Dilip K. Challa

Neonatal Fc receptor blockade by Fc engineering ameliorates arthritis in a murine model.

Multiple autoimmune diseases are characterized by the involvement of autoreactive Abs in pathogenesis. Problems associated with existing therapeutics such as the delivery of intravenous immunoglobulin have led to interest in developing alternative approaches using recombinant or synthetic methods. Toward this aim, in the current study, we demonstrate that the use of Fc-engineered Abs (Abs that enhance IgG degradation [Abdegs]) to block neonatal FcR (FcRn) through high-affinity, Fc region binding is an effective strategy for the treatment of Ab-mediated disease. Specifically, Abdegs can be used at low, single doses to treat disease in the K/B×N serum transfer model of arthritis using BALB/c mice as recipients. Similar therapeutic effects are induced by 25- to 50-fold higher doses of i.v. Ig. Importantly, we show that FcRn blockade is a primary contributing factor toward the observed reduction in disease severity. The levels of albumin, which is also recycled by FcRn, are not affected by Abdeg delivery. Consequently, Abdegs do not alter FcRn expression levels or subcellular trafficking behavior. The engineering of Ab Fc regions to generate potent FcRn blockers therefore holds promise for the therapy of Ab-mediated autoimmunity.

Autoantibody depletion ameliorates disease in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Much data support a role for central nervous system antigen-specific antibodies in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The effects of inducing a decrease in (auto)antibody levels on MS or experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) through specific blockade of FcRn, however, remain unexplored. We recently developed engineered antibodies that lower endogenous IgG levels by competing for binding to FcRn. These Abdegs (“antibodies that enhance IgG degradation”) can be used to directly assess the effect of decreased antibody levels in inflammatory diseases. In the current study, we show that Abdeg delivery ameliorates disease in an EAE model that is antibody dependent. Abdegs could therefore have promise as therapeutic agents for MS.

Macrophage-Mediated Trogocytosis Leads to Death of Antibody-Opsonized Tumor Cells

Understanding the complex behavior of effector cells such as monocytes or macrophages in regulating cancerous growth is of central importance for cancer immunotherapy. Earlier studies using CD20-specific antibodies have demonstrated that the Fcγ receptor (FcγR)–mediated transfer of the targeted receptors from tumor cells to these effector cells through trogocytosis can enable escape from antibody therapy, leading to the viewpoint that this process is protumorigenic. In the current study, we demonstrate that persistent trogocytic attack results in the killing of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Further, antibody engineering to increase FcγR interactions enhances this tumoricidal activity. These studies extend the complex repertoire of activities of macrophages to trogocytic-mediated cell death of HER2-overexpressing target cells and have implications for the development of effective antibody-based therapies. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1879–89. ©2016 AACR.

Use of Fc-Engineered Antibodies as Clearing Agents to Increase Contrast During PET

Despite promise for the use of antibodies as molecular imaging agents in PET, their long in vivo half-lives result in poor contrast and radiation damage to normal tissue. This study describes an approach to overcome these limitations. Methods: Mice bearing human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)–overexpressing tumors were injected with radiolabeled (124I, 125I) HER2-specific antibody (pertuzumab). Pertuzumab injection was followed 8 h later by the delivery of an engineered, antibody-based inhibitor of the receptor, FcRn. Biodistribution analyses and PET were performed at 24 and 48 h after pertuzumab injection. Results: The delivery of the engineered, antibody-based FcRn inhibitor (or Abdeg, for antibody that enhances IgG degradation) results in improved tumor-to-blood ratios, reduced systemic exposure to radiolabel, and increased contrast during PET. Conclusion: Abdegs have considerable potential as agents to stringently regulate antibody dynamics in vivo, resulting in increased contrast during molecular imaging with PET.

The Encephalitogenic, Human Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein–Induced Antibody Repertoire Is Directed toward Multiple Epitopes in C57BL/6-Immunized Mice

Although Abs specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) have been detected in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), their contribution to pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with recombinant human MOG (hMOG) results in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis involving MOG-specific, demyelinating Abs. This model is therefore informative for understanding anti-MOG humoral responses in MS. In the current study, we have characterized the hMOG-specific Ab repertoire in immunized C57BL/6 mice using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. We demonstrate that hMOG-specific mAbs are not focused on one specific region of MOG, but instead target multiple epitopes. Encephalitogenicity of the mAbs, assessed by the ability of the mAbs to exacerbate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice, correlates with the activity of the mAbs in binding to CNS tissue sections, but not with other in vitro assays. The targeting of different MOG epitopes by encephalitogenic Abs has implications for disease pathogenesis, because it could result in MOG cross linking on oligodendrocytes and/or immune complex formation. These studies reveal several novel features concerning pathogenic, humoral responses that may have relevance to human MS.

BCAP links IL-1R to the PI3K–mTOR pathway and regulates pathogenic Th17 cell differentiation

The toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin (IL)–1 family of receptors share several signaling components, including the most upstream adapter, MyD88. We previously reported the discovery of B cell adapter for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (BCAP) as a novel toll–IL-1 receptor homology domain–containing adapter that regulates inflammatory responses downstream of TLR signaling. Here we find that BCAP plays a critical role downstream of both IL-1 and IL-18 receptors to regulate T helper (Th) 17 and Th1 cell differentiation, respectively. Absence of T cell intrinsic BCAP did not alter development of naturally arising Th1 and Th17 lineages but led to defects in differentiation to pathogenic Th17 lineage cells. Consequently, mice that lack BCAP in T cells had reduced susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. More importantly, we found that BCAP is critical for IL-1R–induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase–Akt–mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, and minimal inhibition of mTOR completely abrogated IL-1&bgr;–induced differentiation of pathogenic Th17 cells, mimicking BCAP deficiency. This study establishes BCAP as a critical link between IL-1R and the metabolic status of activated T cells that ultimately regulates the differentiation of inflammatory Th17 cells.

Abstract 597: Defining the role of macrophage mediated trogocytosis in the clearance of antibody-opsonized tumor cells

Understanding the complex behavior of effector cells such as monocytes or macrophages in regulating cancerous growth is of central importance for cancer immunotherapy. Earlier studies using CD20-specific antibodies have demonstrated that the Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated transfer of the targeted receptors from tumor cells to these effector cells through trogocytosis can enable escape from antibody therapy, leading to the viewpoint that this process is pro-tumorigenic. However, there is limited information concerning the role of trogocytosis in antibody-based treatment of solid tumors such as breast cancer. We have used advanced microscopy methods and quantitative flow cytometric assays to study the effect of antibody-mediated trogocytosis on breast cancer cells and whether they can lead to tumor cell death. Our results show that long-term coculture with macrophages can reduce cancer cell numbers in an antibody-dependent manner even at low effector:target ratios. Quantitation from simultaneous long-term imaging of macrophage:cancer cell interactions reveals that this cell death is caused by both macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and trogocytosis, with the contribution of each process differing by the phenotype of the effector macrophages. Together, our results add to our understanding of the numerous interactions macrophages can have with cancer cells, and how therapeutic antibodies modulate their effects. Our recent observations in this area will be presented. Citation Format: Ramraj Velmurugan, Dilip Challa, Sripad Ram, Raimund J. Ober, E. Sally Ward. Defining the role of macrophage mediated trogocytosis in the clearance of antibody-opsonized tumor cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 597.

Abstract PR08: Macrophage-mediated trogocytosis leads to death of antibody-opsonized tumor cells

The interplay between innate immune cells and antibodies to control cancerous growth is of central importance for mediating direct anti-tumor effects and the induction of long-lived anti-tumor immunity. Phagocytosis of antibody-opsonized cells by macrophages through Fcgamma receptor interactions is well characterized and leads to cell death through target cell engulfment into phagosomes. By contrast, the contribution of the related process called trogocytosis, involving the ingestion of limited amounts of the target cell by phagocytic cells, to cell attrition is less certain. In the current study we have developed a high throughput, quantitative assay to distinguish whole cell phagocytosis (WCP) and trogocytosis for different macrophage:breast cancer cell combinations. These analyses, combined with long term microscopic imaging, demonstrate that trogocytosis leads to target cell death. The implementation of multifocal plane microscopy to investigate trogocytic events at high spatiotemporal resolution reveals that these processes involve tubular extensions of opsonized tumor cells that are subsequently pinched off by the recipient macrophage. Of relevance to the design of second generation antibodies with improved efficacy, antibody engineering to enhance Fcgamma receptor interactions results in increased trogocytic activity. Collectively, these studies have significance to the rapidly expanding use of antibodies to treat cancer. Citation Format: Ramraj Velmurugan, Dilip K. Challa, Sripad Ram, Raimund J. Ober, E. Sally Ward. Macrophage-mediated trogocytosis leads to death of antibody-opsonized tumor cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr PR08.