The hexamerization of natural, human IgG antibodies after cell surface antigen binding can induce activation of the classical complement pathway. Mutations stimulating Fc domain-mediated... Show moreThe hexamerization of natural, human IgG antibodies after cell surface antigen binding can induce activation of the classical complement pathway. Mutations stimulating Fc domain-mediated hexamerization can potentiate complement activation and induce the clustering of cell surface receptors, a finding that was applied to different clinically investigated antibody therapeutics. Here, we biophysically characterized how increased self-association of IgG1 antibody variants with different hexamerization propensity may impact their developability, rather than functional properties. Self-Interaction Chromatography, Dynamic Light Scattering and PEG-induced precipitation showed that IgG variant self-association at neutral pH increased in the order wild type (WT) < E430G < E345K < E345R < E430G-E345R-S440Y, consistent with functional activity. Self-association was strongly pH-dependent, and single point mutants were fully monomeric at pH 5. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Fluorimetry showed that mutation E430G decreased conformational stability. Interestingly, heat-induced unfolding facilitated by mutation E430G was reversible at 60 degrees C, while a solvent-exposed hydrophobic mutation caused irreversible aggregation. Remarkably, neither increased dynamic self-association propensity at neutral pH nor decreased conformational stability substantially affected the stability of concentrated variants E430G or E345K during storage for two years at 2-8 degrees C. We discuss how these findings may inform the design and development of IgG-based therapeutics. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Pharmacists Association. Show less
Higher-order death receptor 5 (DR5) clustering can induce tumor cell death; however, therapeutic compounds targeting DR5 have achieved limited clinical efficacy. We describe HexaBody-DR5/DR5, an... Show moreHigher-order death receptor 5 (DR5) clustering can induce tumor cell death; however, therapeutic compounds targeting DR5 have achieved limited clinical efficacy. We describe HexaBody-DR5/DR5, an equimolar mixture of two DR5-specific IgG1 antibodies with an Fc-domain mutation that augments antibody hexamerization after cell surface target binding. The two antibodies do not compete for binding to DR5 as demonstrated using binding competition studies, and binding to distinct epitopes in the DR5 extracellular domain was confirmed by crystallography. The unique combination of dual epitope targeting and increased IgG hexamerization resulted in potent DR5 agonist activity by inducing efficient DR5 outside-in signaling and caspase-mediated cell death. Preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that maximal DR5 agonist activity could be achieved independent of Fc gamma receptor-mediated antibody crosslinking. Most optimal agonism was observed in the presence of complement complex C1, although without inducing complement-dependent cytotoxicity. It is hypothesized that C1 may stabilize IgG hexamers that are formed after binding of HexaBody-DR5/DR5 to DR5 on the plasma membrane, thereby strengthening DR5 clustering and subsequent outside-in signaling. We observed potent antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo in large panels of patient-derived xenograft models representing various solid cancers. The results of our preclinical studies provided the basis for an ongoing clinical trial exploring the activity of HexaBody-DR5/DR5 (GEN1029) in patients with malignant solid tumors. Show less
Activation of membrane receptors through clustering is a common mechanism found in various biological systems. Spatial proximity of receptors may be transduced across the membrane to initiate... Show moreActivation of membrane receptors through clustering is a common mechanism found in various biological systems. Spatial proximity of receptors may be transduced across the membrane to initiate signaling pathways or alternatively be recognized by peripheral proteins or immune cells to trigger external effector functions. Here we show how specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding induces clustering of monomeric target molecules in lipid membranes through Fc- Fc interactions. We visualize and characterize the dynamic IgG oligomerization process and the molecular interactions involved using high-speed atomic force microscopy, single-molecule force spectroscopy, and quartz crystal microbalance experiments. We found that the Fc-Fc interaction strength is precisely tuned to be weak enough to prevent IgG oligomerization in solution at physiological titers, but enabling IgG oligomerization when Fabs additionally bind to their cognate surface epitopes, a mechanism that ultimately targets IgG-mediated effector functions such as classical complement activation to antigenic membranes. Show less
CD20 monoclonal antibody therapies have significantly improved the outlook for patients with B-cell malignancies. However, many patients acquire resistance, demonstrating the need for new and... Show moreCD20 monoclonal antibody therapies have significantly improved the outlook for patients with B-cell malignancies. However, many patients acquire resistance, demonstrating the need for new and improved drugs. We previously demonstrated that the natural process of antibody hexamer formation on targeted cells allows for optimal induction of complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity can be potentiated by introducing a single point mutation such as E430G in the IgG Fc domain that enhances intermolecular Fc-Fc interactions between cell-bound IgG molecules, thereby facilitating IgG hexamer formation. Antibodies specific for CD37, a target that is abundantly expressed on healthy and malignant B cells, are generally poor inducers of complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Here we demonstrate that introduction of the hexamerization-enhancing mutation E430G in CD37-specific antibodies facilitates highly potent complement-dependent cytotoxicity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells ex vivo. Strikingly, we observed that combinations of hexamerization-enhanced CD20 and CD37 antibodies cooperated in C1q binding and induced superior and synergistic complement-dependent cytotoxicity in patient-derived cancer cells compared to the single agents. Furthermore, CD20 and CD37 antibodies colocalized on the cell membrane, an effect that was potentiated by the hexamerization-enhancing mutation. Moreover, upon cell surface binding, CD20 and CD37 antibodies were shown to form mixed hexameric antibody complexes consisting of both antibodies each bound to their own cognate target, so-called hetero-hexamers. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of synergy in antibody-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity and provide a rationale to explore Fc-engineering and antibody hetero-hexamerization as a tool to enhance the cooperativity and therapeutic efficacy of antibody combinations. Show less
IgG antibodies play a central role in protection against pathogens by their ability to alert and activate the innate immune system. Here, we show that IgGs assemble into oligomers on antigenic... Show moreIgG antibodies play a central role in protection against pathogens by their ability to alert and activate the innate immune system. Here, we show that IgGs assemble into oligomers on antigenic surfaces through an ordered, Fc domain-mediated process that can be modulated by protein engineering. Using high-speed atomic force microscopy, we unraveled the molecular events of IgG oligomer formation on surfaces. IgG molecules were recruited from solution although assembly of monovalently binding molecules also occurred through lateral diffusion. Monomers were observed to assemble into hexamers with all intermediates detected, but in which only hexamers bound Cl. Functional characterization of oligomers on cells also demonstrated that Cl binding to IgG hexamers was a prerequisite for maximal activation, whereas tetramers, trimers, and dimers were mostly inactive. We present a dynamic IgG oligomerization model, which provides a framework for exploiting the macromolecular assembly of IgGs on surfaces for tool, immunotherapy, and vaccine design. Show less
Bremer, E.T.J. van den; Beurskens, F.J.; Voorhorst, M.; Engelberts, P.J.; Jong, R.N. de; Boom, B.G. van der; ... ; Parren, P.W.H.I. 2015
