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Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Jan 2020Antibody-based proteins have become an important class of biologic therapeutics, due in large part to the stability, specificity, and adaptability of the antibody... (Review)
Review
Antibody-based proteins have become an important class of biologic therapeutics, due in large part to the stability, specificity, and adaptability of the antibody framework. Indeed, antibodies not only have the inherent ability to bind both antigens and endogenous immune receptors but also have proven extremely amenable to protein engineering. Thus, several derivatives of the monoclonal antibody format, including bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and antibody fragments, have demonstrated efficacy for treating human disease, particularly in the fields of immunology and oncology. Reviewed here are considerations for the design of antibody-based therapeutics, including immunological context, therapeutic mechanisms, and engineering strategies. First, characteristics of antibodies are introduced, with emphasis on structural domains, functionally important receptors, isotypic and allotypic differences, and modifications such as glycosylation. Then, aspects of therapeutic antibody design are discussed, including identification of antigen-specific variable regions, choice of expression system, use of multispecific formats, and design of antibody derivatives based on fragmentation, oligomerization, or conjugation to other functional moieties. Finally, strategies to enhance antibody function through protein engineering are reviewed while highlighting the impact of fundamental biophysical properties on protein developability.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Communicable Diseases; Drug Design; Humans; Immunity, Humoral; Immunoconjugates; Immunoglobulin G; Neoplasms; Protein Engineering; Receptors, Fc
PubMed: 31173761
DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.05.031 -
Neurotherapeutics : the Journal of the... Apr 2022Autoimmune diseases of the peripheral nervous system have so far been treated mainly with exogenous high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), that act through... (Review)
Review
Autoimmune diseases of the peripheral nervous system have so far been treated mainly with exogenous high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), that act through several mechanisms, including neutralization of pathogenic autoantibodies, modulation of lymphocyte activity, interference with antigen presentation, and interaction with Fc receptors, cytokines, and the complement system. Other therapeutic strategies have recently been developed, in part to address the increasing shortage of IVIg, prime among which is the use of B cell depleting monoclonal antibodies, or small molecule inhibitors targeting the B-cell specific kinases. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 + B lymphocytes, is currently the most used, especially in anti-MAG antibody neuropathy and autoimmune neuropathies with antibodies to nodal/paranodal antigens that are unresponsive to IVIg. After several reports of its efficacy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), rituximab is currently under investigation in three Phase 2 trials in CIDP. In addition, the possible role of complement activation in the pathogenesis of chronic autoimmune neuropathies has brought into consideration drugs that can block the complement cascade, such as eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody already assessed in acute polyradiculoneuropathies, and approved for myasthenia gravis. Preliminary data on eculizumab in multifocal motor neuropathy have been published, but randomized controlled studies are pending. Moreover, the neonatal Fc receptor, that recycles IgGs by preventing their lysosome degradation, is an important and attractive pharmacological target. Antibodies against FcRn, which reduce circulating IgG (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic) have been developed. The FcRn blocker efgartigimod, a humanized IgG1-derived Fc fragment, which competitively inhibits the FcRn, has recently been approved for the treatment of myasthenia gravis and is currently under investigation in CIDP. In addition, the anti-human FcRn monoclonal antibody rozanolixizumab is currently being assessed in phase 2 trials in CIDP. However, none of the abovementioned monoclonal antibodies is currently approved for treatment of any immune-mediated neuropathies. While more specific and individualized therapies are being developed, the possibility of combined treatments targeting different pathogenic mechanisms deserves consideration as well.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Infant, Newborn; Myasthenia Gravis; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating; Rituximab
PubMed: 35349079
DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01222-x -
Current Opinion in Structural Biology Jun 2016The successful introduction of antibody-based protein therapeutics into the arsenal of treatments for patients has within a few decades fostered intense innovation in... (Review)
Review
The successful introduction of antibody-based protein therapeutics into the arsenal of treatments for patients has within a few decades fostered intense innovation in the production and engineering of antibodies. Reviewed here are the methods currently used to produce antibodies along with how our knowledge of the structural and functional characterization of immunoglobulins has resulted in the engineering of antibodies to produce protein therapeutics with unique properties, both biological and biophysical, that are leading to novel therapeutic approaches. Antibody engineering includes the introduction of the antibody combining site (variable regions) into a host of architectures including bi and multi-specific formats that further impact the therapeutic properties leading to further advantages and successes in patient treatment.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Humans; Protein Engineering; Tissue Distribution
PubMed: 27525816
DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2016.07.012 -
Biochimie Oct 2020An antibody's stability greatly influences its performance (i.e. its specificity and affinity). Thus, stability is a major issue for researchers and manufacturers,... (Review)
Review
An antibody's stability greatly influences its performance (i.e. its specificity and affinity). Thus, stability is a major issue for researchers and manufacturers, especially with the increasing use of antibodies in therapeutics, diagnostics and rapid analytical platforms. Here we review antibody stability under five headings: (i) measurement techniques; (ii) stability issues in expression and production (expression, proteolysis, aggregation); (iii) effects of antibody format and engineering on stability and (iv) formulation, drying and storage conditions. We consider more than 100 sources, including patents, and conclude with (v) recommendations to promote antibody stability.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Cold Temperature; Drug Compounding; Drug Storage; Humans; Protein Engineering; Protein Stability
PubMed: 32891698
DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.08.019 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences May 2019Protein therapeutics have drastically changed the landscape of treatment for many diseases by providing a regimen that is highly specific and lacks many off-target... (Review)
Review
Protein therapeutics have drastically changed the landscape of treatment for many diseases by providing a regimen that is highly specific and lacks many off-target toxicities. The clinical utility of many therapeutic proteins has been undermined by the potential development of unwanted immune responses against the protein, limiting their efficacy and negatively impacting its safety profile. This review attempts to provide an overview of immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins, including immune mechanisms and factors influencing immunogenicity, impact of immunogenicity, preclinical screening methods, and strategies to mitigate immunogenicity.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Antibody Formation; Humans; Proteins
PubMed: 30599169
DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2018.12.014 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Antibodies play a critical role in linking the adaptive immune response to the innate immune system. In humans, antibodies are categorized into five classes, IgG, IgM,... (Review)
Review
Antibodies play a critical role in linking the adaptive immune response to the innate immune system. In humans, antibodies are categorized into five classes, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD, based on constant region sequence, structure, and tropism. In serum, IgG is the most abundant antibody, comprising 75% of antibodies in circulation, followed by IgA at 15%, IgM at 10%, and IgD and IgE are the least abundant. All human antibody classes are post-translationally modified by sugars. The resulting glycans take on many divergent structures and can be attached in an N-linked or O-linked manner, and are distinct by antibody class, and by position on each antibody. Many of these glycan structures on antibodies are capped by sialic acid. It is well established that the composition of the N-linked glycans on IgG exert a profound influence on its effector functions. However, recent studies have described the influence of glycans, particularly sialic acid for other antibody classes. Here, we discuss the role of glycosylation, with a focus on terminal sialylation, in the biology and function across all antibody classes. Sialylation has been shown to influence not only IgG, but IgE, IgM, and IgA biology, making it an important and unappreciated regulator of antibody function.
Topics: Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin D; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; Polysaccharides
PubMed: 35464485
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.818736 -
MAbs 2012The disulfide bond structures established decades ago for immunoglobulins have been challenged by findings from extensive characterization of recombinant and human... (Review)
Review
The disulfide bond structures established decades ago for immunoglobulins have been challenged by findings from extensive characterization of recombinant and human monoclonal IgG antibodies. Non-classical disulfide bond structure was first identified in IgG4 and later in IgG2 antibodies. Although, cysteine residues should be in the disulfide bonded states, free sulfhydryls have been detected in all subclasses of IgG antibodies. In addition, disulfide bonds are susceptible to chemical modifications, which can further generate structural variants such as IgG antibodies with trisulfide bond or thioether linkages. Trisulfide bond formation has also been observed for IgG of all subclasses. Degradation of disulfide bond through β-elimination generates free sulfhydryls disulfide and dehydroalanine. Further reaction between free sulfhydryl and dehydroalanine leads to the formation of a non-reducible cross-linked species. Hydrolysis of the dehydroalanine residue contributes substantially to antibody hinge region fragmentation. The effect of these disulfide bond variations on antibody structure, stability and biological function are discussed in this review.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Disulfides; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Protein Isoforms; Recombinant Proteins
PubMed: 22327427
DOI: 10.4161/mabs.4.1.18347 -
Medecine Sciences : M/S Dec 2019Cytokines and biological toxins represent two potent classes of biomolecules that have long been explored for their potential as therapeutics. Considerable side effects... (Review)
Review
Cytokines and biological toxins represent two potent classes of biomolecules that have long been explored for their potential as therapeutics. Considerable side effects and poor pharmacokinetics frequently observed with both have limited their broad application. Recombinant protein engineering has allowed the construction of immunocytokines and immunotoxins that seek to exploit the advantageous properties of immunoglobulins to address these issues. Whole antibodies, antibody fragments, constant domains and derivatives have been fused genetically to a range of cytokines and toxins. This review considers the strategies that have been employed and the problems sought to be resolved in the clinical evaluation of this class of biotherapeutic.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Cytokines; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans; Immunotoxins; Protein Engineering; Recombinant Fusion Proteins
PubMed: 31903917
DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2019205 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Antibodies and their derivatives (scFv, Fabs, etc.) represent a unique class of biomolecules that combine selectivity with the ability to target drug delivery.... (Review)
Review
Antibodies and their derivatives (scFv, Fabs, etc.) represent a unique class of biomolecules that combine selectivity with the ability to target drug delivery. Currently, one of the most promising endeavors in this field is the development of molecular diagnostic tools and antibody-based therapeutic agents, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). To meet this challenge, it is imperative to advance methods for modifying antibodies. A particularly promising strategy involves the introduction of carbonyl groups into the antibody that are amenable to further modification by biorthogonal reactions, namely aliphatic, aromatic, and α-oxo aldehydes, as well as aliphatic and aryl-alkyl ketones. In this review, we summarize the preparation methods and applications of site-specific antibody conjugates that are synthesized using this approach.
Topics: Antibodies; Immunoconjugates; Antigens; Drug Delivery Systems; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38067618
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237890 -
Transfusion Jul 2015The clinical consequences of antibodies to red blood cells (RBCs) have been studied for a century. Most clinically relevant antibodies can be detected by sensitive in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The clinical consequences of antibodies to red blood cells (RBCs) have been studied for a century. Most clinically relevant antibodies can be detected by sensitive in vitro assays. Several mechanisms of antibody-mediated hemolysis are well understood. Such hemolysis after transfusion is reliably avoided in a donor-recipient pair, if one individual is negative for the cognate antigen to which the other has the antibody.
STUDY DESIGN AND RESULTS
Mechanisms of antibody-mediated hemolysis were reviewed based on a presentation at the Strategies to Address Hemolytic Complications of Immune Globulin Infusions Workshop addressing intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and ABO antibodies. The presented topics included the rates of intravascular and extravascular hemolysis; immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG isoagglutinins; auto- and alloantibodies; antibody specificity; A, B, A,B, and A1 antigens; A1 versus A2 phenotypes; monocytes-macrophages, other immune cells, and complement; monocyte monolayer assay; antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity; and transfusion reactions due to ABO and other antibodies.
CONCLUSION
Several clinically relevant questions remained unresolved, and diagnostic tools were lacking to routinely and reliably predict the clinical consequences of RBC antibodies. Most hemolytic transfusion reactions associated with IVIG were due to ABO antibodies. Reducing the titers of such antibodies in IVIG may lower the frequency of this kind of adverse event. The only way to stop these events is to have no anti-A or anti-B in the IVIG products.
Topics: Animals; Autoantibodies; Erythrocytes; Hemagglutinins; Hemolysis; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Isoantibodies; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 26174897
DOI: 10.1111/trf.13147