A bispecific IgG format containing four independent antigen binding sites

Sci Rep. 2020 Jan 31;10(1):1546. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58150-z.

Abstract

Bispecific antibodies come in many different formats, including the particularly interesting two-in-one antibodies, where one conventional IgG binds two different antigens. The IgG format allows these antibodies to mediate Fc-related functionality, and their wild-type structure ensures low immunogenicity and enables standard methods to be used for development. It is however difficult, time-consuming and costly to generate two-in-one antibodies. Herein we demonstrate a new approach to create a similar type of antibody by combining two different variable heavy (VH) domains in each Fab arm of an IgG, a tetra-VH IgG format. The VHs are used as building blocks, where one VH is placed at its usual position, and the second VH replaces the variable light (VL) domain in a conventional IgG. VH domains, binding several different types of antigens, were discovered and could be rearranged in any combination, offering a convenient "plug and play" format. The tetra-VH IgGs were found to be functionally tetravalent, binding two antigens on each arm of the IgG molecule simultaneously. This offers a new strategy to also create monospecific, tetravalent IgGs that, depending on antigen architecture and mode-of-action, may have enhanced efficacy compared to traditional bivalent antibodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / genetics
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • CD40 Antigens / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism*
  • OX40 Ligand / immunology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Engineering
  • Signal Transduction
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • OX40 Ligand
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • TNFSF4 protein, human