Tania Griñán

Characterization of the Antibody Response against NeuGcGM3 Ganglioside Elicited in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Immunized with an Anti-Idiotype Antibody

1E10 mAb is an anti-Id murine mAb (Ab2 mAb) specific for an Ab1 mAb that reacts with NeuGc-containing gangliosides, sulfatides, and Ags expressed in some human tumors. In preclinical studies, this Ab2 Ab was able to mimic NeuGc-containing gangliosides only in animals lacking expression of these Ags in normal tissues. In this study, we report on the immune responses elicited in 20 non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with 1 mg of aluminum hydroxide-precipitated 1E10 mAb. In the hyperimmune sera from 16 of 20 patients, a strong specific Ab response of both IgM and IgG isotypes against NeuGcGM3 ganglioside was observed. Patient immune sera were able to induce complement-independent cell death of NeuGcGM3-expressing X63 murine myeloma target cells. Significant immunoreactivity to NeuGcGM3 was still detected after the complete abrogation of the reactivity against 1E10 mAb by the adsorption of patient sera with this Ab. We hypothesize that Id−Ag+ Abs could reflect the activation of an autologous idiotypic cascade into the patients. Both Id+Ag+ and Id−Ag+ fractions were separated by affinity chromatography and characterized. Although IgG isotype Abs were found in both fractions, IgM isotype Abs were found only in the Id−Ag+ fraction. Both Id+Ag+ and Id−Ag+ Abs were able to specifically recognize and induce cell death in NeuGcGM3-expressing X63 myeloma target cells. Patients that developed IgG and/or IgM Abs against NeuGcGM3 showed longer median survival times.

Anti-NeuGcGM3 Antibodies, Actively Elicited by Idiotypic Vaccination in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients, Induce Tumor Cell Death by an Oncosis-Like Mechanism

1E10 is a murine anti-idiotypic mAb specific for an idiotypic mAb that reacts with NeuGc-containing gangliosides, sulfatides, and Ags expressed in some human tumors. In melanoma, breast, and lung cancer patients, this anti-idiotypic Ab was able to induce a specific Ab response against N-glycolilated gangliosides, attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy as these glycolipids are not naturally expressed in humans. A clinical study with nonsmall cell lung cancer patients showed encouraging clinical benefits. Immunological studies performed in 20 of these patients suggested a correlation between the induction of Abs against NeuGcGM3 and longer survival times. The induced anti-NeuGcGM3 Abs recognized and directly killed tumor cells expressing the Ag, by a mechanism independent of complement activation. In the present work, we show that this cytotoxicity differs from apoptosis because it is temperature independent, no chromatin condensation or caspase 3 induction are detected, and the DNA fragmentation induced has a different pattern than the one characteristic for apoptosis. It is a very quick process and involves cytosqueleton reorganization. The Abs induce cellular swelling and the formation of big membrane lesions that allow the leakage of cytoplasm and the loss of the cell membrane integrity. All of these characteristics resemble a process of oncotic necrosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the active induction in cancer patients of NeuGcGM3-specific Abs able to induce complement independent oncotic necrosis to tumor cells. These results contribute to reinforcing the therapeutic potential of anti-idiotypic vaccines and the importance of NeuGcGM3 ganglioside as antitumor target.

Switching on cytotoxicity by a single mutation at the heavy chain variable region of an anti-ganglioside antibody.

Gangliosides are sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids present in the plasma membrane of most mammalian cells. In humans, the expression of the N-glycolylated (Neu5Gc) variant of the sialic acid has been associated with malignant transformation, constituting therefore an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. P3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) recognizes Neu5Gc-containing gangliosides, as well as sulfatides. Heavy chain CDR3 (H-CDR3) arginine residues have been shown to be crucial for ganglioside recognition, but less important for anti-idiotypic antibody binding. Here, we describe the effect on antibody reactivity of different mutations involving a single H-CDR3 acid residue. Substitution of glutamate 99 (Kabat numbering) by arginine, aspartate or serine residues resulted in no differences in anti-idiotype binding. However, the first mutation caused increased reactivity with the antigen, including a cytotoxic effect of the antibody on ganglioside-expressing cells previously unseen for the wild type antibody. Another antibody that recognizes N-glycolyl-GM3 ganglioside (GM3(Neu5Gc)), but not other glycolipids, named 14F7, exhibits also an arginine-enriched H-CDR3 and a complement-independent cell death activity. Unlike 14F7 mAb, the cytotoxicity of the P3 E(99)→R mutant antibody did not exclusively depend on ganglioside expression on tumor cells.

Antiatherosclerotic Effect of an Antibody That Binds to Extracellular Matrix Glycosaminoglycans

Objective—Subendothelial retention of proatherogenic lipoproteins by proteoglycans is critical in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to characterize the recognition and antiatherogenic properties of a chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) that reacts with sulfated molecules. Methods and Results—chP3R99 mAb recognized sulfated glycosaminoglycans, mainly chondroitin sulfate (CS), by ELISA. This mAb blocked ≈70% of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)–CS association and ≈80% of LDL oxidation in vitro, and when intravenously injected to Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6, 1 mg/animal), it inhibited LDL (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally, 1 hour later) retention and oxidation in the artery wall. Moreover, subcutaneous immunization of New Zealand White rabbits (n=19) with chP3R99 mAb (100 &mgr;g, 3 doses at weekly intervals) prevented Lipofundin-induced atherosclerosis (2 mL/kg, 8 days) with a 22-fold reduction in the intima-media ratio (P<0.01). Histopathologic and ultrastructural studies showed no intimal alterations or slight thickening, with preserved junctions between endothelial cells and scarce collagen fibers and glycosaminoglycans. In addition, immunization with chP3R99 mAb suppressed macrophage infiltration in aorta and preserved redox status. The atheroprotective effect was associated with the induction of anti-CS antibodies in chP3R99-immunized rabbits, capable of blocking CS-LDL binding and LDL oxidation. Conclusion—These results support the use of anti-sulfated glycosaminoglycan antibody–based immunotherapy as a potential tool to prevent atherosclerosis.

Human antibodies reactive to NeuGcGM3 ganglioside have cytotoxic antitumor properties

N‐glycolylated gangliosides are not naturally expressed in healthy human tissues but are overexpressed in several tumors. We demonstrate the existence of antibodies that bind (N‐glycolylneuraminyl)‐lactosylceramide (NeuGcGM3) and are detectable in the sera of 65 from the 100 donors (65%) tested by ELISA. From those 65 NeuGcGM3 antibody‐positive donors, 35 had antibodies that were able to recognize and kill NeuGcGM3‐expressing tumor cells by a complement‐mediated mechanism. After complement inactivation, 11 of the 35 positive sera showed a direct cytotoxic effect on the tumor cells. This complement‐independent cytotoxicity was dependent on the presence of antigen on the membrane and resembles an oncotic necrosis cell death. Both the levels of anti‐NeuGcGM3 antibodies in the sera as well as the percentage of healthy donors with this immunity decreased with the age of the donor. In contrast to age and gender‐matched healthy donors, we could only detect low reactivity against NeuGcGM3 in the sera of six out of 53 non‐small cell lung cancer patients. These results suggest the existence of antibodies against NeuGcGM3 with antitumor immune surveillance functions, reinforcing the importance of N‐glycolylated gangliosides as antitumor targets.

Arresting progressive atherosclerosis by immunization with an anti-glycosaminoglycan monoclonal antibody in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Atherogenesis is associated with the early retention of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the arterial intima by interaction with glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-side chains of proteoglycans. Retained LDL undergo reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidation. Oxidized LDL trigger oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation, contributing to atherosclerosis development. Recently, we reported the preventive anti-atherogenic properties of the chimeric mouse/human monoclonal antibody (mAb) chP3R99-LALA, which were related to the induction of anti-chondroitin sulfate antibody response able to inhibit chondroitin sulfate dependent LDL-enhanced oxidation. In the present work, we aimed at further investigating the impact of chP3R99-LALA mAb vaccination on progressive atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (apoE(-/-)) fed with a high-fat high-cholesterol diet receiving 5 doses (50 µg) of the antibody subcutaneously, when ~5% of the aortic area was covered by lesions. Therapeutic immunization with chP3R99-LALA mAb halted atherosclerotic lesions progression. In addition, aortic OS was modulated, as shown by a significant (p<0.05) reduction of lipid and protein oxidation, preservation of antioxidant enzymes activity and reduced glutathione, together with a decrease of nitric oxide levels. chP3R99-LALA mAb immunization also regulated aortic NF-κB activation, diminishing the proinflammatory IL1-β and TNF-α gene expression as well as the infiltration of macrophages into the arterial wall. The therapeutic immunization of apoE(-/-) with progressive atheromas and persistent hypercholesterolemia using chP3R99-LALA mAb arrested further development of lesions, accompanied by a decrease of aortic OS and NF-κB-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression. These results contribute to broaden the potential use of this anti-GAG antibody-based immunotherapy as a novel approach to target atherosclerosis at different phases of progression.

Anti‐NeuGcGM3 reactivity: a possible role of natural antibodies and B‐1 cells in tumor immunosurveillance

While not naturally expressed in normal human tissues, N‐glycolylated (NeuGc) gangliosides are overexpressed in several tumors and have immunosuppressive capacity, which contributes to cancer progression. Naturally occurring antibodies against NeuGcGM3 exist in healthy donors that specifically recognize and kill tumor cells expressing the antigen by complement‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms, the latter resembling an oncotic necrosis–type of cell death. Both the levels of anti‐NeuGcGM3 antibodies in the sera of healthy donors and the percentage of donors with these natural antibodies decrease with age. Our work has shown that anti‐NeuGcGM3 antibodies are not detected in the sera of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, compared to age‐ and sex‐matched healthy donors, which have anti‐NeuGcGM3. Interestingly, the level of serum total IgM, but not IgG, was significantly lower in cancer patients than in healthy donors. Screening of immortalized mouse splenic and peritoneal‐derived hybridomas showed that peritoneal B‐1 cells secrete anti‐NeuGcGM3 with tumor cytotoxic capacity. Defects in the natural surveillance against tumor antigens could increase the risk of elderly donors developing cancer and affect the capacity of cancer patients to effectively fight against tumor cells.

Targeting arterial wall sulfated glycosaminoglycans in rabbit atherosclerosis with a mouse/human chimeric antibody.

The progression of atherosclerosis is favored by increasing amounts of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the artery wall. We previously reported the reactivity of chP3R99 monoclonal antibody (mAb) with sulfated glycosaminoglycans and its association with the anti-atherogenic properties displayed. Now, we evaluated the accumulation of this mAb in atherosclerotic lesions and its potential use as a probe for specific in vivo detection of the disease. Atherosclerosis was induced in NZW rabbits (n = 14) by the administration of Lipofundin 20% using PBS-receiving animals as control (n = 8). Accumulation of chP3R99 mAb in atherosclerotic lesions was assessed either by immunofluorescence detection of human IgG in fresh-frozen sections of aorta, or by immunoscintigraphy followed by biodistribution of the radiotracer upon administration of 99mTc-chP3R99 mAb. Immunofluorescence studies revealed the presence of chP3R99 mAb in atherosclerotic lesions 24 h after intravenous administration, whereas planar images showed an evident accumulation of 99mTc-chP3R99 mAb in atherosclerotic rabbit carotids. Accordingly, 99mTc-chP3R99 mAb uptake by lesioned aortic arch and thoracic segment was increased 5.6-fold over controls and it was 3.9-folds higher in carotids, in agreement with immunoscintigrams. Moreover, the deposition of 99mTc-chP3R99 mAb in the artery wall was associated both with the presence and size of the lesions in the different portions of evaluated arteries and was greater than in non-targeted organs. In conclusion, chP3R99 mAb preferentially accumulates in arterial atherosclerotic lesions supporting the potential use of this anti-glycosaminoglycans antibody for diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

P3 mAb: An Immunogenic Anti-NeuGcGM3 Antibody with Unusual Immunoregulatory Properties

P3 is a murine IgM mAb that recognize N-glycosylated gangliosides, sulfatides, and antigens expressed in melanoma, breast, and lung human tumors. This antibody has the ability to trigger an IgG antibody response in the syngeneic BALB/c model, even when it is administered in the absence of adjuvant or carrier protein. The mechanism by which the P3 mAb, a self-immunoglobulin, induce this immune response in the absence of co-stimulatory or classical danger signals is still unknown. In the present paper we show that the high immunogenicity of P3 mAb depends not only on CD4 but also on CD8+ T cells, since the depletion of CD8+ or CD4+ T cells led to the loss of P3 mAb immunogenicity in the syngeneic model. Furthermore, the immunization with P3 mAb enhanced the recovery of the CD8+ T cell population in mice treated with an anti-CD8a antibody. Additionally, the immunization with P3 mAb restored the capacity of immunosuppressed mice to reject allogeneic tumors, a mechanism mediated by the action of CD8+ T cells. Finally, in mice with cyclophosphamide induced lymphopenia, the administration of P3 mAb accelerated the recovery of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These results show new possibilities for B and CD8+ T cells interactions during the immune response elicited by a self-protein. Furthermore they point to P3 mAb as a potential interesting candidate for the treatment of immunosuppressed patients.

Dose-Dependent Induction of an Idiotypic Cascade by Anti-Glycosaminoglycan Monoclonal Antibody in apoE−/− Mice: Association with Atheroprotection

Atherosclerosis, the underlying pathology of most cardiovascular diseases, is triggered by the retention of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins in the arterial wall through electrostatic interactions with glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains of proteoglycans. Previously, we reported the antiatherogenic properties of the chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) chP3R99-LALA, which binds sulfated GAGs, inhibits low-density lipoprotein (LDL)–chondroitin sulfate (CS) association, and abrogates LDL oxidation and foam cell formation. In preventive and therapeutic settings, apoE-deficient (apoE−/−) mice immunized with 50 μg of this mAb showed reduced atherosclerotic lesions related with the induction of autologous anti-GAG antibodies. Knowing that age and sex are major non-modifiable risk factors in the development of atherosclerosis, the present study aimed to assess the influence of these variables on the capacity of chP3R99-LALA mAb to generate an anti-CS antibody response. Also, we aimed at defining the impact of the dose of chP3R99-LALA on the anti-CS antibody induction and the atheroprotective effect of this mAb in apoE−/− mice. Neither age nor sex had an impact in the IgG anti-CS antibody response induced by s.c. immunization with this mAb. Moreover, chP3R99-LALA mAb reduced atherosclerotic lesions to a similar extent in both young male and female apoE−/− mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and, in middle-aged female apoE−/− mice, with spontaneous lesions. On the other hand, increasing the dose of chP3R99-LALA (200 vs. 50 μg) elicited an anti-idiotype antibody cascade characterized by higher levels of anti-idiotype (Ab2), anti-anti-idiotype (Ab3), and anti-CS antibody responses. Moreover, this dose increment resulted in a striking reduction of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in immunized mice.