In order to obtain a novel binding protein against a chosen target, DNA molecules, each encoding a protein comprising one of a family of similar potential binding domains and a structural signal calling for the display of the protein on the outer surface of a chosen bacterial cell, bacterial spore or phage (genetic package) are introduced into a genetic package. The protein is expressed and the potential binding domain is displayed on the outer surface of the package. The cells or viruses bearing the binding domains which recognize the target molecule are isolated and amplified. The successful binding domains are then characterized. One or more of these successful binding domains is used as a model for the design of a new family of potential binding domains, and the process is repeated until a novel binding domain having a desired affinity for the target molecule is obtained. In one embodiment, the first family of potential binding domains is related to bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, the genetic package is M13 phage, and the protein includes the outer surface transport signal of the M13 gene III protein.

Directed evolution of novel binding proteins

Random association of VL and VH repertoires contributes considerably to antibody diversity. The diversity and the affinity are then increased by hypermutation in B cells located in germinal centres. Except in the case of 'heavy chain' disease, naturally occurring heavy-chain antibodies have not been described, although antigen binding has been demonstrated for separated heavy chains or cloned VH domains. Here we investigate the presence of considerable amounts of IgG-like material of M(r) 100K in the serum of the camel (Camelus dromedarius). These molecules are composed of heavy-chain dimers and are devoid of light chains, but nevertheless have an extensive antigen-binding repertoire, a finding that calls into question the role of light chains in the camel. Camel heavy-chain IgGs lack CH1, which in one IgG class might be structurally replaced by an extended hinge. Heavy-chain IgGs are a feature of all camelids. These findings open new perspectives in the engineering of antibodies.

Naturally occurring antibodies devoid of light chains

Fully human antibodies against a specific antigen can be prepared by administering the antigen to a transgenic animal which has been modified to produce such antibodies in response to antigenic challenge, but whose endogenous loci have been disabled. Various subsequent manipulations can be performed to obtain either antibodies per se or analogs thereof.

Human antibodies derived from immunized xenomice

The murine monoclonal antibody mumAb4D5, directed against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (p185HER2), specifically inhibits proliferation of human tumor cells overexpressing p185HER2. However, the efficacy of mumAb4D5 in human cancer therapy is likely to be limited by a human anti-mouse antibody response and lack of effector functions. A "humanized" antibody, humAb4D5-1, containing only the antigen binding loops from mumAb4D5 and human variable region framework residues plus IgG1 constant domains was constructed. Light- and heavy-chain variable regions were simultaneously humanized in one step by "gene conversion mutagenesis" using 311-mer and 361-mer preassembled oligonucleotides, respectively. The humAb4D5-1 variant does not block the proliferation of human breast carcinoma SK-BR-3 cells, which overexpress p185HER2, despite tight antigen binding (Kd = 25 nM). One of seven additional humanized variants designed by molecular modeling (humAb4D5-8) binds the p185HER2 antigen 250-fold and 3-fold more tightly than humAb4D5-1 and mumAb4D5, respectively. In addition, humAb4D5-8 has potency comparable to the murine antibody in blocking SK-BR-3 cell proliferation. Furthermore, humAb4D5-8 is much more efficient in supporting antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against SK-BR-3 cells than mumAb4D5, but it does not efficiently kill WI-38 cells, which express p185HER2 at lower levels.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/89/10/4285.full.pdf

Humanization of an anti-p185HER2 antibody for human cancer therapy.

Driven by chemistry but increasingly guided by pharmacology and the clinical sciences, drug research has contributed more to the progress of medicine during the past century than any other scientific factor. The advent of molecular biology and, in particular, of genomic sciences is having a deep impact on drug discovery. Recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies have greatly enriched our therapeutic armamentarium. Genome sciences, combined with bioinformatic tools, allow us to dissect the genetic basis of multifactorial diseases and to determine the most suitable points of attack for future medicines, thereby increasing the number of treatment options. The dramatic increase in the complexity of drug research is enforcing changes in the institutional basis of this interdisciplinary endeavor. The biotech industry is establishing itself as the discovery arm of the pharmaceutical industry. In bridging the gap between academia and large pharmaceutical companies, the biotech firms have been effective instruments of technology transfer.

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Drug Discovery: A Historical Perspective

The anti-Tac monoclonal antibody is known to bind to the p55 chain of the human interleukin 2 receptor and to inhibit proliferation of T cells by blocking interleukin 2 binding. However, use of anti-Tac as an immunosuppressant drug would be impaired by the human immune response against this murine antibody. We have therefore constructed a "humanized" antibody by combining the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of the anti-Tac antibody with human framework and constant regions. The human framework regions were chosen to maximize homology with the anti-Tac antibody sequence. In addition, a computer model of murine anti-Tac was used to identify several amino acids which, while outside the CDRs, are likely to interact with the CDRs or antigen. These mouse amino acids were also retained in the humanized antibody. The humanized anti-Tac antibody has an affinity for p55 of 3 x 10(9) M-1, about 1/3 that of murine anti-Tac.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/86/24/10029.full.pdf

A humanized antibody that binds to the interleukin 2 receptor.

Novel methods for producing, and compositions of, humanized immunoglobulins having one or more complementarity determining regions (CDR's) and possible additional amino acids from a donor immunoglobulin and a framework region from an accepting human immunoglobulin are provided. Each humanized immunoglobulin chain will usually comprise, in addition to the CDR's, amino acids from the donor immunoglobulin framework that are, e.g., capable of interacting with the CDR's to effect binding affinity, such as one or more amino acids which are immediately adjacent to a CDR in the donor immunoglobulin or those within about about 3 Å as predicted by molecular modeling. The heavy and light chains may each be designed by using any one or all of various position criteria. When combined into an intact antibody, the humanized immunoglobulins of the present invention will be substantially non-immunogenic in humans and retain substantially the same affinity as the donor immunoglobulin to the antigen, such as a protein or other compound containing an epitope.

Polynucleotides encoding improved humanized immunoglobulins

The Mr 55,000 interleukin 2 receptor peptide (Tac; CD25) is not expressed by normal resting T-cells but is markedly up-regulated in adult T-cell leukemia and other malignancies, as well as on T-cells activated in normal immune, autoimmune, allograft, and graft-versus-host settings. Anti-Tac is a mouse monoclonal antibody directed against the Tac peptide. Our prior attempts to use this antibody in humans for antitumor therapy and immune regulation have been limited by weak recruitment of effector functions and neutralization by antibodies to mouse immunoglobulins. To circumvent these difficulties, we prepared several chimeric "humanized" anti-Tac antibodies by genetic engineering, including one "hyperchimeric" antibody (anti-Tac-II) in which the molecule is human except for the small hypervariable segments of the complementarity-determining regions retained from the mouse antibody. These constructs maintain high affinities for antigen and abilities to block T-cell activation and demonstrate new capabilities to perform antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, absent in the mouse anti-Tac. Hence, humanized antibodies have been developed to a tumor-associated antigen and activated T-cell marker with significant features that offer new therapeutic possibilities for select neoplastic and immune disorders.

/pdf/anti-tac-h-a-humanized-antibody-to-the-interleukin-2-2czh8h8ov5.pdf

Anti-Tac-H, a humanized antibody to the interleukin 2 receptor with new features for immunotherapy in malignant and immune disorders.

Novel humanized immunoglobulins having one or more complementarity determining regions (CDR's) and possible additional amino acids from a donor immunoglobulin and a framework region from an accepting human immunoglobulin are provided for a number of antigens.

Improved humanized immunoglobulins

Hybrid tryptophan synthetase alpha and beta polypeptides were produced by genetic recombination between the trpB--trpA regions of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium contained on compatible, multicopy plasmids. Intragenic recombination was decreased but still evident in recA cells. Genetic exchange occurred at many sites within trpA, but every recombinant gene produced a functional alpha polypeptide despite many amino acid differences from one or the other of the parental polypeptides. The five hybrid tryptophan synthetase alpha subunits examined resembled the parental polypeptides in catalytic function but differed in thermostability. The stability differences suggest that, as amino acid changes occurred in these proteins during the course of evolution, subsequent changes were limited to those that would allow retention of a desired protein conformation.

Procedure for production of hybrid genes and proteins and its use in assessing significance of amino acid differences in homologous tryptophan synthetase alpha polypeptides.

William P. Schneider

Papers

A humanized antibody that binds to the interleukin 2 receptor.

Polynucleotides encoding improved humanized immunoglobulins

Anti-Tac-H, a humanized antibody to the interleukin 2 receptor with new features for immunotherapy in malignant and immune disorders.

Improved humanized immunoglobulins

Procedure for production of hybrid genes and proteins and its use in assessing significance of amino acid differences in homologous tryptophan synthetase alpha polypeptides.