Johannes Auer

Cloning and characterization of SDF‐1γ, a novel SDF‐1 chemokine transcript with developmentally regulated expression in the nervous system

The cytokines SDF‐1α and ‐1β are two alternatively spliced variants of the CXC (α) chemokines that are highly conserved among species. SDF‐1α was shown to function as a B‐cell maturation factor, a ligand for the CXCR4 (LESTR/fusin) chemokine receptor, thereby inhibiting replication of T cell‐tropic HIV‐1 strains and inducing cell death in human neuronal cell lines. In this report the cloning of the rat SDF‐1β cDNA and a new SDF‐1 isoform, SDF‐1γ, are presented. Using Northern blot analysis, the expression pattern of both isoforms was studied in different tissues and it is shown that during postnatal development of the central and peripheral nervous system SDF‐1β‐ and SDF‐1γ‐mRNA expression is inversely regulated. Whilst SDF‐1β‐mRNA is the predominant isoform in embryonic and early postnatal nerve tissue, SDF‐1γ‐mRNA is expressed at higher levels in adulthood. After peripheral nerve lesion a transient increase in SDF‐1β‐mRNA expression is observed. As revealed by in situ hybridization, neurons and Schwann cells are the main cellular sources of both SDF‐1β and SDF‐1γ mRNAs in the nervous system. Computer‐assisted analysis revealed that both transcripts encode secreted peptides with putative proteolytic cleavage sites which might generate novel neuropeptides.

Combined Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor α and Interleukin‐17 As a Therapeutic Opportunity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Development and Characterization of a Novel Bispecific Antibody

Rheumatoid arthritis therapies that are based on inhibition of a single cytokine, e.g., tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) or interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), produce clinically meaningful responses in only about half of the treated patients. This study was undertaken to investigate whether combined inhibition of TNFα and IL‐17 has additive or synergistic effects in the suppression of mesenchymal cell activation in vitro and inflammation and tissue destruction in arthritis in vivo.

Analytical FcRn affinity chromatography for functional characterization of monoclonal antibodies

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is important for the metabolic fate of IgG antibodies in vivo. Analysis of the interaction between FcRn and IgG in vitro might provide insight into the structural and functional integrity of therapeutic IgG that may affect pharmacokinetics (PK) in vivo. We developed a standardized pH gradient FcRn affinity liquid chromatography method with conditions closely resembling the physiological mechanism of interaction between IgG and FcRn. This method allows the separation of molecular IgG isoforms, degradation products and engineered molecules based on their affinity to FcRn. Human FcRn was immobilized on the column and a linear pH gradient from pH 5.5 to 8.8 was applied. FcRn chromatography was used in comparison to surface plasmon resonance to characterize different monoclonal IgG preparations, e.g., oxidized or aggregated species. Wild-type and engineered IgGs were compared in vitro by FcRn chromatography and in vivo by PK studies in huFcRn transgenic mice. Analytical FcRn chromatography allows differentiation of IgG samples and variants by peak pattern and retention time profile. The method can distinguish: 1) IgGs with different Fabs, 2) oxidized from native IgG, 3) aggregates from monomer and 4) antibodies with mutations in the Fc part from wild-type IgGs. Changes in the FcRn chromatographic behavior of mutant IgGs relative to the wild-type IgG correlate to changes in the PK profile in the FcRn transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that FcRn affinity chromatography is a useful new method for the assessment of IgG integrity.

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

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 VH and one VL domain connected by a disulfide bond. The molecules are assembled by fusing a VH,Cys44 domain via flexible connector peptides to the C-terminus of one H-chain (heavy chain), and a VL,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 VH and VL. Tethering the VH and VL domains at the C-terminus of the CH3 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.

Allosteric antibody inhibition of human hepsin protease

Hepsin is a type II transmembrane serine protease that is expressed in several human tissues. Overexpression of hepsin has been found to correlate with tumour progression and metastasis, which is so far best studied for prostate cancer, where more than 90% of such tumours show this characteristic. To enable improved future patient treatment, we have developed a monoclonal humanized antibody that selectively inhibits human hepsin and does not inhibit other related proteases. We found that our antibody, hH35, potently inhibits hepsin enzymatic activity at nanomolar concentrations. Kinetic characterization revealed non-linear, slow, tight-binding inhibition. This correlates with the crystal structure we obtained for the human hepsin-hH35 antibody Fab fragment complex, which showed that the antibody binds hepsin around α3-helix, located far from the active centre. The unique allosteric mode of inhibition of hH35 is distinct from the recently described HGFA (hepatocyte growth factor activator) allosteric antibody inhibition. We further explain how a small change in the antibody design induces dramatic structural rearrangements in the hepsin antigen upon binding, leading to complete enzyme inactivation.

TetraMabs: simultaneous targeting of four oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases for tumor growth inhibition in heterogeneous tumor cell populations.

Monoclonal antibody-based targeted tumor therapy has greatly improved treatment options for patients. Antibodies against oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), especially the ErbB receptor family, are prominent examples. However, long-term efficacy of such antibodies is limited by resistance mechanisms. Tumor evasion by a priori or acquired activation of other kinases is often causative for this phenomenon. These findings led to an increasing number of combination approaches either within a protein family, e.g. the ErbB family or by targeting RTKs of different phylogenetic origin like HER1 and cMet or HER1 and IGF1R. Progress in antibody engineering technology enabled generation of clinical grade bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) to design drugs inherently addressing such resistance mechanisms. Limited data are available on multi-specific antibodies targeting three or more RTKs. In the present study, we have evaluated the cloning, eukaryotic expression and purification of tetraspecific, tetravalent Fc-containing antibodies targeting HER3, cMet, HER1 and IGF1R. The antibodies are based on the combination of single-chain Fab and Fv fragments in an IgG1 antibody format enhanced by the knob-into-hole technology. They are non-agonistic and inhibit tumor cell growth comparable to the combination of four parental antibodies. Importantly, TetraMabs show improved apoptosis induction and tumor growth inhibition over individual monospecific or BsAbs in cellular assays. In addition, a mimicry assay to reflect heterogeneous expression of antigens in a tumor mass was established. With this novel in vitro assay, we can demonstrate the superiority of a tetraspecific antibody to bispecific tumor antigen-binding antibodies in early pre-clinical development.