Binding specificity and internalization properties of an antibody-avidin fusion protein targeting the human transferrin receptor

J Control Release. 2007 Dec 4;124(1-2):35-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2007.08.020. Epub 2007 Aug 25.

Abstract

The human transferrin receptor (hTfR1) is a membrane-bound protein involved in transferrin (Tf)-mediated iron uptake and is highly expressed on malignant cells. A second version of the receptor (hTfR2) also mediates Tf-dependent iron import. We previously developed a protein composed of avidin fused to a mouse/human chimeric IgG3 specific for hTfR (anti-hTfR IgG3-Av) that was originally designed to deliver biotinylated drugs into cancer cells. We have now found that anti-hTfR IgG3-Av does not cross-react with hTfR2 and binds hTfR1 expressed on the surface of cells, attached to a solid surface, and in solution. We also found that the hemochromatosis protein (HFE), another ligand of the TfR, does not inhibit the binding of anti-hTfR IgG3-Av to the receptor. In addition, using live cell laser scanning confocal microscopy (LCLSCM) we demonstrated that anti-hTfR IgG3-Av and anti-hTfR IgG3 are internalized into cells expressing hTfR1 at a similar rate. Furthermore, our proliferation and morphological studies demonstrated the effective cytotoxicity of a biotinylated toxin delivered by anti-hTfR IgG3-Av only into cells expressing hTfR1. Our results better define the properties of anti-hTfR IgG3-Av and pave the way for the rational design of future in vitro and in vivo studies for the treatment of human malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Avidin / administration & dosage
  • Avidin / metabolism
  • Avidin / pharmacology*
  • Biotinylation
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates / administration & dosage
  • Immunoconjugates / metabolism
  • Immunoconjugates / pharmacology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin G / pharmacology
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Transferrin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Transferrin / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Transferrin / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CD71 antigen
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Avidin
  • Iron