met Glu Trp Ser Trp Val Ser Leu Phe Phe Leu
Ser Val Thr Thr Gly1 5 10 15Val His Ser Gln Val Gln Leu Gln Gln Ser
Asp Ala Glu Leu Val Lys 20 25 30Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Lys Ile Ser Cys
Lys Val Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe 35 40 45Thr Asp His Ile Ile His Trp Met
Asn Gln Arg Pro Glu Gln Gly Leu 50 55 60Glu Trp Ile Gly Tyr Ile Tyr
Pro Arg Asp Gly Asn Thr Asn Tyr Asn65 70 75 80Glu Asn Phe Lys Gly
Lys Ala Thr Leu Thr Ala Asp Lys Ser Ser Ser 85 90 95Thr Ala Tyr Met
Gln Leu Asn Ser Leu Thr Ser Glu Asp Ser Ala Val 100 105 110Tyr Phe
Cys Ala Arg Glu Arg Asn Leu Glu Tyr Phe Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115 120
125Gln Gly Thr Thr Leu Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Ser
130 135 140Val Tyr Pro Leu Ala14539PRTMus musculus 3Tyr Thr Phe Thr
Asp His Ile Ile His1 5414PRTMus musculus 4Trp Ile Gly Tyr Ile Tyr
Pro Arg Asp Gly Asn Thr Asn Tyr1 5 1058PRTMus musculus 5Arg Asn Leu
Glu Tyr Phe Asp Tyr1 56459DNAMus musculus 6catggactga aggagtagaa
aaagcatcct ctcatctagt tctcagagat ggagacagac 60acaatcctgc tatgggtgct
gctgctctgg gttccaggct ccactggtga cattgtgctg 120acccaatctc
cagcttcttt ggctgtgtct ctagggcaga gggccaccat ctcctgcaag
180gccagccaaa gtgttgatta tgatggtgat aattatatga actggtacca
acagaaacca 240ggacagccac ccaaactcct catctatgct gcatccaatc
tagattctgg gatcccagcc 300aggtttagtg gcagtgggtc tgggacagac
ttcaccctca acatccatcc tgtggaggaa 360gaagatgctg caacctatta
ttgtcagcaa agtaatgagg atccgtacac gttcggaggg 420gggaccaagc
tggaaataaa acgggctgat gctgcacca 4597137PRTMus musculus 7Met Glu Thr
Asp Thr Ile Leu Leu Trp Val Leu Leu Leu Trp Val Pro1 5 10 15Gly Ser
Thr Gly Asp Ile Val Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ala Ser Leu Ala 20 25 30Val
Ser Leu Gly Gln Arg Ala Thr Ile Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln Ser 35 40
45Val Asp Tyr Asp Gly Asp Asn Tyr Met Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro
50 55 60Gly Gln Pro Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Ala Ala Ser Asn Leu Asp
Ser65 70 75 80Gly Ile Pro Ala Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr
Asp Phe Thr 85 90 95Leu Asn Ile His Pro Val Glu Glu Glu Asp Ala Ala
Thr Tyr Tyr Cys 100 105 110Gln Gln Ser Asn Glu Asp Pro Tyr Thr Phe
Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu 115 120 125Glu Ile Lys Arg Ala Asp Ala Ala
Pro 130 135812PRTMus musculus 8Gln Ser Val Asp Tyr Asp Gly Asp Asn
Tyr Met Asn1 5 10911PRTMus musculus 9Leu Leu Ile Tyr Ala Ala Ser
Asn Leu Asp Ser1 5 10108PRTMus musculus 10Gln Gln Ser Asn Glu Asp
Pro Tyr1 51123DNAMus musculus 11gaggtgaagc tggtggagtc tgg
231217DNAMus musculus 12ggggccagtg gatagac 171332DNAMus musculus
13ccagttccga gctccagatg acccagactc ca 321432DNAMus musculus
14ccagttccga gctcgtgctc acccagtctc ca 321532DNAMus musculus
15ccagttccga gctccagatg acccagtctc ca 321632DNAMus musculus
16ccagttccga gctcgtgatg acacagtctc ca 321717DNAMus musculus
17gttggtgcag catcagc 17
* * * * *