Bispecific antibody derivatives with restricted binding functionalities that are activated by proteolytic processing

Protein Eng Des Sel. 2012 Oct;25(10):571-80. doi: 10.1093/protein/gzs064. Epub 2012 Sep 13.

Abstract

We have designed bispecific antibodies that bind one target (anti-Her3) in a bivalent IgG-like manner and contain one additional binding entity (anti-cMet) composed of one V(H) and one V(L) domain connected by a disulfide bond. The molecules are assembled by fusing a V(H,Cys44) domain via flexible connector peptides to the C-terminus of one H-chain (heavy chain), and a V(L,Cys100) to another H-chain. To ensure heterodimerization during expression in mammalian cells, we introduced complementary knobs-into-holes mutations into the different H-chains. The IgG-shaped trivalent molecules carry as third binding entity one disulfide-stabilized Fv (dsFv) without a linker between V(H) and V(L). Tethering the V(H) and V(L) domains at the C-terminus of the C(H)3 domain decreases the on-rates of the dsFv to target antigens without affecting off-rates. Steric hindrance resolves upon removal of one side of the double connection by proteolysis: this improves flexibility and accessibility of the dsFv and fully restores antigen access and affinity. This technology has multiple applications: (i) in cases where single-chain linkers are not desired, dsFvs without linkers can be generated by addition of furin site(s) in the connector that are processed during expression within mammalian cells; (ii) highly active (toxic) entities which affect expression can be produced as inactive dsFvs and subsequently be activated (e.g. via PreScission cleavage) during purification; (iii) entities can be generated which are targeted by the unrestricted binding entity and can be activated by proteases in target tissues. For example, Her3-binding molecules containing linkers with recognition sequences for matrix metalloproteases or urokinase, whose inactivated cMet binding site is activated by proteolytic processing.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bispecific / chemistry*
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / genetics
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / immunology
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites, Antibody
  • Cell Line
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / immunology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / immunology
  • Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Protein Engineering
  • Proteolysis
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / chemistry*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / metabolism*
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Disulfides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • Receptor, ErbB-3
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9